2022 NFL Playoffs Divisional Round Early Predictions: NFC
All of these matchups are based on early, first-guess picks from the wild-card round. Again, these are predictions and projections and not the set matchups.
Remember, the bracket reseeds – the No. 1 team plays the lowest-seeded team remaining.
4 Los Angeles Rams at 1 Green Bay Packers
Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: It’s hardly a given that the Rams will get by Arizona – which team will be flakier? – but assuming Matthew Stafford and company get the job done, will they be able to handle being chilly? We did this back Week 12 in a 36-28 Green Bay win helped by three takeaways, and it’s about to happen again.
The week off will mean everything. Green Bay will get even healthier and fresher on the offensive line, the secondary that doesn’t allow much of anything downfield will be solid, and … it’s Green Bay in January. The Rams will be cold.
Knee-Jerk No Research Prediction: Green Bay 34, Los Angeles Rams 20
Early Line Guess (if this matchup happens): Green Bay -8.5
3 Dallas Cowboys at 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: Oh yeah, we need this as a nation. We need a repeat of that fantastic Week 1 shootout with the two teams combining for well over 800 yards thanks to monster performances from Tom Brady and Dak Prescott. It’ll come down to this: Tampa Bay on third downs.
For all of its offense and pyrotechnics, Dallas takes things up a level with its third down defense. Tampa Bay is second in the NFL on third downs, but just like it’s a concern in the Wild Card round against Philadelphia, is Tampa Bay going to be healthy enough across the skill spots? 12 will be healthy enough, and the downfield big plays will follow.
Knee-Jerk No Research Prediction: Tampa Bay 30, Dallas 26
Early Line Guess (if this matchup happens): Tampa Bay -3.5
NFL Playoff First Thought Predictions
– Wild Card: Saturday | Wild Card: Sunday
– Divisional Round: NFC | AFC
– Conference Championships
– Super Bowl Prediction