The Post’s Dave Blezow makes his picks and predictions for Sunday’s NFL divisional playoff games.
SUNDAY
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-6) over Los Angeles Rams; Under 44: Another game with lots to consider. Let’s start with Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 255 yards — including two touchdowns of 70-plus yards — in the Eagles’ 37-20 victory over the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 24.
Barkley likely won’t hit that number again, but know there hasn’t been much of a learning curve when it comes to stopping him. He had 109 yards vs. the Packers, then 119 in the second meeting. He rushed for 66 and then 167 vs. Dallas. And 146 then 150 vs. Washington. He faced the Giants only once.
For all the success the Rams defense had against Darnold with nine sacks and a scoop-and-score, it’ll be different at the Linc with all the attention that will need to be paid to Barkley.
Though McVay and Stafford are as good as it gets as a coach-quarterback tandem, at least on the far side of Reid-Mahomes, the Rams are in a brutal situational spot.
They played Monday night, had to travel home to L.A., then cross country to face a more-rested team. Also, the forecast of low 30s with rain or snow is not ideal for Stafford, who has played the majority of his games indoors.
Eagles, 27-16.
BUFFALO BILLS (+1) over Baltimore Ravens; Under 51.5: It’s easy to fixate on the first meeting, a 35-10 Ravens rout at the Inner Harbor in Week 4, and stop there.
After all, Derrick Henry ran for an 87-yard touchdown on the Ravens’ first play from scrimmage, then caught a 5-yard touchdown pᴀss from Lamar Jackson. He finished with 199 yards rushing.
Similar to Barkley, familiarity is not the key to stopping Henry. Consider the Steelers faced him three times since mid-November, and Henry rushed for 65, then 162, then 186.
I believe the Ravens are the better team, top to bottom, at this stage of the season. But they’re not unbeatable, and there’s something psychological about taking a team that’s undefeated in its building as a home underdog. Yes it’s only one point, but it could be more than that motivationally.
Josh Allen has done some magical things this season, including his touchdown pᴀss/catch/dive in the snow to beat the Chiefs. If it’s his time, it’s his time.
Bills, 24-23.
Betting on the NFL?
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Lions (Locks 8-9 in 2024-25).
LAST WEEK: 5-7 (2-4 sides, 3-4 Over/Unders).
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dave Blezow’s one of the longest tenured NFL handicappers at the Post with picks dating back 31 years. He won the Post’s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most recently in 2023.
