NFL Playoffs Upset Alert! Underdog Jaguars & Chargers To Shock The World?

Wild Card Weekend is upon us, and if you're looking for a betting edge, one analyst is going against the grain. Geoff Schwartz, known for his keen insights and willingness to back his convictions, is eyeing a couple of underdogs he believes are primed for upsets. Forget the conventional wisdom, Schwartz is betting on the Jaguars and the Chargers to make some noise.

NFL Playoffs Upset Alert! Underdog Jaguars & Charg...

One of Schwartz's bolder predictions involves the Los Angeles Rams and their backup running back, Blake Corum. He's not necessarily picking the Rams to win outright, but he's putting his money on Corum exceeding his rushing prop. "It’s an NFL playoff game and 10 points is way too much," Schwartz explains, clearly expecting a comfortable Rams victory. His reasoning is simple: when a team is dominating, the backup running back gets more opportunities. Late in the game, with a lead in hand, teams lean on the ground game to bleed the clock.

Corum's recent usage further bolsters Schwartz's confidence. Even when the Rams aren't blowing teams out, Corum is seeing significant action. Since their bye week, he's consistently been involved in the offense, logging at least 10 carries in six of their last ten games. He's also consistently surpassed 43 rushing yards in those games. "I believe the Rams will control the line of scrimmage and use Corum to help them do that," Schwartz confidently states. It's a solid bet based on game script and recent performance.

But Schwartz's biggest gamble might be backing the Jacksonville Jaguars as underdogs against the Buffalo Bills. "The wrong team is favored in this game," he declares. He attributes the Bills' favored status to a "Josh Allen tax," suggesting that oddsmakers inflate the line due to Allen's popularity and perceived impact. While Allen is undoubtedly a star, Schwartz argues that the Jaguars possess the defensive prowess to contain him. Their league-leading rushing defense could stifle the Bills' ground game, forcing Allen into uncomfortable passing situations against a stout Jacksonville secondary.

On the Jaguars' side, Trevor Lawrence, who's been sneakily effective as a rusher himself, is poised to manage the game efficiently. "Lawrence can continue to take the shots when they are available, but otherwise, he can just play the game as designed," Schwartz advises. A steady, mistake-free performance from Lawrence could be enough to secure a Jaguars victory. The Pick: Jaguars (+1.5). Take them to lose by less than 1.5 or win the game.

Finally, Schwartz takes a dim view of the New England Patriots playoff prospects, predicting a early exit. Even with a phenomenal season led by Drake Maye, he points to a weak regular season schedule. In his view, the Patriots haven't been tested against top-tier competition. The Los Angeles Chargers, in his view, represent a significant step up in competition. "This could be problematic for this young Pats squad," he concludes. Only time will tell if Schwartz's underdog picks pay off, but one thing's for sure: he's not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom.