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NFL Divisional Playoffs - late games
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Fearless Rick & Coin Flip NFL Divisional Playoffs - Early Games
All times Eastern
Wild Card Results: Rick: 4-2; Flip: 4-2
Saturday, January 17`
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (-1, 46) 4:30 pm (CBS) - From an experience standpoint, the Bills have an enormous advantage. They’ve reached the playoffs in each of the last six seasons and have often gone quite deep. Additionally, working to their advantage is the fact that their three major nemeses - the Bengals, Ravens, and Chiefs - are not in the mix. None of them reached the playoffs this season. Given that, the Bills must be thinking that this is their year, the time is now, all the chips have fallen their way. They may actually be right.
Last week’s gutsy win over a very capable and highly motivated Jacksonville team gives the Bills plenty of momentum and confidence. Their run game was working and Superman (aka Josh Allen) has a solid game, as expected.
Standing in their way is the #1 seed, at home, well rested, with one of the best - if not the best - defenses in the league. The Broncos came into their own this season and topped some of the best teams in the league. They also took care of business in week 18, handily disposing of the Chargers, 19-3, to secure the top seed and the bye.
Denver comes in well-rested, while the Bills are seriously banged up after the bruising win at Jacksonville. One could make a case that the Broncos are in much better shape physically, but he Bills still retain the edge in experience, which should even things out. One other thing about Jacksonville. The Broncos lost to them at home, in Week 16, halting Denver’s winning streak at 11, 34-20. Just on that difference, the Bills have confidence. The difference will be on offense. Buffalo will find ways to score and Bo Nix, Denver’s QB, has been shaky at times.
Coin Flip: Buffalo
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bills 24 Broncos 21
Beset by injuries all season, the 49ers proved that they have depth and confidence, and that it doesn’t hurt to have one of the best all-purpose players in the league on your side: Christian McCaffrey.
What Seattle has going for them is not just home field, or the “told you so” attitude of QB Sam Darnold, but also a fresh-in-the-mind 13-3 win over the 49ers in Week 18 which wrapped up the #1 seed and the week off. San Francisco will need to make adjustments on offense, though it may not make a difference. Seattle’s defense has been nothing short of spectacular at times this season.
Seattle’s 14-3 record includes a Week 1 loss to San Fran (17-13), a 38-35 loss to Tampa Bay before the Buccaneers imploded, and a 21-19 loss on the road to the Rams. They were nine points away from a perfect season. They are a highly motivated bunch with a solid mix of veterans and youngsters, mostly on offense, on a mission. They’re likely to win this contest, the question is by how much. It could be a lot.
Coin Flip: San Francisco
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Seahawks 27 49ers 13
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