Welcome to the NFL Conference Championship weekend. The NFL playoffs are progressing and the Super Bowl is right around the corner. The matchups couldn’t be better for us to dig into. We have three bullish bets that are good plays to cash in on. Make sure to get your plays in early before the NFL lines jump closer to kickoff.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, January 24, 2021 – 3:05 PM E.T. at Lambeau Field
Many will point towards the first matchup between these two teams back in Week 6, but that's a mistake. Both teams have endured both difficult and successful stretches since then, and they aren't the same as they were at that time. Tampa Bay won in a fluky 38-10 game, and this is unlikely to replicate that outcome.
That's not to say Tampa Bay won't win, as their offense has been supercharged since that game in most contests. Hanging over 38 in six of 18 games is great, and they haven't scored less than 26 since their bye week. Tom Brady has complete control of this offense and the Packers will have to be sharp to account for the bevy of playmakers around him.
Brady wasn't even good last week against the Saints and the Buccaneers still won easily thanks to forcing three interceptions on Drew Brees. While Brees doesn't compare to Rodgers anymore, the Bucs have graduated from an inconsistent defense to a fierce one any given week. They have the talent at every level of the unit to create turnovers and issues.
The Packers have long gotten away without having a top receiver next to Davante Adams and it could cost them dearly this week. Dropped touchdowns and big plays will lose them this outing. The margin of error simply isn't enough to get by anymore.
For Tampa, keeping Brady efficient and the ball moving will be key. Antonio Brown and Mike Evans can't combine for two catches and 13 yards again. While the Packers have the defensive ability to funnel targets, they don't have the one-on-one talent to win against the Bucs top three receivers every play.
For the Packers, this is about staying on schedule. Rely and establish Aaron Jones, and get Rodgers those chunk plays off the zone action. There's no need to force big play opportunities, they can come within a well-called game.
I'm taking the Packers to cover in a close one because they have more avenues to win and a stronger overall defense. But this will be a terrific matchup and could go the other way if Brady gets hot.
NFL pick: Packers -3 (-118) and Over 51 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, January 24, 2021 - 6:40 PM E.T. at Arrowhead Stadium
Another terrific game awaits us in the evening as the Buffalo Bills go to the defending Super Bowl champions house in Kansas City. This is going to be a fantastic matchup between two of the best rosters in the NFL. Whoever wins this game will be my favorite to win the Super Bowl.
The offenses obviously deserve a ton of attention. The Bills have maximized Josh Allen's Godly-gifts through Brian Daboll's fantastic play calling and designs, and one of the deepest receiving units in the league, on top of Allen's own improvement with accuracy and poise. It's been a rapid and unexpected leap, but he's truly fun to watch.
The Bills challenge every level of defenses with their ability to run a variety of route combinations with speedy receivers, and Daboll's become an elite scripter to take full advantage. He should've landed a head coaching gig this offseason.
Kansas City has a great passing defense thanks to their pass rushers, heady-linebackers and athletic secondary. I can't wait to see how these corners fare against the phenomenal Stefon Diggs, and how they get after Allen. As well as Allen has done against pressure statistically, he still feels like a combustible atom just ticking down until the massive mistake.
The Chiefs will need to bring that version of Allen out if Patrick Mahomes isn't fully healthy. The Bills have little chance of consistently slowing down a healthy Chiefs offense. There's no reason to think Mahomes won't be back, even if his toe isn't full-strength. Mahomes has been a magician since becoming a starter and it's unlikely this talented but somewhat questionable Bills defense can hold them under 28.
The Bills have a good shot at winning, but to be the champs you gotta beat the champs. On the betting sites, I'll take Mahomes to win the AFC crown again and head to his second Super Bowl in an exciting finish to the day.
NFL pick: Chiefs -3 (-101) and Over 53 (-115) at BetOnline
*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.
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