NFL Divisional Round Weekend Recap and Conference Championship Game Picks

NEW YORK, NY. (Fish Sports) - With the Divisional Round of the 2020-21 NFL Playoffs complete, we recap each matchup, along with analyzing our picks we made last week for these games. We also look forward to the Conference Championship games and give our game picks for them. 

Unlike last week, home teams had a positive record at 3 and 1 this week. The only home team who lost this week was the New Orleans Saints. 

    - We start in the AFC, 

The first matchup was between the 5 seed Baltimore Ravens and the 2 seed Buffalo Bills. The Bills were victorious, winning 17 to 3. Buffalo is 12 and 3 in home playoff games in their team history. Ravens Quarterback Lamar Jackson left the game in the 4th quarter due to a concussion. The top performers of the game showcased Buffalo's QB Josh Allen who went 23 for 37 with 206 passing yards with a touchdown on the day. Baltimore Runningback Gus Edwards lead the rushing charge in the game with 10 carries for 42 yards. Buffalo receiver Stefon Diggs had 8 receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown. Buffalo's defense prevented the Ravens from making any big plays. Buffalo's defense also had a 101-yard interception return for a touchdown, increasing their lead to 17 and sealing the game. Ravens Kicker Justin Tucker, who is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, missed two field goals, going 1 for 3 in the game. 

Buffalo will head to Kansas City to play in the AFC Championship game next week. 

Next, we head out to Arrowhead where the 6 seed Cleveland Browns visited the 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs. In a close game, all the way to the end, the Chiefs emerged victorious by a score of 22 to 17. Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes left the game in the 3rd quarter with a concussion. QB Chad Henne came in and iced the game for Kansas City. The Chiefs will host the AFC Championship game for the 3rd straight season. Top performers in the game included QB Pat Mahomes, who went 21 for 30 with 255 yards and a touchdown. KC Runningback Darrel Williams led the rushing charge with 13 carries for 78 yards. Receiver Tyreek Hill had 8 receptions for 110 yards on the day. 

Kansas City will host Buffalo next week in the AFC Championship contest. 

    - Now in the NFC, 

Heading out to Lambeau Field, the 6 seed Los Angeles Rams faced the 1 seed Green Bay Packers. Green Bay won the game 32 to 18. The Packers are 7 and 1 in home playoff games on Saturday's in team history. Top performers of this game were controlled by Green Bay with QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offensive charge, completing 23 of 36 throws with 296 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Aaron Jones had 14 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown on the day. Receiver Allen Lazard had 4 receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown in the contest. The Packer's defense held the Rams to a scoreless 4th quarter, adding insurance for their win. 

Green Bay will host Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week for the NFC Championship game. In their matchup earlier this year, Tampa won the game by a commanding score of 38 to 10. 

In our final game of the Divisionals, the 5 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced off with the 2 seed New Orleans Saints. The Bucs won the game 30 to 20, in what could be, QB Drew Brees's last matchup of his NFL career. Top performers of this one included QB Tom Brady, who went 18 for 33 passing, 199 yards, and 2 touchdowns. The rushing attack was led by Saints tailback Alvin Kamara, who had 18 carries for 85 yards. In the receiving game, Saints receiver, Tre'Quan Smith led the charge with 3 receptions for 85 yards and two scores. This is Tampa Bay's first Divisional round win since 2002, where they won the Superbowl. 

Tampa Bay will visit Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers next week for the NFC Championship game. 

- Our Divisional round picks looked like this, 

    Playoff Picks: 

         AFC 

    5. Ravens at 2. Bills (Bills under 3) - Bills

    6. Browns at 1. Chiefs (Chiefs under 10) - Chiefs 

    NFC

    6. Rams at 1. Packers (Packers under 7) - Packers 

    5. Buccaneers at 2. Saints (Saints under 3) - Saints 

Here at Fish Sports, we got 3 out of 4 correct, making our playoff pick record, 9 and 1. 

Here are our Conference Championship picks: 

    AFC 

2. Bills at 1. Chiefs - Bills 

    NFC

5. Buccaneers at 1. Packers - Packers 

We are excited to see another great round of playoffs! We will see you next week when we recap the Conference Championships and look forward to Super Bowl 55.