Coronavirus (COVID-19) NFL Update – Jan. 12th Edition

Coronavirus (COVID-19) NFL Update – Jan. 12th Edition

The New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and, yes, the Cleveland Browns won during Wildcard Weekend. Those teams head into the NFL Divisional Playoffs with momentum. Will the higher seeds prevail? Or will underdogs like the Browns and Rams get it done? Check out what happened in the wildcard games and a look ahead to this weekend’s contests so you can get all set and make your bets against their NFL odds

NFL COVID-19 Update – January 12th Edition

2021 Super Bowl LV

  • When: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021
  • Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
2021 Super Bowl LV Odds
Kansas City Chiefs +180
New Orleans Saints +600
Green Bay Packers +400
L.A. Rams +2000
Buffalo Bills +550
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +800
Baltimore Ravens +750
Cleveland Browns +2800

Browns and Bills win first playoff games since the 1990s

The Cleveland Browns hadn’t won a playoff game since 1994 while the Bills hadn’t won in the playoffs since 1995. Of the two victories, Cleveland’s impressed more than Buffalo’s.

Cleveland seemingly had nothing going for them heading into their battle with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. A few Browns’ players and head coach Kevin Stefanik had tested positive for the coronavirus. Stefanik wasn’t even on the field.

It didn’t matter. The Browns got a defensive touchdown on the first play after the snap sent the ball sailing over Ben Roethlisberger’s head. 

From then on, Pittsburgh resembled the football version of the Titanic. Baker Mayfield threw 3 touchdown passes, Roethlisberger threw 4 interceptions, and the Browns crushed the Steelers 49-38.

Buffalo had to work much harder for their win against the Colts. The Bills beat Indianapolis 27-24. Philip Rivers and Indianapolis had a chance in the final couple of minutes. Rivers, though, couldn’t drive the Colts into field goal range. 

On Sunday, the Browns get a shot at Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City. The -10 odds on the Chiefs make Cleveland an overlay. KC allows a lot of rushing yards and Cleveland is one of the best rushing teams in the NFL.

Like KC, Buffalo, the home team against Baltimore after the Ravens cruised to a 20-13 win against the Tennessee Titans, are also in a tough contest. The Bills struggled versus Indianapolis. Baltimore dominated the Titans, holding Tennessee to 51 rushing yards.  

Saints, Buccaneers win setting up massive NFL Divisional Playoff clash

For the third time this season, the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers face off on the gridiron. The game on Sunday means more than the other two combined.

The Saints easily beat the Buccaneers in the first two. Based on the odds, most expect Tampa Bay to play much better in the rubber match. Although there’s a chance Tom Brady and the Bucs step it up, it’s difficult seeing them giving the Saints a game.

New Orleans easily handled Chicago. The Bears scored a garbage time touchdown but until that moment they had just 3 points on the board. The Saints, perhaps knowing this is Drew Brees’ last shot at a second Super Bowl ring, seem more focused in this season’s playoffs than last season’s.

Not only that, but Washington’s Taylor Heinicke threw for 306 yards against the Buc’s defense. Brees can throw to a healthy Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. Do your handicapping before jumping on the Tampa bandwagon.

Rams upset Seahawks get date with Packers in Divisional Playoffs

The Los Angeles Rams ended rival Seattle’s season with a 30-20 wildcard win. The Rams head to Lambeau Field on Saturday to battle the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers. 

Does Los Angeles have any chance of making it two in a row on the road in the playoffs? If Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd can get to Rodgers, yes. But there’s a problem with that strategy.

Floyd is in the concussion protocol. If he can’t go, the Rams’ chances of beating Rodgers and the Pack take a massive hit. If Floyd does play, Green Bay will have to work for the win.   

Odds are rising on the Chiefs to repeat as Super Bowl champs

The Kansas City Chiefs are +180 favorites to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. KC takes on the scorching Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

If the Chiefs beat the Browns, they host either the Bills or the Ravens the following Sunday. Neither Baltimore nor Buffalo will be a cakewalk, which could explain why the odds on Kanas City continue to rise. 

Green Bay must face the Buccaneers or Saints if they get past the Rams. The Bucs dominated the Packers 38-10 in Week 6. Tampa won’t lie down and let Green Bay kick them. Expect a close battle if the Packers end up against Tom Brady and the Bucs.  

Green Bay beat New Orleans 37-30 this season. Taysom Hill fumbled the ball on a fourth quarter New Orleans drive. That helped Green Bay’s cause. Also, New Orleans played without wide receiver Michael Thomas. The outcome could be different if New Orleans and the Packers meet in the NFC Championship. 


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