Tag: schedule

Posted on

UGA’s 2022 schedule with game-by-game score predictions

The 2021 season is in the books and the Georgia Bulldogs (14-1) were crowned national champions on Monday, Jan. 10 in Indianapolis, Indiana, by defeating Alabama, 33-18.

Could this be the start of a dynasty for the Bulldogs? Will Georgia go on an Alabama-type run and own college football for years to come?

The Dawgs have a very navigable 2022 schedule, which opens with Oregon in Atlanta on September 3. The Ducks will be coached by former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning. Out of the SEC West, Georgia draws Mississippi State in additional to its annual rivalry game with Auburn. And as it always does, UGA will close out its regular season with a game against in-state rival Georgia Tech.

Here’s a look at the 2022 UGA football schedule with our game-by-game predictions.

Sept. 3: Oregon (Atlanta, Ga.)

Sep 4, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Anthony Brown (13) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks won the game 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia will face its former defensive coordinator Dan Lanning to open the season in Atlanta. Lanning will have some tricks up his sleeve for this one, but Georgia’s too physical. Dawgs pull away in the second half.

Prediction: Georgia wins 24-13

Record: 1-0

Sept. 10: Samford (Athens, Ga.)

Sep 16, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Samford Bulldogs quarterback Devlin Hodges (8) runs away from Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Davin Bellamy (17) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Easy win for UGA in its first home game since winning the national championship.

Prediction: Georgia wins 55-3

Record: 2-0

Sept. 17: at South Carolina (Columbia, SC)

Sep 18, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (95) tackles South Carolina Gamecocks running back MarShawn Lloyd (1) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

You know people will be calling this a trap game. South Carolina may actually have itself a decent team next year and Columbia is always a difficult place to play. But come on…how many “trap games” did Georgia have last year? Dawgs win it easily.

Prediction: Georgia wins 41-20

Record: 3-0

Sept. 24: Kent State (Athens, Ga.)

Dec 21, 2021; Boise, Idaho, USA; Kent State Golden Flashes running back Marquez Cooper (1) runs for a gain during the second half against the Wyoming Cowboys at the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Albertsons Stadium. Wyoming defeats Kent State 52 to 38. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

Easy one here. Maybe we see some action from backup quarterback Brock Vandagriff?

Prediction: Georgia wins 58-0

Record: 4-0

Oct. 1: at Missouri (Columbia, Mo.)

Nov 6, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Quay Walker (7) tackles Missouri Tigers running back Dawson Downing (28) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia extends its winning streak over Mizzou to nine with an easy win.

Prediction: Georgia wins 38-7

Record: 5-0

Oct. 8: Auburn (Athens, Ga.)

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) scores against Auburn Tigers defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett (18) at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser

This will be Georgia’s first big home game of the year. Auburn will have just played LSU, but nobody is expecting Auburn to be any good this year. Dawgs end up cruising and win their sixth straight against the Tigers.

Prediction: Georgia wins 31-10

Record: 6-0

Oct. 15: Vanderbilt (Athens, Ga.)

Sep 25, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) scores during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Poor Vandy. Dawgs roll.

Prediction: Georgia wins 48-0

Record: 7-0

Oct. 29: Florida (Jacksonville, Fl.)

Oct 30, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Kearis Jackson (10) is congratulated as he scores touchdown against the Florida Gators during the first half at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Florida coach Billy Napier preached patience during his introductory press conference. Gator fans might want to take that advice, because Georgia is not going to take it easy on the new Florida coach.

Prediction: Georgia wins 44-13

Record: 8-0

Nov. 5: Tennessee (Athens, Ga.)

Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back James Cook (4) runs the ball past Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

This should be a fun one to be in Athens for. Tennessee fans will talk all week about how Georgia has not seen an offense like the Vols’. But it won’t matter.

Prediction: Georgia wins 34-17

Record: 9-0

Nov. 12: at Mississippi State (Starkville, Miss.)

Nov 21, 2020; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Dillon Johnson (23) runs against Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Monty Rice (32) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia has no trouble with Mississippi State on the road in this one.

Prediction: Georgia wins 38-13

Record: 10-0

Nov. 19: at Kentucky (Lexington, Ky.)

ATHENS, GA – OCTOBER 16: Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs brings in the catch for a touchdown in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Hmmm now this one could be interesting. Kentucky will enter the season likely ranked somewhere in the top-20, but by November there’s simply no telling what the Wildcats will have done. They’ll have played Florida, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee. They’ll be the better team in all of those games, but I think we all expect them to have lost two games by this point. The crowd will be electric, but Georgia once again is too dominant for Kentucky. Close until halfway through the third.

Prediction: Georgia 35, Kentucky 14

Record: 11-0

Nov. 26: Georgia Tech (Athens, Ga.)

Nov 27, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Kenny McIntosh (6) runs past Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Miles Brooks (20) to score a touchdown during the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Is this even a question?

Prediction: Georgia wins 45-7

Record: 12-0

Dec. 3: SEC Championship Game (Atlanta, Ga.): Alabama

Dec 4, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) catches a pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second half during the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

And here we go again. Could we have a replay of the 2021 season? This time Georgia and Alabama will both roll into the SEC championship undefeated and will both make the playoff regardless of what happens. Unfortunately, I don’t see Georgia beating Bama like it did in the natty. Bryce Young and Will Anderson will be one year older, and I don’t know who is stepping up at wide receiver for the Tide, but we know it will be somebody(s). Alabama wins, but they meet again.

Prediction: Alabama wins 31-20

Record: 12-1

CFP Semifinal: Georgia vs Clemson

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 04: Travon Walker #44 of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks D.J. Uiagalelei #5 of the Clemson Tigers during the second half of the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Yep, I have Clemson returning to the College Football Playoff next year. The Tigers will have some close calls throughout the season, but they’re not losing to anybody on that schedule.

Prediction: Dawgs win 20-17

Record: 13-1

CFP National Championship Game: Georgia vs. Alabama

Jan. 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter blocks a field goal attempt by Alabama Crimson Tide place kicker Will Reichard (16) in the third quarter during the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

And the entire nation lets out a big, collective sigh. Georgia vs. Alabama….again. I have the Tide beating UGA in the SEC championship, and I could see it happening again in the national title game.

Prediction: Alabama wins the title 31-27

Record: 13-2

Posted on

What time are NFL playoff games today? TV schedule, channels for AFC, NFC championship games

The championship round of playoff games will have a lofty bar to clear to top last weekend’s slate of games.

The NFL’s divisional round featured each of its four games ending in a walk-off score, with the Bengals, 49ers and Rams each winning via a field goal and the Chiefs walking off the Bills in overtime on a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce.

But this weekend’s slate of games, which will decide the two teams headed to the Super Bowl, are sure to continue delivering on what has already been a thrilling postseason. Cincinnati and Kansas City square off in the AFC Championship in a battle of two of the game’s highest powered offenses, led by a pair of dynamic young quarterbacks in Joe Burrow and Mahomes. In the NFC, the 49ers and Rams ended the regular season in an overtime battle, and should pick up where they left off in Los Angeles and give fans another exciting NFC West matchup.

Sporting News has you covered with all the information you need to know to watch the AFC and NFC championship games on Sunday.

MORE: Watch NFL playoff games live with fuboTV (free trial)

What time are the NFL playoff games today?

Game 1

  • Date: Jan. 30, 2022
  • Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals
  • Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
  • Start time: 3 p.m. ET

Game 2

  • Date: Jan. 30, 2022
  • Matchup: Rams vs. 49ers
  • Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.
  • Start time: 6:30 p.m. ET

Sunday’s championship matchups begins with what should be yet another high-scoring affair in Kansas City.

The Chiefs and Bengals ranked fourth (4,791) and seventh (4,403) in team passing yards in 2021 and each ranked in the top 10 in scoring. Even beyond the quarterbacks, both teams offer some of the game’s most electric offensive weapons, with Kansas City boasting Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce and Cincinnati countering with Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.

The two teams last faced off against one another in Cincinnati in Week 17. The Bengals came back from a 28-17 halftime deficit to beat Kansas City 34-31 and claim the AFC North title, with Chase having an explosive game with 266 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while Burrow passed for 446 yards and four scores.

The NFC West clash wraps up the day of title games and will send one of the NFC’s most recent representatives back to the Super Bowl.

San Francisco has been riding high in the series against Los Angeles as of late as it has won each of the past six games. During the 2021 regular season, the 49ers beat the Rams 31-10 in San Francisco in Week 10 before edging out Los Angeles 27-24 in overtime in Week 18 to clinch a playoff spot.

The Rams come into the game led by Matthew Stafford and one of the league’s best passing attacks. Los Angeles ranked fifth in total passing yards (4,642) and second in passing touchdowns (41), while the 49ers were more adept at picking up yards on the ground, rushing for 2,166 yards, seventh-most in the NFL. Both defenses finished the regular season among the top in the NFL, with the 49ers having allowed the third-fewest total yards (5,270) and sixth-fewest passing yards (3,510), while the Rams allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards (1,754) and ninth-fewest yards per play (5.2).

What channel are NFL games on?

Chiefs vs. Bengals

The AFC Championship will feature CBS’ primary broadcast group with Jim Nance and Tony Romo up in the booth, while Tracy Wolfson and Evan Washburn will be reporting from the sideline.

Rams vs. 49ers

Fox will be handling broadcast duties for the NFC Championship with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman providing commentary and analysis. Erin Andrews will be reporting from the sideline.

NFL live streams for playoffs

Both CBS and Fox will have alternate options to stream the matchups beyond the traditional cable route for prospective viewers.

CBS carries its games on Paramount Plus, while Fox will have its game available to watch on the Fox Sports app.

Streaming option Cable subscription needed? Free? Cost Free trial?
Fox Sports Live Yes Yes – –
Paramount Plus No No $4.99/month Yes
Amazon Prime Video No No $8.99/month No
NBC Sports Yes Yes – –
ESPN.com/ESPN App Yes Yes – –
NFL App Yes Yes – –
Yahoo! Sports App No Yes – –
fuboTV No No $64.99/month Yes
AT&T TV Now No No $69.99/month Yes
Hulu Plus Live TV No No $64.99/month Yes
Sling TV No No $35/month Yes
YouTube TV No No $64.99/month Yes

NFL playoff schedule 2022

Wild-card round

Saturday, Jan. 15

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Bengals 26, Raiders 19 4:35 p.m. ET NBC Peacock, fuboTV
Bills 47, Patriots 17 8:15 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV

Sunday, Jan. 16

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Buccaneers 31, Eagles 15  1:05 p.m. ET Fox fuboTV
49ers 23, Cowboys 17 4:40 p.m. ET CBS, Nickelodeon Paramount+, Amazon Prime, fuboTV
Chiefs 42, Steelers 21 8:15 p.m. ET NBC Peacock, fuboTV

Monday, Jan. 17

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Rams 34, Cardinals 11 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN ESPN App, fuboTV

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 22

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Bengals 19, Titans 16 4:35 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV
49ers 13, Packers 10 8:15 p.m. ET Fox fuboTV

Sunday, Jan. 23

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Rams 30, Buccaneers 27 3:05 p.m. ET NBC Peacock, fuboTV
Chiefs 42, Bills 36 6:40 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 30

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Chiefs vs. Bengals 3:05 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV
Rams vs. 49ers 6:40 p.m. ET Fox Fox Sports app, fuboTV

Super Bowl 56

Sunday, Feb. 13

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Super Bowl 56 6:30 p.m. ET NBC NBC Sports app, fuboTV

Posted on

Rams vs. 49ers: Expert picks, predictions, props for NFC Championship game today, NFL playoff schedule

Two division rivals face off tonight for the right to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVI. It’s the San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams, Kyle Shanahan vs. Sean McVay. Shanahan’s 49ers swept the Rams in the regular season, and have won six straight against McVay. Matthew Stafford and Co. are coming off of a win over the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however, and are looking for revenge against a rival.

This will be the fourth intra-division conference championship game since realignment in 2002. Interestingly enough, the previous three winners of intra-division conference championship games have gone on to win the Super Bowl. The Rams are the first team to host a conference championship game in the same stadium that will host the Super Bowl, so they can’t let this opportunity go to waste. 

Below, we will examine the different betting angles for this matchup. We will provide picks from both CBS Sports and SportsLine experts on this NFC showdown, as well as a few player props that we view as enticing. 

All NFL odds are via Caesars Sportsbook.

How to watch 

Date: Sunday, Jan. 30 | Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
TV: Fox | Stream: fuboTV (try for free)
Odds: Rams -3.5, O/U 45.5

49ers at Rams spread picks

“49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Rams coach Sean McVay are good friends who have worked together in their careers. But since becoming head coaches, Shanahan has gotten the better of McVay. He is 7-3 in 10 games against him, winning six straight, including two this year. In Week 18, the 49ers beat the Rams on the road to earn a spot in the playoffs. Here we are three weeks later, and they are back in the same building meeting for a chance to get to the Super Bowl.

“In the last meeting, the 49ers rallied from a 17-0 deficit to win the game, 27-24. The 49ers defensive line dominated the Rams offensive line in that game. In two games against the Rams, the 49ers have seven sacks and 21 pressures without doing a lot of blitzing, which is something Matthew Stafford has killed this season.

“The Rams love to run the ball in their zone scheme, but the 49ers have run it better in the two games, getting an average of 87.5 yards more per game on the ground. That’s where this game will be won. The team that runs it best will win. The 49ers need to run it take the pressure off Jimmy Garoppolo, while the Rams key their offense off that wide-zone scheme.

“As for attacking the 49ers defense, it’s simple. Block them against the pass and you will beat them. That’s something the Rams have not done. I don’t think they will do it here, either.

“The Rams are the star-studded team, but the 49ers are the more physical team. The last time a team won three games, including a conference title game on the road, against the same team in the same season came in 1999. That year, the Jacksonville Jaguars were the star-studded team, but it was the Tennessee Titans that were the more physical team. The Titans won the championship game to get to the Super Bowl on the Jaguars’ field. That will happen here as well. The 49ers will continue their run to a title with a tough, physical victory.” 

— CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco is calling the upset this weekend in the NFC. To read his conference championship column, click here.

“The Rams under Sean McVay are winless against Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers. The 3.5-point spread for the 49ers makes me think Vegas wants us all on San Francisco. The Niners swept the regular season series. San Francisco is a bad matchup for the Rams because the L.A. defense is designed to snuff out superstars on the other side of the ball and punish questionable offensive lines.

“The 49ers have plenty of stars but no alpha the offense runs through. Deebo Samuel isn’t someone you can just put Jalen Ramsey on. Using Ramsey on George Kittle works pretty well with Ramsey playing more in the slot, but George Kittle is used in run blocking so much it’s not necessarily maximizing his skillset. 

“My heart’s rooting for Stafford and my brain is sending off a Spidey Sense signal the Rams might be ready to break through. Maybe they get us the Chiefs-Rams Super Bowl we’ve been waiting on for a few years now. My wallet wants a 49ers-Bengals matchup and I picked just that before the playoffs. I can’t possibly lay down now.”

— CBS Sports’ Will Brinson had a tough time deciding between his heart and his mind on the NFC side of things. To read his picks column, click here.

“When these two teams have met in their second game each of the past three seasons, the Niners have won them each by a field goal as time expired. It’s uncanny. It’s hard to beat a good team three times, and I just don’t see it happening this weekend.”

— CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones is taking the Rams to get the last laugh on the 49ers. To read his Sunday picks and the NFL insider notebook, click here.

“The Rams were swept by the 49ers in the regular season. There’s no way they go 0-3 against Jimmy Garoppolo, right? A team losing three times to one opponent in the same season hasn’t happened since 2017. Additionally, if L.A. loses on Sunday, it would be Sean McVay’s seventh-straight loss to Kyle Shanahan. The last time a head coach lost to an opposing head coach seven straight times was Marvin Lewis and his Bengals struggling against Mike Tomlin’s Steelers.

“San Francisco’s comeback against the Rams in Week 18 was incredible, but I don’t think that happens again. The 49ers’ postseason run has been impressive, but it certainly hans’t been perfect. They almost blew a lead to the Dallas Cowboys in the first round and needed a blocked punt touchdown to down the Green Bay Packers last weekend. Matthew Stafford hasn’t been in this situation before, but I think he’s ready for it. He threw for 366 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and orchestrated a game-winning drive. He’s not going to let this opportunity to play in the Super Bowl in his new home stadium slip through his fingers. His legacy is still being established.”

— CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani is taking the Rams to win and cover vs. the 49ers. To read his weekly column, click here.

Before you make any 49ers vs. Rams picks or any other NFL predictions, you need to see which side SportsLine NFL expert Micah Roberts is on. Roberts has worked in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry for 20-plus years, including a 13-year run as Station Casinos’ book director. He is 10-6 against the spread in his last 16 NFL picks, for a profit of $345. In addition, Roberts has gone an astounding 10-1 in his last 11 picks involving San Francisco.

We can tell you he’s leaning Under, but head on over to SportsLine to see his against the spread pick.

49ers at Rams total picks

“These two teams hit the Over/Under once apiece this year in their two meetings. If you recall how their matchup went earlier this month, the Rams jumped out to a 17-0 lead, and the 49ers had to score 14 unanswered in the third quarter to tie the game. I don’t think the Rams get off to that hot of a start this time around. The 49ers’ path to victory includes controlling tempo and establishing the run. Betting unders in Championship Weekend isn’t fun, but that’s where my lean is.”

— CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani gives his thoughts on the total in the NFC Championship game. 

Before you make any 49ers vs. Rams picks, you need to check out the latest NFL predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model. The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up over $7,500 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception six-plus years ago. The model enters championship weekend in the 2021 NFL playoffs on an incredible 137-97 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. Amazingly, it hasn’t missed a top-rated pick since Week 14 of the regular season. To see what it has to say about the total this Sunday, click here.

Player props

Deebo Samuel receiving yards: Over 52.5 (-115). Samuel hasn’t crossed this number in the playoffs yet, and has caught just three passes in each postseason game. Still, he’s San Francisco’s most talented weapon, and the 49ers will have to ride him if they want to outscore Stafford. Samuel caught four passes for 95 yards in Week 18 vs. the Rams, and then five passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in their first meeting. He has averaged 87.8 receiving yards per game this season, and has that big-play ability where he can get to this number on just a few catches. 

Jimmy Garoppolo total interceptions: Over 0.5 (-140). Jimmy G has thrown an interception in each playoff game. Additionally, he threw two in both of the final regular-season games for a total of six interceptions thrown in his last four outings. Garoppolo’s last game where he didn’t throw an interception came Dec. 19 against the Atlanta Falcons, and he’s thrown at least one pick in 10 of 17 games played this year.

Matt Gay made extra points: Over 2.5 (+105). The 49ers haven’t had a team attempt or make three extra points against them in any game this postseason, which is a credit to their defense. But Gay has made at least three extra points in each of the last three games — including in Week 18 vs. the 49ers. He’s missed just one extra point all season.  

TD props

Cam Akers to score a touchdown: (-104). Akers made a miraculous return after suffering a torn Achilles in July. He hasn’t scored a touchdown in three games played, but McVay will get him one in this important home game. 

Kyle Juszczyk to score a touchdown: (+575). Juszczyk is one of the better players in the NFL even though he’s not a household name due to his position. Juszczyk has scored just two touchdowns all year, but has recorded two touches per game in each playoff contest. He caught two passes for 15 yards against the Cowboys and rushed two times for 14 yards against the Packers. This is obviously a flier, but when San Francisco gets in the red zone, look for him. 

Posted on

Bengals-Chiefs, 49ers-Rams – NFL playoff game picks, schedule guide, bold predictions, odds, injuries, matchup keys, more

Jan 28, 2022

  • ESPN staff

The NFL’s conference championship round for the 2021 season is stacked, and we’ve got you covered with what you need to know for Sunday’s NFC and AFC championships. Our NFL Nation reporters bring us the biggest keys to both games, a bold prediction for each matchup and, of course, final score picks.

Additionally, ESPN Stats & Information provides a big stat to know and a betting nugget for each contest, and our Football Power Index (FPI) goes inside the numbers with a matchup rating (on a scale of 1 to 100) and a game projection. Matt Bowen picks out a key matchup to watch for both games, and Kevin Seifert tells us what to know about the officiating. Everything you should know is here in one spot to help you get ready for a loaded two-game weekend of NFL playoff football.

First up, the Bengals head to Kansas City to face the Chiefs — an offensive showdown between Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. Then it’s NFC West foes facing off in the second game, with the 49ers matching up with the Rams for a third time this season. And remember: The winners are off to Super Bowl LVI.

Jump to: CIN-KC | SF-LAR

Sunday, 3 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 73.0 | Spread: KC -7.5 (54.5)

What to watch for: Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase wrecked the Chiefs in the December meeting between these teams, catching 11 passes for 266 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs undoubtedly won’t allow that to happen again, but at what cost? They mostly took away Buffalo receiver Stefon Diggs’ impact last week against the Bills, but then Gabriel Davis had a big game. And Cincinnati has receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd — plus running back Joe Mixon — along with Chase. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s schemes in this regard loom large. — Adam Teicher

Bold prediction: Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will throw for at least 390 yards. Kansas City leaned on a successful run game in the second half of the first matchup against Cincinnati, which led to a quiet game from Mahomes. But don’t be shocked if the reigning AFC champions look for more explosive plays in the passing game this time and get their revenge against the Bengals. Mahomes already has 782 passing yards and eight touchdown passes in two playoff games this season. — Ben Baby

Stat to know: Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow is the sixth player to enter a conference championship game with 50-plus sacks — and his 62 are easily the most. The previous five QBs all failed to reached the Super Bowl, and four of them saw their teams fail to score an offensive touchdown in that conference title game. However, Burrow is also the fifth player in the past 30 seasons to enter a conference championship game while leading the NFL in both completion percentage and yards per attempt (including playoffs). And these aren’t easy completions. The second-year QB has the NFL’s best completion percentage over expectation, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Bowen’s game-plan key: The Chiefs need to heat up Burrow in the pocket, and outside linebacker Melvin Ingram III could play a big part. Expect Kansas City to scheme him up and get him some one-on-one matchups. Read more on E+.

Injuries: Bengals | Chiefs

Seifert’s officiating outlook: Referee Bill Vinovich’s regular-season crew (crews change in the playoffs) annually throws the fewest flags among the NFL’s 17 crews, and this season was no exception. His crew averaged 10.9 flags per game, 34{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} less than the crew that called the most (Carl Cheffers, 16.6). He’ll preside over a game that features the NFL’s least-penalized team (Bengals, 84) and ninth most-penalized team (Chiefs, 129). Vinovich was the only referee in the NFL not to call a single roughing the passer penalty during the regular season, and his regular-season crew threw the third-fewest flags for holding (34).

Betting nugget: The Bengals have covered six straight games and four straight road games. They are also 5-1 against the spread as a road underdog this season. But Kansas City has covered six straight home games and is 7-1 against the spread in its past eight games against teams with winning records. Read more on E+.

Baby’s pick: Chiefs 31, Bengals 21
Teicher’s pick: Chiefs 34, Bengals 24
FPI prediction: KC, 69.6{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} (by an average of 6.7 points)

Matchup must-reads: Burrow can cement place among top young quarterbacks … Why Hill had to pivot this season … McShay: How Mahomes changed the way I scout QBs

Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET | Fox
Matchup rating: 84.8 | Spread: LAR -3.5 (45.5)

What to watch for: The 49ers have won six straight games over the division rival Rams, which includes a 17-point come-from-behind win in Week 18 to clinch a playoff berth. The Niners bring All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle, who have led a resilient, bruising brand of football, while the Rams have a proven knack for scoring quickly on explosive plays behind quarterback Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp, the NFL’s leading receiver. As for what the Rams must do to finally get the best of the Niners and advance to Super Bowl LVI? “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel here,” Kupp says. “It’s just about doing our job and taking this as a new week.” — Lindsey Thiry

Bold prediction: San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will throw three touchdown passes. He has yet to throw for a score in these playoffs and has only two touchdowns, and five interceptions, in his five playoff starts. But Garoppolo has a history of playing well against the Rams — he has a 71.7 Total QBR and won all six starts against them — and the Rams still have questions up the middle of their defense, allowing a 77{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} completion rate and 7.9 yards per attempt on throws inside the numbers this season. Buoyed by a strong run game, the oft-maligned Garoppolo will deliver on the big stage. — Nick Wagoner

Stat to know: Midseason acquisitions have been key for the Rams. Since joining Los Angeles in Week 10, receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is second on the team in receptions (37) and has caught a touchdown in six of 10 games played. He has caught 10 of 12 targets this postseason, too. And outside linebacker Von Miller has recorded at least one sack in six straight games, tied for the longest streak of his career (three other times, most recently in 2018). Opposing quarterbacks have posted a 2.3 Total QBR when both Miller and defensive tackle Aaron Donald rush the passer this postseason.

Bowen’s game-plan key: Watch for linebacker Fred Warner to play a role as a blitzer in the Niners’ tilted five-man fronts. San Francisco blitzed on more than a fourth of the Rams’ third-down plays in its Week 18 win this season. Read more on E+.

Injuries: 49ers | Rams

Seifert’s officiating outlook: Referee Carl Cheffers’ regular-season crew led the NFL with 16.6 flags thrown per game, but these two teams ranked among the 14 least-penalized teams in the league. The Rams saw 92 flags and the 49ers saw 117. During the regular season, Cheffers threw 10 flags for roughing the passer, tied for sixth most in the NFL, and 61 for offensive holding, second most in the league — though he will have a different crew on Sunday.

Betting nugget: Los Angeles is 6-2 against the spread in its past eight games, but San Francisco is 9-2 against the spread in its past 11 — with four straight covers. Plus, the 49ers are 4-1 against the spread in the playoffs under coach Kyle Shanahan. Read more on E+.

Wagoner’s pick: 49ers 30, Rams 23
Thiry’s pick: Rams 28, 49ers 24
FPI prediction: LAR, 59.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} (by an average of 3.1 points)

Matchup must-reads: Has Garoppolo reshaped his NFL future? … Beckham Jr. giving Rams boost in production, good vibes … Trash talk, a ticket blockade and a rivalry reborn: Rams and 49ers meet for NFC title … McVay: Whitworth, Rapp look on track to return … 49ers in wait-and-see mode with Williams’ injury … From ‘love of the game’ to Rams’ game winner: Inside the Stafford-Kupp pass

Posted on

What channel is Bills vs. Chiefs on today? Time, TV schedule for 2022 NFL playoff game

The No. 3 AFC seed Bills will travel to Kansas City to face the No. 2 Chiefs in the final divisional round playoff game of the weekend.

The Bills are coming off a historical 47-17 win over the Patriots, in which they became the first team in NFL history to go the entire game without punting the ball, kicking a field goal or having a turnover (along with many other records). Josh Allen threw for 308 yards and five touchdowns. The Chiefs are also coming off a dominant 42-21 win over the Steelers. Patrick Mahomes threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns during the game. 

The Bills beat the Chiefs 38-20 in their matchup this season. At the time, the Chiefs were 2-2 after that game. Since then, they’ve went 11-2. The two teams faced each other in last year’s AFC Championship game, which the Chiefs won 38-24 to send them to their second consecutive Super Bowl. They are trying to make history and make their third in a row this season.

These are two hot teams right now, so the matchup is expected to be close. The Chiefs are only 1.5-point favorites, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. 

MORE: Watch Bills vs. Chiefs live with fuboTV (free trial)

What channel is Bills vs. Chiefs on tonight?

  • TV channels: CBS
  • Live streams: Paramount+, fuboTV

The Bills vs. Chiefs matchup will be broadcast nationally on CBS with announcers Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call and Tracy Wolfson on the sidelines.

For those hoping to stream the matchup, CBS will carry the game on its streaming platform, Paramount+. You can also stream NFL games live online with fuboTV, which offers a free trial.

In Canada, viewers can watch Bills vs. Chiefs with a subscription to DAZN, which includes every NFL game.

Bills vs. Chiefs start time

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 23
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

The Bills vs. Chiefs game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

NFL live stream for Bills vs. Chiefs

If you don’t have access to CBS through a cable subscription, there are many other options you can look into to watch the Sunday night divisional round matchup.

Streaming option Cable subscription needed? Free? Cost Free trial?
Paramount+ No No $4.99/month yes
NFL App Yes Yes – –
Yahoo! Sports App No Yes – –
fuboTV No No $60/month Yes
AT&T TV Now No No $55/month Yes
Hulu Plus Live TV No No $55/month Yes
Sling TV No No $35/month No
YouTube TV No No $65/month Yes

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 22

Matchup
Bengals 19, Titans 16
49ers 13, Packers 10

Sunday, Jan. 23

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Rams vs. Buccaneers 3:00 p.m. ET NBC Peacock, fuboTV
Bills vs. Chiefs 6:30 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 30

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
AFC Championship Game 3:05 p.m. ET CBS Paramount+, fuboTV
NFC Championship Game 6:40 p.m. ET Fox Fox Sports app, fuboTV

Super Bowl 56

Sunday, Feb. 13

Matchup Start time TV channel Live stream
Super Bowl 56 6:30 p.m. ET NBC NBC Sports app, fuboTV

Posted on

NFL games today: Expert picks, predictions, props for NFL playoffs, Sunday divisional round schedule 2022

This weekend will decide who makes up our NFL “Final Four.” The divisional round of the playoffs has the potential to be the most entertaining round of the postseason and it certainly got off to a rousing start on Saturday.

The Cincinnati Bengals punched their ticket with a walk-off win on the road over the top-seeded Titans, while the 49ers sent Aaron Rodgers and the top-seeded Packers home early with a walk-off win as well. On Sunday, Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford face off for the second time this year, while the Chiefs and Bills tangle in a rematch of last season’s AFC title game. If you’re looking for advice on what lines to play on Sunday, you’ve come to the right spot.  

Every week, we collect all of the best picks and gambling content from CBSSports.com and SportsLine in one place, so you can get picks against the spread from our CBS Sports experts as well as additional feature content for each game, including plays from top SportsLine experts and the SportsLine Projection Model, best bets from our staff and more.

All NFL odds via Caesars Sportsbook.

Which picks can you make with confidence in the divisional round? And which Super Bowl contender goes down hard? Visit SportsLine, as their incredible model simulates every NFL game 10,000 times and is up over $7,500 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception six-plus years ago.

Time: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (NBC), stream on fuboTV (try for free)
Open: Buccaneers -3, O/U 48.5
Current: Buccaneers -2.5, O/U 48

“Tristan Wirfs being injured and his backup being shaken up really gives me concern. At some point, the injuries are going to catch up to the Buccaneers. Plus I had the Rams in the Super Bowl this year.” — CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones is eyeing an upset in this matchup. To read his insider notebook and the rest of his divisional round picks, click here.

“Both of these teams turned in strong performances in the wild card round, each winning by multiple scores. While the Rams defeated the Bucs in their regular-season matchup, I do think the calculus changes with this game being played at Raymond James Stadium. At home, the Buccaneers averaged an NFL-best 409.8 yards per game and an average margin of victory of 16.1 points, which also topped the league. 

“The Rams were also a statistically strong team on the road this year but were under .500 away from SoFi Stadium against the spread. Against teams with a winning record, L.A. was also 2-5 ATS over their last seven games. I see Tom Brady being able to negate the Rams pass rush with quick throws from the pocket and pick his way down the field to build up enough of a winning margin that goes above this field goal spread.” — CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan is taking the Buccaneers to win and cover the spread this week. To read his column, click here.

Before you make any Rams vs. Buccaneers picks or any other NFL predictions, you need to see which side R.J. White is on. A CBS Sports fantasy and gambling editor, White ended the 2020 season on an 80-59 run on all NFL picks, returning more than $1,400 during that span. It’s no surprise, as White has cashed huge twice in the world’s most prestigious football handicapping competition, the Las Vegas SuperContest. In addition, White has gone an astounding 33-18-4 on his last 55 picks involving Tampa Bay, returning nearly $1,300. You can see who R.J. is taking in the Rams-Bucs matchup over at SportsLine, and you can also get his top player prop pick for the game, along with more picks from SportsLine’s top NFL experts, in this featured article.

Time: Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on Paramount+ (click here)
Open: Chiefs -2.5, O/U 54.5
Current: Chiefs -2, O/U 54

“This is a rematch from a game earlier this season that the Bills won on the Chiefs’ home field. The Bills and Chiefs are both coming off impressive victories. Both Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen lit up their opponents last week, but this is a big step up for both in terms of defenses. The Bills have the top-ranked defense in the league and built their pass rush in the offseason to beat Mahomes. The Chiefs defense isn’t as good, but it played much better over the course of the second half of the season. The Chiefs love to blitz, which will leave Allen free to run and make throws on the run. I think that will be the difference here. The Bills behind Allen will win a fun shootout for the ages.” — CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco has the Bills pulling off the upset! To read his breakdown of every game, click here.

“What an absolute banger of a game. My CBS bosses are running pure right now, catching 49ers/Cowboys and now this Josh Allen/Patrick Mahomes matchup. If you claim to KNOW how this game will go, you’re a liar. Or Biff Tannen. This is a heavyweight title fight on divisional round weekend. Mahomes gets the edge at QB, even if Allen has played better of late. Andy Reid is a fairly big edge over Sean McDermott, but let’s not forget Reid FIRED McD from the Eagles. These teams have met plenty of times previously, but running through Bill Belichick/New England, Reid/K.C./Mahomes and then maybe even Tom Brady is a gauntlet. The Bills could snuff out some curses with a win here. I don’t think anyone can guarantee a winner here, so I’ll take the points and the scrappy underdog with the better roster in a shootout.” — CBS Sports’ Will Brinson likes the Bills to advance to the AFC Championship game. To read his picks column, click here. 

Before you make Bills vs. Chiefs picks or any other NFL predictions, you need to see which side SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein is on. This season he has been on fire. Hartstein is 70-46-1 in his last 117 NFL sides, for a profit of more than $1800. In addition, Hartstein has gone an astounding 23-8 in his last 31 picks involving Kansas City, returning $1,400 to $100 bettors! Anyone who has followed him is way up. You can see who Larry is taking in the Bills-Chiefs matchup over at SportsLine, and you can also get his top player prop pick for the game, along with more picks from SportsLine’s top NFL experts, in this featured article.