In this article I will be predicting and previewing each of the four games this weekend for the NFL’s divisional round of the playoffs. Last week my predictions were correct in five of the six games, and this week I’m hoping to go 100%. Below is a look at what I think the bracket will look like after this weekend:
Buffalo Bills (6) at Denver Broncos (1) – Saturday @ 1:30 P.M
My Predicted Winner: Bills
Preview: Being completely honest, all year I have been high on the Bills and Josh Allen more than most, including last week which worked out well for me so I don’t see world where I switch up in the divisional round. Additionally, all year in my Freitas’ Faves I have expressed that I don’t think the Broncos are as good as their record says they are. Bo Nix has played in one playoff game in his career and got demolished by Josh Allen, I don’t think Nix has proven himself and my opinion will definitely have to change if he can beat Josh Allen on Saturday but I don’t believe he will. Also, the Bills are getting back Curtis Samuel and Ed Oliver which I think will be huger for them. Last week my lock in terms of spreads for the wild card was Panthers +10.5 and that hit easily, now this week my lock is Bills +1.5.
San Francisco 49ers (6) at Seattle Seahawks (1) – Saturday @ 5 P.M.
My Predicted Winner: Seahawks
Preview: Last week of all six games the only game I picked wrong was 49ers at Eagles, and as a niner fan I would be more than happy if I was wrong this week as well, but I just don’t believe they can beat the odds again.The Seahawks are rested and healthy with one of the best offenses and one of the best defenses in the league, while the 49ers are limping into this game with three of their four best players on IR including a demoralizing George Kittle injury last week, their starting safety out, and their top three linebackers out as well. In a hostile environment in Seattle I think the Seahawk defense will thrive and I don’t think the San Fran offense will be able to carry their weak defense to yet another win. I am extremely skeptical of Sam Darnold in big games, not as much as some, but I still don’t think he will play great and I don’t think he will need to as the Seahawks have proven multiple times this year that they can win despite a poor performance from him.
Houston Texans (5) at New England Patriots (2) – Sunday @ 12 P.M.
My Predicted Winner: Patriots
Preview: It truly pains me to pick the Patriots after all year saying that I believe they are frauds and won’t be able to get anything done in the playoffs. And after last week I was sure I would pick the Texans in this matchup. But with Nico Collin now ruled out, and after how I saw C.J. Stroud play last week versus a weak Steelers team, I just don’t know if they can get it done. Don’t get me wrong, I still believe like most that this Texans defense is one of the best in recent memory, but the Patriots defense is strong as well. So if it comes down to which offense can fight for more points than the other, I think the Patriots have the advantage over a very stale Texans offense. The fact that Drake Maye didn’t play great last week doesn’t concern me at all, if anything it makes me more confident in my pick. The Pats were able to win that game confidently while Maye was shaking off his first playoff game jitters. So now I think Maye will be a but more relaxed and will perform somewhat better in a win over Houston.
Los Angeles Rams (5) at Chicago Bears (2) – Sunday @ 3:30 P.M.
My Predicted Winner: Rams
Preview: This was the hardest game for me to pick this week despite the spread being the second largest of the weekend, in favor of the Rams. The weather is expected to be extremely frigid with snow likely coming in and wind chill making the weather feel as low as 0 degrees. But there were two big things that persuaded me to pick in favor of LA. First of all, the injuries that the Bears endured last week with T.J. Edwards their best linebacker and their starting left tackle being ruled out this week, I think that will take more of a toll on Chicago than most people are realizing. Second, it’s Matthew Stafford, he proved last year in the divisional round that he can perform in the snow, and they have a much more experienced team in terms of playoffs than the Bears do. I think the weather if as bad as advertised will level the playing field a bit but I just trust McVay, Stafford, and Nacua more than I trust Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, and Colston Loveland. Despite me picking the Rams to win, if I had to place money on the spread I’d take Bears +4.5.
