Nat Coombs' NFL Divisional Round Tips Including Rams @ Bears
Eight teams remain in the NFL play-offs and after this weekend's action, we'll know which teams will contest the AFC and NFC Conference Championship games.
TalkSPORT presenter and FIVE TV pundit Nat Coombs is once again sharing three more tips for this weekend's contests, using the latest odds from BetMGM.
Nat Coombs' NFL Divisional Round Tips:
- Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 1: Rams @ Bears: Rams (-3.5) - 17/20 With BetMGM
- Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 2: 49ers @ Seahawks: 49ers (+7.5) - 4/5 With BetMGM
- Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 3: Bills @ Broncos: Bills (+1.5) - 22/25 With BetMGM
Rams @ Bears: LA Journey To Continue
I’ve been big on the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl chances for much of the season, and although they’ll have to do it the hard way on the road to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, I’m still backing Sean McVay’s balanced (special teams notwithstanding) and adaptable team.
Adverse weather conditions are highly possible for the Rams' journey to Chicago's Soldier Field, which romantically leans in the Bears' favour.
Icy, jarring conditions evoke vintage Championship wins for Chicago, but in reality, a snow game, or at least a freezing tundra, plays to LA’s strength more.
GAME STATS:
The 2nd half has been the highest-scoring half in:
Rams' last 4 games
6 of Bears' last 7
The Rams should have Kevin Dotson back on their offensive line, which is hugely significant as their ground game improves dramatically with him in the line-up.
They’ll continue to lean on running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum as the catalyst for this offense, with quarterback Matthew Stafford - whose hand injury sustained in their Wild Card round win is still a concern - leaning into play-action dropbacks like they’re going out of style.
The comeback kings Bears now have seven fourth-quarter comebacks and counting this season, including last week's 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Quarterback Caleb Williams is a playmaker and eminently watchable, despite his completion consistency issues.
GAME STATS:
The Rams have scored points in each of the last 10 quarters
The Bears have conceded points in 14 of last 15 quarters
The emerging trifecta of receivers DJ Moore, Rome Odunze (who is battling a stress fracture in his foot) and Luther Burden against a gettable Rams secondary will be the focus.
As will the elusive nature of Williams against Rams linebacker Jared Verse and LA's potent edge rush.
The line on betting apps may appear hugely disrespectful to the higher-seeded Bears and their home-field advantage, but this is where the impressive first season for Chicago's head coach Ben Johnson comes to a gallant end.
Nat's Selection 1: Rams @ Bears: Rams (-3.5) - 17/20 With BetMGM
49ers @ Seahawks: San Fran To Cover
San Francisco's trip to Seattle is an intriguing match-up, not least because it pits two head coaches who had remarkable seasons.
The defensive potency of the Seahawks, developed expertly by Mike McDonald (not to mention defensive coordinator Aden Durde from the UK), against the offensive masterclasses consistently doled out by 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan - despite an abundance of injuries and a short-stacked roster for much of the season.
San Francisco are up against it again with elite tight end George Kittle the latest casualty, but as he has done all season long, Shanahan can scheme a way through adversity.
GAME STATS:
Seahawks offense ranked 5th with just 27 sacks allowed
49ers defense ranked 32nd with just 21 QB sacks
It's promising news that linebacker Fred Warner is back training for the 49ers, although he might not be ready for the formidable test ahead against Seattle.
The fitness of all-pro tackle Trent Williams will be key in this game. Williams has been affected by a hamstring injury, which he played through in the Wild Card win over Philadelphia last weekend, and he has been managed carefully this week.
The Seahawks, like the Rams, are a balanced crew, with the continued rehabilitation of Sam Darnold extending to the formerly much-maligned quarterback adding clutch, prime-time wins to his fast-improving resume.
The absence of which tainted his impressive year in Minnesota last season. He’s demonstrated that when on song, he’s a top-five quarterback in the league.
GAME STATS:
Total points in the last 3 meetings between
the 49ers & Seahawks: 37, 30, 16
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has delivered one of the greatest seasons for a wide receiver in the modern era, plus Darnold will be getting Charlie Cross, his blindside tackle back.
However, doubts remain as to Darnold's composure when the stakes are at their highest.
The atmosphere will be raucous, and Seattle should advance to the Championship round, but I’m taking Shanahan to dial up enough to keep it honest.
Nat's Selection 2: 49ers @ Seahawks: 49ers (+7.5) - 4/5 With BetMGM
Bills @ Broncos: Buffalo Need Superman Josh
This is a favourable match-up for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, who may be underwhelming at the wide receiver position with injuries to Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers adding to that issue.
However, they can capitalise on the dual-threat capability of Allen and his tag-team partner running back James Cook, in the number-one ranked rushing attack in the league.
Conversely, Buffalo's defensive weak link is stopping the run and that may not be exploited by the Denver Broncos compared to other teams.
GAME STATS:
Bills offense ranked #1 with 159.6 rushing yards per game
Broncos defense ranked #2 with 91.1 rushing yards per game
Even more so than Seattle's quarterback Darnold, Broncos' Bo Nix is untested at this level.
As such, this could be a tense, cagey affair, settled by an X-factor moment and if that’s the case, I’m backing Allen and his Clark Kent impression every time.
Nat's Selection 3: Bills @ Broncos: Bills (+1.5) - 22/25 With BetMGM
Nat's Divisional round treble pays out around 21/4 With BetMGM.
Which bet do you like in the NFL this weekend? Let us know in the comments below.
