The second round of the NFL playoffs begins tonight. After a series of shocking results in the Wild Card round last week, are more upsets in store? Let’s take a look at how these next four games may pan out, and who will inch one step closer to the Super Bowl.
Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens, Saturday 22:30PM CET
After a big win in a game where they were marginal underdogs, the Texans travel to Baltimore to face the best team in the NFL so far this season. Rookie star quarterback CJ Stroud had yet another amazing showing against the Browns last week, outlasting the more experienced Joe Flacco. The Texans have already massively overachieved this season, and their run will most likely end tonight against the Ravens. Baltimore – who won the AFC and therefore didn’t play the Wildcard, have the best defence in the league – keeping their opponents at around 16 points per game. While the pressure is all on the Ravens, I trust Lamar Jackson to get it done as he has so many times over the regular season. Considering the Texans are 4-4 away from hoe this year, I give the Ravens a good edge in this one.
Houston Texans to Win – 4.50
Baltimore Ravens to Win – 1.22
Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers, Sunday 2:15AM CET
Can the Packers do it again? This is a question many experts asked themselves this week, after Green Bay’s stunning rout away to the Cowboys. The 49ers topped the NFC, and this will be their first playoff game this season. The question remains: was the Packers win at Dallas just a one-off, or are Jordan love and company for real? Their away record in the regular season was not great (4-5), but they defeated the Cowboys, who had not lost at home in two seasons, comprehensively. The 49ers, on the other hand, have a decent home record (5-3), but an even better away one. Love threw the second-most passing touchdowns in the regular season (32), and if he has another monster game, I’d wager the Packers to upset the 49ers and incredibly make it to the championship round with the youngest team in the league.
Green Bay Packers to Win – 4.50
San Francisco 49ers to Win – 1.22
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions, Sunday 21:00PM CET
This is a clash between two sides that would never have dreamed of making it this far before the season started. Tampa put the waning Eagles out of their misery with a dominating performance in Florida. The Lions came out on top in a tight and tense encounter with the Rams at home. They will now host another playoff game at Ford Field. Jared Goff demonstrated that he is an elite Quarterback in the NFL in the Wildcard round. Baker Mayfield, drafted first-overall in the 2018 by the Browns, also had an excellent game against Philadelphia. This clash really could go either way, but the Lions have the edge for me. They are looking to win two consecutive playoff games for the first time since 1957, and the Lions won’t be as forgiving on defence as the Eagles were last week. The Lions to make the Championship round, and what a story it will be.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Win – 3.05
Detroit Lions to Win – 1.38
Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills, Monday 00:30AM CET
This is the one we’ve all been waiting for, as It’s become a bit of a regular clash in recent playoffs. However, interestingly enough, this will be Patrick Mahomes’ first-ever away playoff game (excluding Super Bowls obviously). While Bills QB Josh Allen has beaten Mahomes several times in the regular season, he is 0-2 against him in the Playoffs. Buffalo will certainly be looking to rectify that on Monday, after wining in freezing temperatures against the Steelers relatively comfortably. Comfortable was also the Chiefs’ win over Miami in one of the coldest-ever games in NFT history at Arrowhead last weekend. Can Allen inflict Mahomes a loss in his first away Playoff game? It will probably be the tightest game of the round, and while many are giving the Bills the edge, I hesitate to bet against Mahomes. Chiefs to win a thoroughly entertaining match against a depleted Bills defence.
Kansas City Chiefs to Win – 2.20
Buffalo Bills to Win – 1.68
