Page 32 - Florida Sentinel 1-15-21

Sports
NFL Playoffs: Dates, Times, Previews, Early Odds For Every Divisional Round Game
Playoff football isn't just upon us anymore. It's fully un- derway! The first six matchups of the 2020 NFL postseason are officially in the books thanks to Super Wild-Card Weekend, with six teams ad- vancing and the other six pack- ing their bags for the 2021 offseason. Below, you'll find in- stant previews of all four Divi- sional Round showdowns, including information on how to tune in and an early outlook for each contest: AFCNo. 1 Chiefs vs. No. 6 Browns Date: Sunday, Jan. 17 | Time: 3:05 p.m. ET | TV: CBS Opening line: Chiefs -9.5 Last meeting: Week 9, 2018 (Chiefs 37, Browns 21) Overview: No one saw this one coming! After dropping 48 on the Steelers to upset their AFC North rivals, claim their first playoff win since 1994, and snap a 17-game losing streak in Pittsburgh, the Browns are the talk of the league. Now they get an even taller task: Facing the reigning Super Bowl champions at Ar- rowhead. The Chiefs are com- ing off not only a week of rest but a 15-1 season that saw them cruise to the No. 1 seed despite seemingly playing at half- speed for stretches of 2020. With coach Andy Reid, quar- terback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and wideout Tyreek Hill, they re- main the most dangerous con- tender in the league. The reigning NFL MVP ran for 136 yards -- including an explosive, 48-yard touchdown scramble - - and threw for 179 in a per- formance that checked off many of his critics' questions. No. 2 Bills vs. No. 5 Ravens- Date: Saturday, Jan. 16 | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET | TV: NBC Open-
ing line: Bills -2.5 Last meet- ing: Week 14, 2019 (Ravens 24, Bills 17)Overview: If the Browns-Chiefs matchup is one of the most interesting for the Cleveland storyline, this one might well be the most enter- taining of the bunch. Josh Allen and the Bills are fresh off a 27-24 nail-biter against the Colts, whereas Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are coming off their own close win against Tennessee. Early out- look: Oddsmakers are right to basically deem this an even matchup early on. NFCNo. 1 Packers vs. No. 6 Rams Date: Saturday, Jan. 16 | Time: 4:35 p.m. ET | TV: Fox Opening line: Packers -7 Last meeting: Week 8, 2018 (Rams 29, Pack- ers 27) Early outlook: The Rams might actually match up pretty well if Aaron Donald is healthy. L.A.'s No. 1 defense is capable of flushing Rodgers out of the pocket, and Ramsey vs. Davante Adams will be a battle to watch all evening. tight game. The Pack should be sizable fa- vorites.No. 2 Saints vs. No. 5 Buccaneers Date: Sunday, Jan. 17 | Time: 6:40 p.m. ET | TV: Fox Opening line: Saints -3.5 Last meeting: Week 9, 2020 (Saints 38, Buccaneers 3) Overview: You just knew these two teams would meet again. Welcome to Tom Brady vs. Drew Brees, Part III. New Orleans has owned the Bucca- neers lately, winning five straight against Tampa Bay and outscoring Brady's squad 72-26 this year. The Saints, who are coming off a 21-9 rout of the Bears, will be confident after roughing up Bruce Ari- ans' top-10 offense twice in 2020.
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