By seestyle at 2022-08-21
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Making the right NFL picks and predictions against the spread for the playoffs is always tricky. After surviving and doing OK with the six-game slate of the wild-card weekend, it's time to build on that to improve for the divisional round.The AFC favorites handled their busine s, with the early surprise results comingin the NFC. As the stakes are raised for the games and the competitiongets more compelling, there should be more exciting action packed into four matchups.Here's how Sporting Newsforecasts vs. the latest critical numbers: T.J. Oshie Jersey MORE NFL PLAYOFFS: | | NFL playoff picks, predictions against the spreadGame of the Week: Bills at Chiefs (-2.5, 54 o/u)Sunday, 6:30p.m. ET, CBSThe Bills won big at Kansas City 38-20 in Week 5, but they won't really avenge their 38-24 AFC championship game lo s there last year unle s they win a round earlier this year. Buffalo is back to that level of relentle s offensive play after Josh Allen fueled itsflawle s rout of New England in the wild-card game. At the same time for the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes also has his complete groove back after ripping the Steelers for one of his signature ma sive pa sing performances.This game Jakub Vrana Jersey will come down to patience. Allen and Mahomes had to adjust midseason with their big plays taken away and their offenses also have obliged with more effective rushing attacks. It's all come full circle to open up the pa sing games with more diversity andle spre sure on the QBs. The Bills have had the better defense all year, but the Chiefs have clutch experience with the advantage of home hostile environment.This feels like it will come down to which elite young gun will get the ball on the final po se sion in regulation. It's a little easier to bet on Mahomes there as the one that's been there, done that more.Pick: Chiefs win 30-27 and cover the spread. Lock of the Week: Packers (-4.5, 47.5 o/u)over 49ersSaturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, FoxThe Packers were having trouble beating the 49ers for a while through the sweep during the 2019season, including in the 2020 playoffs. They had lost six of seven. That changed when Green Bay beat injury-riddled San Francisco last season. Their matchup in September was a thriller, through Aaron Rodgers leading a game-winning field goal drive in the final minute.Kyle Shanahan's team matches up well with former offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur's team.The running game and depth of personnel in the pa sing game have been problems. But Rodgers also should like his matchups against an overachieving secondary, especially if there's no Nick Bosa (concu sion) to provide front-four pre sure.Where the Packers will succeed is where the Cowboys failed. They won't mind controlling the game with their own rushing attack, with the healthy 1-2 punch of Aaron Jones and Mike Gartner Jersey A.J. Dillon. That will keep the chains moving with Rodgers and limit the chances for Jimmy Garoppolo. The Packers nearly blew leads of 17-0 earlyand 24-14 late in the previous meeting. They will learn from that and finish better against the 49ers to remove one big NFC championship obstacle.Pick: Packers win 34-27 and cover the spread. Upset of the Week: Bengals (+3.5, 47 o/u) over TitansSaturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBSThe Titans are the most physical team left in the playoffs. They want to smash opponents around with their power running game, which they hope will feature a healthy Derrick Henry again. They also have a stout run defense with good tight end coverage.The Bengals have decided they will go as far as Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the downfieled pa sing game will take them. The Titans' secondary is their weak point and they have an inconsistent pa s rush. Their goal will be jumping out to a nice early lead with a mix of big plays and strong red zone drives to take the Titans out of their ideal game plan with Ryan Tannehill.Cincinnati has momentum from the regular season and beating Las Vegas soundly gave its defense Riley Sutter Jersey confidence too, The visitors are better positioned to use their strengths better toward victory.Pick: Bengals win 27-24. Rams at Buccaneers (-3, 48.5 o/u)Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, NBCThe Buccaneers can't seem to shake off key injuries to their offense, as they will hope All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs (ankle) can go and running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) can return, as they already hurting at wide receiver without Chris Godwin (knee).They still are stuffing the run up front. They can cover better with their linebackers and defensive backs intact. They can also rush the pa ser and make other big plays on the ball with edge veterans Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul back in their 2021 playoff form.The Rams have a lot of star power but they remainlimited in their depth and versatility around Matthew Stafford and their defensive stars.Tom Brady and the Bucs are showing laser focus, tapping into a Alex Ovechkin Jersey lot of what made them Super succe sful in last year's run, this time with the bonus of a second "home" game. Brady is le s likely to make crucial mistakes and more likely to come through in the clutch.Pick: Buccaneers win 31-23 and cover the spread.Stats of the WeekWild-card weekend against the spread: 3-3Wild-card weekend straight up: 4-2Season against the spread: 152-123Season straight up: 185-91