Tag: NFL Playoffs 2023

What does history say about No. 1 seeds vs. No. 3 seeds in the playoffs?

The third-seeded Lions face the No. 1 seed 49ers in the NFC Championship. How have those seed matchups gone in the past?

Sunday’s conference championship games include two matchups of No. 1 seeds hosting No. 3 seeds. In NFL history, things don’t bode very well for the No. 3 seed, and the numbers aren’t very reassuring if you are a Chiefs or Lions fan.

Obviously, both Kansas City and Detroit have overcome their fair share of obstacles this season. They also have trump cards in the form of Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) and momentum (Lions).

There have been 15 total matchups between No. 1 and No. 3 seeds. Here is how these teams historically have fared by the numbers:

– The No. 1 seed has won 14 of 15 matchups with No. 3 seeds.

– The only upset came in 2003 when the Panthers defeated the Eagles.

– No. 1 seeds are averaging 26.3 points per game, while the No. 3 seeds are averaging 14.8 points per game.

The Chiefs and Lions both are hoping to be able to bend history to their own benefit come Sunday. History repeats itself more in the NFL than in any other sports league, one could argue.

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Look: Top photos from the Lions playoff win over Tampa Bay

Here are some of the top photos from inside the stadium in Detroit’s NFC Divisional round win.

The Detroit Lions have won two postseason games in the same year for the first time since 1957. Beating the Buccaneers by a 31-23 score on Sunday sends the Lions to the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday with a chance to play for a berth in the Super Bowl.

The win over the Buccaneers was filled with big plays and key moments. It also featured some crazy energy from the Lions fans inside Ford Field.

Here are some of the top photos from inside the stadium in Detroit’s NFC Divisional round win.

Lions will host a watch party at Ford Field for the NFC Championship game

Lions will host a watch party at Ford Field for the NFC Championship game

The NFC Championship game will be played at Levi’s Stadium in the San Francisco area, but the Detroit Lions still want fans to pack Ford Field for next Sunday’s game.

The team announced it will host a watch party at the home stadium. Doors will open at 5 p.m. ET, or 90 minutes before the scheduled kickoff in San Francisco. The title game will be shown on all the video boards and display screens inside Ford Field.

Tickets will go on sale on Monday morning for Lions loyalty members and at 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon for the general public. The 100-level sections and reserved seating will be available.

A portion of the proceeds will support the Detroit Lions Foundation for Youth & High School Sports.

Lions beat Buccaneers to advance to the NFC Championship game

Lions beat Buccaneers to advance to the NFC Championship game

For the first time in the Super Bowl era, the Detroit Lions have won two playoff games in the same postseason. The Lions beat the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-23, inside a raucous Ford Field on Sunday.

It was an epic matchup worthy of the national television audience and the high stakes.

Detroit and Tampa Bay traded field goals in the first quarter. The game was tied at 10 at the half. Both teams added a touchdown in the third quarter, leaving the fourth quarter a battle for the right to head to San Francisco and play for the NFC Championship next Sunday.

The Lions struck quickly with an impressive drive. Jahmyr Gibbs capped it with a gorgeous 31-yard run to seize the lead with a seven-play, 75-yard drive. Detroit’s defense forced a quick three-and-out for the second time in three drives, giving the ball back to the Lions offense with 12 minutes to play.

What came next was a championship drive, plain and simple. The Lions went 89 yards in 10 plays for a methodical, ruthlessly efficient scoring drive. Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown in the back right corner of the end zone on first-and-goal from the 9-yard line, rewarding the All-Pro wideout for a gritty 3rd-and-15 conversion earlier on the drive. The Lions took the lead, 31-17.

Because nothing comes easy, the Buccaneers answered with an impressive drive of their own. Baker Mayfield hit Mike Evans for a score to cap a 9-play, 75-yard drive. However, the 2-pt. conversion failed when Mayfield’s fade to Evans hit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu in the back.

The Lions next drive stalled at the two-minute warning, giving the Buccaneers one last shot. But Derrick Barnes nicely undercut a crossing route and picked off Mayfield’s pass to seal the win. Goff knelt in victory formation and all of the Lions fan base blew the roof off whatever building they might have been in.

Lions inactives vs. Buccaneers: James Houston will not play

Lions inactives vs. Buccaneers: James Houston will not play while Sam LaPorta is active

There was one big question lingering over the Detroit Lions and their inactive player list for Sunday’s playoff matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Would James Houston be active?

Detroit activated Houston from injured reserve during the week, but the second-year pass rusher was listed as questionable for the NFC Divisional Round game with the ankle injury that has kept him sidelined since September.

And it will continue to keep Houston out. He’s one of the seven inactive Lions for the game.

Houston and Kalif Raymond are the injury-related inactive players. Tight end Sam LaPorta was listed as questionable but he will play.

49ers edge Packers, will host NFC Championship game

49ers edge Packers, will host NFC Championship game even if the Lions beat the Buccaneers

It was hard not to dream about the Detroit Lions hosting the NFC Championship game as the postseason rolled into the second weekend. Sure, two outcomes had to happen first — most notably the Lions beating the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.

Dream another dream, that dream is over before the Lions even played. That’s because the San Francisco 49ers held off the Green Bay Packers in a very close game on Saturday night. Niners LB Dre Greenlaw picked off Packers QB Jordan Love for the second time of the game on Green Bay’s final drive, sealing a 24-21 comeback win in Santa Clara.

Because the 49ers are the top seed, they will host the NFC Championship game next Sunday no matter who wins the Lions-Buccaneers game. The Lions host Tampa Bay for the right to move on and play for a shot to get into the Super Bowl.

John Harbaugh deserves the NFL Coach of the year award

The No.1 seeded Baltimore Ravens have the best record in the NFL and a beloved head coach named John Harbaugh.

The AFC’s No. 1 seed Baltimore Ravens have the best record in the NFL and a beloved head coach named John Harbaugh. Does Harbaugh deserve the NFL Coach of the Year award?

Harbaugh has had an extraordinary career with a winning record of 171-107 but this season he’s been even more special. Harbaugh deserves credit for allowing new offensive coordinator Todd Monken the liberty to run a newer non-traditional offense.

The Ravens rank No. 2 in the NFL in points per game, No. 1 in points allowed per game, and have arguably, the league’s MVP in quarterback Lamar Jackson. With a roster full of talent, Harbaugh has done a tremendous job establishing a philosophy of togetherness in the Ravens locker room. 

Harbaugh has stayed optimistic, even after overcoming key injuries. The Ravens incurred season-ending injuries to tight-end Mark Andrews and running back Keaton Mitchell, plus overcame early season injuries to defensive back Marlon Humphrey and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Harbaugh’s cool-headed approach is contagious and it’s evidently why reserves have entered the lineup and performed so well, including safety Geno Stone who leads the team with seven interceptions, and tight-end Isaiah Likely who has played well.

 
 
 
 
 
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Beckham Jr. openly confessed that the 2023 Ravens were the best team he has ever been a part of. Cleveland Browns fans may praise head coach Kevin Stefanski but should thank Harbaugh for his impact on quarterback Joe Flacco’s longevity. Perhaps Harbaugh will be crowned at the NFL Honors this February. 

Lamar Jackson finishes Week 17 with a RTG of 158.9

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson needed just 21 pass attempts to throw 5 touchdowns Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson needed just 21 pass attempts to throw 5 touchdowns Sunday. More impressively, he finished with 321 total pass yards. Jackson’s timely performance helped the Ravens secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has revamped the team on offense, calling plays that fit congruently into Jackson’s play style. Sunday, Jackson completed passes to seven different receivers, a testament to Monken’s play scheme. While Jackson has been often labeled one-dimensional, his play passing the ball has helped the Ravens tremendously in 2023

Ultimately, with a set of new wide receivers and Monken calling the offensive plays, Jackson has continued to excel. After defeating the Miami Dolphins, the Ravens not only have the best record in the AFC, they now have the best record in the NFL. Arguably, they also have the most valuable player in the NFL.

Rams and Saints on Thursday night has big playoff implications for the Lions

The Week 16 matchup between the Rams and Saints on Thursday night has big playoff implications for the Detroit Lions

No doubt about it, the Detroit Lions control their own destiny. If they beat the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Eve, the Lions will clinch their first division title since 1993. From there, they would have two games left on their schedule to try and become either the first or second seed in the NFC. If the Lions want to become the second seed, they’ll definitely need to beat the Dallas Cowboys in two weeks.

For now, the Lions appear to be headed to become at least the 3rd seed in the NFC playoffs this year. With that, the Lions would play whichever team ends up as the 6th seed in the NFC. If the playoffs were today, the Lions would play the Minnesota Vikings.

However, there are three weeks left, and if the Lions take care of business to win the division, they would knock the Vikings down a spot or potentially out of the playoffs. That’s not the worst thing in the world, but the teams waiting in the wings become interesting.

Currently, the Los Angeles Rams are the 7th seed and are in the playoffs. The New Orleans Saints are the 8th seed and are out of the playoffs. Oddly enough, these two teams play each other on Thursday Night Football. The winner of Thursday’s game would become the 6th seed if the Lions beat the Vikings next Sunday.

Here’s the remaining schedule for the Rams, Saints and Vikings:

  • Minnesota Vikings: vs. Detroit Lions, vs. Green Bay Packers and at Detroit Lions
  • Los Angeles Rams: vs. New Orleans Saints, at New York Giants and at San Francisco 49ers
  • New Orleans Saints: at Los Angeles Rams, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers and vs. Atlanta Falcons

What are the chances that the Lions’ first home playoff game in 30 years is one where they host Matthew Stafford and the Rams? Certainly something you would see in the movies. Even though it’s a fun thought, it’s somewhat terrifying to think about. The Rams have gotten healthier and are playing some really good football right now. I’d think they’d give the Lions a run for their money despite playing at Ford Field.

We’ll see how it plays out, as the Lions could clinch a playoff berth tonight. All they need is for the Seattle Seahawks to beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. It’s fun times in Detroit with the Lions playing meaningful games in December. Regardless of how it plays out, let’s enjoy the ride.