NFL Divisional Playoffs Picks Against The Spread 2021: Chiefs, Bills, Saints Continue Dominance
The cream usually rises to the top in the NFL divisional round, and that won’t change in the 2021 playoffs. With the Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints favored to win their second-round games, there’s a good chance that most, if not all, of those teams will advance to the conference championship.
Here are picks against the spread for every NFL divisional playoff game, as well as the latest odds. Betting lines are courtesy of OddsShark.
Los Angeles Rams (+6.5) at Green Bay Packers
After upsetting an elite quarterback in the wild-card round, the Rams’ top-ranked defense has a chance to slow down another great signal caller. Aaron Rodgers was the best quarterback in the 2020 regular season. He’ll be without stud left tackle David Bakhtiari, taking on a unit that ranks second in sacks and opponents’ passer rating. Rams’ cornerback Jalen Ramsey has shut down some of the NFL’s top receivers. Los Angeles can win if Davante Adams is kept in check.
The gap between Rodgers and Jared Goff might be too much for the Rams to overcome, but this game could still go down to the wire.
Prediction ATS: Los Angeles
Baltimore Ravens (+2.5) at Buffalo Bills
Buffalo has firmly established itself as the biggest threat to Kansas City in the AFC. Had it not been for a miraculous Hail Mary, the Bills would be on an 11-game winning streak. Josh Allen and Buffalo’s explosive offense will have plenty of success moving the ball, forcing Baltimore to try to win a shootout. The Bills rank second in total yards and points scored.
As productive as Lamar Jackson has been on the ground, it will be difficult for the quarterback and the Ravens to match the Bills.
Prediction ATS: Buffalo
Cleveland Browns (+10) at Kansas City Chiefs
Now that they’re in the playoffs, don’t expect Kansas City to have any more underwhelming performances. That is certainly the case against a mediocre Cleveland defense, which gave up 37 points to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round. In five career playoff games, Mahomes has a 106.6 passer rating with 16 total touchdowns. The Chiefs are averaging 35.8 points in those contests. Baker Mayfield and Cleveland’s rushing attack won’t be able to keep up.
All four of Mahomes’ playoff wins have come by at least 11 points.
Prediction ATS: Kansas City
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) at New Orleans Saints
New Orleans could very well have Tampa Bay’s number. The Saints beat the Buccaneers 34-23 in the season opener and followed that up with a dominant 38-3 victory in Tampa two months later. Sunday’s game won’t be that one-sided, but New Orleans has what it takes to limit Tom Brady and the Bucs’ offense. Marshon Lattimore has a history of containing Mike Evans, and the Saints have found ways to pressure Brady.
Drew Brees has experienced some bad luck in the last few postseasons. He’s still among the league’s best quarterbacks and will lead the Saints back to the conference title game.
Prediction ATS: New Orleans
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