After Wild Card Weekend saw six teams eliminated, next weekend's Divisional Round will narrow the remaining teams from eight to four. The winners of this Divisional Round will be one game away from a spot in Super Bowl 58. My predictions for Wild Card Weekend didn't go great, but hey, that's how sports are. These are my picks for the Divisional Round of the 2023-2024 NFL Playoffs.
Saturday:
The Game: Rookie sensation C.J. Stroud looked great last week, as did the rest of the Texans team. However, they're going up against what I believe is the best team in football in the Ravens. Presumed MVP Lamar Jackson has had two weeks of rest and will look to get to his first AFC Championship. The Ravens have a great defense and are my Super Bowl pick, but Stroud and Lamar are now tied with one career playoff win apiece. Stroud and the Texans have serious momentum but I think Lamar and the Ravens are a Super Bowl team.
Official Pick: Baltimore Ravens
The Game: The Packers shocked the Cowboys last weekend via a multifaceted offense led by Jordan Love and Aaron Jones. They're facing a much tougher team next weekend in the #1 49ers. The 49ers have a great roster including potential OPOY Christian McCaffrey, edge threat Nick Bosa and three-time All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. I have a rematch against the Ravens slated for Super Bowl 58, and as such I think the superior 49ers get it done against Green Bay. I'm not sure the Packers defense can handle the 49ers offense to the same degree that the 49ers defense can handle the Packer offense.
Official Pick: San Francisco 49ers
Sunday:
The Game: Tampa Bay ran through a crumbling Eagles team on their way to Detroit, where the Lions will attempt a second straight home defense. I think the Lions have more star power, are better coached, are more motivated, and will benefit from playing at home. If Baker Mayfield is explosive again alongside a quality Bucs defense, the Lions could be in trouble, but I think Dan Campbell's Lions get it done at home in Detroit.
Official Pick: Detroit Lions
The Game: This clash between former playoff foes will be the biggest game of the weekend. Both of these AFC powerhouses consider themselves major Super Bowl contenders and are led by two of the league's best quarterbacks. Josh Allen and the Bills got the regular season win in Kansas City in December and will hope to repeat at home. I think Allen, who is 0-2 against Mahomes in the playoffs, finally gets on the board with a win. The Chiefs are mistake-prone and will go into a cold, hostile Buffalo against a Bills team determined to get past the wall that has been Kansas City.
Official Pick: Buffalo Bills
Resulting Championship Games:
AFC: Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Ravens
NFC: Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers
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