The NFL playoffs march on with 4 extra wild-card video games over the following two days, that includes MVP favourite Josh Allen, 2,000-yard runner Saquon Barkley, probably Offensive Rookie of the 12 months Jayden Daniels and the 14-win Vikings going through the Rams at a impartial web site.
Let’s dig again in:
SUNDAY
BUFFALO BILLS (-9) over Denver Broncos; Over 47: If there’s one recreation that would get slightly out of hand this weekend, that is most likely the one.
Powerful spot for Denver’s rookie quarterback Bo Nix to make his playoff debut. The Payments have been undefeated at dwelling this season, however have a current reminiscence of the Broncos going into Orchard Park in 2023 and beating them, 24-22. So, they’ll be on guard.
Josh Allen had an MVP-quality common season, and Buffalo’s whole 22-man beginning crew is rested and wholesome. The Broncos are wholesome as effectively, however Nix’s supporting solid on offense, exterior of WR Courtland Sutton, isn’t scary. And Denver’s protection is revered, however don’t overlook it did permit 497 passing yards to Jameis Winston.
It’s Tremendous Bowl or bust for the Payments, and groups such because the Ravens and Chiefs are in the way in which. However I don’t suppose they’ll take any possibilities with this one and can be seeking to blow the Broncos out early.
Payments, 37-13
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-4.5) over Inexperienced Bay Packers; Beneath 45.5: The Eagles’ Jalen Hurts has missed the previous two video games earlier than clearing concussion protocol Friday.
Inexperienced Bay’s Jordan Love was faraway from Sunday’s loss to the Bears with an elbow damage however was progressing later within the week. He’d be with out WR Christian Watson, who suffered a torn ACL in opposition to Chicago.
Betting on the NFL?
I feel the Eagles offense can nonetheless perform at a excessive degree with a less-than-100-percent Hurts.
Saquon Barkley received’t rush for 260 yards in opposition to the Packers like he did in Week 1 in Brazil, however with him and A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, sturdy trenches on either side of the ball and loud fan help, I feel the Eagles are the group that’s bringing extra to the occasion right here.
Eagles, 24-14
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-3) over Washington Commanders; Over 50.5: The Buccaneers could have had essentially the most eventful season of any NFL group. They completed simply 10-7 and wanted a comeback in opposition to the Saints in Week 18 to safe the NFC South title.
However their journey features a 37-20 victory in Week 1 over these Commanders, wherein that they had no prior clue to what the Kliff Kingsbury-Jayden Daniels offense would appear like.
In Week 2, the Bucs received, 20-16, in Detroit, handing the Lions the primary of their two losses for the season. Tampa Bay discovered a manner regardless of getting out-gained 463-216 in yardage.
The Bucs had a four-game dropping streak at midseason after WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans received injured in the identical recreation, however Baker Mayfield turned it round after Evans got here again to complete 6-1, as Bucky Irving changed into a pressure operating the ball.
I additionally consider coach Todd Bowles’ choice to let Evans get his record-tying eleventh straight 1,000-yard receiving season and $3 million when he might have referred to as victory formation will go a good distance with the Bucs gamers.
Daniels and his crew are harmful as effectively, and the Bucs have some key accidents on protection. Mayfield is 2-2 in his prior playoff video games — profitable with the Bucs over the Eagles and Browns over the Steelers. He has 10 touchdowns and three interceptions within the 4 video games.
This one must be on full tilt all night time.
Buccaneers, 35-31
Minnesota Vikings (-1) over Los Angeles Rams; Beneath 48: The NFL moved this recreation from SoFi Stadium to Glendale, Ariz., due to the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles space.
Might that have an effect on one or each groups?.
The Vikings are the primary 14-win wild-card group in NFL historical past, and lots of would name it a flaw within the NFL’s system that they must play on the highway vs. the 10-win Rams.
There are some attention-grabbing layers to this matchup.
Simply two groups defeated the Vikings this season — the Lions twice and the Rams, 30-20, in Week 8 in L.A. Minnesota went on a nine-game profitable streak after that.
The Rams have the Tremendous Bowl-winning coach-QB combo of Sean Payton and Matthew Stafford. With Kyren Williams, they will attempt to match the injury the Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs did to the Vikings on the bottom. And probably Aaron Glenn’s Lions protection confirmed the Rams go rushers the way in which to get to Sam Darnold.
However I feel that’s all addressed within the tiny unfold, and I’ll put my belief in a Vikings group that’s largely been nice for 4 months.
Vikings, 24-20
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Steelers (Locks 9-9 in 2024).
LAST WEEK: 9-7 general, 1-2 Finest Bets.
Why Belief New York Put up Betting
Dave Blezow’s one of many longest tenured NFL handicappers on the Put up with picks relationship again 31 years. He received the Put up’s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most just lately in 2023.