The Divisional Round continues on Sunday with the Kansas City Chiefs facing Cleveland Browns. Ross Williams picks out his best bet.
Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs
Points, points and more points.
Sunday’s first instalment of NFL Playoff action could provide us with an attacking masterclass, as two young quarterbacks with previous history go to war over a spot in the AFC Championship game.
Back in 2016, before their NFL careers began, Patrick Mahomes’ Texas Tech Red Raiders battled Baker Mayfield’s Oklahoma Sooners in a game that resides in college football folklore. The numbers were nothing short of staggering that day, with 125 points scored, 12 passing touchdowns and over 1,200 combined passing yards.
Five years on, I’m not expecting a match-up of that magnitude, but I have little doubt that we will see fireworks.
Cleveland are in nose-bleed territory after their shock win over Pittsburgh last week, and that makes them a dangerous proposition, even for the reigning Super Bowl champions.
The Browns have nothing to fear from now on, and with their coaching staff back on the side-lines this weekend, they will be throwing the whole playbook at the Chiefs.
Kansas City are quite a football team though, and that’s before you even take into account the fact that they’ve essentially had a fortnight to prepare for this challenge, and the game will be played at Arrowhead Stadium.
It’s tough to imagine the Super Bowl favourites falling at their first playoff hurdle on Sunday, but I do believe the Browns are going to give them a run for their money. Cleveland are +9.5 underdogs and with the way they’ve been able to run the ball this season, I’d certainly consider taking a chance on them on the spread.
When push comes to shove though, Patrick Mahomes is your man. The reigning Super Bowl MVP thrives under the duress of the Playoffs and with a healthy contingent of the league’s attacking weapons at his disposal, I’ll always back him to get the job done in the fourth quarter.
Best Bet: Each team to score 10+ in each half at 2/1
Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs
Odds correct at 1130 GMT (17/01/21)
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