NFL Divisional Weekend
The NFL Divisional round playoffs are here! Several underdogs (Houston, Tampa Bay, Green Bay) have made it to this spot. There aren’t many people giving these teams chances to advance to either of the conference title games. However, this is why they play the games! We’ll offer analysis and predictions for all four of these fantastic matchups this upcoming weekend.
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
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Kick-off: Saturday, January 20 at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m PT
Houston dismantled Cleveland over the weekend in a rather impressive fashion. Stud rookie QB C.J. Stroud threw for 274 yards and 3 TDs in the win. The defense played lights out — registering two interceptions, 4.0 sacks. 11.0 TFL, and allowing only 14 points. While that was a fantastic result for Houston, this week’s challenge becomes far more difficult.
The Texans have to slow down one of the league’s top offenses on the road in a very hostile environment. With such a young roster, head coach DeMeco Ryans has to hope his squad won’t get overwhelmed by the moment. We have a lot of faith in Stroud one day becoming among the best signal-callers in the league. With that said, he’ll be going up against the expected league MVP in Lamar Jackson, along with a host of very experienced coaches and players.
The Texans will eventually get there…but they’re still a ways away from being able to compete for a Super Bowl spot.
Prediction: Baltimore 30, Houston 17
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
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Kick-off: Saturday, January 20 at 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT
This is somewhat of a scary game for the 49ers. With a week off, they watched Green Bay run roughshod over Dallas on the road. The game wasn’t all that close, and the Packers demonstrated some immense firepower en route to the sizable win.
San Francisco will have to make life difficult for California native Jordan Love. Growing up only a few hours South in Bakersfield, he’ll surely be amped for this contest. The Niners will have to rely on its elite defensive line to disrupt Love and his timing. This could be a higher-scoring game than anticipated. If San Francisco can withstand any semblance of early momentum from the Packers, it should be able to ease into the game and control it from that point on. Brock Purdy will also have to take care of the football for this to happen.
Prediction: San Francisco 34, Green Bay 26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions
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Kick-off: Sunday, January 21 at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT
Sunday’s NFC showdown features two former No. 1 overall picks looking to make a statement after being sent away by the team that originally drafted them. Jared Goff already got revenge on his previous team, the Los Angeles Rams, in an emotional win over Wild Card weekend. Tampa’s Baker Mayfield got to watch the team who drafted him back in 2018, the Cleveland Browns, get blown out by the Houston Texans — while Mayfield led his Buccaneers to a convincing victory over the Eagles. These two QBs have carried a chip on their shoulders after the beginning of their careers did not go as planned. It will be intriguing to see which rises under the pressure, and which falls back into old habits.
While the quarterbacks will receive a ton of coverage heading into the game, this matchup will likely be decided by the skill positions. Both teams boast plenty of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. The Lions will hope TE Sam LaPorta can be a difference-maker despite dealing with an injury. Tampa saw the less-heralded pass catchers step up in their Wild Card win — Cade Otton, David Moore, and Trey Palmer combined for 211 yards and 2 TDs. Good luck stopping this receiving corps if that trend continues. Detroit clobbered Tampa 20-6 back in Week 6. While we think the score will be closer this time around, we’re still taking the Lions to advance.
Prediction: Detroit 30, Tampa Bay 20
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
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Kick-off: Sunday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT
Another showdown between two AFC rivals. This will be the third time Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen have faced off in the postseason. Mahomes got the better of Allen the first two times, though Allen’s Bills have bested Mahomes’ Chiefs in each of the last three regular-season matchups. We’re sure to see some fireworks in this one, even with a frigid forecast on the horizon.
Defensively, both of these teams have been extremely stingy as of late. The Bills are surrendering just 16 PPG over their current six-game winning streak. On Kansas City’s side, this is the best defensive group they’ve had since Mahomes has been under center. The Chiefs’ defense finished second in scoring and has not surrendered 30 points in a game all year. This one likely comes down to which quarterback can avoid the biggest mistakes. Advantage goes to Mahomes and Kansas City.
Prediction: Kansas City 27, Buffalo 24
