It is official, we have now our NFL “closing 4.” It will likely be the Buffalo Payments and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the AFC Championship Sport, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Inexperienced Bay Packers within the NFC Championship Sport subsequent weekend. So far as this previous weekend goes from a playing perspective, it regarded like books have been headed for a horrible weekend early on. Each favorites on Saturday lined, however Sunday noticed the precise reverse, as each underdogs lined the unfold. Heading into championship weekend, favorites are 4-6 within the playoffs. 

Should you’re an skilled bettor, you already know that it is best to get your bets in early earlier than the strains can expertise what might probably be unfavorable motion. We have already got seen some motion since these strains have been launched shortly after the matchups have been established, so let’s check out these early odds and lock in our picks. 

All NFL odds are through William Hill Sportsbook.  

Buccaneers at Packers 

Opening line: Packers -3.5
Whole: O/U 51

Inexperienced Bay will host the NFC Championship Sport for the primary time since 2007, which was Brett Favre’s final recreation as a Packer. The Packers had no downside with the Los Angeles Rams within the divisional spherical, defeating them 32-18. Aaron Rodgers and the offense tore aside the Rams’ top-ranked protection, as they racked up 484 yards of complete offense and 28 first downs. Each of these numbers are essentially the most allowed by the Rams in a recreation all season. Davante Adams caught 9 passes for 66 yards and a landing, however it was really Allen Lazard who was the sport’s main receiver. He caught 4 passes for 96 yards, together with a 58-yard rating that put the sport on ice. Whereas Inexperienced Bay’s protection held Los Angeles to simply 244 yards of complete offense, the secondary was spotty at instances. Josh Reynolds, Robert Woods and Van Jefferson all have been profitable to find open house towards the Packers’ cornerbacks, which is one thing to look at transferring ahead. 

Tom Brady and the Buccaneers did not get a lot manufacturing from their large receivers towards the New Orleans Saints within the divisional spherical, however they have been nonetheless capable of escape with a 30-20 victory. Brady threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns, whereas Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones mixed for 125 yards on the bottom. It was the protection that dominated the day, nonetheless, because the Buccaneers held Drew Brees to simply 134 passing yards, picked him off 3 times and compelled 4 complete turnovers. Devin White proved he is top-of-the-line linebackers within the league, as he recorded a team-high 11 tackles, recovered a fumble and caught an interception, which he returned the opposite method for 28 yards. Brady was capable of keep away from going 0-3 towards Brees and the Saints this season, and he even additional solidified his spot in NFL historical past. This might be Brady’s ninth convention championship look prior to now 10 years, and his NFL-record 14th total in his 21-year NFL profession. To place that into perspective, Brady has extra convention championship wins than some other quarterback has appearances!

The choose: These two groups met in Week 6, when the Packers have been blown out, 38-10, in Tampa. It was Inexperienced Bay’s worst lack of the season. What’s fascinating is that each the Packers recreation and Buccaneers recreation this previous weekend tallied precisely 50 factors. Give me the Over and I will take the Packers to cowl 3.5 factors as nicely. 

Payments at Chiefs

Opening line: Chiefs -3
Whole: O/U 54

The final time the Payments and Chiefs met within the postseason, it was within the 1993 AFC Championship Sport. The Payments received 30-13 en path to their fourth consecutive Tremendous Bowl look. With the Chiefs’ 22-17 win over the Cleveland Browns this Sunday, Kansas Metropolis will change into the primary staff for the reason that 2002-04 Philadelphia Eagles to host three straight convention championship video games. Andy Reid coached each of those groups! Chad Henne was compelled to complete the sport after Patrick Mahomes left due to a concussion, and he did pull by way of with a few clutch performs. Nonetheless, everyone seems to be hoping Mahomes can accomplish every part he must this week in an effort to go well with up for the convention championship recreation. An fascinating stat to pay attention to coming into this matchup is that the Chiefs have now gone 9 straight video games with out successful by greater than six factors. Since Week 9, they’re 1-8 towards the unfold. 

For the primary time since 1993, the Payments are within the AFC Championship Sport. They defeated the Baltimore Ravens in a low-scoring affair, and it was really the protection that shined. Buffalo held Baltimore to simply three factors and Taron Johnson’s 101-yard pick-six was what Josh Allen known as a “franchise-altering play.” The Payments have now received eight straight video games — seven of them by double digits — and personal a degree differential of +136 throughout that span. Nevertheless, Allen and Stefon Diggs should put collectively an enormous recreation in the event that they need to take down this explosive Chiefs staff. 

The choose: These two groups additionally met within the common season in Week 6, because the Chiefs defeated the Payments, 26-17. Mahomes’ damage and the way bizarre it was does give me pause, however in the event you’re forcing me to select a facet proper now, I will go forward and take the Chiefs to cowl. I’ve been publishing a weekly NFL playoff bracket replace for the reason that playoffs started, and my Tremendous Bowl choose of Packers-Chiefs has not modified. As for the full, I am leaning in direction of the Beneath.