NFL Playoffs Best Bets for Sunday, January 23, 2022
We've already previewed the Saturday slate of games with me taking the Packers and the Bengals. We've also covered an impressive start to the playoffs, let's get to these games and see who will meet Saturday's winners in the Conference Championship games.
Rams at Buccaneers
I already mentioned this in the article yesterday, but I'll share here too for those that read this earlier than Sunday morning: I played the Buccaneers with the Packers in a moneyline parlay. So, you clearly know which side I like in this one. Today has the better games. No doubt about that, but that can also make the games a bit more difficult to handicap. Here's my thought on this one: Tampa wins. Do they cover? I'd put it at about 60% and that will be my play. The Rams have a good team, but if I told you that your money can be on either the greatest quarterback of all time or someone that just got their first career playoff win, I think you'd also take the GOAT. The line is fluctuating between 2.5 and 3, I'm going to play it at either.
Here are my concerns: The Buccaneers are not healthy. Their team appears to be held together by duct tape. Offensively they have an "anybody-will-do" running back, and then two tight ends. Mike Evans is locked up by Ramsey in this game. The Rams have the healthier team, arguably the better defense, but they still don't have Tom Brady or home-field advantage. They have to travel completely across the country, and even have less rest than the Buccaneers. I have no choice but to take the Buccaneers in this one. I don't think it is unrealistic that the Rams could win, I just think there are too many factors that prevent it from happening this Sunday.
Bills at Chiefs
Josh Allen. Patrick Mahomes. Stefon Diggs. Tyreek Hill. Random running backs vs. random running backs. In the first matchup between these two titans of the AFC, the Bills ended the game before halftime and scored in every quarter. The Chiefs' defense was picked apart, but they have been better now. I have been impressed with how they've played lately, but there are still more question marks on that side of the ball than the other. I also feel like whoever wins this game will make it to the Super Bowl. The X-factor in this game, to me, is Travis Kelce. If can replicate what he did last week (100+ yards, 2 total touchdowns) I think the Chiefs take it. Defensively, the Bills are better. Do you want to bet against Patrick Mahomes? Me either. So, instead, I'm going to take points for both of them. They could easily both put up four touchdowns. My favorite play on this is a bit juicy, but I'm taking the over 6 total touchdowns scored at -134.