Packers vs. 49ers: Updates and scores from the NFL playoffs

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday, CBS.

Line: TEN by 3 1/2.

Cote’s pick: TEN, 24-20.

This game has the lightweight, undercard feel of the four divisional round matchups, despite it involving the AFC’s top seed. Cincinnati is coming off its first playoff win in 31 years but has never in its history won a postseason road game (0-7). And Tennessee — behind Chiefs and Bills as a conference betting pick to reach Super Bowl — is after its first home playoff win since 2003. Titans are favored because they are off a bye, on a 7-1 run at home and now have beast-RB Derrick Henry back from injury for first time since October, though if or how much he plays was undetermined as of Thursday. Watch for the likelihood Bengals’ solid run defense will game-plan to force the result into Ryan Tannehill’s hands — but that’s a risk. ‘Gals lost two starting defensive linemen to injury last week, and their pass D has been vulnerable. Tennessee’s A-game defense will need to show, because if it becomes a shootout, odds will tip in favor Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr and crew. Give Cinderella Cincy a major upset shot, but lean rested Titans at home.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Saturday, Fox.

Line: GB by 6.

Cote’s pick: GB, 28-17.

This is the only game of the weekend quartet where no plausible upset shot was entertained. We have few betting tendencies that rise to the level of philosophy, but one is: “In Aaron Rodgers We Trust. Especially At Lambeau Field. In January.” That’s on top of the night start turning the temps way down, and Green Bay coming off a bye. Did I mention Pack is 8-0 at home by a combined 112-point margin? Credit Niners for getting this far from a 2-4 start, but it ends here. Packers edged Frans on a last-second field goal in Week 3 and enjoy a 9-2 series run at home vs. SF. Rodgers is 0-3 in the postseason vs. Niners but that’s a career blemish about to be erased. While Gee Bees are rested, the 49ers have injury issues. QB Jimmy Garoppolo will play through a shoulder injury, and SF’s two best defenders — sack man Nick Bosa (concussion) and top tackler Fred Warner (knee) — were iffy to play as of Thursday. Key to game will be GB’s blocking front vs. SF’s pass rush, but that’ll tip in Pack’s favor if Bosa can’t go. Any game now could be Rodgers’ last in a Packers uniform. But this won’t be the one.

TV: 3 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC.

Line: TB by 3.

Cote’s pick: TB, 28-24.

Rams are two wins away from playing a Super Bowl in their home stadium. Bucs and Tom Brady did that last season, and now aim to be NFL’s first repeat champions in 17 years. The Patriots last did it in 2003-04. (Brady’s Pats, of course). L.A. and Tampa both are coming off impressive wild-card wins, and Rams are nearly as good on road as Bucs are at home. Give LAR a medium upset shot, if only for Rams’ recent dominance in series, a 7-1 run vs. Tampa including a 34-24 September win in which Matthew Stafford tossed four TDs. Buccaneers have won 11 of past 12 home games, though, and Brady’s magic is historic legerdemain. I mean, his receiving corps is depleted, without Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown, yet he wins. His running back room also is a health mess, although, among Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones and Giovani Bernard, Brady should have at least one (maybe two?) behind Sunday. This pick makes me the most nervous of the four, but give T-Bay a slight edge both with the ball and without, plus the home field. Oh, and if Tom Brady has not earned your faith, then who?

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS.

Line: KC by 2

Cote’s pick: BUF, 31-28.

Upset! It is Buffalo’s time. This matchup has the heft of an AFC Championship Game. Maybe because it was, last year, Bills out front 9-0 but falling to Chiefs, 38-24. Buffs returned the favor in Week 5, silencing Arrowhead Stadium, 38-20. Now comes the rubber game, and I’m feeling Bills again. Offensively, Josh Allen can hang with Patrick Mahomes. In fact, in the October meeting Allen passed for 315 yards, ran for 59 and totaled four TDs. Part of the reason? Buffalo has a clear defensive edge over KC — especially against the pass. (And this week’s arrest of Chiefs starting LB Willie Gay on a property damage charge won’t help). Both teams dominated in the wild-card round but Bills’ perfect game vs. Patriots had their upside on full display. All 12 of Buffalo’s wins were by 12-plus points, and Chiefs are capable of the same dominance. Makes it a volatile pick because either team winning, or winning big, would not surprise. Always a risk betting against Mahomes and Andy Reid at home, but — bad news for the Dolphins, et al. — we’re feeling the onset of a Bills AFC takeover.

[Note: Betting lines are courtesy Caesars Sportsbook as of mid-afternoon Thursday].

Hamilton is a hybrid playmaker who combines the versatility of Isaiah Simmons with instincts that are reminiscent of Hall of Famer Ed Reed.

Thibodeaux is a top-tier athlete who wins with speed and has shown surprising coverage versatility. His ceiling is massively high, but it might take a few years for his technique and toolbox to catch up to his talent.

Hutchinson's season was shades of Chase Young's 2019 dominant campaign, culminating in him finishing second in the Heisman voting. He's a high-floor prospect who wins with technique and strength.

Stingley features rare ball-tracking skills that make him a threat to take the ball away anytime it's in his vicinity. As an 18-year-old, he produced one of the most impressive true freshman seasons in college football history in 2019. Durability has been a concern ever since.

Karlaftis has been one of the most consistent pass rushers in the nation during his three seasons in West Lafayette. His inside-outside versatility, overwhelming power and special athleticism could make him a star at the next level.

Neal is a physical specimen (6-foot-7, 350 pounds) who has improved every season in Tuscaloosa and thrived at both left and right tackle.

Lloyd can rush the passer (he had seven sacks), impact the run game and make plays in coverage — he had four interceptions this season.

Ekwonu was the most dominant run-blocking tackle in the country this season — it really wasn't close — and I envision him thriving at tackle or guard in the NFL.

The Rimington Trophy winner and unanimous All-American was a multisport athlete in high school who earned multiple letters in wrestling, track, baseball and football.

Gardner made it through the playoff loss to Alabama unscathed. He finished his collegiate career with 1,100-plus snaps with nine interceptions and zero touchdowns allowed.

Elam is a 6-foot-2 corner with elite ball skills who fine-tuned his technique after an underwhelming sophomore season. His game is built on speed and physicality, which you normally don't see in the same toolkit.

Dotson features the game-breaking speed to beat defenses at all three levels and is good against press coverage despite his size (5-11, 185). He has very good hands and is a very capable blocker.

Johnson is capable of being three-down player as a potentially elite run defender and an underrated pass rusher.

Battle features the speed and athleticism to play center field or defend both sidelines, but he excels as a run defender.

The former five-star recruit needs to fine tune his tackling technique, but his combination of size (6-foot-3, 240 pounds), athleticism and coverage skills is impressive.

The two-time All-American has the size and skills — Hall is very capable in pass pro — to be a three-down back. His 800 collegiate touches will concern some scouts.

The former tight end turned tackle graded out as one of the best offensive lineman in the country, according to Pro Football Focus. Raimann allowed zero pressures over his last six games.

Penning finished tied for 10th in the Walter Payton Award voting, an award given to the most outstanding offensive player in Division I FCS.