The final 8 teams are set in the NFL. There are some familiar teams and some surprises but another good football weekend is in the books. Let's dive right in.
Wild-Card Record: 3-3
SATURDAY:
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens (-9), 4:30 PM, ABC/ESPN
C.J. Stroud played a near-perfect game against the Browns and the defense was also great. The Browns had a history this season of being bad on the road this season. The Texans are now on the road, where the Texans aren't so good as well. The Ravens are better than the Browns in multiple areas and it seems like they are the team to beat in the AFC. I have Lamar Jackson making his first AFC title game. The Texans cover the spread.
Prediction: Ravens 30, Texans 23
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers (-9), 8:15 PM, FOX
Jordan Love surprised everyone when he went to Dallas and had a perfect game throttling the Cowboys, hanging 41 points on the board before being benched for rest (eventually had to come back in). I don't believe the 49ers will underestimate the Packers and they have an offensive attack that can attack a suspect Green Bay defense. While Aaron Jones has been great down the stretch, I don't believe he will have a great game this week. Christian McCaffrey will carry them to victory. The Packers cover the spread.
Prediction: 49ers 33, Packers 26
SUNDAY:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions (-6.5), 3 PM, NBC
Baker Mayfield after getting discarded by three teams got a playoff win with the Buccaneers and is one of the final four quarterbacks in the NFC. Imagine saying that before the season. The Lions got their first playoff win since 1991 and due to the Cowboys losing, they get to host another playoff game. Even though Baker plays better on the road, that crowd will be rocking. The Lions will also give them something to cheer about as well as they will make the NFC Championship Game.
Prediction: Lions 27, Buccaneers 21
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills (-3), 6:30 PM, CBS
The Bills are on a six-game winning streak coming into this game and are one of the hottest teams in football, which bodes well for them. The Chiefs got an impressive but expected win against the Dolphins. For the most part, the Chiefs haven't looked like the Chiefs we are used to. Also, this is Mahomes' first road playoff game in one of the loudest environments and some of the worst weather. Mahomes' weapons haven't been great outside of Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce, and even those two have been average at times. This is the Bills best chance to beat the Chiefs in the playoffs and I believe they will.
Prediction: Bills 27, Chiefs 24
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