With some tremendous surprises and upsets already this season, the 2022 NFL season is now in full swing. With our in-house specialists and computer models, we’ve discovered the greatest ATS picks for week 21, the conference round of the NFL Playoffs!
Sunday Divisional Playoff Football
San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles
I ultimately picked the Eagles to cover because of three factors: 1) Home-field advantage; 2) A pass rush that led the league with 70 sacks and had four players with double-digit sacks; and 3) The 49ers starting a rookie quarterback, Brock Purdy. No rookie quarterback has ever started a Super Bowl, and Purdy appeared rattled at times against the Cowboys on Sunday when San Francisco scored 19 points, its worst offensive output with him behind center this season. Also, this season Purdy faced just two opponents on the road: Las Vegas (a 37-34 win in overtime) and Seattle (a 21-13 win). I think this situation is too big for the rookie quarterback.
- ATS: Eagles -2.5
Cincinnati Bengals @ Kansas City Chiefs
Granted, the Chiefs lost at home in last year’s AFC title game but home teams have won 14 of the past 18 conference title games overall. The Bengals are freaking good, but they are sure talking a lot of smack — “Burrowhead” Stadium, for example. I don’t think that’s wise. People forget how bad the Cincinnati offense looked in the Wild Card Round win over Baltimore. That piecemeal offensive line was great last week vs. Buffalo, but will it be again vs. the likes of Chris Jones and Frank Clark? Yes, Joe Burrow is 3-0 vs. Patrick Mahomes, but Cincy had to rally in each. Obviously I’m assuming Mahomes is at least in the ballpark of 100 percent with his ankle.
- ATS: Chiefs +1.5