NFL Divisional Playoff action begins on Saturday, January 16th with two games, as the Los Angeles Rams visit the Green Bay Packers, while the Baltimore Ravens visit the Buffalo Bills. Both home teams are favored, as the Packers are laying a touchdown, while the Bills are listed as a 2.5-point favorite. Let’s look at both Divisional games, odds, key matchups, key factors and Saturday Divisional Playoff picks.
Watch Saturday NFL Divisional Playoff games on Saturday, January 16 with games starting at 4:35 and 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time. Bet on NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers (4:35 p.m., FOX)
Packers -7, total 46
Do you believe in offense or defense? That is the question in this matchup on Saturday, as the No. 1 offense of the Packers takes on the No. 1 defense of the Rams. The Rams feature a defense led by Aaron Donald, while the Packers have the probable league MVP in Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay will have the home field advantage and they will be taking on a Los Angeles team that has some issues. The Rams are unsure who will start at quarterback, as it will be either Jared Goff who is dealing with a broken thumb, or John Wolford who left last week’s game with an injury. The Rams best defensive player, Aaron Donald, is expected to play, but he has a painful cartilage injury.
Key Matchup
The focus in this game will be on the Packers offense going against the Rams defense. Inside that focus will be the matchup between Green Bay wide receiver Davante Adams and Los Angeles cornerback Jalen Ramsey. If the Rams can slow down Adams, they may have a chance to be competitive in this game, but if Adams wins this matchup against Ramsey the game could turn into a rout. Part of the equation will be whether or not Aaron Rodgers can get enough time to throw. The Rams have an excellent defensive line and it will be up to All-Pro center Corey Linsley to contain Aaron Donald. The Rams only chance in this game is if they win the matchups featuring Ramsey and Donald.
Key Factor
The Rams scored 30 points last week against Seattle, but the Seahawks did everything they could to hand the game to the Rams. The Los Angeles defense scored one touchdown and the Seahawks fumbled a punt to set up another score. Los Angeles needs Goff or Wolford to make some plays because they can’t expect to shut down Rodgers and the Packers offense all day. The Rams were helped greatly last week by rookie running back Cam Akers who had 131 yards and a TD. Expect Green Bay to stack the line against the run this week and force Goff or Wolford to beat them.
Divisional Playoff Pick
The Rams are overmatched on both sides of the ball in this one. Rodgers and the Green Bay offense is capable of scoring against the Rams defense and the Los Angeles offense inspires no confidence. I will lay the points and take Green Bay.
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills (8:15 p.m., NBC)
Bills -2.5, total 49.5
The night game on Saturday is expected to be the best matchup of Divisional weekend, as the Ravens visit the Bills. This will be the first time in history these teams will be meeting in the playoffs. Buffalo has won their last seven games and they have not lost at home since October when the Chiefs beat them, while the Ravens have won their last six games. Buffalo has an explosive offense led by Josh Allen, while the Ravens feature last year’s MVP Lamar Jackson.
Key Matchup
This game could come down to how well the Bills control Lamar Jackson. The Baltimore quarterback combined for nearly 5,000 yards this season, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and rushing for more than 1,000 yards. These teams met last year and the Bills decided they would make Jackson beat them with his arm. Jackson rushed for just 40 yards on 11 carries, but he did throw three TD passes in a 24-17 win. You can make a case that Jackson doesn’t have the receiving options he had a year ago and that Baltimore’s passing attack is not that great. If the Bills can contain Jackson as they did a year ago, they should have a good chance to win this game.
Key Factor
The Bills have a quarterback in Josh Allen who is far better than he was a year ago. He finished fifth in the NFL in passing yards (4,544) and fifth in passing touchdowns (37). He also ran for 421 yards and eight touchdowns. He had trouble a year ago against the Ravens defense but he figures to have far more success this time around. This time he has Stefon Diggs who had the most receiving yards in the NFL this season. Allen should be the difference on Saturday night.
Divisional Playoff Pick
The Ravens would have lost last week if Tennessee had a head coach and an offensive coordinator who knew how to call plays. This week the Bills will exploit a weak Baltimore secondary and Buffalo should outscore the Ravens. I will lay the points and take the Bills.
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