2021 NFL Week 21 Predictions: Conference Title Round

 2021 NFL Week 21 Predictions: Conference Title Round

Bengals +7 over Chiefs, 24-30

-The game from a few weeks ago between these two teams is instructive, but only to a point. It shows the Bengals can beat them, but also that a lot of things have to go right. Honestly, the best bet for a Bengals victory would likely be a let down emotionally after a huge win last week. This is unlikely, for a team with the talent and experience that the Chiefs have. I’m grabbing the points because that’s a huge spread for a conference title game. However, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if this is a game more reminiscent of the mid 2010’s contest between the Colts and the Patriots. One juggernaut versus a young, exciting, well-built, young team with a superstar young QB…that ultimately isn’t quite ready yet.

 

49ers +4 over Rams, 27-30

-I’m picking the Rams to win but the 49ers to cover mainly out of respect for how close the 49ers play every game and my admittedly poor finger on the pulse of the 49ers overall. The Rams should be able to score with a ceiling much higher than the 49ers are capable of. However, that’s what I said last week, and the 49ers were able to smother the Packers. Weather differences aside, the 49ers have beaten the Rams 6 straight times. The 49ers have more blue chippers across the board. The only huge disparity in talent is at the QB position (all respect to Jimmy G and his win percentage). I think the Rams likely win, but there’s too many scenarios where the 49ers win, cover, or just keep it close. Doesn’t help that SoFi will be at least half red and gold this afternoon. 

 

Record Last Week:

Straight Up: 0-4

By Spread: 0-4

 

Record This Year:

Straight Up: 172-100

By Spread: 144-128

 

Lifetime Record:
Straight Up: 1885-1037
By Spread: 1542-1383

2021 NFL Week 20 Predictions: Divisional Round

 2021 NFL Week 20 Predictions: Divisional Round

 

Titans -4 over Bengals, 26-20

-Titans are well-rested and far better coached than folks realize. There’s something to be said about winning close games when you need to all year, and that’s what Tennessee has done. Derrick and His Metal Foot (DAHMF) makes me a little nervous. However, the Titans have been able to run the ball, even with backups, and I think they will do so even if King DAHMF isn’t 100%. 

 

Packers -5 over 49ers, 28-10

-Green Bay is well-rested, has the former, once, and future MVP, and the 49ers are really beat up. The health and performance of Bosa and Warner depletes the chance I think SF had in this game. 

 

Bucs -3 over Rams, 27-23

-The Rams are great and I wouldn’t be surprised if they won this game. They probably have more top-end talent, and they definitely have more top-end talent available. However, the Rams have to travel cross-country again, will not be able to run as they want against this defense. And to pick against Tom Brady in the playoffs is folly. 

 

Bills +2 over Chiefs, 38-35

-This score prediction is, in part, what I think we all want to see. All too often, the reality turns out to be a relatively boring 24-21 where both teams have a nervous first quarter and there are long drives eating up the clock. But I’m going with wish fulfillment and matching Buffalo’s score from their matchup earlier this season. This should be a massive shootout and, to me, is still the most logical predictor of the AFC team going to the Super Bowl. 

 

Record Last Week:

Straight Up: 4-2

By Spread: 4-2

 

Record This Year:

Straight Up: 172-96

By Spread: 144-124

 

Lifetime Record:
Straight Up: 1885-1033
By Spread: 1542-1379

2021 NFL Week 19 Predictions: Wild Card Round

 2021 NFL Week 19 Predictions: Wild Card Round

 

Bengals -6 over Raiders, 30-23

-So many factors here. Raiders seem more like they are playing well above their talent level, while the Bengals actually make sense relatively for their play to their talent level. Raiders are coming off an emotional game last week, have to travel from a dome in a warm city to wintery Cincy, and lose comparatively at QB, RB, WR1, WR2, WR3. Tough to make that up. 

 

Pats +4 over Bills, 23-24

-The Bills are the more talented team, no doubts there. I’m taking the points because between Bill and the cold, it will likely be close overall. I will not be surprised if the Pats can pull it out, but low confidence either way. We saw a weird weather game in their first matchup, and a top 5% from Josh in the second. Not sure we have a lot to go on from either. 

 

Bucs -8 over Eagles, 27-17

-I’d like to talk myself into the Eagles, but they are truly lucky to be here. Brady isn’t going to lose a first round matchup like this no matter what he has at receiver right now. The Eagles defense hasn’t been able to handle any offense ranked in the top half this year. Might be a lot of dropping the ball off, screens, and short middle passes, but it’ll be effective enough for a covering Bucs win.  

 

49ers +3.5 over Cowboys, 24-21

-I know it is the trendy upside pick, but I see why. 49ers can match a lot of the offensive talent on the Cowboys at the skill positions, and are just much tougher otherwise. Cowboys haven’t been consistent for a while, I don’t trust their special teams, and I really don’t trust Zeke. I think the 49ers could win a ball control, 38 minute possession kind of game here. The kicking discrepancy isn’t nothing to boot. See what I did there? 

 

Chiefs -12.5 over Steelers, 34-14

-Yes. All of this. I don’t even like the Chiefs, but it pales in comparison to how much I dislike the Steelers. Emotionally. Schematically. Benically. It’s a lot of points, but do you see the Steelers hitting 20 here? Do you see the Chiefs ending up under 27? That provides a solid starting range to work from really. 

 

Cards +4 over Rams, 27-30

-I’m taking the points really. I like the Rams, I really do. But they are so thin, and Stafford needs to show he is a big game QB before I just accept it. And maybe he will. But it’s easier to buy Kyler is going to go all out, 4 is too much for a team hosting a home game that isn’t really a home team, and division games in the NFC West are always weird. I’d believe either result, but that’s just pushing me towards the 4 as a halo. 

 

 

Record Last Week:

Straight Up: 8-8

By Spread: 6-10

 

Record This Year:

Straight Up: 168-94

By Spread: 140-122

 

Lifetime Record:
Straight Up: 1881-1031
By Spread: 1538-1377

 

 

2021 NFL Week 18 Predictions

2021 NFL Week 18 Predictions

 

Chiefs -10.5 over Broncos, 34-13

-Chiefs have something to play for, Denver does not.

 

Cowboys -4 over Eagles, 27-22

-Philly doesn’t really care about their seeding, so they are likely to sit key players in this game. 

 

Ravens -3 over Steelers, 21-17

-Both teams have something to play for. But for Pittsburgh, it’s a big longshot. 

 

Browns -6 over Bengals, 29-20

-Cincinnati is going to sit all of their starters. And Chubb may have a huge game as a result. 

 

WFT (for the very last time) -7 over Giants, 20-3

-I mean, whatever. 

 

Vikings -5.5 over Bears, 23-13

-I’m sad that Fields has COVID. It would have been nice to see him one more time this year. Nagy got his win on the way out the door last week. Feels like the Vikings will likely put it on him this week. 

 

Titans -10.5 over Texans, 37-6

-Titans need a win and they get a bye. There’s no line big enough.

 

Colts -15.5 over Jags, 31-10

-1,2,3…Cancun! 

 

Packers -3.5 over Lions, 24-13

-Packers are going to play their starters a little, so likely this is 17-3 at half and never really changes from there. 

 

Jets +16 over Bills, 14-23

-I’m not crazy enough to call an upset, but that is a lot of points for a division game. Also, (whispers), Zach Wilson has looked pretty good. 

 

Saints -3.5 over Falcons, 17-10

-A completely unwatchable game, which the Saints need to win for playoff purposes. 

 

Bucs -8.5 over Panthers, 31-10

-I can’t wait for Tom Brady to throw for 500 yards to a bunch of guys none of us have ever heard of. I really hope Carolina clears house this off season. 

 

Rams -4.5 over 49ers, 31-23

-Two teams with high motivation, but at the end of the day the Rams have the added motivation of being able to knock out a divisional opponent from even making it. Plus, the 49ers are faced with trying to match points with the Rams while using either Trey Lance or Jimmy G with a broken throwing thumb. 

 

Pats -6 over Dolphins, 27-16

-The Dolphins play us feisty, but there’s no way they are going to 2-0 versus us when we have something to play for and they don’t.

 

Cards -6 over Seahawks, 34-27

-Likely a strong offensive game, but the Cards need this to keep pace with the Rams in the division. 

 

Chargers -3 over Raiders, 34-26

-Really the low light of the season is that there’s no way we’re going to see each team take a knee 15 times and end the game. I would have paid money to see Roger Goodell’s face. 

  

Record Last Week:

Straight Up: 12-4

By Spread: 10-6

 

Record This Year:

Straight Up: 160-86

By Spread: 134-112

 

Lifetime Record:
Straight Up: 1873-1023
By Spread: 1532-1367

2021 NFL Week 17 Predictions

 2021 NFL Week 17 Predictions

 

Titans -3.5 over Dolphins, 24-20

-I guess. Low confidence. 

 

Bills -14 over Falcons, 30-13

-High confidence. 

 

Pats -16.5 over Jags, 31-9

-Holy super teaser week. 

 

Colts -8 over Raiders, 28-19

-Wentz being back means a more complete and dominant game. Raiders are still nominally alive, however. 

 

Bucs -13 over Jets, 24-10

-Super teaser week continues. This is likely to be ugly/unwatchable. 

 

Rams -6 over Ravens, 34-17

-Really starting to fall apart in Baltimore. Also, Cooper Kupp might get all the records this week with how Swiss cheese the Ravens secondary is. 

 

Eagles -4.5 over WFT, 23-13

-Eagles continue to win close games and edge towards the record that will make all of us next year double-take and go, "what?"

 

Bears -6 over Giants, 20-10

-I can’t believe I just willingly laid 6 points with the Bears. And felt somewhat good about it. However, Giraffe or no Giraffe, the Giants are a mess. 

 

Bengals +4.5 over Chiefs, 30-33

-Just cover, in what should be the best game of the week. It will certainly decide a lot of fantasy finals. 

 

Chargers -7.5 over Broncos, 27-10

-Normally a tough game for the Chargers, but they are getting everyone back. The Broncos are leaking water. The Chargers can also still make the playoffs. 

 

Texans +12 over 49ers, 23-24

-That’s just a lot of points for a non-elite team to cover versus a feisty Texans team that has played deceptively close games over the past month. 

 

Cowboys -6 over Cards, 31-23

-Earlier this season, this would have been an easy Cards pick. However, health and inconsistency, along with the more dynamic defense, actually makes this a more comfortable Dallas pick. 

 

Seahawks -7.5 over Lions, 31-13

-I need a big game out of Russell, so I’m trying to will it into existence. 

 

Saints -6.5 over Panthers, 20-12

-As long as Ian Book is not involved. 

 

Packers -12.5 over Vikings, 24-6

-Because Kellen Mond may be involved. And it’s going to be 5 degrees. 

 

Browns -3 over Steelers, 27-17

-Let’s send Ben out with style, shall we? And by style, I mean crushing defeat with embarrassment. 

 

Record Last Week:

Straight Up: 11-3

By Spread: 9-5

 

Record This Year:

Straight Up: 148-82

By Spread: 124-106

 

Lifetime Record:
Straight Up: 1861-1019
By Spread: 1522-1361