The 2023-2024 NFL regular season is over. 14 teams in two conferences (seven in each) have a chance at winning the Vince Lombardi championship trophy. For those unfamiliar with the updated playoff format, an extra team was added. That means there’s one bye week for the top seeded team in each conference and a Monday night playoff game. Everyone wants to know which three teams in the NFC advance to the divisional round, so here are the best picks come Sunday.
#7 Green Bay Packers v. #2 Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has won an impressive 15 straight home games (including playoffs). Dak Prescott is a worthy MVP nominee given how many analysts didn’t think the Cowboys would come close to winning the NFC East. The defense has also been one of the best in the league.
That said, Green Bay is on a roll right now. Runningback Aaron Jones’ last three games were all 100 yard performances. The Packers are 7-3 since Halloween with wins against Detroit, Kansas City and a Minnesota team that almost made the playoffs. You can bet coach Matt LaFleur will call run plays against a Dallas defense that struggles against the run. Jones being the go-to option also neutralizes pass rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons.
The deciding factor will be the Cowboys receivers against Green Bay’s secondary. CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks and Martavis Bryant are better and more consistent than the trio of Corey Ballentine, Darnell Savage and Jaire Alexander. The Packers will make this close, but the home team should get a well earned win.
Prediction: Cowboys win 27-23
#6 Los Angeles Rams v. #3 Detroit Lions
Head coach Sean McVay surprised everyone and led Los Angeles to ten wins with a bunch of rookies and new players on all three sides of the ball. Rookies Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner and Quentin Lake have elevated the play of their teammates while dominating at their positions. Detroit’s defense might have a hard time not just defending Nakua and number one team receiver Cooper Kupp, but trying to hold any leads the offense gets.
While coach McVay has been in loud stadiums before, nothing will prepare him nor any other team for how loud, festive and fun Ford Field will be in hosting Detroit’s first playoff home game since 1994. Injuries to receivers Kalif Raymond and Sam LaPorta are a valid concern but the Lions boast the best offensive line in the league and the best runningback tandem in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Expect Detroit to own the time of possession and keep Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford off the field as they desperately try to win their first postseason game in 33 years.
Prediction: Lions win 33-13
#5 Philadelphia Eagles v. #4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By far the worst playoff game on paper, both Philadelphia and Tampa Bay are struggling to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive. The Eagles couldn’t beat either the Cardinals or Giants, two of the worst teams in the league, in back-to-back weeks. Philadelphia gave up at least 27 points in each game. Tampa Bay’s offense has been atrocious, putting up 22 points in the two games played after Christmas.
The one thing in the Buccaneers’ favor is their defense. The Eagles offense won’t have A.J. Brown and Philadelphia’s running game is inconsistent. Tampa Bay will have more chances with quarterback Baker Mayfield to score against what’s now one of the worst defenses in the league called by coordinator Matt Patricia.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 20-10
2023 regular season playoff picks record: 3-4
JD's Sportscorner 
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