2022 NFL Divisional Playoff - Preview & Our Picks
There were few, not to say no surprises in the Wild Card Playoffs as the predicted favorites advanced through to the next stage and came one step closer to the Super Bowl LVI. Coming up, the Divisional Round is usually where it starts to get interesting. With all remaining teams being legitimate Super Bowl champions candidates, this is the round where you expect the big boys to come out and play. In this article we have analyzed the four Divisional Playoffs and had a say on who we believe proceeds to the AFC and NFC Championship.
NFL PLAYOFFS BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Important dates
22 Jan
Green Bay Packers – San Francisco 49ers
Tennessee Titans – Cincinnati Bengal
23 Jan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Los Angeles Rams
Kansas City Chiefs – Buffalo Bills
30 Jan
NFC Championship
AFC Championship
6 Feb
Pro Bowl
13 Feb
Super Bowl
Super Bowl Winner (*as of Jan 19)
Packers +375
Chiefs +400
Bills +550
Buccaneers +550
Rams +800
Titans +850
49ers +1000
Bengals +1200
Divisional Playoffs Preview & Predictions
Tennessee Titans – Cincinnati Bengal
The Titans have had a 2-week break to prepare for this game and should come out flying against the Bengals at home ground. Mike Vrabel has been with the Titans for four years now and during this time they have never lost off the bye (4-0). Some might say it is just a coincidence, but one thing is sure - the Titans will go into Saturday’s Playoff with fresh legs and a believe that nothing can stop them. What are the Bengals chances then? Well, they sit on an impressive offensive lineup and have proved throughout the season that they can hit anyone on the right day. Though the Titans are not just anyone and we believe there can only be one possible winner in the first of four Divisional Playoffs – Tennessee Titans.
Our Pick: Titans -175
Green Bay Packers – San Francisco 49ers
Time for the Super Bowl LVI favorites to enter the Playoffs. The Packers pays +375 to win this season’s trophy and to accomplish that they need to start winning over the 49ers. Almost everyone holds the Packers as favourite here and we can’t say there are a lot of things pointing towards another outcome. The Packers have been brilliant this season and at Lambeau Field they haven’t lost a single game. With Aaron Rodgers in the team, they are always going to be title contenders and the question is how the 49ers are going to stop them. They came close doing it when the teams meet earlier this season, 30-28. Though now is a lot more at stake and the Packers have been in this kind of situation before.
Our Pick: Packers -250
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Los Angeles Rams
Can Tom Brady with 35 career playoff victories to his name once again reach the Super Bowl? To do so, his Buccaneers need to come up with a way to beat the Rams. Something they have proved to find difficult this season. When the teams meet in Game Week 3, the Rams were everywhere and gave Brady no chance to bring his Buccaneers into the game. Since then, the Rams have added even more power and qualities to the squad and now look extremely interesting and as a solid candidate for the champions trophy. If there is one season when Tom Brady and his team might fall short, this could be the season. The Rams have impressed us throughout the season and shouldn’t be that much of an underdog as the odds tells us.
Our Pick: Rams +125
Kansas City Chiefs – Buffalo Bills
The fourth and final Divisional Playoff will be between the Chiefs and the high-flying Bills. The Bills completely trashed the Patriots in the Wild Card round, 47-17, and certainly had a few fans and experts raise a warning flag. Their offensive display in the last round was most likely the best we have seen this season and one can only feel sorry for the Chiefs who will have to face this in a few days’ time. Josh Allen who led the forces for the Bills against the Patriots threw for 308 yards and five touchdowns (!). This should however be an entertaining matchup between two sides with plenty of offensive qualities. The odds are close to even, but we will have to go with the Bills here after witnessing their dominant display last time out.
Our Pick: Bills +105
NFL PLAYOFFS BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Author: Dan Anderson