Recap
Eagles +4.5 vs Cowboys – Miss. Cowboys 51 Eagles 26
Niners +4.5 at Rams – HIT! Niners 27 Rams 24
Raiders +3 vs Chargers – HIT! Raiders 35 Chargers 32
Georgia -2.5 vs Alabama – HIT! Georgia 33 Alabama 18
Last Week 3-1
2021 28-31
2021 NFL 17-17 2018-21 NFL 104-84-4
2021 NCAAF 11-14 2018-21 NCAAF 94-92-4
Raiders +5 at Bengals o/u 49. Kickoff Saturday 430pm
The Play: Raiders +5
These two teams met in November and it was 13-6 Bengals to start the 4th. It ended 32-13 Bengals so there were fireworks in the end, but for the most part these two teams neutralized each other. The Raiders like to play a cover 3 shell under Gus Bradley and limit home run plays. They also have a great pair of DEnds with Maxx Crosby and “Playoff Yan” Yannick Ngakoue to go against the below average Bengals OLine. The Bengals have film from their mistakes last time, but with the Bengals being so hot lately, I dont see them adjusting to a quick hitting offense just cause a lethal pass rush. On the other side, Derek Carr will tell his OLine “we’re good we’re good” before every snap, as he makes his checks and takes the play clock down. I think the Raiders found something with their run game, because as the weeks went on Josh Jacobs has been more involved and Carr’s numbers have dipped. This is key as we are expecting a little breeze in Cinci. I expect long and efficient drives and think this veteran team can capitalize.
Raiders 24 Bengals 23
Patriots +4 at Bills o/u 44. Kickoff Saturday 815pm
The Play: Patriots Team Total Under 20
Sean Mcdermott knows what he’ll see Saturday night. Mac Jones will be in his scuba suit, and he’ll hand the rock off plenty. The Patriots run the ball 5th most in the NFL and will have both Harris and Stevenson. The winds are calm so I’m expecting more than 3 pass attempts like game one, but less than 32 attempts like game two. I also think the Bills can and will work the clock, like in game 2. Devin Singletary is emerging, and Josh Allen will lay it out on the line. I’m expecting field goals from the Patriots, as rookie Mac Jones is still adjusting to an actual winter. Bill will manage this game, and look for his defense to make plays. He wont get out-coached but I think he will get out-talented as Josh Allen is a force of a runner, and the Bills will move the chains more often. The Bills defense has been a lot more aggressive in the last month, having 19 sacks in the last four games. They will need to turn that aggression into stopping the run on Saturday. We’ve seen Buffalo put up duds. This is why I narrowed it down to capping the Patriots team total only. Let’s go Bills!
Bills 23 Patriots 16
Eagles +8.5 at Bucs o/u 46. Kickoff Sunday 1pm
The Play: Bucs -8.5
Coming into this, I was certain I’d take the Eagles getting the points. When I dug in though, the Eagles simply lose to good teams, and beat bad teams. Makes sense when they run the ball well, don’t turn it over, and play solid defense. I’m worried for them this weekend. The Bucs run defense is serious and you won’t catch them off guard with it being playoff time. Leonard Fournette is back so I’m not worried about the Bucs offense. They will survive without AB and Godwin against a team like the Eagles. The Eagles allow the worst opposing completion percentage at 69% so we could see a clinical playoff game out of Brady. I cannot say the same for Jalen Hurts. This game should be windy and Hurts lacks arm strength. If it’s hard to run on the Bucs, and with the weather preventing the Eagles from pushing the ball down the field, I don’t see how the Eagles can score enough.
Bucs 28 Eagles 17
Niners +3 at Cowboys o/u 51. Kickoff Sunday 430pm
The Play: Cowboys -3
I think the Niners are a top three team in the NFC, I just think the Cowboys are team #2. This game boils down to a few things for me. Jimmy G vs the opportunistic Cowboys defense is a main factor. The Niners will run the ball on anyone, but they can’t just be one dimensional. When Jimmy G has to make plays, I’m trusting the team that averages two takeaways to make plays. The Cowboys steal possessions and are a wagon when they get the ball. They are balanced, have two running backs, and multiple pass catchers who can make plays. I have Falcons 2016 vibes when they reached the Super Bowl. The Niners rush the passer well, but this Cowboys OLine is elite so I feel a Niners strength will be neutralized. I wish the Niners played any other team in round 1 but that’s how the draw went. The better all-around team, at home, will pull through.
Cowboys 31 Niners 23
Steelers +12.5 at Chiefs o/u 46.5. Kickoff Sunday 815pm
The Play: Under 23.5 1st Half
This game reminds me of the Rutgers Wake Forest game the other week. Rutgers was outmatched and had nothing to lose, just going out there to have fun. Big Ben and the boys will actually be locked in and as a professional they will be thinking upset. I like the 1st half under because I believe the Steelers defense can make a few stops before they tire out. The Steelers will try and steal points early on with trick plays, but a team like the Chiefs will be on their toes for a Wide Receiver pass. One thing I’ve been critical of for the Chiefs is their redzone scoring. They are the best third down team but struggle to punch the ball in when the field shrinks. It would be wise for Andy Reid to take the points when it comes to it, as he is facing an inferior offense.
1st Half Chiefs 17 Steelers 6
Full Game Chiefs 31 Steelers 16
Cardinals +4 at Rams o/u 49.5. Kickoff Monday 815pm
The Play: Over 49.5
Monday Night? Have to bet the over! I really do expect fireworks on Monday in this divisional battle. Both of these matchups were in the 50s in the regular season, and I think we can get into the 60s this time. The Rams have Super Bowl on their mind and Sean McVay has been drawing up a gameplan on offense for weeks. Things are coming together for them, OBJ is getting comfortable, Cooper Kupp is in a rhythm, Cam Akers is magically back, but everything will rest on Matt Stafford. And then you look at the Cardinals without Deandre Hopkins. The Rams have Jalen Ramsey which is awesome but had to sign Eric Weddle off the streets with their lack of safety depth. The Cardinals have heard so much how they can’t make a run because their quarterback and head coach have never played in a playoff game. I expect tempo tempo tempo, to neutralize the Rams speed defense by tiring them out. They will not want to come out flat so the narrative that they can’t get this done in the playoffs grows.
Rams 34 Cardinals 31
Thank you,
Goose
Kowal's Korner 
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