Michael & Amigos II: NFL Divisional Round

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he 2022 NFL draft. Being taken last (262nd overall) earned him the title “Mr. Irrelevant.” Yet, after a great second season that saw him in the MVP conversation, Purdy opens the playoffs with a lot of love … and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Yes, the Packers played last week, but had about as close as a bye week as possible in Dallas. Expect the Packers to play well, but this is a different team than what they saw a week ago. Purdy and fellow MVP candidate, running back Christian McCaffrey, are rested and ready. The 49ers will be too much for the Packers to handle. 49ers win</li><li>Buccaneers vs. Lions: Thirty years and the Detroit Lions had one shot. One opportunity. They seized everything they ever wanted in one moment. Now they have a chance to do it all over again as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to the “Motor City” to take on the Lions. In an unlikely matchup, it’s going to be hard to count out the Buccaneers after an impressive win last week. Their quarterback, Baker Mayfield, will make this tough, but the Lions pull this one out and move on. Lions win</li><li>Chiefs vs. Bills: Ready for it? It’s Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs round three. The Bills were 13 seconds away from beating the Chiefs back in 2021 — yes, only 13 — but came up short again. This time the Chiefs will travel to Buffalo for Mahomes’ first playoff road game. Both teams had solid wins last week and look evenly matched coming into this one. As always, the weather will be something to watch for in upstate New York, but the Chiefs know how to play in the cold. It should be a good close game that comes down to the wire, but if Mahomes has the ball and 13 seconds left on the clock, they win. Chiefs win</li></ul>Brian C.<ul><li>Texans vs. Ravens: We start with a rematch of two teams that had met in week one, though both have vastly improved since that early matchup. The Houston Texans’ seventh-ranked passing attack and quarterback C.J. Stroud come in after wrecking the Cleveland Browns but will face a much better Baltimore Ravens team with the sixth-best passing defense, which should be able to hold the Texans’ young receivers in check. By contrast, the Baltimore Ravens’ top-ranked rushing attack will have a challenge with the Texans’ sixth-ranked rush defense. It’s here where I think the playoff experience of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, likely the MVP of the NFL, as well as head coach John Harbaugh will be a crucial factor. Expect a close game, but the Ravens will come out on top. Ravens win</li><li>Packers vs. 49ers: History tends to repeat, and the San Francisco 49ers will once again face the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs, with their young quarterback Jordan Love and great receiving unit. But this time they’re facing a much better team, as the 49ers outclass the Packers in most categories, particularly the 49ers’ third-ranked rushing attack vs the Packers 28th-ranked rush defense. Expect a heavy dose of 49ers running back Christian McCaffery and wide receiver Deebo Samuel to pound the rock to keep Love on the sidelines and wear the defense out. The 49ers have far more weapons to work with and quarterback Brock Purdy is super effective at spreading the ball without turning it over (they’re +10 in turnover differ

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ential vs Packers +0) Expect history to repeat, and the 49ers to come out on top. 49ers win</li><li>Buccaneers vs. Lions: This is another rematch from week six, and it’s interesting how similar both teams are. Both the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have great run defenses but terrible pass defenses, though the Lions are slightly better, and I assume know how to tackle (Seriously, Philadelphia Eagles — what the hell was that?). But the Lions are ultimately much better on offense both in terms of passing (second vs 17th) and rushing (fifth vs last) and with the emotional victory last week out of the way I imagine they’ll be more focused. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is plucky as hell and they do have the advantage in turnover differential, but I think the home crowd of the Lions will propel the offense to a victory. Lions win</li><li>Chiefs vs. Bills: The rematch worthy of a Sunday night affair. The Kansas City Chiefs head to Buffalo after basically watching the Miami Dolphins fall apart to face a Buffalo team looking to exorcise its playoff demons. Oddly though it’s the Chiefs’ second-ranked defense that’s been carrying the load for the Chiefs and will go against the Bills’ fourth-ranked offense and quarterback Josh Allen. Meanwhile, the Bills’ injury-wrecked ninth-ranked defense will go against the Chiefs’ ninth-ranked offense that, despite wide receiver Rashee Rice’s emergence, still has plenty of questions in the receiving unit. In games like this, the smallest details matter, and I can’t help but feel like the various drops for the Chiefs are going to rear their ugly heads once again. Not to mention the Bills have a big advantage in turnover differential (+2 to the Chiefs -11). Ultimately, I know it’s crazy to bet against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but I feel like this is the Bills’ best chance. Bills win</li></ul>J.C.<ul><li>Texans vs. Ravens: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is the MVP this season, and winning the Super Bowl will seal the deal. The Houston Texans defensive unit won’t be able to stop him. Meanwhile, does anyone really expect rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud of the Texans to win this matchup? Ravens win</li><li>Packers vs. 49ers: It’s time for Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love to pull off an upset. The San Francisco “Whiners” will lose and their quarterback, Brock Purdy, just sucks — that’s all. Too much hype for their team. They are not that good. Purdy will lose the game for them with turnovers. Packers win</li><li>Buccaneers vs. Lions: Too much hype for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield — he ain’t that good. He will throw interceptions, fumble the ball, and come back down to Earth as the “real” Mayfield. The Detroit Lions defense is too good, and no NFL team can slow down star defensive end Aiden Hutchinson. Lions win</li><li>Chiefs vs. Bills: I would normally pick the Kansas City Chiefs to win big, but most of my predictions last week were wrong. Hence, I’m inclined to do the opposite and go with the Buffalo Bills in this matchup. Bills win</li></ul>That’s all, folks! Please join us again next week when we try to predict the outcome of the NFL Conference Championship games. Until then — take care, enjoy, and go football!</article></body>

Michael & Amigos II: NFL Divisional Round — Part 2/5

Photo by Adrian Curiel on Unsplash

Welcome to the second installment of “Michael & Amigos II.” As usual, I am joined by my three amigos: Ashley F., Brian C., and my brother, J.C.

As big-time NFL football fans, we are naturally excited for the Divisional round this weekend, which brings us one step closer to the Super Bowl. The winners of the four games move on to the Conference Championships next week. Without further ado, these are our predictions, starting with mine:

Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens: Quarterback C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans is a star in the making. The 22-year-old rookie passed for a whopping 4,108 yards and tossed 23 touchdowns with only five interceptions this season. Yet, he is no match for quarterback Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, likely to be named this season’s MVP. The Ravens are also led by head coach John Harbaugh, a former Super Bowl winner. Experience over youth in this one. Ravens win

Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers: Let me be clear — the Green Bay Packers absolutely earned their victory against the inept Dallas Cowboys last week. But the 49ers are the NFC’s top-ranked team, led by quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. I expect the Packers to put up a tough fight, but the 49ers should be victorious in this one. 49ers win

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions: I would love to see the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl. They are a franchise that has been forgotten and underappreciated by the NFL and football fans for much too long. Established in 1930, they have won four pre-merger league championships (the last one taking place in 1957) and zero Super Bowl titles. It has been fun to watch quarterback Baker Mayfield revive his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but this is the Lions’ time to shine. Lions win

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills: The Kansas City Chiefs are easily the NFL’s top dynasty of this decade. They have played poorly the second half of this season, but like any great team, they know how to win when it counts. To be fair, I would not be surprised if the Buffalo Bills were to upset the Chiefs in this matchup. But Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is still a former MVP and two-time Super Bowl championship — betting against him could be costly. Chiefs win

Ashley F.

Texans vs. Ravens: The quarterback battle between C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans vs. Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens. Is this a rookie of the year vs MVP matchup? Possibly. Will we get a great game? Probably. The Ravens are the top seed and coming off a bye. I’d expect a little rust after not playing a meaningful game for a few weeks. The Texans should ride the momentum early but look for the Ravens to come on strong before this one is over. Great season for the Texans, and the future is bright, but their season ends in Baltimore. Ravens win

Packers vs. 49ers: There was no love for Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2022 NFL draft. Being taken last (262nd overall) earned him the title “Mr. Irrelevant.” Yet, after a great second season that saw him in the MVP conversation, Purdy opens the playoffs with a lot of love … and Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Yes, the Packers played last week, but had about as close as a bye week as possible in Dallas. Expect the Packers to play well, but this is a different team than what they saw a week ago. Purdy and fellow MVP candidate, running back Christian McCaffrey, are rested and ready. The 49ers will be too much for the Packers to handle. 49ers win

Buccaneers vs. Lions: Thirty years and the Detroit Lions had one shot. One opportunity. They seized everything they ever wanted in one moment. Now they have a chance to do it all over again as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to the “Motor City” to take on the Lions. In an unlikely matchup, it’s going to be hard to count out the Buccaneers after an impressive win last week. Their quarterback, Baker Mayfield, will make this tough, but the Lions pull this one out and move on. Lions win

Chiefs vs. Bills: Ready for it? It’s Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs round three. The Bills were 13 seconds away from beating the Chiefs back in 2021 — yes, only 13 — but came up short again. This time the Chiefs will travel to Buffalo for Mahomes’ first playoff road game. Both teams had solid wins last week and look evenly matched coming into this one. As always, the weather will be something to watch for in upstate New York, but the Chiefs know how to play in the cold. It should be a good close game that comes down to the wire, but if Mahomes has the ball and 13 seconds left on the clock, they win. Chiefs win

Brian C.

Texans vs. Ravens: We start with a rematch of two teams that had met in week one, though both have vastly improved since that early matchup. The Houston Texans’ seventh-ranked passing attack and quarterback C.J. Stroud come in after wrecking the Cleveland Browns but will face a much better Baltimore Ravens team with the sixth-best passing defense, which should be able to hold the Texans’ young receivers in check. By contrast, the Baltimore Ravens’ top-ranked rushing attack will have a challenge with the Texans’ sixth-ranked rush defense. It’s here where I think the playoff experience of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, likely the MVP of the NFL, as well as head coach John Harbaugh will be a crucial factor. Expect a close game, but the Ravens will come out on top. Ravens win

Packers vs. 49ers: History tends to repeat, and the San Francisco 49ers will once again face the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs, with their young quarterback Jordan Love and great receiving unit. But this time they’re facing a much better team, as the 49ers outclass the Packers in most categories, particularly the 49ers’ third-ranked rushing attack vs the Packers 28th-ranked rush defense. Expect a heavy dose of 49ers running back Christian McCaffery and wide receiver Deebo Samuel to pound the rock to keep Love on the sidelines and wear the defense out. The 49ers have far more weapons to work with and quarterback Brock Purdy is super effective at spreading the ball without turning it over (they’re +10 in turnover differential vs Packers +0) Expect history to repeat, and the 49ers to come out on top. 49ers win

Buccaneers vs. Lions: This is another rematch from week six, and it’s interesting how similar both teams are. Both the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have great run defenses but terrible pass defenses, though the Lions are slightly better, and I assume know how to tackle (Seriously, Philadelphia Eagles — what the hell was that?). But the Lions are ultimately much better on offense both in terms of passing (second vs 17th) and rushing (fifth vs last) and with the emotional victory last week out of the way I imagine they’ll be more focused. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is plucky as hell and they do have the advantage in turnover differential, but I think the home crowd of the Lions will propel the offense to a victory. Lions win

Chiefs vs. Bills: The rematch worthy of a Sunday night affair. The Kansas City Chiefs head to Buffalo after basically watching the Miami Dolphins fall apart to face a Buffalo team looking to exorcise its playoff demons. Oddly though it’s the Chiefs’ second-ranked defense that’s been carrying the load for the Chiefs and will go against the Bills’ fourth-ranked offense and quarterback Josh Allen. Meanwhile, the Bills’ injury-wrecked ninth-ranked defense will go against the Chiefs’ ninth-ranked offense that, despite wide receiver Rashee Rice’s emergence, still has plenty of questions in the receiving unit. In games like this, the smallest details matter, and I can’t help but feel like the various drops for the Chiefs are going to rear their ugly heads once again. Not to mention the Bills have a big advantage in turnover differential (+2 to the Chiefs -11). Ultimately, I know it’s crazy to bet against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but I feel like this is the Bills’ best chance. Bills win

J.C.

Texans vs. Ravens: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is the MVP this season, and winning the Super Bowl will seal the deal. The Houston Texans defensive unit won’t be able to stop him. Meanwhile, does anyone really expect rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud of the Texans to win this matchup? Ravens win

Packers vs. 49ers: It’s time for Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love to pull off an upset. The San Francisco “Whiners” will lose and their quarterback, Brock Purdy, just sucks — that’s all. Too much hype for their team. They are not that good. Purdy will lose the game for them with turnovers. Packers win

Buccaneers vs. Lions: Too much hype for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield — he ain’t that good. He will throw interceptions, fumble the ball, and come back down to Earth as the “real” Mayfield. The Detroit Lions defense is too good, and no NFL team can slow down star defensive end Aiden Hutchinson. Lions win

Chiefs vs. Bills: I would normally pick the Kansas City Chiefs to win big, but most of my predictions last week were wrong. Hence, I’m inclined to do the opposite and go with the Buffalo Bills in this matchup. Bills win

That’s all, folks! Please join us again next week when we try to predict the outcome of the NFL Conference Championship games. Until then — take care, enjoy, and go football!