Packers favored by 3.5 over Buccaneers, Chiefs favored by 3 over Bills

Kansas City Chiefs v Buffalo Bills
Getty Images

The home teams are favored by about a field goal in Sunday’s conference championship games.

In the NFC Championship Game, the Packers are favored by 3.5 points over the Buccaneers. In the AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs are three-point favorites over the Bills.

The Buccaneers are underdogs despite stomping the Packers 38-10 in the regular season. Then again, the Buccaneers lost 38-3 to the Saints in the regular season and then beat the Saints on Sunday, so regular season performance is no guarantee of playoff results.

The Chiefs went to Buffalo and won 26-17 in the regular season, but that regular season result is nowhere near as important as the question of whether Patrick Mahomes will be cleared from the concussion protocol in time to play. If Chad Henne starts for the Chiefs, expect the line to shift dramatically in the Bills’ favor.

Sports books currently have the Chiefs as favorites to win the Super Bowl.

58 responses to “Packers favored by 3.5 over Buccaneers, Chiefs favored by 3 over Bills

  1. Don’t bet against Tom Brady in a championship game. Brady is 10-4 in the postseason on the road.

  2. No way my bills will be able to beat the chiefs in arrowhead. If we were hosting the browns we’d have a chance so it looks like another season without a lombardi.

  3. Bucs may have beat GB earlier this year but

    Packers just hung 32 on the #1 defense in the league – and those are all offensive points, none were defensive. They put up 484 yards on the #1 D compared to the Bucs 316 against the Saints.

    Bucs aren’t going to get 4 turnovers against the Packers in this game either.

    Not saying the Packers will win – but lets not act like the Bucs are some juggernaut.

    Regular season records against playoff bound teams –

    Packers were 4-2
    Saints were 3-2
    Seahawks were 2-2
    Bucs – 1-5

  4. Last time Tom Brady played in Lambeau= Packers Win. Tommy took that L.

    See you Sunday at 2:05 cst

    #OneTeamOneNation

    #PackerNation!✊

  5. ibtp

    Sorry, KC, but I have to root for the Bills. You guys got yours last year and I have to root for the Pack to take it all anyways.

  6. The Packers should be slight favorites, but the Bucs have been on fire the past few months. If the weather is good, a Bucs win wouldn’t surprise me.

  7. No way Green Bay should be favored. The Bucs are more physical up front on both defense and offense. The cold should slow the Bucs down some which will keep GB in the game. Packers defense is questionable. Bucs will win this!!

  8. jimmygeewhiz says:
    January 18, 2021 at 10:28 am
    Cold and snow in Green Bay forecast for Sunday. Tampa Bay better pack their mucklucks.

    ———————————————–

    Im sure Tom Brady hasn’t forgot how to play in the cold, ya know all those years in New England and 6 Super Bowl rings.

  9. Bucs and Bills will be the far greater SB than any other combination…
    2 great teams this season that both just recently climbed out of the NFL basement…
    the Packers or Chiefs would just diminish the intrigue of the SB since they have both recently been there…

  10. kenmasters34 says:
    January 18, 2021 at 10:36 am
    the way Mahommes looked, I just dont think he can be ready for next week.
    ………………………………………………………………………………..
    Did you watch the play, he never hit his head. Looked bad because he got choked out is what reports are saying. That would explain why everyone said he was doing great after the game. Hope it’s true, will be a great game if he plays.

  11. Yet again, the playoffs prove that QBs must be accurate, make the right reads, and make critical plays at critical junctures in games. Turnovers lead to losses. While this trend of running QBs and gimmicky RPOs has been fun in the regular season, look at the QBs of these teams and try to tell me that you can win a Super Bowl with glorified running backs at the helm. All of these guys can deliver the ball where and when they need to, and their first impulse isn’t to tuck the ball and take off. Mahomes and Allen are two of the young bright stars because while they have that athleticism, they recognize the role of a QB is first and foremost to throw.
    I think we’ve all seen Lamar can’t play this role. The question is if other younger athletic QBs like DeShaun, Kyler, and Burrow can improve like Allen did in terms of decision-making and accuracy and become legitimate Super Bowl-potential QBs.

  12. Vegas knows. That’s why they these early spreads. Get people betting. Brady is fantastic in snow. Not sure why you think the Bucs will struggle. Erin will get his MVP and no ring. And for now I would say Mahomes in and they get the three. But with him out? Bills will smash them.

  13. Brady played in snow before – sure.

    Has his line?

    Has his defense?

    Have his receivers?

    Seriously – people act like Brady can go out there himself and win. Need to realize there’s 52 other players on that team that don’t have what he has.

  14. Get ready for the Aaron Rodgers Discount Double Choke. Bucs 28 – Pack 21

    Bills will stun the world and beat the Cheatin’ Chiefs. Buffalo 33 – KC Scum 30

  15. The Bucs want to thank the Vegas oddsmakers for some bulletin board material.

  16. Seems about right. Wonder if that line moves if mahomes can’t go. I don’t assume he won’t play either.

  17. Chiefs better hope Mahomes is set to play Sunday, because Henne is not the second coming of Nick Foles.

  18. tyelee says:
    January 18, 2021 at 10:59 am
    Bucs and Bills will be the far greater SB than any other combination…
    2 great teams this season that both just recently climbed out of the NFL basement…
    the Packers or Chiefs would just diminish the intrigue of the SB since they have both recently been there…
    _____________________________________________

    Bucs did not climb their way out of the basement….they bought their way out.

  19. Don’t bet against Tom Brady in a championship game. Brady is 10-4 in the postseason on the road.

    ———————————————–

    The past doesn’t mean anything. It’s whoever comes to play the game is what matters!!

  20. artvan15 says:
    January 18, 2021 at 10:56 am
    No way Green Bay should be favored. The Bucs are more physical up front on both defense and offense. The cold should slow the Bucs down some which will keep GB in the game. Packers defense is questionable. Bucs will win this!!

    —————–

    Yes – no conference #1 seed with homefield throughout the playoffs has any business being a favorite over a team that lost more games than them. Especially since that road team had losses against a team the #1 just hung almost 500 yards on and the all world Bears.

  21. It takes the human body about 10 days to acclimate to a temperature change.

    Brady may have played in the snow before, but he’d have to be in the cold temps a little over a week before his physiology would adapt.

    When he was in NE, he lived there, so that’s what he was used. It’s different this time.

    Not saying that will affect them, but the weather will favor the Packers.

    I just hope both teams come out healthy and that whoever wins this game the whole thing.

  22. At least there shouldn’t be any questions about a southern team QB – Tom Brady – being able to play in the cold in Green Bay.

  23. I want to see Bucs vs. Bills in the SB, just for the fun of Bills fans making it to the SB and having to face Brady & Gronk.

  24. Speaking of playing playoff games, or in the cold. This will be Rodgers’ 21st playoff game; Tom Brady’s 44th.

  25. You kidding me? 38-10. Rodgers can’t play against Tampa defense. He’s intimidated by Suh and Brady is the goat. Tampa win again. 30-24. Brady is a cold weather guy as well. Nothing will stop him.

  26. statman25 says:
    January 18, 2021 at 11:02 am
    kenmasters34 says:
    January 18, 2021 at 10:36 am
    the way Mahommes looked, I just dont think he can be ready for next week.
    ………………………………………………………………………………..
    Did you watch the play, he never hit his head. Looked bad because he got choked out is what reports are saying. That would explain why everyone said he was doing great after the game. Hope it’s true, will be a great game if he plays.

    You obviously didn’t watch the play!! The grabbing of his neck forced his forehead to hit the turf. After he got up he was staggering, unable to stand without being held.

  27. danicafallsinlove says:
    January 18, 2021 at 10:59 am
    jimmygeewhiz says:
    January 18, 2021 at 10:28 am
    Cold and snow in Green Bay forecast for Sunday. Tampa Bay better pack their mucklucks.

    ———————————————–

    Im sure Tom Brady hasn’t forgot how to play in the cold, ya know all those years in New England and 6 Super Bowl rings.
    ————————————–
    Don’t forget, Brady also went to University of Michigan, it’s kinda cold there too. Also plenty of Bucs players went to college in the northern states, one even was in Canada.

  28. toasteddonkey says:
    January 18, 2021 at 11:17 am
    Brady played in snow before – sure.

    Has his line?

    Has his defense?

    Have his receivers?

    Seriously – people act like Brady can go out there himself and win. Need to realize there’s 52 other players on that team that don’t have what he has.
    —————————————————————-
    You need to realize that there is life before the NFL. Plenty of Tampa’s players went to northern colleges. And you’ve apparently forgotten that the field @ Lambeau is heated, which changes the footing. So the players might be cold but the field will not.

  29. If Brees weren’t playing at 75% the Packers would be hosting the Saints. Frankly, I think the Packers match up better against the Buccaneers than they would have against the Saints with a healthy Drew Brees. If Tampa Bay plays next weekend like they did yesterday, Packers win handily. Don’t let that regular season blow out by Tampa Bay give anyone a false sense of security. The Packers weren’t ready to play and were horrible that day.

  30. Cheifs favored without knowing if Mahomes is going to play? I will take the Bills and the points.

  31. The first matchup wasn’t as big a blowout as the score would indicate. The Packers had a 10-0 lead before Aaron Rodgers started throwing INTs. I suspect it will be a bit different this weekend. It should be a good game. In fact, both of these games should be terrific games.

    I predict the winner will be………..us!

  32. Bucs and Bills will be the far greater SB than any other combination…
    2 great teams this season that both just recently climbed out of the NFL basement…
    the Packers or Chiefs would just diminish the intrigue of the SB since they have both recently been there…

    The bills have rarely been in the basement. The occasional season here and there. They’ve been middle of the road slightly below or slightly above average most season.

    They way they built them
    Selves is how it should be done. But that is all dependent on finding a good qb too

  33. Everybody knows that you never count Tom Brady out -*BUT*- If you think that after pining for a NFC Championship game @ Lambeau his entire career that Rodgers is going to let this opportunity slip away, you are truly mistaken.

    Packer positives to contemplate –

    They seriously have a running game now. 188 yards on the ground against the number 1 defense? Yes, please!

    The Packers have a strong defense themselves. Only the Bills allowed less total yards this past weekend.

    O-Line hasn’t missed a beat with Bahktiari being out.

    Still the number 1 offense.

    Still no team has ever played the SB in their own stadium (might be a ticky tack stat, but it’s still true).

    The cold WILL still be a factor. Yes Brady played all those years in N.E. and Michigan. But he hasn’t been renamed Tompa Brady for no reason.

    Going to be a hell of a game. Let’s hope for some top notch officiating, no dirty plays from Suh, and may the best team win!

  34. Aaron Donald hadn’t fully recovered from torn rib cartilage the week before so need to consider that in looking at Packers win over Rams. And Cooper Kupp was out too; not sure Goff’s thumb was healed.

  35. Obviously, there’s no comparison between the two. Rodgers is a choker and Brady is the goat. If any team had to choose one player, it would be Brady 1k out of 1k.

  36. Obviously, there’s no comparison between the two. Rodgers is a choker and Brady is the goat. If any team had to choose one player, it would be Brady 1k out of 1k. Tampa by 10 at least.

  37. aaron only being 1-4 in NFC championship games should be the packer fans biggest concern right now. He clearly chokes in the big game.

    And the packer fan saying that “the past doesn’t mean anything” – That’s rich considering the packer mantra is ALL about the past.

    Cold weather in Lambeau has been a myth for over 10 years now

  38. So I guess nobody realizes the Packers defense finished ranked ninth but probably would have finished higher if they didn’t give up garbage points and yards in blowout wins.

  39. Real fans gotta be hoping for a Green Bay-Buffalo Super Bowl.
    The 2 smallest market, cold weather teams in the league on the biggest stage. It’s long overdue.

  40. Vegas betting lines aren’t predictions. Vegas betting lines aren’t predictions.
    They’re just set up to create an even amount of action on both sides of any given bet.
    Anyone that is triggered by them, unless they’ve got money to burn, is just wasting their time.

    Also, I would just like to congratulate the 4 teams left in in this postseason, in what can only be described as a very difficult and unpredictable season.
    It is truly a testament to 4 great organizations and their players.

    As for me, no grand predictions or proclamations.
    All season I figured that the Packers and Bucs were setting themselves up for a postseason collision course, and as we found out last night, it’s officially happening.

    I’m just thrilled that, at least this time, it will be in the friendly, snowy and chilly confines of Lambeau Field.
    Both games, January football in the elements, the way football was meant to be played.

    I like Green Bay’s chances, but they are going up against an incredible QB.
    It will be another big test for this ascending Packer’s defense.
    And Rodgers and Co. will have their hands full with that stingy, opportunistic, defense.
    Hopefully the results are better than last time.

    The only thing I am sure of in all of this, is that there is a gaggle of purple trolls just chomping at the bit for their dreams to come true.
    Their weekly predictions, hopes and prayers have fallen flat most of the year.
    We’ll see what Sunday brings.

  41. The Packers are consistently playing great football while the Bucs are erratic. Of course the Packers has the edge weather wise, home field advantage, and they seem to be well-balanced. The Bucs’ edge is Brady’s mental toughness and his intangibles. Look at what he has done with Bucs. He’s in a new system, new opponents, new coaches, no pre-season priming etc. He has to learn to deep throw which has been an alien concept with the Patriots. He has to recalibrate his body and mind with the Bucs system and methods and to establish rapport with his new receivers, and they to him. I imagine it’s not easy to change 20 years of calcified habits. Whereas Rodgers can do his awesome throws with eyes closed. It’s second nature to him. That being said, no matter the odds against Brady, I will remain neutral instead of betting against him. I myself thought that the Saints would send him to early golfing. So glad I was wrong.

  42. Codylaws says: January 18, 2021 at 12:01 pm You kidding me? 38-10. Rodgers can’t play against Tampa defense. He’s intimidated by Suh and Brady is the goat. Tampa win again. 30-24. Brady is a cold weather guy as well. Nothing will stop him. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Coleslaw…….I think people could bet and win a fortune by betting the opposite of whatever you predict against the Packers. You’ve been doing it for weeks now and haven’t been right once. Not once.

  43. philmccracken says:
    January 18, 2021 at 12:56 pm
    I like teams that hold 13 World Championships. Apparently Vegas does too.
    ——————————————
    If that’s what you really think of Vegas betting lines, do yourself a favor and don’t place bets in Vegas. Vegas betting lines are not some kind of popularity contest.

  44. RE LEE says:
    January 18, 2021 at 6:29 pm
    The Packers are consistently playing great football while the Bucs are erratic. Of course the Packers has the edge weather wise, home field advantage, and they seem to be well-balanced. The Bucs’ edge is Brady’s mental toughness and his intangibles. Look at what he has done with Bucs. He’s in a new system, new opponents, new coaches, no pre-season priming etc. He has to learn to deep throw which has been an alien concept with the Patriots. He has to recalibrate his body and mind with the Bucs system and methods and to establish rapport with his new receivers, and they to him. I imagine it’s not easy to change 20 years of calcified habits. Whereas Rodgers can do his awesome throws with eyes closed. It’s second nature to him. That being said, no matter the odds against Brady, I will remain neutral instead of betting against him. I myself thought that the Saints would send him to early golfing. So glad I was wrong.
    ————————————————-
    It’s a common fallacy that Tom Brady can’t throw deep, he actually does it far more often than people realize and always has. A QB needs 2 things to be able to throw deep balls: he needs receivers who can run deep routes very fast and he needs an O-line that can hold the pocket clear long enough for those receivers to get down field. It cracks me up how, from 2001 to 2009, people used to whine about Brady having “all day” to wait behind the O-line to throw the ball(sign of a great O-line) but since his original O-linemen started to move on/retire back in 2009/2010, people have been whining Brady can’t throw more than 2 yards. The truth is that most of Brady’s early receivers and O-linemen were drafted before Belichick got there, but since BB came on as head coach and started drafting, the quality of the offensive players has dropped dramatically. I LMAO when the Giants picked up Nate Solder, because I always thought he couldn’t stop a determined cheerleader from getting to Brady, then he went to the Giants and proved me right. They even had to bring Dante Scarnecchia out of retirement to work his magic on the O-line because the players were so bad. BB got away with doing all that because Brady isn’t a stat-padder, he’s only interested in winning, moving the chains to win, however that happens is fine with him. If passing isn’t moving the chains but running is, he’ll hand the ball off all day, if running isn’t working to move the chains he’ll throw all day, whatever it takes to win. That’s why he kind of smirks when people mention stats to him, he thinks they’re nice but he’s not real interested. That’s why I get a kick out of people that claim he’s egocentric and trying to break NFL records, those people don’t know what makes him tick, the only stats that matter to him are wins, losses and SB rings, as for the rest, meh.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Not a member? Register now!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.