I lied. This is one of best weekends in Football. Actually, they all are. Last week was very enjoyable, but only one underdog won, and a lot of the games were out of sight by the half. This weekend is looking super juicy, as the Divisional Round of games kicks off with the Cincinnati Bengals taking on the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. Buckle Up.

Also, Mup United. I’m on the way to Old Trafford for the West Ham game.

Against The Spread (ATS): 6-0.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Tennessee Titans: Titans -3.5

Bengals:

• End of Season Record: 10-7 (5-4 home)
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 361.5 (13th) // Passing – 259.0 (7th) // Rushing – 102.5 (23rd).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 350.8 (18th) // Passing – 248.4 (26th) // Rushing – 102.5 (5th)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 27.1 (7th) // PPG Allowed – 22.1 (17th).
• Turnover Differential: 0 (16th).

Post Season (After Wild Card):

• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 308.0 (8th) // Passing – 225.0 (8th) // Rushing – 83.0 (9th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 385.0 (10th) // Passing – 282.0 (10th) // Rushing – 103.0 (7th).
• Wild Card Score: 26-19.

• Injury Report (Out): Larry Ogunjobi – DT.
• Against the Spread: 11-7-0.

Titans:

Regular Season:

• End of Season Record: 12-5 (7-2 home).
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 342.5 (17th) // Passing – 201.1 (24th) // Rushing – 141.5 (5th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 329.8 (12th) // Passing – 245.2 (25th) // Rushing – 84.6 (2nd).
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 24.6 (15th) // PPG Allowed – 20.8 (6th).
• Turnover Differential: -3 (21st).

Post Season (After Wild Card):

• N/A. (Bye).

• Injury Report (Out): N/A.
• Against the Spread: 10-7-0
• Weather Report (YR Weather): 1*C.

The is not the marque match-up of the weekend, but it is certainly an interesting game, given the dynamics at play. Joey B is now being talked about in the same sphere as Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. He has had five straight games with a passer rating of 100+ and looks to be handling the situation like a seasoned Vet. He said during the week that a Wild Card playoff win will be the ‘bare minimum’ on a seasonal basis. He is straight balling at the moment and his ice-cool demeanour will certainly have a positive effect on the dressing room.

The Bengals beat the Raiders 26-19 in the Wild Card round, as Burrow threw for 244 yards and two TDs. This is the Bengals first playoff win in 31 years and a momentous occasion for the team and fanbase. They did what they needed to do on Saturday Night, throwing the ball well, while also keeping Carr and the Raiders offence in check. While it was impressive to get the win, their redzone offence left a lot to be desired, as Evan McPherson had to make four field goals. Their defence also started to look a bit shaky when star DE, Trey Hendrickson and DT, Larry Ogunjobi went off with their respective injuries. Hendrickson went off with a concussion, but is looking promising for Saturday’s game, as he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. One of their other DTs, Josh Tupou is also listed as questionable for the divisional round game, and if there is one thing that needs to be strong facing Derrick Henry and the Titans, it’s the defensive line.

King Henry is listed to play this Saturday, as the man mountain has been cleared of all injuries. While the Titans have ran the ball well in his absence, having the 2000-yard rusher back is massive, as the Tennessee men look to continue their underrated season. The Titans have notched up some wild wins this season, beating the Chiefs, Bills, 49ers, Colts, Rams, plus more. They can be attacked through the air, as seen from their passing stats, but they are a top tier team in terms of points allowed. They have done well against big play offences, which Cincy are, and they are also getting healthier on offence, so if it does get into a track meet, they have the weapons to compete. Julio Jones is back healthy, AJ Brown is ready to go, and of course Derrick Henry is going to pound that rock. I think you can see where I’m going with this… The Titans are the number one seed for a reason and Vrabel has never lost a game after a +9-day rest. Titans take this and cover the -3.5. If you can get -3, even better.

San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers: 49ers +6

49ers:

Regular Season:

• End of Season Record: 10-7 (6-3 away)
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 375.7 (7th) // Passing – 248.3 (12th) // Rushing – 127.4 (7th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 310.0 (3rd) // Passing – 206.5 (6th) // Rushing – 103.5 (7th)
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 25.1 (13th) // PPG Allowed – 21.5 (10th).
• Turnover Differential: -4 (23rd).

Post Season (After Wild Card):

• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 341.0 (6th) // Passing – 172.0 (11th) // Rushing – 169.0 (2nd).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 307.0 (4th) // Passing – 230.0 (6th) // Rushing – 77.0 (3rd).
• Wild Card Score: 23-17.

• Injury Report (Out): Jordon Willis – DE.
• Against the Spread: 10-8-0.

Packers:

Regular Season:

• End of Season Record: 13-4 (8-0 home).
• Offence (Yards Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 365.6 (10th) // Passing – 253.8 (8th) // Rushing – 111.8 (18th).
• Defence (Yards Allowed Per Game, ESPN): Overall – 328.2 (9th) // Passing – 219.1 (10th) // Rushing – 109.1 (11th).
• Points Per Game Stats, ESPN: PPG Scored – 26.5 (10th) // PPG Allowed – 21.8 (14th).
• Turnover Differential: +13 (3rd).

Post Season (After Wild Card):

• N/A. (Bye).

• Injury Report (Out): No one declared as officially out, but keep an eye on David Bakhtiari, Jaire Alexander and MVS.
• Against the Spread: 12-5-0.
• Weather Report (YR Weather): -8*C.

As good as the Packers are playing this year, I’d say their fan base can’t help but be a little worried about this match-up. Meeting the 49ers in the playoffs has not gone well for the Packers in recent years, as Aaron Rodger is 0-3 versus the Niners in the post season. The two teams also met earlier in the year, which the Packers took 30-28, in San Fran.

The Niners were the only underdog to win during Wild Card round, as they beat the Cowboys 23-17, away from home. They will be on the road again this week, as they travel to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Things are looking good for the 49ers, as Nick Bosa is looking good to play, following the concussion he sustained on Sunday night. There was also promising Jimmy G and Fred Warner news, as they were both listed as full participants in Wednesday’s practice. The 49ers should be nearly at full strength as they look to take down the red-hot Packers. Deebo Samuel was the difference maker on Sunday night versus the Cowboys, and will need to be again in Green Bay, as will Bosa and Jimmy G. If Jimmy G can keep his nose clean, the Niners have a chance. While the Niners are a run first team, which Brian Baldinger described as a ‘symphony of movement’, Jimmy G will need to be mistake free. But what can the Packers do to slow him down?

The Packers had a top ten passing defence in the regular season, on their way to a 13-4 record, and that was without CB, Jaire Alexander, who is looking likely to return for this Saturday’s game. Also, likely to play is All-Pro OT, David Bakhtiari. Bakhtiari is the team’s best tackle and critical to keeping Rodgers upright. Rodgers has been playing at a godly level this season, throwing for 37 TDs and only four INTs, but he has struggled to lead the team to victory, in the past, versus the 49ers. His personal stats are good (passer rating of 104.7), but his 0-3 team record is worrying and his long-term future with the Packers will be in jeopardy, should he fail to win this contest.

The good news for Packers fans is that California teams are 2-12 playing in Green Bay in December and January since 1950. I’m going to try and thread the needle here with this prediction and say that the Packers will win this game, but not by more than the 6-point spread. The Niners are on a roll, their defence is playing at an elite level and their run game is insane. They are completely bought in to do this as a team and I like what I’m seeing in personal interviews. Kyle Shanahan has Green Bay’s number and I think they’ll push them to the edge, but the fact that it is on in Lambeau Field is swaying it in the Packers’ direction for me.

J.