Saturday, Jan. 9:
Colts (11-5) @ Bills (13-3) (1:05 p.m. EST)
- I have the Bills winning this matchup. The Bills are on a tear and Josh Allen has put up MVP numbers in TDs (45 total) and passing yards (4,544). The Colts have a solid defense this year as well as a veteran in Phillip Rivers to make this a tough matchup. Although this is a dangerous matchup for the Bills, I think they will get it done on offense. Josh Allen has been able to mix it up through the air and on the ground and will be difficult to contain.
Rams (10-6) @ Seahawks (12-4) (4:40 p.m. EST)
- Division rivals that always seem to split games on the year. The Seahawks won the last matchup in Seattle, and they will be home this Saturday. Rams starting QB, Jared Goff, is questionable to play due to a thumb injury he received in week 16 against the Seahawks. He had to have surgery and is only two weeks into the recovery process. I think the Seahawks will win comfortably over the Rams.
Buccaneers (11-5) @ Washington (7-9) (8:15 p.m. EST)
- Washington is (4-1) under Alex Smith who helped Washington upset the unbeaten Steelers (11-0). Smith has been able to get the job done after sustaining a gruesome life threatening leg injury in 2018. Since Smith has gotten the starting job, the defense has held their opponent to less than 20 points every game. On the other side, Tom Brady and the Bucs have started to peak at the perfect time. The Bucs are also (4-1) in their last five games, only losing to the Chiefs. I have the Bucs winning this one. Although Washington has been playing great defense, the Bucs have too many all stars on offense as well as experience at QB.
Sunday, Jan. 10:
Ravens (11-5) @ Titans (11-5) (1:05 p.m. EST)
- This will be a high scoring game and will come down to Lamar Jackson and his ability to escape the pocket and not turn the ball over. The Titans have beaten the Ravens in their last two matchups including a big upset in the divisional round of the 2019 playoffs. Lamar has yet to win a playoff game but I think he will get past that this week and will rally the Ravens to a win over the Titans. The Titans have the best RB in the league in Derrick Henry who rushed for over 2000 yards during the regular season, and 250 yds in the last game of the year. If the Ravens can’t contain the run, it will be a long night.
Bears (8-8) @ Saints (12-4) (4:40 p.m. EST)
- The Bears have been too inconsistent this year and I don’t think they can find a win here. Drew Brees has all the postseason experience needed and is hungry to win another championship before he retires. The Bears have some great defensive players in Khalil Mack and Eddie Jackson, but I think Brees will be able to get the ball out quickly and avoid pressure. I have the Saints winning by multiple scores.
Browns (11-5) @ Steelers (12-4) (8:15 p.m. EST)
- I originally was going to take the Browns in this matchup but they are going to be missing their head coach as well as key lineman and defensive players in this game due to COVID-19. The Browns have also not been able to practice during these challenging times. I think the Steelers will get the win this week and move on to the divisional round despite their recent struggles towards the end of the season.
