NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers
The Buccaneers knocked off the New Orleans Saints, 30-20 in the divisional round and will now face the Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay throttled the Los Angeles Rams, 32-18 last week and quarterback Aaron Rodgers sliced and diced the Rams rugged defense while the Packers ground game also had their way in the victory.
Bucs QB Tom Brady has been playing at his best at the right time and needs to keep it going against a Packers defense that has steadily improved since the beginning of the season. The same can also be said of the Buccaneers defense. Both Brady and Rodgers had two touchdown passes along with a touchdown run in their team's victories last week.
Many people are pointing out the fact the Bucs crushed Rodgers and the Packers back in Week Six by a 38-10 score as their defense intercepted two Rodgers passes in the rout. That much is true, but it does not mean they can do it again. The regular season game was in Tampa Bay and this time the cold climate of Green Bay, Wisconsin will set a different tone for the game.
If the Buccaneers can get pressure on Rodgers (five sacks in the Week Six game) and once again disguise their coverages against the pass, they can enjoy success against the highest scoring team in the NFL this past season. But Rodgers is an elite quarterback and it will be tough to fool him again. Odds are this game will be a tight one and will most likely come down to the final possession. Perhaps this one could go into overtime.
Prediction - Green Bay 30, Tampa Bay 24
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
The key to this game will be Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes being ready to go as he has been in the league's concussion protocol since leaving last week's 22-17 win against Cleveland in the second half on a legit, but rough tackle while scrambling. Mahomes has been bothered by a foot injury as well, but if he is ready to go, the Chiefs should be able to repeat the success they had against the Bills back in Week Six when they won, 26-17 in Buffalo.
Since that loss, the Bills have gone 11-1 and quarterback Josh Allen has been just as good as any other QB in pro football. The Bills beat Baltimore, 17-3 last week in the divisional round and their defense was outstanding, limiting the vaunted Ravens running game and knocking out QB Lamar Jackson with a concussion late in the third quarter. If they can limit Mahomes and company this Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, they could be on the way to their first Super Bowl appearance in 27 years.
Slowing down the Chiefs attack is no easy task and the Bills know this. There are simply too many weapons and if rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is able to play, it is just another headache for the Buffalo defense. Both teams have seen steady improvement with their defenses this past season and that will need to continue in this huge game.
This game could be a high scoring one in Kansas City and whoever has the ball last will go a long way in determining the winner.
Prediction - Kansas City 31, Buffalo 28
Last Week's Record - 3-1
Playoffs Record - 7-3
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