2021 NFL Divisional Playoffs Preview [Saturday Games]

A 2021 NFL Divisional Playoffs games preview from Saints News Network's weekly contributor William Carver.

A 2021 NFL Divisional Playoffs games preview from Saints News Network's weekly contributor William Carver.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers, Saturday @ 3:35 PM CST

The Los Angeles Rams travel up north to take on the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are the top seed in the NFC and the only team in the NFC coming off a bye.

This will be Saturday’s first game in the divisional round, and it will be between the top-scoring offense in the NFL against the defense that has allowed the fewest points per game.

The Packers average 31.8 points per game and are led by first-team All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

Rodgers isn’t the only first-team All-Pro on the Packers. Wide receiver Davante Adams made the All-Pro team with his league-leading 18 touchdowns for a receiver. The offense will need to continue to play at a high level when facing off against the stingiest defense in the NFL. 

Los Angeles only allows an average of 18.5 points per game.

The Rams are coming off a convincing victory against the Seattle Seahawks. 

The Rams lost their starting quarterback John Wolford to injury in the first quarter. Los Angeles’s defense played lights out. Not only did they hold the Seahawks to only two touchdowns, but they also scored a touchdown on cornerback Darious Williams pick-six. 

There are plenty of in-game matchups that are going to be worth the watch. 

Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey is going up against Green Bay receiver Adams. 

Packers' offensive line will be battling against the Rams defensive line featuring Aaron Donald.

The Packers and Rams have played each other in 95 games, with the Rams leading the overall series 47-46-2. There have been two meetings between the teams in the playoffs, both teams winning a game.

What happens in Green Bay? Snow! 

Expect some snow flurries during the game, with the temperatures dropping into the 20s.

The game will remain close for a while, but Rodgers, Packers, and snow equals a trip to their eleventh conference championship game.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills, Saturday @ 7:15 PM CST

Saturday night, prime time football should be electrifying when the Baltimore Ravens travel to New York to take on the Buffalo Bills. 

Both teams are coming off tough victories in their wild card matchups. The Bills defeated the Indianapolis Colts 27-24 for the Bills' first playoff victory since 1995.

Furthermore, the Ravens avenged their last season's playoff loss by beating the Tennessee Titans 20-13, giving Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson his first playoff victory.

The Ravens and Bills both relied on their star players to get to victories, Jackson for Baltimore had 16 rushes for 136 and a touchdown, and the Bills, with their quarterback Josh Allen who threw for 26 for 35 with 324 yards passing and two touchdowns, one of which going to wideout Stefon Diggs for 6 catches on 128 yards.

The Ravens and Bills have a short history, with only nine games played between the teams. Baltimore leads the series 6-3. 

The teams have never faced one another in the playoffs, and this will be the third time that Allen and Jackson have faced one another. 

They were both the first-round draft picks in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The early game is not the only game that will feature snow. Expect a frigid night with temperatures in the low 20s and snow flurries. 

This game should provide highlight after highlight with the Ravens coming out victorious.