The Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs wrapped up last weekend and my predictions went 3-1 while my best bets went 5-0 including my bonus bet. A very successful NFL weekend, besides the fact that Josh Allen played his worst playoff game in his career.
But we’ve moved on from that and are on to Championship round weekend.
Patriots at Broncos
The New England Patriots travel to Denver to take on the number one seed Broncos in a matchup that was highly anticipated until the injury to Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. I think this could have been a great, great football game in a matchup between a great young quarterback in Drake Maye versus a top-tier defense in the Denver Broncos. I no longer think this is going to be a good game or even remotely interesting.
I see a lot of analysts saying this game will be a battle and that they can still see Denver winning, but I just don’t see that. I don’t see a way where Denver, with Jarrett Stidham at quarterback, finds a way to beat this New England team.
I think New England’s been extremely lucky in the playoffs. They’ve had the easiest schedule in the regular season, and then in the playoffs they’ve faced a Chargers team with no O-line, a Houston Texans team with an awful O-line, and a terrible quarterback. Now they face a Denver Broncos team without their starting quarterback.
I don’t think Denver had a good offense with Bo Nix, and without him, I just don’t see them generating any type of offense against the Patriots’ defense, which is playing very well right now.
I think Drake Maye might struggle a little bit in this game against Denver’s great pass rush. He tends to hold on to the ball too long, and I think that’ll lead to some sacks, but as long as he doesn’t put the ball on the ground and turn the ball over, they will end up winning this game.
Just from the sheer fact that Denver’s offense is so bad, I think Patriots kind of control this game throughout. I don’t think there’s really any time that this game is in doubt. I think they end up winning by 10 to 14 points in Denver and go to the Super Bowl.
Best Bet: Patriots -4.5
Rams at Seahawks
This is the game that everyone wanted when the playoffs and seedings were finalized. This was the game that everyone wanted to see. The two best teams in football, I think, all year. Certainly, the two best teams in the NFC face off for a third time this year after splitting the season series, and both of the first two games were incredible.
The first game was a low-scoring defensive battle where Darnold threw four interceptions, and they still had a chance to win the game at the end. The second game was a back-and-forth offensive affair in which the Seahawks had to convert three consecutive two-point conversions to win the game.
It’s hard to get a read on this game. My brain tells me to take the Seahawks and that amazing defense, but it’s just hard to trust Sam Darnold over Matthew Stafford in the big moment. I just trust Stafford a little more, but Seattle’s defense is the real deal, so this is an absolute toss-up of a game.
I think the Rams defense has had Darnold’s number a little bit this year, getting pressure, forcing turnovers, and generating sacks. I think that’ll be the case again, and I think as long as Darnold doesn’t make any big mistakes, they will have a chance to win this game.
The Rams offense did not look good last week but I think weather had a huge factor in that. The weather will not be a factor this weekend, so I expect them to get back to their old ways. The Seahawks haven’t had trouble with a lot of offenses this year. The Rams last game was one of the offenses they could not control. Puka Nacua and Stafford had massive games, and the Rams seemingly did anything they wanted to on offense.
I think we see another close, great game. I would just lean towards the better quarterback in the end. I think Stafford and McVay have a play that wins them the game late.
Best Bet: Stafford Over 251.5 Passing Yards
Cam's Corner 