“Pick ‘Em or Kick ‘Em”™: FGT VS. Urban Sports Scene 2021 NFL Divisional Round Playoffs Picks

January 22, 2022

By the Football Garbage Time Staff

If you followed last year, you won over 60% of your picks, and we aim to do even better this year.

And if you’ve been following us, you know that we here at Football Garbage Time have gone head to head against Wally, Will and Ray at Urban Sports Scene on our NFL Picks for the last 7 seasons. Why? Because they’re awesome competitors, they KNOW their sports, and, heck, they’re just good guys! This year we’ll have their picks up right HERE, so keep it tuned in, to both us and them, because we’ll be picking all season all long.

Without further to do, here we go:

Divisional Round Playoff Games

Ha Kung Wong’s Picks

Ha Kung’s Thoughts:

Last year I ended up with a 68.1% record for the season, so that’s six years in a row with over a 60% pick rate. After being a perfect 6 for 6 in Wild Card Weekend, I’m at a solid 179-98 (64.6%) on the year. Last year, I had an 87.5% record on Locks of the Week and a 50% record on Upsets of the Week. So far I’m 68.4% (13-6) on my Locks and 63.2% (12-7) on my Upsets this year, so we’re still on track.

Let’s get to that Lock (for Survivor Leagues) and Upset for Divisional Round Playoffs…

Lock of the Week ➡ Green Bay Packers (-6.0) over San Francisco 49ers

I basically could stop this analysis with just two words: Aaron Rodgers. That being said, Davante Adams is no slouch either with the 2nd most receiving yards from the 2nd most receptions of any WR in the NFL. And with Aaron Jones back with AJ Dillion in the backfield, sky’s the limit for the Packers offense which was top 10 in terms of yards and points scored per game this year. The big question, of course, is whether the 49ers can hold on defense and play ball control on offense through Eli Mitchell. Unfortunately for the 49ers, the Packers have the longest average time of possession per game of any team this season. I’m locking in the Packers.

Upset of the Week ➡ Los Angeles Rams (+3.0) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Rams defense played out of their minds against the Cardinals in Wild Card Weekend with 5 QB hits, 2 sacks and 2 INTs, one returned for a TD. I’m not saying they’ll have a repeat performance against the defending World Champs, but there’s some potential here, as the Rams did manage to beat the Bucs in the regular season using almost the exact same formula — 5 QB hits and 3 sacks. That is, they made Tom Brady uncomfortable, allowing Mathew Stafford to outduel him. The Rams have something to prove in the postseason, and I think that the Rams can make Brady uncomfortable again. I like the Rams in an upset.

Joanne Kong’s Picks

Scott King’s Picks

Scott’s Thoughts:

No outcome this weekend would surprise me. This will be epic.

Wole’s Picks

Wole’s Thoughts:

Check out the recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

Ray’s Picks

Ray’s Thoughts:

Check out the recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

Will’s Picks

Coming Soon!

Will’s Thoughts:

Check out the recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

George’s Picks

George’s Thoughts:

Cincinnati at Tennessee: Who has the better quarterback. The Bengals. Who has the better weapons. The Bengals (even if King Derrick Henry is back). Who has momentum. The Bengals. It’s harsh on Tennessee but they are one of the weakest #1 seeds in memory and I think they are very little chance if they get through. This pick is as much in hope that Cincinnati gets through because in my view they would have a much better chance against the KC-Buffalo winner than the Titans have.

San Francisco at Green Bay: Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers are Aaron Rodgers kryptonite. That is a fact. Rodgers’ recent playoff record isn’t very good. And the 49ers play the perfect style to win on the road in Green Bay. They run the football and do so from every conceivable formation, angle and with 3 or 4 different guys. Raheem Mostert isn’t out there but Nick Bosa is and that 49ers front will get to Rodgers and force him into mistakes just like the Bucs did a season ago. Yes both 1 seeds are going down this weekend.

L.A. Rams at Tampa Bay: Both teams won handsomely in their playoff openers. But one had to play Monday night then come all the way East. This is a rematch of the Rams win in September. Los Angeles will have to run the ball this time to win and they won’t.

Buffalo at Kansas City: The public is all over Buffalo. And I am going against them here. The Bills won convincingly at Kansas City already. The Chiefs are a much better team since then and found a running game with Jerick McKinnon. Mahomes struggled mightily in the first half of the season but has looked like his MVP-caliber self since November. Josh Allen is carrying Buffalo but he won’t carry them past the Chiefs. Both one seeds lose both two seeds get to play at home for the conference championships.

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