Los Angeles Chargers vs Houston Texans
- Point Spread: Chargers -2.5
- Moneyline Chargers -154
- Moneyline Texans +130
- Over/Under 42.5
Jim Harbaugh, as always, has done an amazing job this season, leading the Chargers to the playoffs. This Chargers team is not as talented, at least at the skill positions, as it has been the last few years, but Brandon Staley is no longer coaching them. Harbaugh has changed the culture in Los Angeles, and the Chargers are a tough hard-nosed team in their coach’s image.
For the second-straight season, the Texans are in the playoffs, but this year feels different. Injuries have racked the Texans, and CJ Stroud has not been the player that he was last season. Most of that, I think, is because of injuries and bad offensive line play. The Texans looked horrible in a Christmas day loss to the Ravens at home. Luckily, they are in the AFC South. This is still a well-coached team, and Stroud looks like he will develop into something special.
Prediction
The Chargers will turn up the pressure defensively, and Justin Herbert will lead a high-percentage passing attack that has improved since JK Dobbins’s return. The Texans will struggle to block the Chargers in this game, and for the most part, the team that wins up front wins the game. I like the Chargers to wear down the struggling Texans methodically.
Chargers 24 Texans 13
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Chargers to dominate upfront
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Herbert to play well
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Texans at Home
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens
- Point Spread: Ravens -9.5
- Moneyline Steelers +420
- Moneyline Ravens -560
- Over/Under 43.5
The Ravens look like they have the MVP on their team with Quarterback Lamar Jackson; they have Derrick Henry running the ball and a smash-mouth defense that can control the game. That sounds like a playoff team to me. The Ravens have what is needed to make a deep run in these playoffs.
The Steelers have lost four straight games and are struggling on offense. Their best receiver, George Pickens, is playing hurt, and their Quarterback, Russell Wilson, looks at the end of the road. In Baltimore, the Steelers lost 34-17 to the Ravens a few weeks ago. My guess is that’s about to happen again.
Prediction
The Ravens are the better team on Offense and at least as good as the Steelers on defence. The Steelers offense will be the issue in this game. They cannot score points, and the Ravens will jump the Steelers and run away in the second half of this game.
Ravens 31 Steelers 10
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Wilson and Steelers offense to struggle
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Henry to have a big game
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Ravens at Home
Denver Broncos vs Buffalo Bills
- Point Spread: Bills -8.5
- Moneyline Broncos +370
- Moneyline Bills -490
- Over/Under 47.5
Bo Nix has progressed well this season and looks like the real deal. The question is, can the rookie get it done on the road in the playoffs? The Broncos have a good defense and some weapons on offense, like Courtland Sutton. The Broncos have not qualified for the playoffs in almost a decade; how will they react in this game? The Broncos are talented enough to give the Bills trouble.
This should be the Bills’ year. They have already beaten the number one seed, Kansas City, this season, and Quarterback Josh Allen is playing well. Expect the Broncos to come out early and try to run the ball. The Broncos were 2-6 this season when allowing over one hundred yards rushing in a game this season.
Prediction
The Broncos defense is good enough to keep them in this game and give them a chance to win it late. In the end, Josh Allen will get it done on the fourth quarter and the Bills will advance.
Bills 27 Broncos 23
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Josh Allen comes up big late
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Broncos defense keeps it close
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Bills at Home
Green Bay Packers vs Philadelphia Eagles
- Point Spread: Eagles -4.5
- Moneyline Packers +175
- Moneyline Eagles -210
- Over/Under 45.5
The Packers limped to the finish line this season, losing their last two games. Jordan Love has an elbow issue, but I think he will play. Love has shown some regression from last year, and that is concerning for this game. Can the Packers get enough explosive plays to win this game? Expect Josh Jacobs to get at least twenty carries in this game.
Jalen Hurts has had one of his best seasons with Barkley in the backfield. There is not as much pressure on Hurts, which has helped this offense immensely. Hurts is coming off a concussion and is expected to play this weekend.
Prediction
Hirts not playing for a few weeks because of concussion protocol is worrisome. The Packers should have won the first to games between these two teams in Brazil. Look for the Packers, much like last year, to step it up come playoff time.
Packers 30 Eagles 27
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Josh Jacobs to have a big game
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Jalen Hurts to struggle
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Eagles at Home
Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Point Spread: Tampa Bay -3
- Moneyline Washington +144
- Moneyline Tampa Bay -172
- Over/Under 50.5
Baker Mayfield has led the Bucs to the playoffs again. How is Deshaun Watson doing in Cleveland? The Bucs do play in a bad division, and that helps, but Mayfield is streaky, and if he gets hot, the Bucs can be dangerous.
Washington is a young team playing with house money. Head Coach Dan Quinn has done an outstanding job this season, and Daniels should be the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. They are a young, talented team with an elite athlete at Quarterback, and they are dangerous.
Prediction
This will be a close, evenly matched game. It will come down to how the two quarterbacks perform. Mayfield has been here before, which gives the Bucs a much better shot. This will be a popular upset pick, but I don’t see it that way. I think Mayfield has a big day and Tampa gets it done.
Tampa Bay 31 Washington 23
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Mayfield to have a big game
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Daniels to struggle
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Bucs at Home
Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams
- Point Spread: Vikings -1.5
- Moneyline Vikings -126
- Moneyline Rams +108
- Over/Under 47.5
How will the Vikings, especially Sam Darnold, respond to a horrific loss in Detroit on Sunday night? The Vikings have been a surprise team this season, but it feels like the clock’s about to strike midnight to me. These teams played earlier this season, and the Vikings had no answers for Kupp and Nakua. Can they find a way to defend the pass against Matthew Stafford?
The Rams have been inconsistent this season and they have battled some major injuries this season. This is a veteran team that should be ready to play it’s best football of the season.
Prediction
Sam Darnold has played well this season, but I trust Stafford more in this situation. Take the Rams!
Rams 26 Vikings 20
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Stafford to have a big game
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Darnold to struggle
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Rams at Home
