Sometimes the playoffs unfold exactly how we expect them to and other times there are twists and turns, and you never quite know who is going to advance. This feels like one of those years. Why do I say that? Well…the Bucs and Packers somehow managed to make it to the second round of the playoffs and I am fairly certain no one would have predicted that a month or so ago. Let’s break down the NFC 2023 Playoffs Divisional Matchups.
Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers
Saturday’s game will be the 10th playoff meeting between the franchises – the most between any two teams in NFL history – and the third in the past five postseasons. The Packers and the Niners have had some all-time great duals in the postseason with the Niners having far more success in recent years. Honestly, I am just shell shocked that the Packers are here after dominating the Cowboys in stunning fashion. Out of seemingly nowhere, Jordan Love looks like the next coming of Aaron Rodgers and the offense is as dangerous as they come in the NFC.It feels like most teams have 1-2 capable wide receivers whereas it feels like the Packers have 4-5 guys they can call on. Aaron Jones is on a tear and the young tight ends are adding juice as well.
All that said, the Green Bay defense is a massive liability, and I don’t think the Niners will have any issues carving them up in a big way. This team was able to rest a banged up Christian McCaffrey the last two weeks and the rest of the players that have been injured on their defensive front are now healthy. I expect big points from the Niners and their run game while I expect them to completely take out the Packers run attack. This feels like a blowout coming. Prediction: Packers 17 49ers 31
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions
Yet again…. who saw this one coming? The Bucs and Lions certainly weren’t the two that I had playing in this round but here we are. Baker Mayfield and this Bucs team shocked the Eagles by blowing the doors off them in Tampa Bay. Todd Bowles put on a defensive master class that we honestly haven’t seen since the Super Bowl where they effectively shut down the KC Cheifs. Are the Bucs legit? I would still say no. They have two wins this year over teams with winning records and it felt like the Eagles quit on their head coach and they were ready for the season to end.
The Lions get another game in front of their home crowd. These fans were boisterous during Wild Card weekend as they finally got their first playoff win in 32 years. I think this defense is too much for Tampa to handle. They held them to six points earlier in the year. The players to watch here are the cornerbacks. Tampa has had average play at corner at best and the Lions DBs are mouthing off about Baker Mayfield. This should be a heated battle, but I think the Lions roll on and head to the Bay for the NFC Championship game. Prediction: Bucs 17 Lions 28