The Texans upset the Chargers to maneuver on within the AFC playoffs final weekend. Can they do it once more in opposition to the Chiefs? Will the Ravens get previous Buffalo? Here is our ideas. (odds vis ESPN)
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Payments (-1)
It’s exhausting to imagine {that a} 12-5 workforce with a two-time MVP at quarterback may ever be an underdog within the divisional spherical of the AFC playoffs, however such is Baltimore’s destiny in opposition to the Payments this Sunday evening.
The Ravens dominated their wild-card matchup with the Steelers, working out to a 21-point halftime lead earlier than successful the sport 28-14. Quarterback Lamar Jackson had two touchdowns and 256 whole yards whereas working again Derrick Henry rushed for 186 yards and two scores, together with this 87-yard sprint on the workforce’s first offensive snap.
Henry rushed for 199 yards because the Ravens beat the Payments 35-10 in Week 4. Buffalo working again James Cook dinner ran for a season-high 120 yards in opposition to the Broncos final week however had solely 39 yards in opposition to Baltimore’s top-ranked run protection in September.
In different phrases, Sunday’s sport ought to come right down to the quarterbacks. If the Ravens’ Thirty first-ranked cross protection can’t cease Payments quarterback and MVP front-runner Josh Allen, then Jackson may need to outscore him with out main receiver Zay Flowers, who missed final week’s sport with a knee damage.
It received’t be straightforward however Jackson may steal the sport, and probably the MVP award, with one other robust efficiency in opposition to the Payments.
Houston Texans at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (-8)
When the Texans protection performs prefer it did in opposition to the Chargers final week, they’ll beat anybody in soccer, together with the defending Tremendous Bowl champions. Houston didn’t simply win, they took L.A.’s soul in a 32-12 upset victory in final week’s wild-card sport.
Not solely did the Texans register 4 sacks on Justin Herbert, they intercepted him 4 occasions for 108 yards, a career-high for the Chargers quarterback who’d solely thrown three picks all yr.
“Our protection, they dominated right now,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said. “And that’s who we wish to be. They performed our model of soccer.”
In fact, the Texans offense did its half as effectively. QB C.J. Stroud threw for 282 yards with a landing to extensive receiver Nico Collins, who caught seven of eight targets for 122 yards and a rating. Stroud additionally ran for 42 yards, whereas working again Joe Mixon rushed 106 yards and a rating.
However can they do it in opposition to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium? Houston misplaced 27-19 on the highway to Kansas Metropolis in Week 16 in a sport the Texans misplaced extensive receiver Tank Dell to a season-ending knee damage. Evidently, Houston ought to have loads of motivation for Saturday’s sport.
Whereas the Chiefs offense ranked six spots forward of the Texans in 2024, it managed solely 7.9 extra yards and 0.7 extra factors per sport than the Texans. In the meantime, solely 4 groups gave up extra yards per contest (315.0) than Houston within the common season.
It received’t be straightforward, but when the Texans can construct on the momentum gained from final week’s win, they may catch Kansas Metropolis sleeping and advance to the AFC Championship Sport.
