(Photo: X/Twitter)

NFC Divisional Playoff 

(4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at (3) Detroit Lions 

Bucs: They handled their business on Monday night against the Eagles as I expected them too. Philly entered that game way out of sync and very discombulated in each phase of the game. I’m so happy for Baker Mayfield and couldn’t be more proud of him with his play this year. He was in total control of the game and the defense handled the rest. What a story this football team has been this year. Yes, you’ve won the division two years in a row prior to this season and it’s your first year without Tom Brady. The Bucs shocked the world and won the NFC South again for the third consecutive season. On Monday night, they were simply the better football team in each phase of the game. They were the downhill group that wanted to play a physical style of football, Baker spread the ball around to the open receiver and the defense did their part with a share of blitzes, a Todd Bowles staple and made the Eagles a one-dimensional football team and avenged a week three loss during the regular season. As of late, I’ve seen a team that just continues to ascend as they have won six of their last seven games. It’s a team that’s clicking and getting hot at the right time and remember, many of the players on this team were on that Super Bowl winning team from a few years ago which is important because experience matters. Many of their players have labeled this as the “second chance tour”. They crossed off one team on their tour last week to close out the Wild Card round and next, they will make a trip to Motown to face the Detroit Lions.

Lions: Sunday night was quite the atmosphere at Ford Field, wasn’t it? It was the first time Ford Field had ever hosted a playoff game, they’re champions of the NFC North and the Los Angeles Rams were in town which meant a familiar face returned. I’m talking about Matthew Stafford who played in Detroit for the first 12 seasons of his career and was back where it all started for the first time since being traded to the Rams. This was the game I was looking forward to the most and it didn’t disappoint as it was the only competitive game in the Wild Card round. When the Lions first got the ball, they were moving the ball up the field as it were nothing. They were running the ball and in turn, that allowed Jared Goff to use his play-action to throw the ball down the field which is when he’s at his best. It was a packed house in Detroit and I remember saying on Twitter that I’ve heard Ford Field loud before, but Sunday night was by far the loudest I’ve heard it probably ever. The legends even came out for this one. Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson of course and Eminem was also in attendance. The Lions got a fight from the Los Angeles Rams and they buckled some in the second half defensively, but did just enough to hang on for the one-point victory and won their first playoff game in 32 seasons. Let these fans have their moment and I say that because they’ve had their share of struggles over the years. It’s another week which means another playoff game for them and on Sunday afternoon, they will look to punch their ticket to the NFC Championship Game. They will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Bucs X-Factor: Chris Godwin– He’s still the most important piece to this offense in Tampa. Mike Evans is going to get his, there’s no doubt about that. Chris is what keeps the engine revving in this offense because he’s able to do so much. He’s a smaller receiver that has no problem with going over the top and also works the middle of the field. Chris has earned the nickname, “Mr. YAC” which stands for Yards After Catch and he’s one of the best in the league in the open field with the ball in his hands. He lines up anywhere and gets the job done regardless of where he is.

Lions X-Factor: Sam LaPorta– Iowa is Tight End U by far and that’s where this guy played his college football. Sam has met and exceeded expectations for this Lions team this season in more ways than imaginable. He’s another threat and one of Jared’s go-to guys in the passing attack in the red zone especially. Sam is able to work the inside of course, but line up as a receiver and excel against Cornerbacks. As a blocker, he’s big enough to power through and open lanes against Linebackers. In just his first year, Sam has become a key piece of the puzzle.

Final Thoughts: These two met during the regular season and the Lions were so dominant in that matchup. They actually held the Bucs without a touchdown in that game. Months later, both teams are much different of course. I hope and pray the Lions are better prepared for the blitz they’ll see from Tampa compared to the Eagles who simply didn’t adjust. With Tampa, they can be inconsistent from week to week meaning you just don’t know which version of them will show up. The Lions ended their playoff win drought and now, they come into this game more loose because they alleviated that enormous weight off their shoulders. I expect this to be a physical football game from start to finish which favors the Lions in that aspect. The Lions secondary can also struggle at times and I see Tampa exposing that early and throughout this game. Tampa played an Eagles team that was mentally in Cabo last week and this week, they run into a buzzsaw that is the Detroit Lions. I like the Lions to win this game and punch their ticket to the NFC title game.

Prediction: Lions 28, Bucs 17