TAMPA BAY vs GREEN BAY
When: 1/24/2021 3:05 PM
Where:

TV: 3:05 PM
LINE: -4
PREDICTION: GREEN BAY , TAMPA BAY

Oddsmakers currently have the GREEN BAY listed as -4 point favorites versus the TAMPA BAY, while the game’s total is sitting at 51.

The beat down was so horrific that a possible rematch didn’t seem enticing at the time.

But three months later, the fifth-seeded Tampa Bay Buccaneers and top-seeded Green Bay Packers are clearly the best two teams in the conference and they will square off again in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

The winner advances to the Super Bowl on Feb. 7 in a venue highly familiar to one of these teams — Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

But flash back to Week 6 when the host Buccaneers spotted Green Bay 10 first-quarter points and then spent the rest of the game pounding and dismantling the Packers in a 38-10 shellacking.

Tampa Bay star linebacker Devin White didn’t mince words afterward, saying the Packers “didn’t deserve to be on the field with us.”

In the eyes of Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur, White’s words aren’t bulletin-board material. They are facts.

“You know, hey, he was right. They whipped us,” LaFleur said earlier this week. “There’s no sense in talking about it. The only thing you can do is you’ve got to prepare the best you can and then go prove it.”

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions — one returned for a touchdown by cornerback Jamel Dean — and was sacked four times while passing for just 160 yards. His accuracy rate (45.7 on 16-of-35 passing) was his worst of the season.

Though things went exceedingly well in the first matchup, Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians can sum up the meeting this way: Doesn’t mean a thing.

“You can’t fall into that trap of what happened last time,” Arians said. “They’re a much, much better football team and we’re a much better football team. Both (teams are) very different right now, so you better take care of today’s work each and every day.”

Tampa Bay reached the NFC title game with a solid 30-20 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The Packers advanced with a 32-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.

In fact, the Buccaneers also won at Washington this postseason and have won seven straight road games as they enter hallowed Lambeau Field while weather reports forecast a 50-percent chance of snow.

“Let’s keep that streak going — that would be pretty sweet,” Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady said. “Let’s get another one. We’re going to be challenged to get it because we’re going up against a great football team.

“It’s a great environment. This is one of the coolest stadiums in the league to play in. I know they’re excited, we’ll be excited, and it will make for a great football game.”

Brady, a six-time Super Bowl champ, will be playing in his 14th career league championship final and went 9-4 in AFC title games during his stint with the New England Patriots. The 43-year-old has been performing like someone younger as he passed for 4,633 yards and set a franchise record with 40 touchdown passes in the regular season.

Rodgers also had a stellar season with 4,299 yards and a franchise-record 48 touchdown passes and is a heavy favorite to win NFL MVP honors. He is playing in his fifth NFC title game and is looking to reach his second Super Bowl.

That lone Super Bowl appearance was 10 years ago, but Rodgers insists he isn’t feeling a raise in the stress level.

“No more pressure than usual,” Rodgers said. “It starts with the mentality and focus. Obviously, I put pressure on myself to perform every single week. There’s a lot to be said to be able to harness that pressure and the fear of failure and focus it into a real positive. But I don’t feel any extra pressure this week.”

Despite the sour outing against the Buccaneers, Rodgers and the Packers committed a league-low 11 turnovers in the regular season. Green Bay also features elite wideout Davante Adams, who led the NFL with 18 touchdowns receptions while making 115 catches for 1,374 yards.

Tampa Bay led the league in defending the run (80.6 yards per game), second-year pro White (140 tackles, nine sacks) blossomed into one of the top linebackers in the NFL and wideout Mike Evans (NFL record seventh straight 1,000-yard season to begin a career) leads a deep group of targets.

Buccaneers receiver Antonio Brown (knee) will miss the game, while defensive tackle Vita Vea was activated. Vea suffered a broken lower leg on Oct. 8 against the Chicago Bears. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle) is questionable.

Packers defensive end Kingsley Keke (concussion) will sit out. Cornerback Kevin King (back) is questionable.

Sunday’s game marks the first time Green Bay has hosted the NFC title game since the 2007 season when Rodgers was the backup to Brett Favre. The Packers lost to the New York Giants 23-20 in overtime.

Tampa Bay is playing in its first NFC championship contest since the 2002 season. The Buccaneers posted a 27-10 win over the host Philadelphia Eagles and went on to rout the then-Oakland Raiders 48-21 in the Super Bowl.

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BUFFALO vs KANSAS CITY
When: 1/24/2021 6:40 PM
Where:

TV: 6:40 PM
LINE: -3
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , BUFFALO

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -3 point favorites versus the BUFFALO, while the game’s total is sitting at 54.

The good news for the Kansas City Chiefs is that Patrick Mahomes is planning to play.

Mahomes said Friday that he is out of concussion protocol and is ready to start Sunday’s AFC Championship Game that pits the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

“Talking to all of the doctors and going through all of the testings, we have the belief that I’ll have no lingering effects and I’ll be able to go out there and be who I am,” said Mahomes, who practiced for the third consecutive day on Friday.

Mahomes, 25, also said the toe injury that was bothering him against the Cleveland Browns in the divisional round was “feeling a lot better.”

Last year’s Super Bowl MVP suffered the concussion in the third quarter of Kansas City’s divisional-round game against Cleveland and did not return. Backup Chad Henne and the Chiefs defense held on for a 22-17 victory, in part because Henne scrambled for a big gain and then converted a game-clinching first down with a surprising completion to Tyreek Hill.

“For my preparation, it’s going to stay the same: Prepare like you’re the starter each and every week, no matter what happens,” Henne said earlier in the week. “Whatever does happen, happens. I always stay ready.”

Pretty sound outlook, though when Henne was named the quarterback for the Chiefs’ last regular-season game after they had already clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the start was his first since 2014. The Los Angeles Chargers halted Kansas City’s 10-game win streak, but the Chiefs raced to an early lead against the Browns despite coming off a first-round bye.

It is worth noting that Mahomes sprinted off the field for testing after first wobbling to the sideline against the Browns. Kansas City coach Andy Reid said later that Mahomes sustained an injury to his neck area in addition to the toe injury.

While everyone was awaiting word on Mahomes’ status, the word on the Bills’ Josh Allen is he is playing at a level equal to any quarterback still competing in the postseason.

Considering that list of greats includes Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers, Allen is in select company. He doesn’t get distracted by comparisons, though.

“I’m just trying to be the best version of myself,” Allen said. “I’m not trying to compare to the other guys who are arguably some of the best to ever play the game, the ones who are left. I’m just focused on what I can do.”

Ever since a 26-17 loss to the Chiefs in Week 6, the Bills have rolled to 11 wins in 12 games, including eight straight, to gain their first AFC Championship appearance since the 1993 season.

Allen’s steady improvement with the Bills rode a huge uptick this season when he recorded eight 300-yard passing performances.

“He’s poised. I’ve never seen him overly excited,” said Stefon Diggs, whose All-Pro season included NFL highs of 1,535 yards and 127 catches. “For him putting his head down and gaining actual (rushing) yards, things like that go far with us.”

If the matchup comes down to key defensive stops, consider that Buffalo has allowed touchdowns on just two of eight red-zone situations in the playoffs. Taron Johnson converted one into a 101-yard pick-six in the divisional round win against Baltimore.

As for Kansas City, it ranked last in the NFL in red-zone defense, allowing a touchdown rate of 76.6 percent. Yet the Chiefs have held nine opponents to 20 or fewer points.

Two Chiefs playmakers, wideout Sammy Watkins (calf) and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle), appear to be back after missing the divisional round. Both players are listed as questionable as are running back Le’Veon Bell (knee), and cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland (concussion/shoulder) and Rashad Fenton (foot).

Linebacker Willie Gay (ankle) will miss the game.

Defensive tackle Vernon Butler (quad) and rookie receiver Gabriel Davis (ankle) are questionable for Buffalo.

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TAMPA BAY vs NEW ORLEANS
When: 1/17/2021 6:40 PM
Where:

TV: 6:40 PM
LINE: -3
PREDICTION: NEW ORLEANS , TAMPA BAY

Oddsmakers currently have the NEW ORLEANS listed as -3 point favorites versus the TAMPA BAY, while the game’s total is sitting at 52.

The New Orleans Saints are the only team to have beaten Tom Brady twice in the same season.

They will try to beat Brady a third time this season when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC divisional-round game on Sunday.

Drew Brees and the Saints ruined Brady’s debut with the Buccaneers after 20 seasons in New England when they prevailed 34-23 in the season opener in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

They handed Brady the worst loss of his career when they completed the season-series sweep with a 38-3 rout in Tampa on Nov. 8.

Now the stakes are higher, as the winner will earn a trip to the NFC Championship on Jan. 24.

“When the playoffs come and you’re playing a division opponent like this,” Saints coach Sean Payton said, “it’s a whole new season. It’s entirely different.”

Much of the attention leading up to the game will be on Brees and Brady, the two most productive passers in NFL history. This will be the last time they face each other if Brees retires after this season.

Brady is 43 years old and Brees turns 42 on Friday.

Brees’ team has won five of the eight career match-ups, and this will be the first time the two have met in the playoffs.

“I envisioned this game happening (when Brady signed with the Bucs last offseason),” Brees said. “Tom and I have a friendship and mutual respect. We were texting back and forth Monday, chuckling at this whole scenario.”

The Saints’ defense was perhaps the most important factor in winning the first two games. They intercepted Brady twice in the first meeting, including one that Janoris Jenkins returned for a touchdown, and they intercepted him three times in the second meeting.

Brees had six touchdowns and no interceptions in the first two meetings.

For the season, Brady has passed for 4,633 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He has just seven interceptions against teams other than New Orleans.

“I think we’ve just been going through growing pains throughout the season,” Tampa Bay wide receiver Chris Godwin said, “which is what happens when you have a new quarterback. It takes some time to build that chemistry and I think over the last couple of weeks we’ve done better at that.”

Since the second loss to the Saints, the Bucs have averaged 34 points per game.

“We’re doing different things that we were doing back then, especially in the opener,” Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said. “It’s just a matter of doing what you do and doing it better than they do (what they do).”

Brady threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-23 wild-card win last week at Washington. That was the Bucs’ first playoff win since they won the Super Bowl after the 2002 season.

Running back Ronald Jones, who didn’t play last week, missed practice Wednesday because of quad and finger injuries.

Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who has three of the Saints’ six sacks of Brady this season, missed a 21-9 home victory against Chicago last week because of a neck injury, but he returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday.

“A lot of things change in a season,” Arians said. “It comes down to one-on-one battles of guys who know each other. Who’s going to make the game-changing plays in this game?”

The Saints, who are trying to reach the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three seasons, have won the last five meetings.

“When we play each other (there) is a lot of emotion, a lot of physicalities,” Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans said. “As players we love it. We love this rivalry. I know the fans love it. I would say it is our biggest rivalry.”

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CLEVELAND vs KANSAS CITY
When: 1/17/2021 3:05 PM
Where:

TV: 3:05 PM
LINE: -10
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , CLEVELAND

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -10 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 57.

Time off for Patrick Mahomes has not equated to time away from football.

He practiced for the Kansas City Chiefs. He cheered teammates on while sitting out the last regular-season game. And then last week, with the bye that goes to the top seed in the AFC playoffs, Mahomes scouted opponents.

He will rely on what he learned about the Cleveland Browns, who will be coming off an explosive 48-37 upset of Pittsburgh in the wild-card round, which elevated them into the divisional round Sunday at Kansas City, Mo.

“I had a day’s worth of film on the Browns,” said Mahomes, “so whenever we found that out, I was able to look back at that and look at my notes and see how it presents to us.”

Despite sitting out the Jan. 3 setback to the Los Angeles Chargers, Mahomes helped engineer a 14-2 season for Kansas City while passing for 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns. He will square off against Baker Mayfield as they reprise their old Big 12 shootouts.

“To be able to play against him on this stage is going to be special,” Mahomes said. “I mean, he went to Oklahoma, I went to Texas Tech, so he got the better of me in college, so I’ll try to do my best to win in the NFL.”

Mahomes knows he has the weapons to accomplish that feat, especially after the Chiefs scored at least 31 points in each of their postseason wins a year ago. Travis Kelce, who set an NFL record for tight ends with 1,416 receiving yards, also sat out the defeat against the Chargers, which snapped a 10-game Chiefs’ winning streak.

“Everybody kind of locks in a little bit more and gets excited to play when the playoffs come around, especially in this building, especially (Mahomes) himself,” Kelce said.

The same could be said of the Browns after claiming their first playoff win since 1994.

Cleveland should regain several players off the reserve/COVID-19 list — Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio was removed Friday — while coach Kevin Stefanski returned to practice on Thursday after his own stint with the virus.

“We’re looking forward to getting a full complement of guys,” Stefanski said. “Anytime you get good players back, whether it be injury or COVID list, it’s always a big boost for your entire team.”

Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson have been activated and will provide depth to a secondary that grabbed four interceptions against Pittsburgh. Receiver KhaDarel Hodge was also taken off coronavirus protocols.

Mayfield will again look to execute a balanced attack, which also features the rushing tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Hunt will have some additional motivation playing against the Chiefs. They cut Hunt during the 2018 season after video surfaced of him kicking a woman. Kansas City selected Hunt in the third round of the 2017 draft. He then led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards as a rookie.

Another Browns connection who can point to his time with the Chiefs is general manager John Dorsey, who was around when Andy Reid took over as Kansas City coach and traded up to take Mahomes in the 2017 draft after already drafting the likes of Kelce and Tyreek Hill.

Dorsey was eventually fired by the Browns in late 2019.

“He did a nice job here and there of bringing the right people in,” Reid said.

The Chiefs ruled out receiver Sammy Watkins (calf) and linebacker Willie Gay (ankle) on Friday. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) was listed as questionable.

The Browns listed four players as questionable: offensive tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring/knee), linebacker B.J. Goodson (shoulder), and tight ends David Njoku (hamstring) and Stephen Carlson (groin).

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It is unclear whether or not Fitterer plans to accept the position as negotiations were ongoing.

Fitterer has been with the Seahawks since 2001, where he effectively operated as a co-assistant GM under John Schneider. He has worked with three head coaches during that span, with his focus primarily on evaluating incoming college talent.

If he accepts the position, Fitterer is expected to have the final say in personnel decisions in Carolina, although coach Matt Rhule will still have an input.

Fitterer’s potential hire comes following an exhaustive search by Panthers owner David Tepper, who interviewed 15 candidates for the position. The list was later trimmed to four with Fitterer, Titans director of player personnel Monti Ossenfort, 49ers vice president of player personnel Adam Peters and Chiefs assistant director of player personnel Ryan Poles being the finalists who were invited for a second in-person interview.

Fitterer would replace longtime general manager Marty Hurney, who was fired in December.

Tepper said at the time he was looking for a general manager who was more data-driven and is a believer in sports analytics. Tepper also said he was looking for ”alignment and collaboration” between the team’s next general manager and Rhule, who was 5-11 in his first season with the Panthers after signing a seven-year, $62 million contract.

“Collaboration doesn’t mean you don’t have arguments about who you are picking,” Tepper said in December. “(We want) a decision-maker, somebody who is a good manager.”

A two-sport athlete in college, Fitterer pitched three seasons in the Blue Jays organization. He began his career with the Giants before joining the Seahawks and rising through the ranks to direct their college personnel department.

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SEATTLE vs SAN FRANCISCO
When: 1/3/2021 4:25 PM
Where:

TV: 4:25 PM
LINE: 6
PREDICTION: SAN FRANCISCO , SEATTLE

Oddsmakers currently have the SAN FRANCISCO listed as 6 point favorites versus the SEATTLE, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

The Seattle Seahawks have already clinched their first NFC West title since 2016.

But they still have something to play for in Week 17 when they meet the coronavirus-displaced San Francisco 49ers (6-9) on Sunday afternoon in Glendale, Ariz.

The Seahawks (11-4) can still earn the NFC’s top seed and a first-round bye with a victory and a loss by Green Bay (12-3) at Chicago (8-7) and a loss or tie by New Orleans (11-4) tie at Carolina (5-10).

Of course, the odds of all those scenarios happening are slim — FiveThirtyEight.com puts the Seahawks chances of getting the No. 1 seed at 4 percent — but there’s still a possibility.

Which is all Seahawks coach Pete Carroll needs to hear.

“We’re going for it, and we would love to have that break (the bye in the wild-card round) for players if we can get it,” Carroll said.

The Seahawks captured the division title with a 20-9 victory against the Los Angeles Rams last weekend, as Russell Wilson threw for one touchdown, rushed for another and the defense limited the visitors to three field goals.

“I don’t want to break that mentality at all,” Carroll said. “We want to stay right with it and keep pushing and trying to get better. … This is a championship opportunity to put ourselves in the best situation going into the playoffs.”

Through the first half of the season, Wilson carried the Seahawks and the defense was on pace to shatter the NFL record for most yards allowed in a season.

But over the past seven games, the Seahawks are allowing an average of just 15 points, best in the league, are tied for first in sacks (24) and are third in total defense.

“We figured it out,” Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright said. “Guys are just starting to be accountable, we’re communicating like no other. To hear the other guys’ voices each and every play is truly special.”

Added safety Jamal Adams: “For everybody out there, they got to start putting respect on this defense’s name, because this defense is playing lights out.”

The injury-plagued 49ers, the defending NFC champions, have shown a willingness to play the role of spoiler. Behind third-string quarterback C.J. Beathard, the 49ers dealt Arizona’s playoff chances a blow with a 20-12 victory last weekend.

Beathard completed 13 of 22 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns and Jeff Wilson rushed for a career-high 183 yards and made a 21-yard touchdown reception.

“That’s why I’ve been real proud of the players and the way they’ve handled themselves,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “That’s why I’m truly not going to count this year as a negative. It wasn’t fun. It’s not what we or our fans wanted. But I believe the way we went through it, if you go through things the right way, I think it hardens you and makes you stronger and makes you better.”

The Seahawks beat San Francisco 37-27 on Nov. 1 in Seattle. Nick Mullens replaced an injured Jimmy Garoppolo and guided the 49ers to three touchdowns in the final five minutes.

Shanahan said he doesn’t expect Garoppolo (ankle) to return this week. Wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk (ankle) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring), left tackle Trent Williams (elbow), defensive end Jordan Willis (ankle) and cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) have already been ruled out. Kicker Robbie Gould was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Seahawks are relatively healthy, with cornerback Tre Flowers (hamstring) expected to return from the injured reserve list and right tackle Brandon Shell (ankle) is likely to play.

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MIAMI vs BUFFALO
When: 1/3/2021 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -5
PREDICTION: BUFFALO , MIAMI

Oddsmakers currently have the BUFFALO listed as -5 point favorites versus the MIAMI, while the game’s total is sitting at 42.

Miami needs a win in Sunday’s regular-season finale at Buffalo to guarantee its first postseason berth since 2016.

The Dolphins (10-5) can also get into the playoffs with one loss by either the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts or Baltimore Ravens.

The Bills (12-3) have already clinched their first division title since 1995, but a win would lock up the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Miami will be without starting linebacker Elandon Roberts, who suffered a knee injury in last week’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Wide receiver/punt returner Jakeem Grant, who suffered an ankle injury against the Raiders, is expected miss the Buffalo game. Three other key Dolphins are questionable: receiver DeVante Parker (hamstring), guard Solomon Kindley (knee) and defensive end Shaq Lawson (shoulder).

For Buffalo, wide receiver Cole Beasley is doubtful due to a knee injury. He ranks second on the team in receptions (82) and receiving yards (967) and has four touchdowns this season.

If Beasley sits, that could open the way for rookie Gabriel Davis and Isaiah McKenzie to get more targets. Starting receiver John Brown (COVID-19 protocol) is already on injured reserve.

At quarterback, the Dolphins will again start rookie Tua Tagovailoa, who was benched in the fourth quarter against the Raiders and replaced by veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. Even though Fitzpatrick led Miami to victory, Dolphins coach Brian Flores said he is sticking with Tagovailoa as his No. 1.

“Tua has brought us a spark in many other games, but people forget that because they just remember the last thing,” Flores said. “I think Tua has played fairly well. People can disagree. We will agree to disagree in that case.”

Tagovailoa is 6-2 in eight starts this season and has done a good job of avoiding turnovers. His touchdown-to-interception ratio is an impressive 10-2. He is also completing 65.1 percent of his passes for 161.4 yards per game.

At times, however, Tagovailoa has been indecisive, which has led to 19 sacks (sack rate of 7.6 percent).

Fitzpatrick has been sacked 14 times with a sack rate of 5.0 percent, which is a sign that the 38-year-old veteran knows where he wants to go with the ball and gets rid of it quickly.

Overall, Fitzpatrick is completing 68.5 percent of his passes for 232.3 yards per game for 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His interception rate is much higher than Tagovailoa’s (3.0 to 0.9).

Fitzpatrick, who has never made the playoffs in his 16-year NFL career, is 4-3 as a starter this season.

For Buffalo, wide receiver Stefon Diggs is the reigning AFC Offensive Player of the Week after catching nine passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns in Monday’s 38-9 road victory against the New England Patriots.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen has 34 touchdown passes this season, breaking Jim Kelly’s previous franchise record. Allen also has eight 300-yard games, which broke the previous team record set by Drew Bledsoe.

So far this season, Allen has passed for 4,320 yards at a completion rate of 69.1 percent.

“The records, this and that, it’s cool,” Allen said. “But the plan is to get us to 13-3 to give us a chance in the playoffs. The records don’t mean much if we can’t get it done.”

That quote ought to answer anyone who doubts the Bills will be playing to win on Sunday.

And a motivated Bills team is dangerous, especially with Diggs, who has already set a franchise record this season with a league-leading 1,459 receiving yards. Diggs, who also leads the NFL with 120 receptions, credits Allen.

“We have a young quarterback who’s balling,” Diggs said.

Buffalo’s top two running backs — Devin Singletary and Zack Moss — both have South Florida roots, and they have combined to rush for 1,153 yards and six TDs this season.

Allen is also a major threat to run, with 418 yards and eight touchdowns. But he has to be wary of turnovers — he has nine interceptions and nine total fumbles (six lost) this season.

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BALTIMORE vs CINCINNATI
When: 1/3/2021 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: 13.5
PREDICTION: CINCINNATI , BALTIMORE

Oddsmakers currently have the CINCINNATI listed as 13.5 point favorites versus the BALTIMORE, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.

The Baltimore Ravens will look to punch their ticket for a third straight trip to the playoffs with a win Sunday over host Cincinnati, which has won two straight games.

The Ravens (10-5) clinch a spot in the AFC playoffs by beating the Bengals (4-10-1), or if the Cleveland Browns (10-5) lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3), or via a loss by the Indianapolis Colts (10-5) to the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14).

The Ravens could also get in with a tie, if the Dolphins (10-5) lose to the Buffalo Bills (11-3) or if the Tennessee Titans (10-5) lose to the Houston Texans (4-11). If the Ravens and the Colts or Browns also tie, the Ravens would advance.

“You try not to look too far elsewhere, but we control our own fate, and that’s a great feeling,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. “We’re just trying to get better and win this game, and the cards will fall how they fall.”

The Bengals are seeking to end the season on a three-game winning streak by defeating the Ravens for the first time in five meetings dating back to a 34-23 win in Cincinnati on Sept. 13, 2018.

The Ravens, who are coming off a victory over the New York Giants on Sunday, have won four straight games to control their postseason destiny.

“Obviously, we still have another one that we have to win,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “So, we’re still in the process of trying to finish this thing out the right way and get into the playoffs.”

Lamar Jackson has fueled the Ravens’ surge, throwing for 2,644 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has also rushed for a team-high 908 yards and seven touchdowns, leading a rushing attack that also features Gus Edwards (663 yards, six TDs) and rookie J.K. Dobbins (645 yards, seven TDs).

The Ravens are the only team in the NFL history — based on data since 1932 — with three players who have rushed for at least 600 yards and six touchdowns in a season.

The Bengals have played their two best games of the season in consecutive weeks, following a 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15 with a 37-31 win at Houston on Sunday.

Quarterback Brandon Allen threw for a career-high 371 yards, two touchdowns and a 126.5 passer rating against the Texans.

Tee Higgins, who is questionable for Sunday’s game (hamstring), had six catches for 99 yards and a score and Samaje Perine added 13 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns as Cincinnati posted 540 yards of total offense. Perine will start against the Ravens after head coach Zac Taylor said Joe Mixon, the team’s leading rusher with 428 yards, remains sidelined with a foot injury suffered in Week 6.

Allen was forced into action after Joe Burrow, the top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, tore his left ACL and MCL and also suffered partial tears to his PCL and meniscus during a 20-9 loss to Washington on Nov. 22.

“Winning two games in a row is really insignificant in this NFL, but it is significant for us right now, just everybody seeing what we’ve been through,” Taylor told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “It means a lot to these guys and something to build off of.”

The Ravens had nine players sit out practice Wednesday including receiver Willie Snead (ankle), defensive backs Jimmy Smith (ribs, shoulder), Marcus Peters (calf) and Marlon Humphrey (shoulder), running back Mark Ingram (illness) and defensive end Calais Campbell (calf). Punter Sam Koch was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and his availability for Sunday’s game is unclear.

Cincinnati linebackers Logan Wilson (ankle) and Jordan Evans (hamstring), receiver Tyler Boyd (concussion) and center B.J. Finney (abdomen) all missed practice Wednesday after not playing against the Texans last week.

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PITTSBURGH vs CLEVELAND
When: 1/3/2021 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -4
PREDICTION: CLEVELAND , PITTSBURGH

Oddsmakers currently have the CLEVELAND listed as -4 point favorites versus the PITTSBURGH, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.5.

Technically, it’s not a must-win game for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular-season finale.

The Browns (10-5) can still slink into the playoffs with a loss, provided the right combination of other teams lose and/or win. But Cleveland isn’t viewing another showdown with the Steelers (12-3) in such a light.

“We’ve got to come ready to play like it’s a playoff game,” said Cleveland running back Kareem Hunt.

With a win, Cleveland is in. Pittsburgh already knows it will be the No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the postseason, which led to Mike Tomlin declaring this week that Ben Roethlisberger will get the week off. Backup Mason Rudolph will get his first start of the year.

The move adds more intrigue to the matchup. Last year, Cleveland broke a five-year non-winning streak against Pittsburgh in Cleveland with a 21-7 victory on Nov. 14, 2019. But in the closing moments, defensive end Myles Garret ripped off Rudolph’s helmet and swung it at the quarterback to spark an on-field brawl.

The incident led Garrett to be suspended for the final six games of last season. Garrett, who had 10 sacks through 10 games last season before the suspension, has 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 12 sacks this year.

Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski isn’t concerned about that subplot. Rudolph, who has just four passing attempts and 20 offensive snaps all season, had seven plays on the field during Pittsburgh’s 38-7 rout of the Browns in Week 6 this season.

“We talk about maintaining our composure in every single game, it’s nothing new this week,” Stefanski said. “We’ve got to make sure that we’re keeping the main thing (in mind) and focusing on our work.”

Tomlin said the Garrett/Rudolph issue is a non-starter for him.

“That is so far in our rearview mirror that we can’t see it,” he said.

Cleveland has more pressing issues to address. The team temporarily closed its facility again on Wednesday following more positive COVID-19 tests within the organization.

On Tuesday, the team put tight end Harrison Bryant and safeties Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Last Sunday, in a 23-16 loss to the New York Jets, the Browns played without their top four wide receivers, who were forced to sit out of the game because of contact tracing. The Browns are hopeful the receiving corps, including leader Jarvis Landry (789 yards), will be able to return against the Steelers.

Stefanski said Wednesday that rookie offensive tackle Jedrick Wills would return this week from a non-COVID-related illness, but the Browns weren’t sure when he will practice. Starting right guard Wyatt Teller (ankle) was also expected to be available after missing the last two games.

“We have to do everything in our power to win this week,” Stefanski said.

Pittsburgh rallied from a 17-point deficit last week to beat the Indianapolis Colts and lock up a playoff spot. The win snapped a three-game losing skid.

Pittsburgh secures the No. 2 seed with a win and a loss or tie by the Bills (12-3) against the Dolphins (10-5), but without a bye within reach, Tomlin said his team might benefit more by resting key players. He hasn’t said who, beyond Roethlisberger, will sit or for how long, but vowed the Steelers will play to win.

If the Bills and Steelers finish with identical records, Buffalo would receive the higher seed since the Bills defeated the Steelers, 26-15, on Dec. 13.

“The standard is the standard,” Tomlin said. “Our job is to win football games.”

The post PITTSBURGH vs. CLEVELAND 1/3/2021 NFL Odds, Pick & Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

ATLANTA vs TAMPA BAY
When: 1/3/2021 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -6.5
PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY , ATLANTA

Oddsmakers currently have the TAMPA BAY listed as -6.5 point favorites versus the ATLANTA, while the game’s total is sitting at 50.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the playoffs for the first time in 13 years, but coach Bruce Arians still has a major task at the forefront of his mind.

Arians not only wants to close the regular season with a victory in Sunday’s game against the visiting Atlanta Falcons, but he also wants to see Mike Evans’ name standing alone in the record books.

Evans needs 40 receiving yards against the Falcons (4-11) to become the first player in NFL history to reach 1,000 in each of his first seven NFL seasons. Evans shares the current mark of six with Hall of Famer Randy Moss.

“I desperately want that to happen,” Arians said. “Whatever he needs or whatever he has left — I’m sure Atlanta’s not going to want to give it to him, so we’ll have to find some creative ways to get it for him.”

There were certainly times when it looked like there wasn’t much of a chance of the streak being extended.

Evans, 27, was bothered by a hamstring injury at the outset of the campaign and later suffered an ankle injury. He had just 2 receiving yards — yes 2 — in both Weeks 1 and 3.

When he had just 10 yards in Week 6, Evans’ total was at 281. Even in mid-December, he had just 669 yards with three games left.

But Evans heated up quickly. He had 110 yards in Week 15 when the Buccaneers (10-5) defeated the Falcons 31-17, and had his top outing of the campaign on Dec. 26 when he had 10 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns in a 47-7 rout of the Detroit Lions.

And just like that, Evans’ total sits at 960 as he closes in on the record.

“Early in the season, I was hurt really bad,” Evans said. “But it’s my job to play, like I always say. It just feels good. I’m getting back on track and getting healthier.”

Despite the slow start, Evans has 67 receptions and a franchise-record 13 touchdown catches, breaking the mark he set in 2014 and 2016.

Evans meshes well with Tom Brady as the quarterback has set a franchise mark with 36 touchdown passes while throwing for 4,234 yards and 11 interceptions.

The Buccaneers are also hoping to have running back Ronald Jones II (900 rushing yards) back on the field. Jones came off the reserve/COVID-19 list but still is dealing with a fractured pinkie. He was limited in practice Wednesday, as was cornerback Carlton Davis (groin) and linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (knee).

While Tampa Bay is seeking a fourth straight victory, the Falcons are hoping to avoid a fifth straight loss.

In fact, Atlanta fans won’t be overly crushed with another loss as many are consumed with the 2021 draft order. Only two teams — the New York Jets (2-13) and Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14) — have fewer victories than the Falcons.

“Our fan base is very knowledgeable and that’s their job to cheer for those types of things, but our job is to go out and win football games,” interim head coach Raheem Morris said. “We really love those guys, we really love Atlanta, we love everything we stand for, and when that time comes we’ll address those accordingly.”

Morris replaced Dan Quinn after the team’s 0-5 start and temporarily had things moving in the right direction with four wins in six games. The final game in that stretch was a 43-6 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

But the Falcons lost all four of their December games. The losses were all close with the margin of defeats by a combined 15 points.

The season as a whole leaves veteran quarterback Matt Ryan with mixed feelings. He sees all the chances his squad squandered but he feels optimistic about the near future.

“I feel like we’ve got a good core group of guys here that you can build on and I think we’ve been competitive,” Ryan said. “We just haven’t found a way to get the job done in finishing situations enough this year and it’s something we definitely have to improve at moving forward.”

Veteran receiver Julio Jones (hamstring) didn’t practice Wednesday and could miss his third straight game.

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