The NFL is back again with two more playoff games Saturday with shots to play in the AFC and NFC championship games on the line.
And the No. 1 seeds from both sides will be in action.
First up, MVP favorite Lamar Jackson and the No. 1 seed Baltimore Ravens will host rookie sensation C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans to kick off Saturday’s NFL slate.
And in the nightcap, star running back Christian McCaffrey and the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers will host quarterback Jordan Love and the red-hot Green Bay Packers.
Winners of each game will reach next weekend’s conference championship games.
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We’ve got an MVP who might win his second, and future MVP in the first playoff game to kick off the divisional round.
Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to a 13-win season and the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. Baltimore will host C.J. Stroud and the AFC South champion Texans, who impressed in their 45-14 playoff win over the Cleveland Browns last week.
Jackson’s motive has been to “Make it to February” and help the Ravens reach the Super Bowl – even during decisive wins over the 49ers and Miami Dolphins in his last two games that separated him from the field in the MVP conversation.
Meanwhile, Stroud and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans are early, but they have shown they belong in the NFL’s postseason party, orchestrating a franchise overhaul during their rookie seasons together in Houston.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said he began game planning for this game during the second quarter of the Packers’ beatdown of the Dallas Cowboys last week.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes and led three other touchdown drives on the road in Dallas, surely putting Shanahan and the No. 1-seed 49ers on notice about the No. 7-seed Packers.
Can Love and the Packers continue their hot-streak, or will the 49ers advance to their third consecutive NFC championship game, and fourth in five seasons?
The 49ers earned a playoff bye with a 12-win season boasted by star running back Christian McCaffrey, receiver Deebo Samuel and seventh-round quarterback Brock Purdy managing Shanahan’s offense.
Now, they must slow down Love, Packers coach Matt LaFleur and one of the youngest teams in the NFL that just showed they could take down a division champion last week.
Predictions for Saturday’s NFL divisional games
Here are the USA TODAY Sports staff’s predictions for Saturday’s playoff games:
- Jarrett Bell: Ravens, 49ers
- Chris Bumbaca: Ravens, 49ers
- Nate Davis: Ravens, 49ers
- Safid Deen: Ravens, 49ers
- Tyler Dragon: Ravens, 49ers
- Victoria Hernandez: Ravens, 49ers
- Jordan Mendoza: Ravens, 49ers
- Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Ravens, 49ers
- Lorenzo Reyes: Ravens, Packers
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