The Scout: NFL Divisional Round

Posted on January 21, 2022January 21, 2022 | Posted by The Scout

Cincinnati Bengals @ Tennessee Titans

The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business in the wild card match beating the Raiders 26-19 while the Tennessee Titans secured a 1^st round bye and will come into this match well rested.

Having secured a bye for the first round of the playoffs, the Titans have been able to give Henry another week to rest and rehabilitate the surgically repaired foot that has kept him sidelined since October.

While the Titans are welcoming back their superstar the Bengals have to deal with an assortment of injuries to their defensive line. Larry Ogunjobi who ranks third on the team in sacks (7) and is an effective rush stopper, is out, and Trey Hendrickson, who leads the team in sacks (14), is in the concussion protocol.

The Titans went 6-3 without Henry and very well could have had the best record in the league if he had remained healthy, they are a well-coached side that simply does not make many mistakes. With the Bengals having a depleted defensive line they will struggle to contain Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry.

Suggested Bet: Titans -3 (Line) @ $1.91*

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San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers

The 49ers managed the upset of the playoffs so far with their impressive 23-17 win over the Cowboys and now take on the Green Bay Packers, a team they have traditionally played exceptional against.

Green Bay came into this playoff battle off a bye and will have spent plenty of time analyzing the 49ers first round victory. Unfortunately for the Packers, San Francisco is possibly the worst team they could have come up against as Aaron Rodgers is 0-3 against them in the playoffs.

San Francisco has a clear strategy to win, exploiting Green Bay’s poor run defense which has been exposed plenty of times during the regular season. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will be looking forward to this matchup as his offensive strategy favours plenty of motion and misdirection with the run game.

Aaron Rodgers and AJ Dillion have been an incredible one-two punch all season long and will be the difference in this match however the 49ers will execute a great strategy that will keep this one close.

Suggested Bet: 49ers +5.5 (Line) @ $1.91*

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Los Angeles Rams @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The star-studded Los Angeles Rams destroyed the Arizona Cardinals 34-11 in their wild-card matchup and now take on the reigning champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who cruised to victory in their first-round matchup beating the Eagles 31-15.

This is an exciting matchup and on paper it’s the Rams that look like a better, well-rounded team that is most importantly at full strength. Von Miller and Aaron Donaldson are a nightmare on the defensive end while wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr and Cooper Kupp have become an impressive duo.

Oppositely the Buccaneers are riddled with a few key injuries and absentees with Antonio Brown gone and Chris Goodwin out of action, they will have to rely on second-string receivers. Running back Leonard Fournette can also not be relied on as he is returning from a hamstring injury, on paper the Buccaneers look vulnerable.

Despite the injuries, Tampa Bay has one trump card that beats all and that is quarterback Tom Brady. This will become a battle between Brady who has won the Super Bowl seven times and Matthew Stafford, a veteran who only just won his first playoff match. Brady is far too intelligent to fall into any of the Rams defensive traps and will pick them apart, he is such a good quarterback that he makes any receiver look good.

Suggested Bet: Buccaneers -3 (Line) @ $1.91*

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Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Buffalo Bills look like a serious Super Bowl contender after their 47-17 win over the Patriots and they now face the Kansas City Chiefs who were also impressive beating the Steelers 42-21.

This match will feature two in-form elite quarterbacks with Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes well and truly at the peak of their powers coming into this must win game. Both teams have plenty of weapons on the offensive end with the Chiefs edging out the Bills due to more experience in big matches.

The key difference between these two juggernauts is on the defensive end with the Bills being the better team all season long in this department. Buffalo finished the regular season allowing the fewest yards allowed and fewest points scored and this will be the deciding factor in this epic matchup.

Suggested Bet: Bills WIN @ $2*

*Odds correct as at 4pm, 21st January 2022.

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