Then there were four. In the NFL Divisional Round, all the matchups are expected to be tight. To amplify the interest, our resident degen Brad Evans gets his grubby mitts on various tickets. Fade or follow? That's up to YOU!
Game 1 Pick: SGP - Buffalo +7.5, Josh Allen anytime TD at Broncos (+120, BetMGM)
Blasting through defensive lines like the Kool-Aid man brick walls, Allen always doles out punishment when hellbent on ground gains. His game-winning red-zone determination exhibited last week in Jacksonville was a prime example. Carrying dudes on a fourth-and-short conversion for 10 yards, he set his Bills up to slam the door in Duval. Plowing into the end-zone on the very next play, he gave Buffalo a 27-24 lead with 1:04 left. The plunge proved to be a dagger as Trevor Lawrence's deflected pass was picked off on the Jaguars' last gasp.
Including last Sunday's Wildcard-clinching dive, Allen has crossed the chalk with his legs in seven of his last 12 games. In the regular season, he averaged THE most red-zone carries per game (1.94) of any QB, amassing 5.14 yards per carry and a whopping 14 total rushing touchdowns. His 20.6% carry share was the fifth-highest of any passer in the league.
Denver's steadfast defensive line presents an uphill battle. In their 17-game warmup act, the Broncos surrendered 18.3 rush yards per game and three rush TDs to signal callers. Since Week 12, they're No. 12 in rush EPA defense.
Still, with nine TDs in 14 career playoff games, Allen has a solid chance of splashing six. BetAlytics gives him a 58.6% of scoring. Toss in the Bills to stay within striking distance and the juice reached would have any gambler shouting "OH YEAH!"
NO CONTEXT PARLAY PLAY - SGP: Game 53.5u, Khalil Shakir 4+ receptions, Pat Bryant 2+ receptions, James Cook UNDER 76.5 rush yards (+248, theScore)
Game 2 Pick: Kyle Juszczyk OVER 13.5 receiving yards at Seahawks (-110, BetMGM)
The Patron bottle is empty. The surgery is complete. And now the months-long recovery process begins. George Kittle's ruptured Achilles is a massive blow, but not a complete death knell for San Francisco's formidable passing attack.
Yes, Jake Tonges, Jauan Jennings, Christian McCaffery and others will have to step up, but it's Kyle Shannhan's often forgotten fullback who could occasionally thrive in a hybrid role.
As witnessed last week in Philadelphia, the impossible to spell name became a reliable short-field weapon. In Kittle's absence, he hauled in all four of his intended looks, totaling a season high 49 receiving yards.
Juszczyk averaged only 7.5 routes per game in the regular season, but down with the Niners down their star tight end, the sure-handed veteran may reach double-figures in the category in battle No. 3 against rival Seahawks. Eclipsing the above number with ease Week 1 in Seattle (2-32-0), the do-it-all back could meet or exceed the previous output. In 17 regular season games, he averaged a healthy 10.6 yards per reception, racing past 13.5 receiving yards six times.
Most encouraging, Mike McDonald's defense rolled out the red carpet for pass-catching backs prior to the playoffs. No team allowed more receptions to RBs in the regular season (97) than Seattle. In total, 19 RBs topped the number required.
Seemingly unpredictable x-factors always rise to the occasion this time each year. With Kittle's significant per game volume up for grabs (24.6% target share in regular season), Juszczyk could be that special spark.
Strike it rich.
NO CONTEXT PARLAY PLAY - SGP: Niners +14.5, Game 52.5u, Christian McCaffery 5+ receptions, Jaxon Smith-Njigba 60+ receiving yards (+192, theScore)