NFL playoff picks predictions Packers ed

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NFL championship weekend features a pair of quarterback matchupsfor all ages.First, Tampa Bay meets Green Bay in the NFC championship game at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday. Aaron Rodgers,37, is playing in his fifth NFC championship game, but it's his first one at Lambeau Field. Tom Brady, 43, is in his 14th NFC championship game, but this is his first one in the NFC. It's also the between the two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.Buffalotravels to Kansas City for the AFC championship game at 6:40 p.m. ET. It's the Chiefs'third straight AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium, and it remains to Tony Oliva Jersey be seen whether Patrick Mahomes,25, . If not, the Chiefs will turn to backup quarterback Chad Henne, 35, who sealed the divisional playoff round victory against the Browns. Josh Allen,24, is trying to get the Bills back in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1993.Sporting News hit three of four on divisional playoff weekend. Here is a look at our track record this season:Last Week:3-1Regular season: 129-75Playoffs: 7-3Overall: 136-78With that as the mind, below are our picks and predictions forthe conference championship games:MORE NFL PLAYOFFS: | | The referenced media source is mi sing and needs to be re-embedded. Tampa Bay Buccaneersat Green Bay Packers (-3.5)Green Bay looked unstoppable on offense against the Rams with the combination of Rodgers'efficiency and a three-headed running game led by Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and A.J. Dillon.That's where this matchup starts. The Packers generated just 94 rushing yards in the regular-season meeting, a 38-10 lo s at Tampa Bay that was ignited by two Rodgers'interceptions in the second quarter. The Buccaneers had five sacks, and the combined pre sure from defensive linemen Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh flustered Green Bay. Devin White and Lavonte David are speedy linebackers who can stuff the run, too.That is the challenge for a Packers'offensive line that has improved since, even without starting tackle DavidBakthiari.Rodgers needs those play-action opportunities to Bert Blyleven Jersey work with Davante Adams and Robert Tonyan. Green Bay made it look easy against the Rams. Can they do it again?MORE: Then there's Brady, who made the Packers pay for those mistakes in the first meeting. He's working with a loaded group of receivers.Ronald Jones Brian Dozier Jersey had 113 yards and two TDs in the first meeting, and Green Bay's defense has been susceptible to the run. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark needs to be more disruptive in this game.The Packers did not get a sack in that first meeting either. Rashan Gary, Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith need to pre sure Brady, or he will sit back and work with a loaded group of receivers. Who wins the red-zone matchups between Rob Gronkowski andMike Evans and Green Bay's secondary, which features a lock-down cornerbackin Jaire Alexander and an emerging safety in Darnell Savage Jr.? That will be the key.With these two quarterbacks, it comes down to a handful of plays.The Packers will hold on to a one-score lead at halftime, but Tampa Bay ties it early in the fourth quarter with an Antonio Brown touchdown. It really might come down to which quarterback has the ball last and which defense comes up with the stop. How much of an advantage is Lambeau Field? We think it makes the slight difference in an instant cla sic.Pick:Packers 31, Buccaneers 28 The referenced media source is mi sing and needs to be re-embedded.Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (-3)It' Kent Hrbek Jersey s difficult to make a pick without knowing whether Mahomes is playing this week, but we're going to base this predictionon the premise he's able to go.Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle, hip) also practiced last week but was inactive for the Browns'game. Edwards-Helaire had161 rushing yards in Kansas City's 26-17 victory against the Bills in Week 6.Darrel Williams started overLe'VeonBell last week, so he could be the focus if Edwards-Helaire can't go. The Chiefs also were without Sammy Watkins (calf) last week.The good news? Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill were still in action. Theycanhit the chunk plays against Buffalo's secondary no matter who is at quarterback.MORE: Josh Allen struggled in the regular-season matchup, but he didn't take a sack in that lo s.He also had not established a strong connection with Stefon Diggs, who has emerged as one of the best if not the best receiver in the league this season. Allen will target Diggs frequently, and Cole Beasley and John Brown to need to take advantage of their 1-on-1 opportunities.The Bills need to generate a running game with Devin Singletary early, and Allenwill make more plays this time.Again, this pick still comes down to Mahomes. If he's cleared, then we'll a sume he's healthy enough to lead the Chiefs to another Super Bowl appearance.Buffalo takes the early lead on a Diggs'TD, and the Bills cling to a third-quarter lead before the Mahomes magic act begins. Second-half TDs to Kelce and Hill re-take the lead, and Kansas City closes the door behind the running game in the fourth quarter. If last week taught us anything, then it's Andy Reid won't hold back in crunch time.It's tight again, but Kansas Cityrepeats as AFC champions.We will re-evaluate this Joe Mauer Jersey pick if he can't go.Pick:Chiefs 28, Bills 26