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As is always the case, the first weekend of the NFL playoffs had its fair share of surprises for amateurs. Now let’s move on to the division finals, with the predictions of our football players and coaches in Mauricie. Hoping that the spectacle is also raised! So far, players surveyed by The Nouvelliste have a slight advantage over their coaches: 19 times out of 30, they correctly predicted the winner of the first six matches of the tournament. The coaches? They are 15 in 30. In the classification by school, the Vert et Or du Séminaire Saint-Joseph enjoys a two-point lead over the Estacades (9 in 12 against 7 in 12). The Diablos of Cégep de Trois-Rivières, the Électriks of Cégep de Shawinigan and the Gothics of the Pioneer school are all tied (6 in 12). Good matches!
Los Angeles c. Green Bay
> Louis-Christophe Lamy, Diablos (4 in 6)
Los Angeles 17 Green Bay 31
Aaron Rodgers will continue his season as “MVP”. He will collect over 250 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers.
> François Dussault, Diablos trainer (2 in 6)
Los Angeles 17 Green Bay 24
It will be too cold for quarterback Jared Goff!
> Charles-Antoine Desrochers, Électriks (3 in 6)
Los Angeles 14 Green Bay 28
A very good defense against a very good attack. A clash of titans!
> Guy Bergeron, Électriks trainer (3 in 6)
Los Angeles 24 Green Bay 28
The defenses win the championships, except that of the Rams. Ask for the Week 15 Jets!
> Benjamin Marchand, Berths (4 in 6)
Los Angeles 17 Green Bay 31
The Rams are weakened and they face an Aaron Rodgers at the top of his game.
> Pierre De Jean, Estacades trainer (3 in 6)
Los Angeles 17 Green Bay 24
Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers are expected to make it to the Super Bowl normally.
> Joey Thompson, Gothics (3 en 6)
Los Angeles 17 Green Bay 14
The Rams were surprisingly last week defensively. I think the Packers don’t stand a passing chance against Jalen Ramsey.
> Jimmy Thompson, Gothics trainer (3 in 6)
Los Angeles 27 Green Bay 24
The surprise of the weekend!
> Samuel Bourque, Vert et Or (5 in 6)
Los Angeles 13 Green Bay 31
Aaron Rodgers and Devante Adams are too dominant. And we add three good ball carriers!
> Hugo Gélinas, Vert et Or trainer (4 in 6)
Los Angeles 20 Green Bay 27
Rodgers’ experience and arm will make the difference in the cold conditions of Lambeau Field.
Baltimore c. Buffalo
> Louis-Christophe Lamy, Diablos
A very close game, but in the end the Baltimore defense will have the last word.
> François Dussault, Diablos
Lamar Jackson has finally won a playoff game … so he will continue.
> Charles-Antoine Desrochers, Électriks
Quite a duel between two good quarterbacks, but I give the Bills the advantage.
> Guy Bergeron, Électriks
Short trip in climate known for Baltimore. Too bad, the Bills are nice.
> Benjamin Marchand, Berths
A fight of explosive attacks, the Ravens’ defense will give them victory.
> Pierre De Jean, Berths
The Bills should be able to contain Lamar Jackson, with the help of a defensive spy.
Lamar Jackson is very surprising. A very mobile quarterback game.
> Jimmy Thompson, Gothics
Although my heart is with the Bills, Lamar Jackson has found his bearings. Buffalo will need to keep a close eye on the “read option”.
> Samuel Bourque, Green and Gold
I still expect big performances from Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs!
> Hugo Gélinas, Green and Gold
Close match which will be won at the very end by the Bills. Their supporters deserve it!
Cleveland c. Kansas City
> Louis-Christophe Lamy, Diablos
Cleveland 24 Kansas City 34
Despite their excellent game in Pittsburgh, the Browns are no match for the defending Super Bowl champions.
> François Dussault, Diablos
Cleveland 24 Kansas City 38
Patrick Mahomes is on a mission to another Super Bowl.
> Charles-Antoine Desrochers, Électriks
Cleveland 21 Kansas City 31
The Browns will have quite a challenge against one of the NFL’s great attacking powers.
> Guy Bergeron, Électriks
Cleveland 17 Kansas City 35
Inform Kevin Costner’s agent that there will be no sequel to The Repechage movie. Hollywood no longer has scripts involving the Browns.
> Benjamin Marchand, Berths
Cleveland 14 Kansas City 27
The Chiefs offense will make fewer mistakes than the Steelers, so the Cleveland fairytale is over!
> Pierre De Jean, Berths
Cleveland 20 Kansas City 27
The Browns’ fairy tale ends this weekend against last year’s champions.
Cleveland 10 Kansas City 35
The Browns were lucky in the last game. Patrick Mahomes is too powerful for them.
> Jimmy Thompson, Gothics
Cleveland 17 Kansas City 42
Despite their victory over my poor Steelers, the Browns don’t have the manpower to beat the Chiefs.
> Samuel Bourque, Green and Gold
Cleveland 21 Kansas City 41
The Chiefs have too many passing threats, all controlled by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
> Hugo Gélinas, Green and Gold
Cleveland 17 Kansas City 34
Too many offensive weapons for the Chiefs, especially since Hill should be back and in good shape.
Tampa Bay v. New Orleans
> Louis-Christophe Lamy, Diablos
Tampa Bay 27 New Orleans 30
Never two without three! Alvin Kamara will have a great game and the Saints will beat Tampa for a third time this season.
> François Dussault, Diablos
Tampa Bay 24 New Orleans 31
Please, the end of the GOAT story (Tom Brady)!
> Charles-Antoine Desrochers, Électriks
Tampa Bay 22 New Orleans 30
A third duel between them this year, Saints advantage.
> Guy Bergeron, Électriks
Tampa Bay 27 New Orleans 30
Drew Brees’ farewell tour will continue. Two great quarterbacks, a big show.
> Benjamin Marchand, Berths
Tampa Bay 28 New Orleans 24
A meeting between two legends, a first in the playoffs. Brady, the best of all time, will emerge victorious from a fierce duel.
> Pierre De Jean, Berths
Tampa Bay 27 New Orleans 24
Probably the most exciting game of the weekend … Tom Brady will have to use more magic to beat, arguably at the last second, the Saints of Drew Brees.
Tampa Bay 24 New Orleans 31
Drew Brees and his offense will be too powerful for the Buccs, who are still surprising offensively.
> Jimmy Thompson, Gothics
Tampa Bay 31 New Orleans 24
Good old Brady still has gas in the reed, which will appeal to former Patriots fans who have abandoned their team at the expense of handsome Tom!
> Samuel Bourque, Green and Gold
Tampa Bay 27 New Orleans 17
Tom Brady will have the upper hand over Drew Brees!
> Hugo Gélinas, Green and Gold
Tampa Bay 23 New Orleans 20
The surprise of the week in my opinion. Brady’s “haters” won’t be happy!
