The NFL begins the divisional spherical — its Elite Eight — with the highest seeds in every convention taking part in Saturday.
Such scheduling is deliberate and ought to be handled as important.
The Broncos and Seahawks are the one groups that earned byes and thus enter the second weekend of the playoffs rested. Their opponents — the Payments and 49ers, respectively — every performed on the East Coast on Sunday, that means they need to endure cross-country journey and a brief week.
Perhaps these benefits have been earned over the course of 4 months (along with the prospect of getting an additional day to arrange for a house championship sport ought to they advance).
Nonetheless, there are not any ensures. Since 2021-22, when the league started scheduling all No. 1 seeds on Saturday, these groups are 5-3 straight up however 3-5 towards the unfold.
SATURDAY
DENVER BRONCOS (-1) over Buffalo Payments | Beneath 46
Does this choice in the end come down as to whether you suppose that is lastly the yr Josh Allen lifts the Payments to the Tremendous Bowl, with the trail cleared of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs?
I’m not so certain about that. Allen is pure magic, and he’s already lifted the Payments out of a troublesome predicament in Jacksonville. He provides Buffalo a transparent edge at quarterback over Bo Nix, and typically that’s all you have to know in a playoff sport. Buffalo additionally crushed Denver 31-7 in final yr’s wild-card spherical at Orchard Park.
Nonetheless, this looks like a tall order, even for the good Allen. He bought banged up in a number of locations, and now he’s down to 3 wholesome extensive receivers towards a Denver protection that led the NFL in sacks (68) and boasts one of many high secondaries within the league.
Past putting WRs Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers on IR, the Payments checklist six starters as questionable, whereas the rested Broncos are at near-full well being. These items determine to matter at excessive altitude with Buffalo on a brief week.
Broncos 23-20.
San Francisco 49ers (+7) over SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Beneath 45
These groups met simply two weeks in the past in Santa Clara, Calif., with the NFC West and convention high seed on the road. The Seahawks received that sport by double digits (13-3), and the margin most likely ought to have been rather a lot greater contemplating Seattle’s dominance in yardage (361-173), first downs (23-9), and time of possession (37-plus minutes vs. 22-plus).
So, what’s modified in 14 days? Nicely, the 49ers traveled to Philadelphia and knocked off the defending Tremendous Bowl champs of their home. That’s one thing. Sure, they misplaced George Kittle in that sport, however he tore his Achilles within the first quarter, they usually nonetheless discovered a manner.
The priority for many who’d want to again the Seahawks is whether or not Sam Darnold will flip right into a playoff pumpkin once more. In his one postseason begin, final yr with the Vikings, he was sacked 9 instances in a 27-9 loss to the Rams. That end result is among the causes he’s now a Seahawk. He’s additionally questionable with a brand new indirect subject, however he stated Thursday that he expects to play.
With Nick Bosa and Fred Warner gone, the 49ers don’t have the move rush to harass Darnold, however that doesn’t imply Robert Saleh can’t sluggish him down. The Seahawks scored 13 factors in every of two video games towards the 49ers this season, together with San Francisco’s 17-13 victory at Seattle in Week 1. Darnold threw neither a landing move nor an interception in both sport.
The 49ers offense hits simply sufficient huge performs downfield to make me imagine they will play a few of this sport from forward, which might make the full-touchdown unfold loom massive.
Seahawks 20-17.
SUNDAY
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-3) over Houston Texans | Beneath 40.5
That is the primary sport of the weekend during which climate figures to play a job. The forecast for late afternoon in Foxborough, Mass., is round 20 with winds 14-29 mph and a RealFeel in single digits.
Sure, the Texans beat the Steelers in 30-degree temperatures Monday night time — crushed them, truly, thanks partly to 2 defensive touchdowns. However Mom Nature will crank up slightly additional for this Texas workforce to cope with on Route 1.
The Texans head north with WR Nico Collins nonetheless in concussion protocol as of midweek and three beginning offensive linemen on the damage report. In a sport that figures to be a slugfest within the trenches, that could possibly be an element.
And the large chill can’t be welcomed by C.J. Stroud — who misplaced two fumbles, threw an interception, and had two different near-turnovers in Pittsburgh. He’s a little bit of a tightrope-walker whereas Drake Maye appears the safer choice. He accomplished 72 p.c of his passes with simply eight interceptions. Maye additionally added to the Patriots’ assault with 66 yards dashing final week towards the Chargers, whereas Stroud has run for a complete of 32 yards in his previous eight video games.
Patriots 24-13.
CHICAGO BEARS (+3.5) over Los Angeles Rams | Beneath 48.5
The kickoff forecast for Soldier Subject is a wind chill of 5 levels with a 20 p.c likelihood of snow and winds from 12-23 mph. That’s in the event that they get fortunate and the even colder climate anticipated Monday doesn’t arrive earlier.
In response to windycitygridiron.com, Bears DB Kevin Byard stated, “I believe Ben [Johnson, coach] has been doing a superb job of creating us follow on this chilly climate with no warmth. No heaters on the sector, which has been a grievance … for lots of men. However I believe … on this time of yr … it truly may be good that we didn’t have any heaters as a result of our our bodies are going to be absolutely acclimated to this climate.”
Betting on the NFL?
The Rams are training at dwelling this week in 80-degree Los Angeles. Matthew Stafford has a sprained index finger on his throwing hand, which might worsen within the situations, particularly if the Bears protection can put some hits on him.
My fear is that the Bears have one of many worst defenses within the playoffs. Am I placing an excessive amount of religion within the climate to decelerate Stafford and Puka Nacua?
Caleb Williams has overcome this with some magical second-half comebacks. This choice is a hope, that the Bears both play a whole sport or a minimum of don’t let it get too far off the rails early.
Rams 24-23.
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Patriots (Locks 7-12 in 2025-26).
LAST WEEK: 6-6 (4-2 sides, 2-4 Over/Unders).
Why Belief New York Put up Betting
Dave Blezow’s one of many longest tenured NFL handicappers on the Put up with picks relationship again to 1994. He received the Put up’s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most just lately in 2023.
