NFL 2020 Week 19 Predictions: Divisional Round

  

2020 NFL Week 19 Predictions: Divisional Weekend

Packers -6.5 over Rams, 31-17

-I have a lot of respect for the Rams defense and Sean McVay as well. However, I can’t ignore the fact that their offense has been inconsistent and unable to produce big plays with any regularity. Goff has a broken thumb, Kupp is limping around, and this is in Green Bay. The Packers are rested. They are rolling. It is starting to snow. 

 

Bills -2.5 over Ravens, 30-22

-The Ravens are on a nice roll. And I wish the Bills had been a bit more convincing last week over the Colts. However, I have to reflect that I’ve undersold the strength of the Colts all year in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and how that makes them hard to blow out. The Bills are tested, the Ravens have had a relatively easy schedule in the second half they rightfully dominated. The Titans I still think are a good team, but made horrible decisions in that game last week. The Ravens ran it all over them, dominated the ball, and looked like much the better team by the eye-test….and only won by 7. Lamar Jackson, much like Jared Goff, is going into snow for the first time. I’ll take the Bills, especially under the half point. 

 

Chiefs -10 over Browns, 34-23

-Honestly, I want to support the Browns here. And I will be rooting for them. The script is there: underdog story, blue chip players on both sides of the ball, innovative new coach with a new culture in a football loving city. reminds me a bit of 2001 Patriots playing the Raiders. But there is no snow game, and Mahomes is miles above Rich Gannon. The Chiefs are rested. The Brown’s hope is the running game, controlling the clock, and keeping it out of Mahomes’ hands. However, there are way too many ways for the Chiefs to win this game. If it becomes a shootout with Baker and Mahomes, that’s going to be a disaster. 

 

Saints -3 over Bucs, 31-27

-Listen, I hardly even would or would encourage betting against Tommy in the playoffs. It tends not to go well. But here’s the case for this game. It is in New Orleans, the Bucs tend to go through spells without dominating games, and the Bucs are beat up in several places. The Saints for whatever reason, I’m assuming schematic and continuity based, have thrashed the Bucs twice this year. And, Kamara didn’t have a huge game in either contest. I think that changes for this contest, and the Saints win again. They have been tested this year, withstood injuries, and built depth and experience. Now with everyone back, it is time to roll. 

 

 

Record Last Week: 

Straight Up: 2-4

By Spread: 4-2

 

Record this Year: 

Straight Up: 165-85

By Spread: 127-124

 

Lifetime Record:

Straight Up: 1718-939

By Spread: 1404-1258