Key Highlights
- Ali Bhanpuri predicts a close game with Buffalo Bills favored to win 26-20.
- Brooke Cersosimo believes in the Denver Broncos’ defense and picks them to cover the spread 14.5 points against the Bills.
- Dan Parr is backing the Seattle Seahawks, expecting them to hold off a strong San Francisco 49ers team at home.
- Gennaro Filice thinks the Houston Texans can upset the New England Patriots despite their inferiority in recent matchups.
- Tom Blair favors the Chicago Bears over the Los Angeles Rams, citing weather and defensive struggles of the Rams as factors.
NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Picks and Analysis
The NFL playoffs have entered the divisional round, with teams competing for a chance to reach the conference championships. Here’s an analysis from five seasoned analysts, including Ali Bhanpuri, Brooke Cersosimo, Dan Parr, Gennaro Filice, and Tom Blair, who predict outcomes in each matchup.
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
Ali Bhanpuri predicts a close game with the Buffalo Bills favored to win 26-20 at Empower Field at Mile High (Denver). Meanwhile, Gennaro Filice believes the Denver Broncos’ defense will be too much for the Bills and picks them to cover the spread of -1.5 points against the Broncos.
Brooke Cersosimo is also backing the Broncos, citing their return from a week off, playing at home in high-altitude conditions, and boasting a Super Bowl-winning coach along with a formidable defense.
However, Dan Parr disagrees, focusing on Josh Allen’s performance and the potential impact of Denver’s strong defensive unit against the injured quarterback. He predicts the Bills to win 24-21.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Dan Parr is backing the home team, Seattle Seahawks, who will be rested after their bye week while San Francisco had a tough wild-card game against Philadelphia and lost key player George Kittle. The Seahawks are favored to win 27-20 according to Brooke Cersosimo.
Brooke believes that despite the split season series, the Seahawks’ defensive dominance will be too much for the Niners on this day. On the other hand, Ali Bhanpuri sees a tight game with the 49ers edging out 23-21.
Gennaro Filice also backs Seattle, noting their superior defense and the potential absence of key players like Nico Collins due to injury for San Francisco.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
Brooke Cersosimo is bullish on the Houston Texans’ elite defense, expecting them to upset the home team, New England Patriots, despite their inferiority in recent matchups. She predicts a close game with the Texans winning 22-17.
Tom Blair disagrees, citing the pressure on C.J. Stroud to perform against Mike Vrabel’s top-10 defense and the potential absence of Nico Collins due to injury. He backs the Patriots, predicting them to win 30-20.
Dan Parr also favors the Texans, highlighting their strong defensive performance in their previous game and the challenges facing Stroud with a top-10 defense.
Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams
Tom Blair picks the underdog Chicago Bears over the favored Los Angeles Rams, considering the severe weather conditions expected at Soldier Field and the potential impact on Matthew Stafford’s performance.
Dan Parr also backs the Bears, noting their superior record in one-score games this season (8-4) compared to the Rams’ 5-5. He argues that despite the Rams’ dominant defense, they may struggle against the weather and without key players like T.J. Edwards and Ozzy Trapilo.
Brooke Cersosimo, however, sees a close game with the Rams favored to win 28-26.
Conclusion
The divisional round promises thrilling matchups, with each analyst presenting their unique perspective on how these teams will perform. Fans can expect high-stakes games as top talent and strategies clash in the quest for conference championships.
Follow the latest developments and enjoy the excitement of the NFL playoffs. For more updates and detailed analysis, stay tuned to NFL.com or your preferred sports news outlet.