Predicting the 2021 NFL Divisional Round Games

Chiefs' star quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2019
Chiefs' star quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2019. Photo by Jason Pohuski/CSM/Shutterstock (10364325jo)

The 2021 NFL Playoffs got off to a thrilling start in the Wild Card Round with a few upsets that have led us to some surprising Divisional Round matchups as eight teams continue to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.

Four games await in this weekend’s divisional rounds, and there is plenty to analyze. Let’s take a look at the games and pick a winner for each one!

Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills

The Ravens avenged their early playoff exit at the hands of the Tennessee Titans with a 20-13 win at Nissan Field last weekend, and they will look to advance even further on Saturday against a very tough Bills team.

Buffalo has been a magical story this year, but Lamar Jackson and the Ravens appear to be on a revenge tour and they proved to have defensive meddle last week that could help them slow down Bills quarterback Josh Allen. We like them in a road upset.

Pick: Ravens 27, Bills 21

Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs

No one expected the Cleveland Browns to walk out of Heinz Field alive last weekend after facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they made easy work of their opposition. Their reward? A date against the reigning Super Bowl champions and this season’s presumptive favorites.

The Chiefs went 14-2 in the regular season for a reason, as they have the game’s deadliest offense led by superstar QB Patrick Mahomes. They’ll use this to exploit the Browns’ shaky secondary and cruise to a win, ending the Cinderella story.

Pick: Chiefs 41, Browns 24

Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers

The Packers had a first round bye after finishing first in the NFC during the regular season, and they watched as the Rams upset the Seahawks despite their team’s injury problems and lack of a healthy starting quarterback.

The Rams have a great defense, but will they and cornerback Jalen Ramsey be able to do enough to slow down Aaron Rodgers and the conference’s best passing offense? We think they will put up a valiant fight but fall short at a frigid Lambeau Field.

Pick: Packers 30, Rams 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

The Sunday night special pits Tom Brady’s Buccaneers against Drew Brees’s Saints in a matchup of two of this generation’s best signal-callers. So, who will come out on top?

The Saints handled Tampa Bay in each of their two regular-season matchups, including a 38-3 home win in early November. The Bucs’ offense is doing better now, but we think they will come up just short in a bid to advance to the NFC Championship Game.

Pick: Saints 38, Buccaneers 34

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