Outside of the first divisional game that was eventually a stinker, how about the Packers/Niners drama, Lions/Bucs slugfest, and the Chiefs/Bills battle working out as the best game? Niners were relieved after plenty of breaks against Green Bay while the Lions were very ecstatic with another playoff win. The Texans run eventually ended in the hands of a better Ravens squad in the 2nd half. Chiefs and Bills worked each other until Tyler Bass missed a game-tying field kick and Isiah Pacheco ended their opportunity. This Sunday’s matchup features two rematches from the 2021 season. Lamar Jackson and the defense led the Ravens to a thrilling comeback against the Chiefs while the 49ers held off the Lions from a massive comeback down three scores in the fourth quarter. Whoever wins deserves to be in Vegas for the Super Bowl and I cannot wait to be there for the festivities and events!
UPCOMING MATCHUPS
#3 CHIEFS VS. #1 RAVENS
12PM PT/3PM ET [CBS]
Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes face each other for the fifth time ever, but this is the first ever postseason meeting while Kansas City makes their second straight road trip in Patrick Mahomes’ career. Expect plenty of defense throughout the game because it’s nothing like 2021. The trenches will be key to victory for both sides. Outside of the quarterbacks, Chiefs back Isiah Pacheco and a bevy of running backs led by Justice Hill and Gus Edwards will play a major part in trying to wear down each other’s defense. However, Baltimore has a bigger challenge trying to score against Kansas City that hasn’t allowed 30 points in the 2023-’24 season. Interesting enough, Baltimore scored over 30 points in their last meeting two seasons ago and won that matchup. If Lamar Jackson wants his first Super Bowl appearance, they must be that team to threaten K.C. with plenty of help from their vaunted defense led by safety Kyle Hamilton.
#3 LIONS VS. #1 49ERS
3:30PM PT/6:30PM ET [FOX]
Lions and Niners had one heck of a game last week, but they fought through and won their way to a collision in the NFC championship game. I’m going away from stats and past games and focus on the previous matchup in 2021. The “Same-Old” Detroit Lions hired Dan Campbell, traded Matt Stafford for Jared Goff, and drafted Penei Sewell along with a few other young players. In their very first game against San Fran, the 49ers put a massive hurting to those upstarts to take a 38-17 lead for three quarters. In the fourth quarter, DC’s Lions never gave up and ripped off a 16-3 run against San Fran and threatened with one more opportunity before coming up short around the 49ers 24-yard line. Now, the 49ers are in their third straight NFC title game while the Brand-New Lions continue incinerating the NFL world with one more win for their first ever Super Bowl appearance in their 93-year existence. Purdy vs. Goff, Hutchinson vs. Bosa, Aaron Glenn vs. Steve Wilks, and Kyle Shanahan vs. MCDC. This will be the NFC matchup to end all matchups and the winner rightfully earns their spot in the Super Bowl.
WHO’S IN PARADISE
(…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA)
#1 RAVENS
Plenty will favor Kansas City because it’s Pat Mahomes and a decent amount believe Baltimore will choke at home. Lamar Jackson never won two straight playoff games in his career and his only two playoff wins were against AFC South teams (Titans and Texans). If there was any opportunity besides the celebrity curse, it must come from Baltimore’s defense and run game outside of Lamar. Unlike Buffalo’s injury-riddled defense and Miami’s popsicled defense, Baltimore seems ready for the moment. In the last four meetings, Patrick Mahomes and company tore the Ravens’ defense apart and scored 30 in the last three meetings. This could be a different story knowing both teams will be in a defensive battle throughout. Time to break out the chess boys because it’s going to get strategical for 60 minutes. The magic number for Baltimore’s victory must be 27 points. That’s all it takes, and they have the weapons to carry Lamar into Vegas.
#1 49ERS
I originally wrote down my reasons why the Niners will win, but I decided to delete it and level with y’all. I heard all the noise about the Lions run, their victories, the inspirations, and the stories surrounding the city of Detroit, Dan Campbell, Jared Goff and company, and the fans. I love it, I enjoy it, and it’s touching. I watched Dan Campbell from Week 1 of his first season as a head coach and what this team’s capable of. I explained it above, I praised him for two seasons, and Detroit should never be underestimated. What I don’t like is how the 49ers are overlooked after a sloppy, wet game against Green Bay. I watched the game, the highlights, and even their season to see where things went right and wrong. They could be in a dogfight with Detroit for a good part because they’re up against a tough-nosed, physical team and it could be early in the game. However, there’s no rain on Sunday and don’t expect much slippage if the weather’s clear going into Sunday. Whether Deebo’s available or not shouldn’t matter. Yes, the offense may be affected without him, but I expect them to come out with other KEY options dogging Detroit’s defense for 60 minutes and test them in the trenches. On defense, Goff’s familiar with them, but do we expect him to be the guy to carry through? After hearing plenty from Rams fans, Goff could fold like wet toilet paper. I’m heavily bullish on the front four to get after him and often since the Lions’ offensive line will be without tight end Brock Wright and Jonah Jackson blocking. If they get after Goff consistently, this works in their favor for the rest of the game. I’m picking the 49ers, but I never told a soul about this until just now. I believe they will get over the hump because they are the better team at the end of the day. Let’s go!!!
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