Divisional Round Weekly Wonder

By Peyton Schultze

Tom Brady and the rest of the Buccaneers’ offense are on fire right now, but face a Saints’ squad that has given them some real struggles in two matchups this season (via Pro Football Network).

Onto the next one.

After an insane Wild Card round that saw some big time upsets like the Rams over the Seahawks and the Browns over the Steelers, the 2021 NFL playoffs enter the next stage with full stream ahead. With big questions on the line for what teams will get to the AFC and NFC Championship Games, all eyes are on the four marquee matchups coming up over the holiday weekend. So what gives in this exciting Divisional Round? Look ahead for our preview of all four games coming up this weekend.

Divisional Round Matchups

Saturday: Los Angeles Rams @ Green Bay Packers (-7.0), 1:35 PM PT, FOX

Aaron Rodgers will look to continue his MVP-type season at home on Saturday against arguably the league’s best defense in the Los Angeles Rams (via Los Angeles Times).

The Rams played another outstanding defensive ballgame last weekend against the Seahawks to pull off a big-time road upset, but you’d have to imagine they’ll need borderline perfection this weekend against one of the league’s best offenses in the snowy confines of Green Bay.

Aaron Rodgers is not quite a lock for the MVP award with Derrick Henry and Josh Allen right on his heels, but he surely has been the best quarterback in all of football this season. The Packers’ face of the franchise led the league in completion percentage and touchdowns with 48 through the air in his age-37 season, forming an elite connection with head coach Matt LaFleur in the second year of his system in the league’s top ranked offense. Green Bay also led the league in points for and had the least turnovers on offense, and although their defense remains susceptible against the run, they’ve had some bright moments down the stretch of the regular season. And all of that goes without even mentioning a superb supporting cast including Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones and First Team All-Pro wide reciever Davante Adams? The Packers are locked and loaded for this playoff run to get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2010-2011 season.

But will Rodgers face some tough pressure coming off a bye week against a very capable defense? Green Bay’s push toward the top seed in the NFC could truly pay off this weekend, as game-time temperatures are expected to be at least below 30 degrees by the time kickoff rolls around on Saturday afternoon. The Rams’ superstar players could make a huge difference in this game, especially with Ramsey locking up elite receivers at a consistent rate all year long, but Aaron Donald’s status remains up in the air after suffering a rib injury last weekend. If the Rams can generate pressure on Rodgers and force low-completion throws that could be up for grabs in the secondary, this game could be much more closer than people think in a game that could be bothered by the elements

At the end of the day, the Packers are in a great position to move onto the NFC Championship Game after a much-needed bye week. But the Rams do have the ingredients to cause some troubles for Green Bay’s elite offense, which turns all of the pressure onto Los Angeles’ offense. The status of Jared Goff still remains up in the air, and while he played fine last weekend, he has been shaky in big moments and in cold weather scenarios over the course of his career. The Rams could force this to be dangerously close for at least three quarters with all eyes on the Packers, but Rodgers and their high-flying offense will have the advantage at the end of the night within the comfortable setting of Lambeau Field.

Prediction: Los Angeles: 17 Green Bay: 24

Saturday: Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills (-2.0), 5:15 PM PT, NBC

In what could end up being a snowy night in northern New York, Baltimore and Buffalo meet up in what figures to be a high-flying divisional round game (via PennLive.com).

The Ravens finally overcame some of their prior postseason hiccups by pushing through the physicality of the Tennessee Titans last Sunday, leaning on the legs of their star quarterback to deliver a win and get them into a highly-anticipated matchup with one of the hottest teams in football. But the red-hot Bills present a new danger in the AFC playoff picture, which could cause some major issues for the Ravens on a cold, Saturday night.

Lamar Jackson may have been the human highlight reel of the 2019 season, but his play at the end of this particular season has seen him take leaps forward as a leader in some of the brightest moments of his still-young career. Baltimore needed to get on a roll in order to get into the postseason this season after a slow start to the year, but they now continue onto the next round with momentum on both sides of the ball after last week’s win over the Titans. The Ravens also boost perhaps the league’s best rushing attack, and the trio of Jackson, rookie JK Dobbins, and solid runner Gus Edwards have given defenses plenty of nightmares all season long. This figures to be a major development on Saturday night against a defense that has not been amazing for certain stretches, although the Bills have been very reliable on third-downs and in the 4th quarters all season long.

But as great as Jackson has been at the end of this year, Josh Allen has been even better. The third-year starter wasn’t expected to emerge as one of the best quarterbacks in the league this season, but the strong-armed gunslinger has been a true MVP candidate for the entire season with 4,544 passing yards and 37 passing touchdowns. With Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley helping Allen out in the Bills’ outstanding passing game, Buffalo remains one of the best offensive units in the league that has been able to outscore nearly every opponent they have faced all year long. They do face a very tough matchup with a Ravens’ defense that has a pure knack for creating turnovers and shutting down the opposition’s run game, which means that all eyes will be on the favored Bills in a game that determines one of the participants in this year’s AFC Championship Game.

Baltimore has the ingredients for a win this weekend, but they will need to force multiple turnovers in order to change the tide of this game. The Bills’ defense is good enough to at least slow down the Ravens’ explosive running attacks on offense, but the Ravens’ defense is also good enough to limit the true effectiveness of an offense that has punished every opponent they’ve faced over the past two months. The key to this game could easily be whatever team’s quarterback can take better care of the ball on Saturday, and with Allen seemingly dominating even more with each passing week, we’ll give the Bills a tight advantage at home this weekend.

Prediction: Baltimore: 24 Buffalo: 27

Sunday: Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs (-10.0), 12:05 PM PT, CBS

The Browns are firing on all cylinders right now, but face a high-profile matchup this weekend against Patrick Mahomes and the reigning champions (via Arrowhead Pride).

Could the Browns somehow pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent playoff history against the defending Super Bowl champions on Sunday? Not if Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense has anything to say about it, especially coming off a bye week that should have them rested and fired up to get back to the AFC Championship Game.

Kansas City somehow faded into the distance as one of the biggest stories of the NFL season despite holding onto the top seed in the AFC once again at a 14-2 clip, which could be dangerous for the rest of the league as the playoffs go deeper and deeper. We all know the usual suspects: Andy Reid, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Tyrann Mathieu, Chris Jones, and the talents of Patrick Mahomes lead the way for the defending champs who hope to repeat for the first time since the 2003-2004 New England Patriots. While the Chiefs’ offense remains one of the most dynamic offenses in all of football, their firepower did start to fade away over the course of the season as teams hung close deep into games. Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, Kansas City’s defense appears to have improved from last year’s Super Bowl winning squad. This is a huge development for a team that will have to contain some dynamic offenses in the AFC, especially in the form of some great quarterbacks up ahead on their radar.

But even though Kansas City has been so good for most of the year, Cleveland presents a very unique challenge this weekend. The Browns’ offense is explosive as they come right now, especially considering their powerful run game charged by one of the best offensive lines in the football. While Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt lead the lethal rushing attack at such a high level, head coach Kevin Stefanksi has formed a great connection with quarterback Baker Mayfield in their first season together. Mayfield was shaky for most of last season, but the former Heisman winner has quickly turned his career around in a magnificent way by taking care of the football and being uber successful off play-action. If Mayfield can play under control and not do too much for this offense, as evident in last week’s win over the Steelers, the Browns have a formula in place that can give teams like the defending Super Bowl champions a run for their money.

While the Browns have had an awesome season and could be poised to be a contender in the AFC for the near future, the end of the road could shortly be ahead for this particular season. Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid has been one of the best coaches in NFL history coming off a bye week, and with Mahomes healthy and ready to exploit a Browns’ secondary that has struggled to stop anybody in recent weeks, Kansas City could put up a lot of points early and often. The Chiefs’ biggest challenge is what lies ahead next round, and while they could overlook the Browns a bit, they should be able to cruise to a big home win on their own terms.

Prediction: Cleveland: 20 Kansas City: 38

Sunday: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints (-3.0), 3:40 PM PT, FOX

Things have been testy between these two teams this season, which could certainly lead to some fireworks on Sunday with a berth in the NFC Championship Game on the line (via Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

Do the Saints have what it takes to shock the world and beat Tom Brady for the third time in the same season? It would be an impressive feat for a New Orleans team with Super Bowl aspirations, but they will certainly have their hands full this weekend against a Tampa Bay team that is starting to find their groove just at the right time.

Tampa Bay has never looked better than they have in recent weeks, especially with Tom Brady starting to find a rhythm in Bruce Arians’ offensive scheme that pushes the ball down the field. Brady has formed an awesome connection with star offensive players like Antonio Brown, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin, and their ability to move the chains and get the ball into the endzone makes them a real challenge for any defense to stop. Nevertheless, Brady has struggled mightily against the Saints this season, and it will be key for the Buccaneers to take care of the ball on Sunday, which has been a problem in their losses this year. Tampa’s defense is a strong unit up front against the run with some stud players on the defensive line, but their secondary has been mediocre at best this year. The Saints may try to attack this team with a quick passing game to get the ball into the hands of his receivers, so it will be huge for Tampa’s secondary to get very physical on defense and create some turnovers.

Luckily for Saints’ fans, New Orleans has exactly what it takes to be able to push the Bucs’ offense around again on Sunday. Rare for a Drew Brees-led team, the Saints’ defense is the superior unit on this team that has been a difference maker for most of the season, especially with a strong pass rush and a lockdown secondary that tends to play well in big games. With studs like Cameron Jordan, Marshon Lattimore, and Trey Hendrickson leading the way, the Saints have caused issues for elite offenses all season long and could continue that trend once again this weekend. On offense, Brees is helped out by the unique talents of running back Alvin Kamara and wide reciever Michael Thomas, both of whom stand out as some of the best offensive players in football. Both will have their fair share of challenges this weekend, especially with Brees facing a strong pass rush that could force him to get the ball out quickly, but could be difference-makers in this divisional bout in the playoffs.

So can Tampa really get past their kryptonite and move onto the NFC Championship Game? It is a possibility with the notion that is hard to beat the same team for a third time, but the Saints are simply a better team on both sides of the ball. The edge has to go to whatever quarterback can take better care of the football on Sunday, and while Brees has fallen into that trap several times this season, the New Orleans defense has proven to give Brady plenty of struggles this season. Never rule out a crazy finish in the 4th quarter that could see Brady advance to another Conference Championship game, but bet on the Saints to overcome even more prior postseason demons on the last game of the weekend slate.

Prediction: Tampa Bay: 20 New Orleans: 33