NFL Divisional Picks: Will the Lions and Packers Meet in the NFC Championship Game?
The Wild Card round treated us well in terms of picking games.
Overall, the picks went 4-2, and we jumped back over .500 for the overall season while nailing the selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to upset the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, it’s time to keep it rolling into the Divisional, but before we make those selections, here is a look back at how we did last weekend:
- Browns -2 (L)
- Chiefs -5 (W)
- Bills -10 (W)
- Packers +7 (W)
- Rams +3 (L)
- Buccaneers +3 (W)
Playoff Record: 4-2
Overall Season Record: 138-137-17
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
- Spread: Ravens -9
- O/U: 43.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Texans +9
C.J. Stroud has been absolutely incredible over his rookie season. Even though Baltimore is coming into this game well-rested (and look like they will have Mark Andrews back at the tight end spot), Houston can keep this game close.
At the end of the day, though, Stroud still makes a few too many turnover worthy throws. Baltimore has capitalized on takeaway opportunities all year long, and they will pull this game out at home to get Lamar Jackson to the AFC Championship Game for the first time in his career.
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
- Spread: 49ers -9.5
- O/U: 50.5 points
Frey’s Pick: 49ers -9.5
The Green Bay Packers shocked the world by absolutely dominating the Dallas Cowboys in their Wild Card matchup by putting up 48 points in that game. However, we’ve seen this story a number of times now. San Francisco simply owns Green Bay when it comes to playoff matchups, and as long as all their stars are healthy, there isn’t a team in the NFC capable of keeping up with them. Christian McCaffrey looks like he will play this week, so the 49ers win handedly.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions
- Spread: Lions -6.5
- O/U: 48.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Buccaneers +6.5
Last weekend felt like the Lions’ Super Bowl. They earned their first playoff win in 32 years and knocked off their former golden boy, Matthew Stafford. No matter what happens this weekend, 2023 was a successful run for this team.
On the other side, Tampa Bay has done nothing but pick up steam over the past month. They had a couple hiccups over the final few weeks of the regular season, but they absolutely thrashed the Eagles on Monday night. Baker Mayfield is playing confident football, and Tampa takes care of business.
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
- Spread: Bills -3
- O/U: 45.5 points
Frey’s Pick: Bills -3
For the third time in the past four years, the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs are set to meet in the playoffs. This has become a premier rivalry in the league, and it should be another very close game between these two AFC heavyweights.
However, the third time may end up being the charm for Josh Allen. While the Bills are a bit banged up on the defensive side of the ball (they had multiple practice squad players in down the stretch of their Wild Card game against Pittsburgh), Allen has been playing like an MVP candidate over the past month and a half.
Kansas City’s receiving group has given us no reason to trust them this season, and even with some injuries to Buffalo’s defense, the Bills pull this one out and advance to the conference championship.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
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