NFL Playoffs - Divisional Round Details and Early Picks
Mates,
Who would've thought we would actually care what the Lions would be doing in....January, but here it is. With Tampa Bay beating Philly last night, we get the Bucs at Ford Field on Sunday, game time 3:00. Credit to Baker Mayfield, he played very well last night and has done a good job this year. But....Tampa can't run the ball. We'll see if that holds true on Sunday but I like our chances. We are 6 pt favorites. Anyway, quick and early game line-ups are these, with the home team the favorite in every game:
Saturday
Ravens 9 Houston
SF Niners 10 Green Bay (G-Bay is hot right now...)
Sunday
Detroit 6 Tampa Bay
Buffalo 3 Chiefs
As noted, the Pack has shown some real signs of life. As good as SF has been, they have also proved to be human. Probably healthy now though, with a week off, so Green Bay will have their work cut out for them.
1. Lions game in particular, what is/are your predictions/thoughts/pick?
2. The rest of the games, who survives and advances? All chalk, the favorites? NFL less upset prone, right?
Forward down the field,
XM
January 16th, 2024 at 7:20 AM ^
Go Bills!
January 16th, 2024 at 7:24 AM ^
Haven't watched much of the Lions this season (this century, really) as opposed to Michigan games. Sobering to see how the Lions' defense performs (especially the secondary) compared to Michigan's.
Hopefully it will be enough.
January 16th, 2024 at 7:46 AM ^
The Lions do have the #2 run defense. They play a lot of zone allowing teams to move it in between the 20's hoping to make them kick field goals in the red zone. It worked vs the Rams as they went 0/3...Det 3/3.
Tampa game will be a double digit win. SF not so much but you never know.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:18 AM ^
The Lions could use a Ravens-style defense.
/s
January 16th, 2024 at 9:49 AM ^
Why the /s? The Lions REALLY could use a Ravens-syle defense.
January 16th, 2024 at 7:28 AM ^
Conf:
D Niners —> Detroit wins
Ravens Chiefs —> Ravens wins
then Lions fires Campbell for bad defense, names Jim Harbaugh as HC.
Super Bowl:
Detroit beats Ravens 3-2
January 16th, 2024 at 7:28 AM ^
I love this for Detroit. I think they do well this week and end up in SF for the NFC Championships. That will likely be it for this year, but that is an amazing feat considering where they've been.
Ravens will take out Houston. Chiefs will stop the Bills.
I am expecting a repeat of the Harbaugh Bowl SF vs. Baltimore.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:42 AM ^
1 vs 1 ???
That's no fun - where's your adventure?
January 16th, 2024 at 12:29 PM ^
Lions withdraw on Thursday. Vikings are inserted as a replacement. Kork comes out with robotic legs and runs for 400 yds, with no shoes. Hutch quits the NFL to open a dispensary on S. University in the old Middle Earth building. Mitch McGary is his head of sales. The Ford family sells the team to Eminem and Dre. The Lions don't make the playoffs for another 30 years when Jay Harbaugh's grandkid is the kicker. He is a perfect 94/94 on field goals. The team only manages one touchdown the entire season.
January 16th, 2024 at 7:34 AM ^
Packers and Bucs will both get rolled. The underdog wildcard team that plays way over their heads in the 1st round typically look like shit the following week, as if they are content with the one playoff win.
Ravens should win and the Chiefs/Bills game should be fantastic. I hate the Chiefs. I am sick of Mahomes and seeing has face everywhere. Those State Farm commercials as beyond annoying now.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:20 AM ^
As sick as I am of Mahomes, I'm more sick of Kelce and his hanger-on.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:29 AM ^
Mahomes is one homely dude, and Kelce/Swift news is daggers to my ears. GO BILLS!
January 16th, 2024 at 8:43 AM ^
Whoops, getting negged for that comment. I guess we have some swifties on here.
I might have to start naming names.
January 16th, 2024 at 9:16 AM ^
100% agree. I forgot to list them in my many Chiefs grievances - lol
January 16th, 2024 at 12:44 PM ^
Welcome! There's plenty of room on the Bills' bandwagon, even if you're just rooting against the Chiefs! I was in high school when the four straight SB losses started and would love to see my team shake those ghosts this year. Go Bills!
January 16th, 2024 at 2:17 PM ^
We all know you have a Taylor Swift poster in your room.
Nothing to be ashamed of.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:45 AM ^
If we can just get rid of Andy Reid asking for him to explain insurance with some nuggies, I’ll be content.
January 16th, 2024 at 7:41 AM ^
Pack is hot so pick'em there. Hutch will feast as I see Tampa as a good matchup for us (a third straight home game? Please keep getting healthier Laporta.
Ravens against...
January 16th, 2024 at 7:43 AM ^
Ravens and Lions for sure winning. I think Lions game will be closer than people think, but they ultimately win. I also think Texans/Ravens will be a competitive matchup.
If I had to pick an upset, I’d say GB over SF. No real basis for it. I still think SF wins but I would not be shocked if GB did.
Would like to see the Bills win, but I don’t think the refs are going to let that happen. I used to like Mahomes but I’m so sick of his incessant whining.
January 16th, 2024 at 7:53 AM ^
So you are not a Swifty?
January 16th, 2024 at 8:08 AM ^
lol I actually do like her and her music. I like Kelce too. I’m just Mahomes’d out, especially bc of all the whining about calls.
January 16th, 2024 at 7:52 AM ^
The Rams didn’t run the ball very well either once their RB got banged up and that worked out fine as the Lions secondary got smoked all night long.
Now, Mayfield is not Stafford but he’s got some dudes in his receiver room. The Bucs defense is likely a step above the Rams so scoring TDs vs FGs is the game.
I’ll take the Lions 27-24 but TB won’t be a pushover. If the Lions don’t turn the ball over, I like them to win.
Also give me the Ravens, 49ers, and Chiefs to move on.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:06 AM ^
lot of underdog picks for the chiefs. i was pretty impressed with the bills yesterday and they get the home game. i think the bills win. the chiefs are a good team, but they have taken a step back since last year and the year before. some of that mahomes magic seems to have dissipated, and maybe losing tarik hill is part of the reason.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:22 AM ^
Chiefs-Bills is a toss up for me but Patrick Mahomes seems to be complaining enough to get the important calls. It’s a moot point as the Ravens shouldn’t have an issue getting out of the AFC.
Should be some great divisional round games.
January 16th, 2024 at 10:16 AM ^
The big issue with the Bills are defensive injuries, especially at LB and in the secondary. It's hit them hard this season and they lost a few more guys on Sunday. I think all the LBs that were playing in the second half were backups. They've fought tooth and claw to get to this point, but I just don't know if they have enough juice to down KC.
January 16th, 2024 at 11:11 AM ^
KC WRs mostly suck tho. Offset.
Bills want revenge for that game a few years back they lost due to not getting the ball in OT (on e of the best games I can remember)
January 17th, 2024 at 7:01 AM ^
Where is the Bills backup stadium...Siberia?
January 16th, 2024 at 2:08 PM ^
I wouldn't say the Rams' run game issues "worked out fine" given that you could connect their RZ struggles to lack of being able to run it. I agree that TB won't necessarily be an easy win but I definitely don't think they're better than the Rams.
All this said - we are talking about the Lions likely winning a divisional round game. What planet are we on?!
January 16th, 2024 at 8:09 AM ^
Oh boy. Packers at Lions to decide who goes to the Superbowl!!!
January 16th, 2024 at 8:46 AM ^
Why do I feel PTSD at the sound of 'Packers-Lions'???
January 16th, 2024 at 11:12 AM ^
Same. Damn Sterling Sharpe.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:17 AM ^
I don't really follow the NFL, although I watch the playoffs bc the college football season is over and....it's football. I'm a native Detroiter/Ann Arborite but have never been invested in the Lions b/c what's the point? Rooting for them this year and see them as likely to beat TB at Ford Field.
I do actually like the 49ers from a distance, particularly George Kittle who played here at Iowa (where I have lived for ~30 years). They should beat GB although the Pack will show a little spark along the way and hang in there if SF isn't playing their best.
Bills over Chiefs b/c it's a home game and their best chance of finally returning to the SB with one more win beyond that. Ravens over HOU because of course. I still marvel at how badly we (Michigan) confused and beat down CJ Stroud given how good he's been this year in the NFL.
No matter what happens I am still SO HAPPY to have the National Championship in our back pocket.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:20 AM ^
Give me Houston to cover. Way too many points for Lamar to cover, hes a playoff choke artist, gonna need to see him do it to believe it
San Fran rolls, i think GB winning over Dallas really got SF's attention. They will be lazer focused and GB comes back to earth
Lions kick the crap out of Baker. Philly quit and TB looked far better than what they really are(a team that squeaked i to the playoffs)
Buffalo and KC i havent a clue, its essentially a pick em at -3 Bills as the home team. Lean Bills with a gun to my head
January 16th, 2024 at 8:21 AM ^
TB looked good at home vs the Patricia "D" of Philly. Lions D, although not perfect, will be a definite step up in level of difficulty for TB.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:31 AM ^
I like the home favorites until you get to the Buffalo/KC matchup. I have no idea who will win that game. As a Browns fan, I'm hoping for a Lions/Bills Super Bowl. I really enjoy the way Josh Allen plays the game. He's turnover prone at times, but that dude has no fear. He will take a linebacker head on to get a few extra yards or try to sling it into some insanely tight windows. Would suit up with a guy like that anytime.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:35 AM ^
This is the best weekend of pro football in my opinion.
I would like the Chefs to be on the receiving end of a particularly painful loss to Buffalo, both Mahomes and Allen deserve it.
Ravens vs Bills
49ers vs Lions
January 16th, 2024 at 9:20 AM ^
Absolutely the best. Two good games each day. Next week is 2nd best. Super Bowl is filled with way too much bullshit with a game mixed in.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:41 AM ^
Interesting that there will be no cold weather games for the Lions. That's good for Goff's tiny hands. I think home field carries the Lions to a win on Sunday but it will be close. Niners and Ravens will roll. I lean Buffalo but that game could go either way.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:46 AM ^
Lions win big. Tampa not that good. Beat a disinterested Eagles team.
Packers upset SF. Purdy is an average QB.
Bills get over the Chiefs hump.
Ravens beat Texans.
Lions beat Packers and head to first SB.
Bills upset Ravens.
Lions shock the world and beat the Bills.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:53 AM ^
The city of Detroit would cease to exist if this happens. The entire city would crumple to its knees, explode, and burn down - all at the same time. And what a celebration it would be!
January 16th, 2024 at 8:49 AM ^
If I’m on anybody it’s KC and Tampa. Tampa has the more recent playoff experience, and even after the first weekend of games it matters. I had the Rams +3 and got the best of both worlds.
January 16th, 2024 at 8:58 AM ^
Rooting like crazy for a Lions - Bills super bowl! One long-suffering fan franchise with no super bowl wins; 4 straight losses in the 90's for the Bills and 0 appearances for the Lions in this scenario.
January 16th, 2024 at 9:05 AM ^
In the Wild Card round, five of six home teams won. The lone outlier was Dallas.
I’ll go with the Packers over SF.
Ravens and Bills defend their home turf. And, the Lions win again in Ford Field.
The Lions will kickoff realizing a third home game will be available with a win.. and, they’ll host the Packers for the conference title.
January 16th, 2024 at 11:17 AM ^
Some recency bias with the Packers - yes played great v Dallas but it's the same team that recently lost to Tampa and won by a FG over pathetic Carolina. That said I hope they win.
January 16th, 2024 at 9:15 AM ^
Hey mgoblog, it's your favorite cheesehead here. We did it again. See you in Detroit. Tailgating downtown can be a little sparse but the old fashioneds and spotted cow will be flowing once we get to that point, I can promise you that. Lots of Love!
January 16th, 2024 at 9:25 AM ^
BB - I give you credit - Lambeau has the best neighborhood tailgating in the NFL.
January 16th, 2024 at 9:33 AM ^
second on lambeau. when we lived in the UP we went to a couple of games there, including the NFC championship game v. carolina. was great to see the pack fans and the panther fans tailgating together in the winter weather, having a great time. the exact, polar, universal opposite of going to, say, a raider's game where the fights never stopped and they were vicious.
January 16th, 2024 at 9:36 AM ^
Would love to see the Bills win. As I think about this, I'm trying to wonder:
1) Has Mahomes EVER had to play a road playoff game as a starter?
2) Has he ever had to travel to Buffalo? Seems like the last 3-4 years, KC and Buffalo have played every year, but each matchup seems to find itself in KC.
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I'd take SF, but if there's one thing the Giants of 10-15 years ago taught me, its that there probably isn't a more dangerous team in the NFL that comes into the playoffs getting hot at the absolute right time. SF advancing is far from a foregone conclusion.
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I think Tampa has a puncher's chance against Detroit. Like him or don't, Baker has played some pretty good, occasionally great football down the stretch, and that duo of Evans and Godwin is always a tough one to crack. I don't think much of Todd Bowles as a HC, but he always has good defenses so I think that unit will be ready on Sunday. What I think does Tampa in is that they just can't run the ball, and they had so many drops last night on throws from Baker that were very, very catchable.
They have a chance to win, and its always tough to beat the same team twice in one season, but tough to pick against Detroit here.
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January 16th, 2024 at 11:19 AM ^
On #1 - no. Don't know about #2.
Feels like we play Seahawks at home all the time and @ Dallas all the time, weird how you can play the same team 2 out of 3 years and rarely change venues. Like that one run we played Wisconsin like 8 years in a row.
January 16th, 2024 at 9:47 AM ^
Detroit -6 over Tampa
Bills ML
Green Bay +10 (SF still wins but its going to be close)
Ravens -9 (MM is still in CJ Stroud's nightmares for what occurred in 2021. While he's been great, I don't see a rookie QB beating this Ravens team).