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The NFL playoffs are right here for 2021. That means 13 extra picks and predictions to make in opposition to the unfold by way of Super Bowl 55.
Through the 256 video games of the 2020 common season, the outcomes right here had been fairly good, however there’s at all times room to maintain getting higher and ship when the stakes are raised essentially the most within the postseason.
This yr, the playoffs kick off with a “super” wild-card weekend, which implies six video games — three on Saturday, three on Sunday — as a substitute of solely 4. That offers us extra probabilities to get video games proper. Unfortunately, that additionally creates extra probabilities to get issues improper.
Without additional ado, here is cracking into the breakdown of the half-dozen video games developing on the schedule:
MORE: SN predicts the complete 2021 NFL playoff bracket
NFL playoff picks, predictions in opposition to the unfold
- Game of the Week: Browns at Steelers (-3.5, 47 o/u)
Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC
The Browns bought their wanted win over the Steelers in Cleveland in Week 17 to make the playoffs and drive this rematch, but it surely took all the pieces from them defensively and offensively to outlive in opposition to a resting crew not beginning QB Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers will present their regular, stouter run protection and that may set them as much as put constant strain on Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield would not reply effectively when throwing at a excessive quantity with guys in his face. Roethlisberger, in the meantime, will go to work on a Browns’ secondary that has loads of protection holes away from Denzel Ward. Losing Olivier Vernon up entrance to flank Myles Garrett additionally hurts. The Steelers ended up making a sensible determination to not present the Browns a lot in manner of an actual recreation plan. Back for one more tilt in Pittsburgh, the Steelers’ protection reasserts itself with extra offensive assist than typical.
Pick: Steelers win 27-17 and canopy the unfold.
Sunday, 4:40 p.m. ET, CBS
The Saints are the most important favorites of wild-card weekend with this double-digit quantity in opposition to the Bears. They have owned this matchup somewhat simply the previous two seasons, with each video games being performed in Chicago. The Saints could have a rested backfield with Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray not taking part in in Week 17, and they’re going to pound away typically on the Bears with them.
The Saints will not sleep in opposition to one other NFC North wild-card customer like they did in opposition to the Vikings a yr in the past. The Saints can comprise the operating of David Montgomery and put the sport within the fingers of Mitchell Trubisky, which will not finish effectively in opposition to the Saints’ strain on the street.
Pick: Saints win 34-17 and canopy the unfold.
- Upset of the Week: Rams over Seahawks (-4.5, 43 o/u)
Saturday 4:40 p.m. ET, Fox
The Rams anticipate to have Jared Goff and Cooper Kupp again for the rubber match after the Week 16 loss at Seattle price them the NFC West title and compelled them to have this matchup on the street. But the Seahawks haven’t got the identical home-field benefit, and likewise their protection has performed higher of late, the Rams are those with the dominant, big-play unit led by Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.
The Seahawks’ operating recreation can be contained and Russell Wilson will not see a lot open downfield for D.Okay. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. The Rams will combine up personnel, operating the ball effectively and spreading it round within the intermediate passing recreation to Kupp, Woods and the tight ends.
Pick: Rams win 20-17.
MORE: Ranking each NFL playoff crew on actual Super Bowl probabilities
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Bills have a pesky opponent of their first residence playoff recreation since 1996. The Colts could cause them some offensive issues with Jonathan Taylor in opposition to a shaky run protection. The Colts also can trigger them some defensive issues with their sound zone fundamentals, forcing Josh Allen to be affected person and maintain lengthy drives as a substitute of getting his typical huge move performs together with his huge arm.
The concern right here is Allen is taking part in effectively and is able to spreading the ball round effectively, working the center of the sector to Cole Beasley (who’s “week to week” with an harm) and likewise getting some assist from Dawson Knox at tight finish. The Colts additionally haven’t got a real shutdown nook for Stefon Diggs. Then it is also simpler to belief Allen over Philip Rivers to make the clutch throws to win a recreation this season.
Pick: Bills win 31-27 however fail to cowl the unfold.
Saturday 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC
The Buccaneers’ offense hopes to have Mike Evans wholesome to assist red-hot Tom Brady together with Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski and the operating recreation. As effectively as Brady is taking part in, this is not the best spot for his move safety in opposition to Chase Young and Washington’s ferocious entrance 4. The Bucs’ protection will comprise the run, however Alex Smith has three harmful receiving weapons in Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas and J.D. McKissic with whom to have success shifting the ball on short-to-intermediate throws. Ultimately, Tampa Bay wins comfortably as anticipated, however Washington works the quantity and retains it to a landing loss with impressed play for Ron Rivera.
Pick: Buccaneers win 24-17 however fail to cowl the unfold.
Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
Take your decide: The Ravens can be targeted on exacting street revenge right here, both for the brutal 28-12 divisional playoff upset from a yr in the past or the heartbreaking 30-24 time beyond regulation loss from Week 11, each in Baltimore. The Ravens weren’t in the identical offensive grove then with Lamar Jackson, J.Okay. Dobbins and Marquise Brown as they’re now seven weeks later. They even have a determined defensive benefit due to a succesful move rush and deep secondary. The run protection additionally has shored up of late, which is nice for slowing down Derrick Henry.
Jackson remains to be in search of his first playoff win after two residence losses. He’s relaxed and revved up as a passer, and he retains operating at a excessive degree, sparked by Dobbins sharing the backfield with him. Look for the Ravens to get aggressive passing with him to construct a lead, and restrict Henry from being a constant gateway to Ryan Tannehill’s play-action downfield passing. The Ravens and Titans are taking part in related offensive video games in the mean time, however the Titans’ defensive woes catch as much as them right here.
Pick: Ravens win 34-31 however fail to cowl the unfold.
Stats of the Week
Week 17 straight up: 12-4
Week 17 in opposition to the unfold: 7-9
Season straight up: 164-92
Season in opposition to the unfold: 132-117
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