That’s the thought behind this, and how the coaching staffs and players for each of the eight teams left in the postseason should be thinking as the Divisional Round arrives. Conservative play calling or performance won’t get teams to the next round, one step closer to a Lombardi Trophy.

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Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers

1. Jalen Ramsey shuts down Davante Adams.

The Rams defense allowed 17 passing touchdowns this season. Adams caught 18 all by himself. Green Bay’s star wide receiver is a walking, talking 100-yard-per-game guy and menace in the red zone. But he’ll meet his match in Ramsey, the best corner in the sport.

2. Cam Akers runs wild again.

The rookie running back might be the biggest cheat code down the stretch of the NFL season. Baltimore’s J.K. Dobbins is running with force. Jonathan Taylor dragged the Colts to the playoffs. Now it’s Akers’ turn to steal the show, and he’ll do it vs. a Packers defense that allowed 4.5 yards per carry during the season.

3. Jared Goff finishes with a higher passer rating than Aaron Rodgers.

Here’s a really bold one for you. Rodgers is headed for the league MVP award, and it’s well deserved. His 121.5 passer rating is truly remarkable, and one of the best ever for a single season. But it won’t matter when Aaron Donald is harassing him all game. Meanwhile, Goff’s thumb is on the mend and a game of efficiency awaits vs. a solid, but unspectacular Packers defense.

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills

1. Lamar Jackson goes over 100 yards rushing again.

This thought hit me while watching Baltimore’s Super Wild Card Weekend win over the Titans: Teams can’t actually stop Jackson. The Ravens only lose when Jackson stops himself or turns the ball over. There’s no defense for this guy. Buffalo will find out the hard way.

2. Josh Allen’s sloppiness costs Buffalo.

Allen’s improvement as a thrower of the football has been remarkable to watch. One area that needs to be fixed next: Fumbling. Allen has fumbled 10 times this season, including one last week vs. the Colts. The Ravens defense knows it, and will go after the ball at all times during the pass rush. Allen will put the ball on the ground in this one, and it will hurt the Bills.

3. The Ravens close out an upset win with a 10-minute drive.

After allowing 4.7 yards per rush during the regular season (25th in the NFL), the Colts (163 yards on 30 carries) ran all over Buffalo last week. If you thought that was bad, wait until the Ravens ice an upset win with a clock-controlling drive in the fourth quarter.

Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs

1. The Browns will pick up where they left off in Pittsburgh.

Nick Chubb for 17. Kareem Hunt for 10. Chubb for 12. Hunt for 6. Chubb to the end zone! Get ready for the Browns to march down the field and score early on at Arrowhead.

2. Baker Mayfield will throw a back-breaking interception in the second half.

The Browns have a chance in this game, and possess the kind of running game that will give the Chiefs trouble. But at some point, Mayfield (who has done a great job protecting the ball) will try to force one to put points on the board. It’ll go back the other way.

3. Kansas City will not cover the double-digit point spread.

The Chiefs haven’t won a game by more than six points six Week 8. They might clear that bar in this one, but taking the Browns and the points feels like the smart play. Kansas City sleep walks through games too often, and Cleveand’s running game could limit possessions to keep the game closer than the talent disparity would dictate.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

1. Antonio Brown will find the end zone twice.

Have you noticed Brown’s resurgence and place in the Bucs offense in recent weeks?

Week 15: 7 targets, 93 yards, 1 TD

Week 16: 6 targets, 35 yards, 1 TD

Week 17: 15 targets, 138 yards, 2 TD

Super Wild Card Weekend: 3 targets, 49 yards, 1 TD

Watch out, Saints.

2. The Saints will win in spite of Drew Brees.

Brees’ arm looks worse and worse by the week, and this New Orleans team feels more and more like the 2015 Broncos with Peyton Manning. A win will commence, but few will feel great about New Orleans’ chances next week.

3. A controversial call will decide the game.

It wouldn’t be a big playoff game in New Orleans without some sort of controversy, right?

Eight teams remain in the divisional round of the 2021 NFL playoffs after an eventful Super Wild Card Weekend. Teams left in the playoffs include: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams.

Check out the full NFL playoff schedule for 2021 below as well as scores for AFC and NFC games, TV channels, networks, how to watch information and much more. Plus, read more about the 2021 Super Bowl here and check back after Championship Sunday to see who’s in the Super Bowl.

The A.F.C.’s young quarterbacks fight for a trip to the conference championship, while veterans, and defense, lead the way in the N.F.C.

Few thought the Los Angeles Rams or the Cleveland Browns would get this far, and the Buffalo Bills had far more success than could be expected. The Baltimore Ravens stormed back into contention, a pair of 40-something quarterbacks will face off in New Orleans and everyone is (or should be) scared of the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The wheat has been separated from the chaff, and the divisional round will narrow things further.

Here is a look at this weekend’s N.F.L. playoff matchups. Unlike in the regular season, the picks are not made against the point spread.

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