NFL Divisional Round Games & Picks

JOCK insiders Jenny James and Nate Lucas give their NFL playoff picks.

LOS ANGELES @ GREEN BAY

The Rams will try for another road upset on Saturday when they play the top-seeded Packers in the NFC Divisional Round at Lambeau Field.  Los Angeles rode an early pick-six of Russell Wilson to a 30-20 win over the Seahawks in the Wild Card Round last weekend in Seattle.  After starter John Wolford went down early to a stinger, Jared Goff came on in relief to lead the team to victory despite recent surgery for a broken thumb.  Goff will start this Saturday with Wolford ruled out.  Green Bay is rested and waiting after earning a first-round bye with a 13-and-3 record.

LINE: GREEN BAY -6.5

JENNY JAMES PICK: GREEN BAY — “Aaron Rodgers.”

NATE’S PICK: GREEN BAY — “Curse of Stan Kroenke”

BALTIMORE @ BUFFALO

The Ravens and Bills clash in the AFC Divisional Round in Orchard Park on Saturday night.  Baltimore will look to be the road warriors again after picking up a 20-13 win at Tennessee in the AFC Wild Card Round.  Quarterback Lamar Jackson rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown in the win.  Buffalo is looking to ride the wave of momentum following its first playoff win since 1995.  The Bills defeated the Colts 27-24 in the Wild Card Round.  The winner will advance to the AFC Championship Game.

LINE: BUFFALO -2.5

JENNY’S PICK: BUFFALO — “Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs too much for BAL defense”

NATE’S PICK: BUFFALO — “Cancel culture couldn’t cancel Josh Allen, and neither can Baltimore”

CLEVELAND @ KANSAS CITY

Fresh off their first playoff win in more than a quarter-century, the Browns now get ready to take on the defending champion Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round Sunday at Arrowhead.  Cleveland jumped out to a 28-0 first-quarter lead and held on for a wild 48-37 win at Pittsburgh in the Wild Card Round last weekend.  Baker Mayfield threw three TD passes and former Chief Kareem Hunt ran for two more.  Kansas City is rested and waiting after earning the top seed in the AFC at 14-and-2 and a first-round bye.  Both Chiefs’ losses this season came at home.

LINE: KANSAS CITY -10

JENNY’S PICK: KANSAS CITY — “Ha. Because Patty Mahomes.”

NATE’S PICK: CLEVELAND — “Baker is a new man after he threw the game against the Jets. Cleveland has some mojo, just ask Big Ben.”

TAMPA BAY @ NEW ORLEANS

The Buccaneers and Saints meet in an NFC South rivalry game in the NFC Divisional Round on Sunday.  Tampa Bay is looking to finally get its first win of the season against New Orleans with Tom Brady under center.  The Saints took both meetings during the regular season, including a 38-3 win in November.  The Buccaneers reached the Divisional Round after a 31-23 win at the Washington Football Team.  The Saints come into action on the heels of a 21-9 victory over the Bears this past Sunday.  Drew Brees threw for two TD’s in the win.  The winner advances to the NFC Championship Game.

LINE: NEW ORLEANS -3

JENNY’S PICK: NEW ORLEANS — “I can’t stand Tom Brady”

NATE’S PICK: TAMPA BAY — “Tom Brady is a road warrior. Saints have history of choking at home.”