2021 NFL DIVISIONAL WILD CARD PLAYOFF WEEKEND 9th-10th JANUARY 2021

 

With the regular season over the end of season playoffs await as all teams still standing look forward to an appearance in Superbowl LV. In the NFL's expanded playoffs for the 2021 postseason, seven teams from each conference make the field. That's different from recent years, when six teams from the AFC and NFC each participated. This changes the bye scenario too while in the past two teams received first-round byes, it's only the top seed in each conference receiving a bye week now. After that, things proceed as they classically have, with four teams playing on each side of the divisional bracket before the conference championship games and Super Bowl.

NFL playoffs schedule

Wild-card games: January 9th-10th

Divisional games: January 16th-17th

Conference championships: January 24th

Super Bowl LV: February 7th

We are down to the final fourteen teams of which the top seed in each conference await the wild card winners, last years Super Bowl winners Kansas City Chiefs have secured the #1 seed in the AFC, while the #1 seed in the NFC was secured last weekend by Green Bay Packers. This means that the wild card games will see six teams in each conference looking to extend their season into the play offs and ultimately a shot at the Super Bowl LV itself. this year being held at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium on February 7th. We should expect some cracking games this weekend; who can win to keep their season alive and who will be watching Superbowl LV from the comfort of their sofa?

We intend to update these games as they are played during the course of the weekend. 

Saturday 9th January 2021
AFC WILD CARD

Indianapolis Colts 24 @ 27 Buffalo Bills  [H/T 10-14]

18:05   Venue: Bills Stadium
The Buffalo Bills [13-3] put their impressive season and their Super Bowl hopes on the line in the opening Wild Card game against the Indianapolis Colts [11-5]. Quarterback Josh Allen is also in the runner for MVP and the Bills put on a six game winning streak to complete the season, while the Colts are led by the experienced Philip Rivers and I expect a high scoring affair so the over 51 points is the call.

NFC WILD CARD
Los Angeles Rams 30 @ 20 Seattle Seahawks  [H/T 20-10]
21:40   Venue: Lumen Field
The Rams seem likely to be without starting QB Jared Goff here, is still questionable with a broken thumb, and that means John Wolford will have to step in, for that reason I give the Seahawks the edge here with Russell Wilson dominating the offence together with DK Metcalf causing plenty of opportunities while Cooper Kupp is the main man in the Rams offence.

Sunday 10th January 2021
NFC WILD CARD
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31 @ 23 Washington Football Team  [H/T 18-7]
01:15    Venue: FedEx Field.
Tom Brady reaches the play offs as usual but this time with his new team the Buccaneers, looks a comfortable contest for them against the Washington Team who had a losing record 7-9 to clinch a poor NFC East division. The Buccs look to have too many offensive options here with the likes of Rob Gronkowski, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown and more for Tom Brady to make use of. Tampa to win by 20+.

AFC WILD CARD
Baltimore Ravens 20 @ 13 Tennessee Titans [H/T 10-10]
18:05    Venue: Nissan Stadium
Ravens Quarterback Lamar Jackson up against the Titans again, and they appear to be the bookies fancy even though the game is being held in Tennessee and the Titans had already beaten the Ravens 30-24 earlier in the season. Both sides ended the regular season with an 11-5 record so you might expect this to be a fairly even contest. Ryan Tannehill heads things for the Titans who also have a big weapon with running back Derrick Henry he became the eighth player in NFL history, the first since 2012, to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. Back Lamar Jackson to score a TD plus over 27 1st half points. 

NFC WILD CARD
Chicago Bears 9 @ 21 New Orleans Saints [H/T 3-7]
21:40    Venue: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
The Saints [12-4] just managed to beat out the Bears [8-8] last time out in Chicago. In New Orleans, the Saints should have a bigger advantage and the #2 seeds in the NFC are expected to prevail. Another year, another playoff race with Drew Brees and Sean Payton on our televisions, hosting a home game like clockwork, though reports suggest that this might well be the final season for Drew Brees. The Saints offensive juggernaut keeps rolling, running back Alvin Kamara has played like the best offensive weapon in football. It might be a big test for the Chicago Bears defence featuring Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, and Akeem Hicks.

Monday 11th January 2021

AFC WILD CARD
Cleveland Browns 48 @ 37 Pittsburgh Steelers [H/T 35-10]
01:15    Venue: Heinz Field
The final wild card game sees the Browns take part in their first post season game since 2002, they'll have to be at their best to see off a Ben Roethlisberger led Pittsburgh Steelers. Though Big Ben was one of several key players rested for their final game in week 17 strangely enough against the Browns (lost 24-22) with a full strength starting line up they should be able to turn that around at home. Steelers to win by +6 and backing the over 47 points market too.

Will update with the final scores later over the weekend and then look forward to the AFC and NFC Divisional Round next weekend 16th - 17th January.