No. 1 Green Bay Packers (-3.5) vs No. 5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jan. 24, 2021. 2:05 p.m. CST. Lambeau Field (FOX)
The NFC Championship will mark the first of two rematches in this weekend’s games. The Green Bay Packers will be looking for revenge against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who gave them their worst loss of the season, beating them 38-10. After that loss, the Packers would go 3-2 in their next five games, their worst stretch all season. The Packers then hit their strides. They would finish the season winning their last six games and earning the number one overall seed in the NFC Playoffs, which also came with the only first-round bye in the NFC.
Aaron Rodgers has been a big part of their midseason turnaround. Rodgers finished the regular season with 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns to 5 interceptions, and a passer rating of 84.3. He was ranked as the number one quarterback in the NFL.
Many critics would question if Rodgers and the Packers were actually as good as their numbers suggest, and for many, that question was answered after the Divisional Round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams and the NFL’s number one defense. The Packers three-headed monster of Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and Davante Adams ripped apart the number one defense of for 484 total yards and 32 points. The Packers are playing their best football at the right time and hope to continue their success against the Buccaneers.
After twenty years in New England and six Super Bowl Championships, many thought that Tom Brady’s move to Tampa Bay was only to choose his home to retire in. But after finishing 11-5 and leading the Buccaneers to their first NFC Championship since the 2002 season, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever step on the field has a chance at going to his tenth Super Bowl.
Brady’s Buccaneers had an up and down season. When it was announced that Tom Brady was heading to Tampa Bay to become a Buccaneer, Vegas oddsmakers gave Tampa one of the highest odds to win the Super Bowl. High expectations were set on this Buccaneers team even before Brady showed up in Florida. The Buccaneers started the first five games with a 3-2 record and were not playing fundamental football. However, the next week against the Packers, things all came together. The Buccaneers played solid on defense making Aaron Rodgers uncomfortable and forcing him into mistakes which captured momentum and eventually was used to put the Packers away.
Things were looking up for Brady and the Bucs,. They would win their next two games and set up a rematch game against their division rival the New Orleans Saints. This game alone caused many to question whether Brady could still play at an elite level. Drew Brees and the Saints blitzed the Bucs, beating them 38-3 and handing Tom Brady his worst loss of his career. The Buccaneers would also lose to the Rams and the Chiefs in close games, however, from there they would win out and earn their playoff spot. The Buccaneers have beaten the Washington Football team and their stingy defense, and got their victory over the Saints in a Divisional Round rematch of the past two matchups.
The Buccaneers are now facing their toughest test so far. They beat this Packer team handily before, but the Packers team today is different than it was in their first matchup. The question will be how the Buccaneers will play in the extreme cold of the frozen tundra. On Sunday in Tampa Bay, it is projected to be 80 degrees and sunny. Whereas in Green Bay, it is projected to be 29 degrees with snow flurries. Tom Brady has played in these kinds of environments, however many others on his young football team have yet to feel what it is like to be hit in freezing weather. If Tom Brady wants to continue his quest for his seventh Super Bowl ring, he is going to have to once again be the leader he has proven himself to be thus far this season.
No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (-3) vs. No. 2 Buffalo Bills
Jan. 24, 2021. 5:40 p.m. CST (CBS)
(14-2, 6-2 HOME) (13-3, 6-2 AWAY)
The Kansas City Chiefs are one game away from having a chance at repeating as Super Bowl Champions, something that has not been done since the 2004/2005 Patriots. The important question for the Chiefs is how will Patrick Mahomes play against the Bills? In the Chiefs Divisional Round win against the Cleveland Browns, Mahomes was put in concussion protocol in the late part of the game. If it was not for the heroics of backup quarterback Chad Henne, the AFC Championship might be hosted in Buffalo. The Chiefs won that game, however, the health of their franchise quarterback was on their minds. Kansas City will be playing one of the hottest football teams in the Buffalo Bills. If Mahomes is struggling, you could see how quickly the Bills can capitalize.
Mahomes has been part of the NFL’s most lethal offense, throwing for 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns. The Chiefs got a steal in the draft in rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Edwards-Helaire has missed the past few games for the Chiefs with a leg injury but is possible to return against the Bills. Tight End Travis Kelce was the leading receiver for the Chiefs breaking NFL records all season. Kelce racked up 1,416 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Buffalo Bills are having their best season in 20 years. With a 13-3 record, Josh Allen leads one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL. Allen and his favorite target Stefon Diggs have been ripping apart opposing defenses all season long. The Bills will come into this game against the Chiefs with revenge on their mind for the Week 6 home loss to these Chiefs. If it wasn’t for the Cardinals Hail Murray, the Bills would be 14-2 and could have had a chance at the first-round bye with home field advantage.. Allen lit up the league with 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading many to believe that Allen could be the face of the NFL in the future. Allen’s partner in crime, Diggs, tallied 1,535 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. If Allen and Diggs can keep their hot streak going against the Chiefs, fans could be in for an exciting game, as Buffalo gives the Bills Mafia a Super Bowl Appearance that they have waited nearly 30 years for.