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American Association
1. Ravens de Baltimore (13-4) vs 4. Texans de Houston (10-7)
In their first season, head coach DeMeco Ryans and their quarterback CJ Stroud took the Texans to the second round of the playoffs. And they did it all with authority, manhandling the Cleveland Browns 45 to 14. To think that Cleveland had one of the best defenses of the season…
Stroud’s play inevitably inspires confidence, as there is no doubt that he already belongs among the NFL’s elite. That said, the order against the Baltimore Ravens will be quite one.
Indeed, the Baltimore club is the favorite to win the top honors and they took advantage of a well-deserved time off last week due to their bye. This means that everyone has taken care of their little injuries.
It even gave star tight end Mark Andrews enough time to be ready for a return. That’s a real blessing for the Ravens given that Andrews is one of the team’s most valuable players. most important of the air attack on Baltimore.
The key to this duel, however, remains quite simple. If the Texans want to have any chance of winning, they must contain electrifying quarterback Lamar Jackson and force him to throw the ball. Baltimore is a team that loves to run and the results are more mixed when they are required to pass more.
Barring a miracle solution from Ryans and his gang, the Ravens remain superior at all levels.
Prediction: Ravens by a score of 27 to 20
2. Bills de Buffalo (11-6) vs 3. Chiefs de Kansas City (11-6)
It’s the duel of the weekend. For football lovers, a matchup between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes is a bit of a blessing. Mahomes is the face of the NFL and Allen is probably the most spectacular quarterback in the NFL. A match between these two stars can’t be boring.
This isn’t the first playoff showdown between Mahomes and Allen, with the first matchup ending in a heartbreaking overtime loss for the Bills. On the other hand, for the very first time in his career, Mahomes will have to go play abroad in a playoff game (excluding the Super Bowl).
At first glance, that’s not what seems to bother a talent like Mahomes, but it will still be interesting to see him in an environment that is hostile towards him and very noisy.
On the field, the Bills offense is much more balanced since the change of coordinator Ken Dorsey mid-season. The ground attack is dominant and Allen has less pressure to do everything. It showed in their 31-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.
As for the Chiefs, they easily dismissed the Miami Dolphins in extremely cold conditions. Their defense has been up to par all year and it was again in this duel.
In short, what will make the difference in this match is the defensive unit that can best limit the damage against the elite quarterback standing in front of it. Both clubs have been excellent all year defensively, but Kansas City appears to have a slight edge. Even more considering all the injuries among the Bills…
Prediction: Chiefs by a score of 31 to 27
Association Nationale
1. San Francisco 49ers (12-5) vs. 7. Green Bay Packers (9-8)
To everyone’s surprise, the Packers gave a real lesson to the powerful Dallas Cowboys machine last week by winning by a score of 48 to 32.
In this match, Green Bay took control thanks to the efficiency of its ground game and by making the Cowboys’ generosity pay via Jordan Love’s precise passes. Their recipe was perfect and it allowed them to be the first team qualified in 7th place for the playoffs to win a match.
The next step for the Packers, however, will be even more difficult. The 49ers are the other big favorites for the Super Bowl and, like the Ravens, they are coming off a bye week.
What to expect in this Packers-49ers duel? Lots of shopping! Both clubs will hammer their opponent’s defensive front as long as it is possible to do so. Under head coach Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco has always had great success on the ground.
We must therefore expect that star running back, Christian McCaffrey, will be widely used, especially considering that the Packers had difficulty countering the ground game during the season. The diversity of San Francisco’s playbook could complicate life for Green Bay.
On the other hand, since the second half of the campaign, Love has been quite solid behind center. He will face his biggest career call against the 49ers’ excellent defensive unit.
The 49ers are superior at every level and they should win… but we said the same thing for the Cowboys a few days ago. Can the Packers pull off another small miracle?
Prediction: 49ers by a score of 33 to 23
3. Detroit Lions (12-5) vs 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)
Before their triumph against the Los Angeles Rams (24 to 23), you had to go back to 1991 to find traces of the Lions’ last playoff victory. Thanks to their determination and tireless work, the Michigan representatives were able to move forward. They certainly didn’t steal it.
Among the Buccaneers, they easily beat the Philadelphia Eagles in total rout. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was brilliant in this game with 337 yards and three touchdown passes.
As for the Lions vs. Buccaneers matchup, it should be interesting to analyze the matchup between Detroit’s ground game and Tampa’s ground defensive unit. The Lions have excelled at running throughout the season while the Buccs have been solid in countering ground attacks. The team that knows how to have the upper hand in this battle could give itself a good chance of victory.
Through the air, both teams are vulnerable, which could also leave space for Jared Goff and Mayfield to make a difference with their receivers. Both teams are full of talent on this side and everything seems in place for an offensive festival.
Prediction: Lions by a score of 37 to 33
2024-01-19 09:00:00
#tasty #AllenMahomes #duel #spotlight
