Wild Card Weekend may not have been filled with as many close battles as we would have liked, but there will still be a number of surprises, big plays and shocking developments that have kept us on our toes throughout. The divisional round will certainly bring even more.
The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers will each be making their first postseason appearance after securing first place in each conference, and both will face a surprising team in their game. The Ravens face the Houston Texans after CJ Stroud and Co. defeated the Cleveland Browns and ended their Cinderella run with Joe Flacco at quarterback. The Browns came into this game as the favorite and much of the public believed that a rematch between Flacco and the Ravens was coming this weekend. Unfortunately, we'll have to settle for the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year and the likely MVP. How heartbreaking.
In the NFC, the Niners face a familiar postseason opponent: the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay stunned the football world by decimating the Dallas Cowboys on the road. While the 49ers have won each of their last four playoff matchups against the Packers, Green Bay now has a new quarterback in Jordan Love, who could be just the change Green Bay needs to emerge victorious.
Both the Ravens and 49ers will play on Saturday, January 20th, while the Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs will play on January 21st. Here are some predictions about who will come out on top.
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AFC rankings
- 1. Baltimore Ravens – 1. AFC North (13-4)
- 2. Buffalo Bills – 1. AFC East (10-6)
- 3. Kansas City Chiefs – 1. AFC West (11-6)
- 4. Houston Texans – 1. AFC South (10-7)
- 5. Cleveland Browns – 2. AFC North (11-6) –*eliminated
- 6. Miami Dolphins – 2. AFC East (11-6) –*eliminated
- 7. Pittsburg Steelers – 3. AFC North (10-7) –*eliminated
According to NFL.com
AFC Divisional Round Predictions
Pro Football Network: Ravens and Chiefs win
Brian Blewis writes: “I'm not trying to take anything away from Stroud's rookie season, but I just think this might be the right time to sell. It could be another blowout win for the Ravens at home against a playoff team.”
Regarding the game between the Chiefs and the Bills, Blewis continued: “I think this game will come down to the wire, as it always does in this rivalry, so I see Mahomes as an underdog – a position which he was very good at.” has been profitable over the years.”
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Bill Bender believes the Ravens are destined for the AFC Championship Game, pointing out that the Texans don't know how to contain Lamar Jackson well enough. He writes that even if the Texans succeed, the Ravens defense should limit Houston to too few points to keep up.
About the game between the Chiefs and the Bills, Bender writes: “The Bills were the home favorite this season at 7-1 S/U and 7-1 ATS. Kansas City is 7-0-1 ATS as a home favorite and 6-2 S/U.” Away underdog since Mahomes took over as the starter in 2018. And if Allen avoids field-altering interceptions, Buffalo should be able to feed off the home crowd in the elements.”
CBS Sports: Texans shock Ravens, Bills defeat Chiefs
John Breech sides with the underdog Texans here and writes: “The Texans played 10 games this season against teams that finished the year with a winning record, and they went 7-3. In those games, Stroud averaged over 300 yards passing and also threw 21 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions. Essentially, Stroud was at his best against good teams. Yes, one of those three losses came to the Ravens, but that was in Week 1 in a game in which Stroud made his first career start. Even though the final score was 25-9, it is worth nothing that the score was only 7-6 with 10 minutes left to play in the third quarter.”
As for the Chiefs and Bills, Breech believes the Bills will come out on top. He writes: “The last five meetings between these two teams have been in Kansas City, but this one will be played in Buffalo and I think that will make the difference. In a city where fans jump from snowdrifts to flames. “If the Bills win, they could set the whole stadium on fire.”
NFC rankings
- 1. San Francisco 49ers – 1. NFC West (12-5)
- 2. Dallas Cowboys – 1. NFC East (12-5) – *eliminated
- 3. Detroit Lions – 1. NFC North (12-5)
- 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1. NFC South (9-8)
- 5. Philadelphia Eagles – 2. NFC East (11-6) – *eliminated
- 6. Los Angeles Rams – 2nd in NFC West (10-7) – *eliminated
- 7. Green Bay Packers – 2. NFC North (9-8)
According to NFL.com
NFC Divisional Round Predictions
Pro Football Network: Packers and Lions advance
Brian Blewis writes: “Given the explosiveness of these two offenses, I expect this to be a high-scoring game. It might be a good bet to bet on Love and this Packers offense if their value drops to zero. Time is high, but we have a large enough sample size to fully participate. He adds that he doesn't have all the confidence in the world that the Packers will win this game, but he is confident that both teams will perform remarkably well on offense. He likes the over more than any other team in this game, but still picks the Packers to beat their playoff rivals.
Blewis believes the Lions will have a much easier time with Tampa Bay. “One concern for the Bucs heading into this game is their pass protection, as Mayfield was under pressure against an Eagles pass rush that was invisible in the second half of the season. Like last week, EDGE Aidan Hutchinson should have another big performance ahead of him.” .”
Sports News: 49ers and Lions move forward
Bill Bender doesn't think lightning will strike the Packers twice. At least they still allowed over half a thousand yards to the Cowboys. “The most common playoff matchup is being renewed. The 49ers will be a multi-dimensional problem for the Packers' defense, which still allowed 510 yards against the Cowboys – albeit most of it when Dallas was in trailing mode. The Packers need to force uncharacteristic turnovers from Brock Purdy. However, Kyle Shanahan will be patient behind a strong running game led by Christian McCaffrey. That will open up the middle of the field for George Kittle and the perimeter.”
On the other hand, Bender writes: “Tampa Bay couldn't run the ball in the first match. If this trend repeats itself, a Detroit pass rush led by Aidan Hutchinson will eventually get there. Tampa Bay is 8-3 ATS as an underdog, so be careful. Obviously he believes the Lions are more talented, but the Bucs have some kind of magic that allows them to play better when they're the underdog.
CBS Sports: Lions dominate Bucs, 49ers edge out Packers
John Breech likes the 49ers, but in a close game. He writes: “Jordan Love has been one of the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL over the last nine weeks with 21 touchdowns compared to just one interception since Week 11, and if he keeps playing like that, the Packers could certainly pull off an upset.” I've got this Feel like Love can turn this game into a shootout, but I have to go with the team that has won five straight playoff games at home.
As for the Lions, Breech doesn't think it will be a close contest. “Since the Super Bowl era began in 1966, the Lions have NEVER won two playoff games in the same postseason, but after watching them end their 32-year drought without a playoff win, it feels like like they’re going to make it. “We’re going to end a few droughts this year.”
AFC Championship Predictions
WSAZ: Ravens 27, Bills 18
WSAZ believes the Ravens are the team to beat in the AFC. After a solid win over Houston in the divisional round, the AFC Championship might seem like a great game on paper, but with Baltimore playing so well right now, WSAZ expects the Ravens to win by more than a point.
Action Network: Ravens represent the AFC
Action Network has the Ravens as favorites to win the AFC after Wild Card Weekend, and the odds aren't great. Baltimore's next opponent (+115) is the Buffalo Bills (+235). That's a pretty big advantage. However, Baltimore is currently playing its best ball of the season. It's hard to argue against these odds.
Sports News: The Chiefs will represent the AFC
If it's not the Ravens, it has to be Patrick Mahomes, right? Although this was written before Wildcard weekend, Vinny Iyer's predictions still stand. He believes the Chiefs are still the team to beat in the AFC, writing: “The more adversity Patrick Mahomes appears to fight, the more dangerous he and the Chiefs appear to be. Mahomes and Andy Reid will find a few more solutions offensively. “And that's all it takes considering how well the defense should continue to play and make big plays in the AFC Tournament.”
NFC Championship Predictions
WSAZ: 49ers 28, Lions 20
With both favorites winning in the divisional round, the Lions won't have the firepower necessary to defeat the 49ers. Lions quarterback Jared Goff is known to play much better at home than away, so the 49ers should have no problem containing a normally potent Lions offense. Add to that the fact that 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey has now had two weeks to heal his ailing calf, and you have a 49ers Super Bowl appearance.
Action Network: 49ers are big favorites
After the Dallas Cowboys were eliminated by the Green Bay Packers, the 49ers are considered the big favorites according to Action Network. If you bet money on the 49ers representing the NFC, you won't even get double your stake. The Niners' closest opponents (-185) are the Detroit Lions (+330). Meanwhile, the Bucs and Packers have little to no chance at +950 each.
Sports news: 49ers will advance to the Super Bowl
Matt Lutovsky writes ahead of Wild Card Weekend: “Everything is still up in the air in the NFC, but San Francisco has the best roster from start to finish. A single injury to Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey or Brock Purdy could change that in one.” Hurry, but if you have questions about Philadelphia, Detroit, LA and Tampa's pass defenses, Green Bay's run defense and Dallas' run game, we'll take it San Francisco makes a breakthrough.
Super Bowl LVIII predictions
Sportsnaut: Ravens 27, 49ers 14
Andrew Buller-Russ writes: “The 49ers have won five Super Bowls in seven games, while the Ravens have won both times they reached the Finals. We don't see that changing in February when John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson show what the NFL is like. “MVP can do that. But first they have to get there, which didn't work out so well in 2022.”
New York Post: 49ers win it all
Even though these predictions were released before Wildcard Weekend, most of the ingredients are still in place for this to happen in the end. Steve Serby has the 49ers defeating the Ravens in the Super Bowl and writes, “Big players make big plays in big games and Nick Bosa, McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk keep pace with Lamar and Justin Tucker until rookie Jake Moody wins.” 49-yard field goal as time expired.
The Ringer: Baltimore hoists the Lombardi
Danny Heifetz writes: “The Ravens have the best defense in the league. They have a top-notch offense. In an AFC where seemingly every team is playing below their potential, Baltimore is near the top on both sides of the ball. A choice between.” “Baltimore and San Francisco feel impossible, and honestly, the 49ers have been the stronger team so far this season – despite the loss to Baltimore. But I’m confident that this Ravens team and Lamar will do great.”
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BetMGM: Niners are favorites
Although the Niners would clearly be the underdogs if they faced the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl, they are currently the odds favorites (+185) to win the Lombardi Trophy. Why? Because their path to the Super Bowl seems a lot less daunting than that of the teams in the AFC. They don't have to face the Bills or Chiefs. The best quarterback they may have to take on is Jordan Love. The next closest team is the Baltimore Ravens (+275), followed by the Buffalo Bills (+500) and the Kansas City Chiefs (+700).
DraftKings: The 49ers have the upper hand
DraftKings Sportsbook also has the 49ers as favorites at +175 odds. What's shocking is that DraftKings also lists the most popular Super Bowl result, which was that the 49ers defeated the Baltimore Ravens (+400). To be fair, the Ravens have the second-best odds of beating the 49ers (+500), but it still seems odd that the Ravens would be underdogs given how they beat the 49ers to start the season were able to defeat.
Cover: Niners are favorites again
Chris Vasile writes: “The San Francisco 49ers (+175) are the betting favorites for Super Bowl 58. The Baltimore Ravens (+290) and Buffalo Bills (+500) are also fighting for a top spot.”
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