NFL · 1 year ago

NFL Playoffs: Predicting Every Remaining Game in NFC Bracket

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

Future Odds
NFC Championship: 49ers: -180 Lions: +310 Packers: +950 Buccaneers: +`1000 Super Bowl LVIII: 49ers: +175 Lions: +900 Packers: +3000 Buccaneers: +3300
The Eliminated
The Dallas Cowboys did what they do best by choking in the playoffs. Their high-octane offense had nothing to give in the first half as Dak Prescott looked like his old self by throwing multiple interceptions, and the defense had no answers for Jordan Love and Aaron Jones. Sweeping changes are set to come in Dallas with the potential firing of Mike McCarthy. Still, the amount of key players such as Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons who require an extension puts pressure on Jerry Jones to find a new direction. The Los Angeles Rams couldn't spoil the Detroit Lions' first home game in 30 years, as they couldn't drum up enough first-quarter stops or touchdowns to leave Detroit with a win. Much will remain the same in Los Angeles next year as an offseason of continuity could elevate guys like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams even higher. Still, key additions are needed on the defensive side of the ball. Philadelphia, what else is there to say? In an all-time collapse after a 10-1 start to the season, everything that could have gone wrong for the Eagles went wrong. To make matters worse, franchise icon Jason Kelce announced his retirement to the team postgame. The Eagles are not a passive organization, so expect changes immediately to re-kindle this team's Super Bowl aspirations. It's just a matter of how drastic the changes end up being.
#3 Detroit Lions OVER #5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Detroit awaits their second home playoff game in 30 years after an emotional win over the Los Angeles Rams Sunday night. The offense started fast with two impressive first-quarter touchdowns, but I don’t think there has been enough discussion about how they only scored ten points the rest of the game, as they consistently couldn’t work up meaningful drives like they did all season. Defensively, the pressure up front was critical to sealing a victory, but there are valid concerns about how the secondary will continue to fare down the stretch. I don’t even know how to analyze Tampa Bay today. They faced a team that gave up. The Eagles showed no fight, determination, or will to win in any capacity. It was an all-time collapse for them and a benefit for the Bucs, who needed a dominant postseason win to get some confidence rolling into the next round. Looking at this potential matchup, there are two ways the Bucs can make it close. Mike Evans needs to have a lights-out performance to combat the high-scoring Lions’ offense, and the defense needs to play the same way they did against the Eagles. No less will be good enough against an opponent like Detroit. The entire public is already backing up the bank trunks to play Detroit -6, understandably so given how the game turned out when these two teams faced off midseason, so as much as I want to give Tampa credit and a chance, I feel like the Lions are too motivated to seize the opportunity in front of them.
#1 San Francisco 49ers OVER # 7 Green Bay Packers
The 49ers sat back all weekend and watched Dallas and Philadelphia get smoked without playing a game. What gets better than that? We can confidently say that the 49ers have been the NFC's best team all season and were able to reap the benefits of their first-round bye, as the whole team is coming in on three weeks' rest. The Green Bay Packers are walking into San Francisco confident in themselves, knowing they can beat anyone now. Green Bay's win in Dallas won't be forgotten as we remember all the Cowboys' collapses for years to come, and everything the Packers did worked. They are flat-out dangerous, with Jordan Love slinging it, Aaron Jones being on a monster tear, and the defense thriving in the turnover department. It's hard to pick against San Francisco, given how dominant they've been all season, but if they are too amped up about Dallas and Philadelphia going down, who is to say they won't be completely locked in on Green Bay? I can't know for sure, but I believe that a first-quarter turnover by the Packers' defense will give them a chance to steal another victory. However, if the Packers play passively and allow this 49ers' offense to get in a groove, it's over, even if we get Love's best. As much as I want to see the Packers take this, I can't pull the trigger.
#1 San Francisco 49ers OVER #3 Detroit Lions
San Francisco vs. Detroit with the Super Bowl on the line. Here we go. I imagine the 49ers being nearly a touchdown favorite in this one, but I'm thinking back to the season opener, where the Lions went into Kansas City as they raised a Super Bowl banner and put the league on notice. They've proven they can go into hostile environments with their backs against the wall and win a football game, so I can't rule them out here. This game all comes down to what version of the Lions' defense. We've seen that the Lions have the horses offensively to hang with the 49ers in the scoring column, but obviously, the talent on the 49ers' defense can make a big play in a critical moment to turn the tide. I can't say I trust the Lions' defense on the road, especially, but you never know in this league. I will expect San Francisco to continue to the Super Bowl, yet I reserve the right to change my pick since I want to get another sample size from the Detroit defense.
Future Odds
NFC Championship: 49ers: -180 Lions: +310 Packers: +950 Buccaneers: +`1000 Super Bowl LVIII: 49ers: +175 Lions: +900 Packers: +3000 Buccaneers: +3300
The Eliminated
The Dallas Cowboys did what they do best by choking in the playoffs. Their high-octane offense had nothing to give in the first half as Dak Prescott looked like his old self by throwing multiple interceptions, and the defense had no answers for Jordan Love and Aaron Jones. Sweeping changes are set to come in Dallas with the potential firing of Mike McCarthy. Still, the amount of key players such as Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons who require an extension puts pressure on Jerry Jones to find a new direction. The Los Angeles Rams couldn't spoil the Detroit Lions' first home game in 30 years, as they couldn't drum up enough first-quarter stops or touchdowns to leave Detroit with a win. Much will remain the same in Los Angeles next year as an offseason of continuity could elevate guys like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams even higher. Still, key additions are needed on the defensive side of the ball. Philadelphia, what else is there to say? In an all-time collapse after a 10-1 start to the season, everything that could have gone wrong for the Eagles went wrong. To make matters worse, franchise icon Jason Kelce announced his retirement to the team postgame. The Eagles are not a passive organization, so expect changes immediately to re-kindle this team's Super Bowl aspirations. It's just a matter of how drastic the changes end up being.