NFC Divisional Round Game Picks

Following an eventful Wild Card Weekend, the NFL is one step closer to crowning its next Super Bowl champion

While the first-round results were fairly predictable in the AFC, the NFC brought more surprises to the table.

Heading into the Divisional Round, here’s what could be in store for the remaining four NFC contenders.

Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers

History wasn’t on the Packers’ side heading into their wild-card matchup with the Cowboys, as no seven seed had ever won a playoff game since the bracket expanded during the 2020 season.

Yet, Jordan Love and company started hot and earned a 48-32 upset win—furthering Green Bay’s usual success against Dallas.

However, now the Packers face a team they rarely find success against in the 49ers. As great as the young Packers offense has looked lately, there’s no chance their usually-poor defense can repeat its round-one performance.

This Niners team has been very dominant so far this season and they worked hard to earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC after coming into the year a top preseason Super Bowl contender.

They were rewarded with a first-round bye and had an extra week to prepare for the red-hot Packers at Levi's Stadium, where San Francisco has not lost a playoff game since 2012.

If the 49er's defense can stop Aaron Jones in the run game I don't see the 49ers losing this game with their explosively high-powered offense.

Christian McCaffrey, arguably the MVP this season, is also cleared to play and should be a big factor in this game.

Prediction: 49ers 34, Packers 21 – Joe Tuman

Prediction: 49ers 31, Packers 28 - Christian Holtzapple

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions

In a showdown between the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it's more than just a game – it's a clash to advance.

The Lions, with 32 victories against Tampa, their odds of winning this game and advancing to the NFC Championship are high. However, the Buccaneers are close behind with 29 wins against the Lions.

All eyes are on quarterback Jared Goff, steering the Lions toward postseason glory. Goff's stellar 4,575-yard performance ranks him No. 6 among quarterbacks, hinting at a potential game-changer.

While the Buccaneers boast more Super Bowl wins, this year's matchup promises a twist.

Prediction: Lions 35, Buccaneers 28 - Cora Rodriguez

The fourth-seeded Buccaneers head north to Motor City to face the third-seeded Detroit Lions.

The Lions are coming off their best season in the 21st century, winning 12 games for the first time since 1991. They turned this regular season success into a first-round playoff win, beating ex-Lion Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams 24-23.

Tampa Bay, on the other hand, beat the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles 32-9 on Monday with Baker Mayfield throwing for 337 yards and three touchdowns.

These teams faced off once earlier this season in Tampa Bay with the Lions winning 20-6. However, it’s said that the team that wins the regular season matchup often loses the playoff matchup. We’ll see whether Tampa Bay can go into Ford Field and upset the red-hot Lions.

Prediction: Lions 27, Buccaneers 24 - Owen Cameros

Joe Tuman is a third-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email joentuman@gmail.com

Christian Holtzapple is a fourth-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cmh7064@psu.edu

Cora Rodriguez is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email cir5381@psu.edu.

Owen Cameros is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ohc5024@psu.edu.