NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
BROWNS at CHIEFS
WHEN: Sunday, 3:05 p.m. (CBS) RECORDS: Browns 12-5, Chiefs 14-2 OPENING LINE: Chiefs by 10 RECORD VS. SPREAD: Browns 7-10; Chiefs 7-9
SERIES RECORD: Chiefs lead 13-11-2 LAST MEETING: Chiefs beat Browns 37-21 on Nov. 4, 2018, in Cleveland
LAST WEEK: Browns beat Steelers 48-37; Chiefs had bye, lost to Chargers 38-21 on Jan. 3
THE SKINNY: A team with a swell of confidence has to be the Browns. That they mauled the self-destructing Steelers should be taken into account, but that offense was impressive, and the defense was a takeaway machine.
One trouble for Cleveland is that the D showed some real vulnerability after building the big lead at Pittsburgh. Sure, the Browns were able to get conservative, but don’t try that against Patrick Mahomes and the reigning champions.
KC has been idle since the regular-season finale, when several important regulars were rested. So rustiness is a consideration. Losing probably isn’t, but this spread is too wide.
THE PICK: Chiefs, 30-24
BUCCANEERS at SAINTS
WHEN: Sunday, 6:40 p.m. (FOX) RECORDS: Buccaneers 12-5, Saints 13-4 OPENING LINE: Saints by 4 RECORD VS. SPREAD: Buccaneers 10-7; Saints 10-6-1
SERIES RECORD: Saints lead 37-21 LAST MEETING: Saints beat Buccaneers 38-3 on Nov. 8, 2020, in Tampa Bay
LAST WEEK: Buccaneers beat Washington 31-23; Saints beat Bears 21-9
THE SKINNY: Old-timers day at the Superdome. Tom Brady and Drew Brees are a collective 85 years old. They also are headed to Canton five years after they retire — if they ever do — and will take lots of records with them.
The Saints won both meetings between these NFC South rivals during the regular season. The team that swept the regularseason series has won 14 of the previous 22 matchups. And New Orleans was the previous team in such a situation, achieving the sweep by beating Carolina 31-26 in the wild-card round after sweeping the Panthers in the 2017 regular season.
We don’t have to pick an upset, but we’re not going against TB12.
THE PICK: Buccaneers, 24-23