• Ballers
  • Posts
  • Weekender: Legacy-Determining Postseason Football

Weekender: Legacy-Determining Postseason Football

The Super Bowl is the biggest weekend for American sports, and rightfully so. However, there’s something to be said for this Championship Sunday. Two excellent football games, one after the other, one featuring a rookie sensation against a divisional rival and the other between two future Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks. It doesn’t get much better than that.

So now that we’re in the mix, make sure you’re all set up with our special offers.

Make sure to share with your friends and get entered to win free cash.

Here’s what we've got today:

  • Commanders-Eagles, Bills-Chiefs Game Analyses and Picks

  • An NBA Friday Parlay

  • No UFC? No Problem. A Rare PFL Card Worth Watching

Commanders-Eagles Analysis and Pick

Sunday will begin with the NFC Championship. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will lead the Commanders into one of the most hostile environments in the NFL in Lincoln Financial Field to take on Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles. Here’s an in-depth look at the key matchups and stats for the game.

When the Commanders are on Offense:

It’s all about Daniels here. The last time these teams played, he led his offense to 36 points and a thrilling victory. Unfortunately, that performance was marred by two interceptions, mistakes the Commanders cannot afford to make on Sunday. The Eagles put up 33 points on the arm of Kenny Pickett last matchup, so Washington needs this to turn into a shootout if they want a chance.

There are two key pieces of the passing game for Washington. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin has been fantastic, earning a Pro Bowl berth this season. He’ll have to consistently win one-on-one matchups against cornerback Darius Slay to act as the motor of this offense.

Secondly, tight end and former Eagle Zach Ertz will need to play a huge role here. He was quiet in the last matchup between these teams, but tight ends have been a consistently solid option against Philly this postseason. Rams starter Tyler Higbee caught seven passes for 54 yards and a score, while fellow tight end Colby Parkinson added another touchdown catch. With an injury to starting Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean, Ertz is set to eat.

When the Eagles are on Offense:

Run. The. Damn. Ball. The section could end right there, but that feels a little lazy. Star back Saquon Barkley ripped off 150 yards and two touchdowns last game, averaging 5.2 yards per carry in the process. Key Commanders defenders Bobby Wagner and Da’Ron Payne are both questionable for this game, potentially making Barkley’s life even easier. Hand the ball to Saquon and let him work.

Things shouldn’t be all that difficult in the passing game, either. Washington has been awful against opposing quarterbacks, so long as they can take care of the ball. Hurts needs to take care of the ball at all costs, lean on his legs, and take away big-play opportunities for the Commanders’ defense. Washington will lose this game without splash plays on defense and special teams. Safe is the way to go here.

Final Pick:

The Commanders are fun, but it’s hard to count on them here. The defense is atrocious, putting unsustainable pressure on the offense. Philadelphia should win and cover a 6.5-point spread. Lay some chalk on the Eagles at home.

Bills-Chiefs Analysis and Pick

Here we go again. Josh Allen against Patrick Mahomes on a chilly Kansas City night. Strap in and enjoy the show, because it’s certain to be a fantastic show of everything we love about football.

When the Bills are on Offense:

If you’ve watched a Buffalo game, you know who they count on in critical situations. In short-yardage downs, in third and long, they go to the MVP. Quarterback Josh Allen will need to continue to be clutch against one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Specifically, Allen will need to utilize his legs effectively to beat Kansas City. The Chiefs have allowed the eighth-most yards per carry to opposing signal-callers, indicating one of the weakest parts of their otherwise solid defense. Allen ripped off 55 rushing yards and a touchdown the last time these teams played, and his legs will be the key to victory in this one.

When the Chiefs are on Offense:

Taking care of the ball will be the difference between winning and losing. Mahomes threw two picks in the last matchup, and the Chiefs lost by a couple of scores. Any turnover against arguably the best offense in football might lead to an insurmountable deficit, particularly because the Bills have been so good at taking care of the ball on the offensive end.

In order to limit the possibility of turnovers, Kansas City will have to efficiently attack the short and intermediate parts of the field. Involving Travis Kelce, who was held to two catches last time these teams played, will be crucial. DeAndre Hopkins, another player who excels at contested catches, needs to be heavily involved in the passing attack as well.

Final Pick:

It’s shocking to see Buffalo as an underdog here. They beat Kansas City in the regular season, their offense is clicking, and their defense has been more than good enough to take on a mediocre Chiefs offense. Their money line looks more than playable at +108.

An NBA Friday Parlay

There isn’t much NBA action today, but we’ll make the most of what we’ve got. Here’s a quick-hitting three-game parlay

1) Portland Trail Blazers (+176) vs. Charlotte Hornets (-210)

Seeing the Hornets as -210 favorites is ridiculous. They’ve been very good offensively but not nearly good enough to warrant confidence, especially against a five-point spread. As of now, LaMelo Ball is questionable, making a sprinkle on the Blazers spread even more appealing. Guard Anfernee Simons has been hot lately, and he should torch a bad Charlotte defense to keep the Blazers in the game.

2) Cleveland Cavaliers -10(-110) vs. Philadelphia 76ers +10 (-110)

The hospital-stay Sixers will look to defend their home court against the best team, record-wise, in the NBA.

It’s hard to see Philly keeping this game close, seeing as they’ve lost their last three games by more than ten. The Cavaliers will offer no respite. Ride the spread at even money.

3) New Orleans Pelicans +12 (-112) vs. Memphis Grizzlies -12 (-108)

The Pelicans are in relatively good health entering this game, only missing Zion Williamson as he returns to competition conditioning. Some jokes write themselves. Memphis is on a roll, winning their last four games, but this is a huge spread. Memphis has failed to cover this in their last couple of games against the Pelicans, and this seems like the exact type of contest the Grizzlies could come out flat against a familiar opponent. Take the Pelicans to cover.

A quick little three-legger nets a +578 payout. Nothing wrong with some plus money on a Friday night.

Elsewhere: A Rare PFL Card Worth Watching

A week without a UFC card usually spells doom for fight fans. This time, it’s no sweat as the PFL puts on its best card in recent memory.

Truthfully, there are only a couple of fights worth watching on this card. That’s enough to make it one of the most memorable cards in PFL history.

The co-main event between Vadim Nemkov and Tim Johnson should be a fun one. Nemkov, a former Bellator light heavyweight champion, will likely cruise to a victory, but the vicious finish he scores, in whatever form it comes, will be worthy of watching.

Another week, another Nurmagomedov title fight. Usman Nurmagomedov, cousin of Khabib and brother of the recently defeated Umar, will face Irish phenom Paul Hughes in a PFL title fight. There’s been speculation that Conor McGregor will corner Hughes while Khabib corners Usman, making this the latest installment of the Dagestan vs. Ireland MMA saga.

Nurmagomedov is a heavy favorite, but keep an eye out for Hughes. He’s young, confident, and has consistently overperformed against elite competition. It’s the fight game after all, and all it takes is one punch.

That's our rundown. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more hot tips and even hotter memes. We’re always having give aways and special promotions. Don't miss out on the fun!

Disclaimer: We solely provide information about sports betting for entertainment purposes. We do not take bets, place bets, or receive affiliate revenues from companies that do. We have no financial interest in our readers or subscribers placing wagers.