Around the NFC North: Divisional Round
We're still doing this? Edition.
By Mike Price
It should've been us! It's important to have annual traditions, for most of my adult life, one of those is the gut punch playoff loss for the Packers. Will the Lions moving on in the playoffs become a new one? Let's discuss their win over Tampa.
Lions
The Lions beat the Bucs 31-23.
Game Notes
- Last week, we predicted the Bucs would give the Lions more trouble than many thought and they did for most of this game. Eventually, the Lions pulled away thanks to some big runs and a Baker int. The Bucs went for two down 14 in would should not have been a controversial decision. NFL teams convert 2-point conversions over 50% of the time. So if you don't convert the first time, and go down eight, you will still more than likely convert the second time. If you do convert the first time, you can win with an extra point kick, which 31 teams have no problem making basically every time.
- Onto Jared Goff. The Bucs got some pressure on Goff early and forced him into check down mode - he averaged just 6.7 YPA - but he was still plenty efficient and ended up with a QB rating of 103.5 and no picks. The 49ers d-line vs. the Lions o-line will be a big match-up next week. The Lions will do better than most at thwarting the 49ers 4-man rush, but Wilks will probably not be afraid to bring extra rushers every once in a while. If the 49ers can pressure Goff early, I think they can slow down this Lions offense.
- The run game will probably still be pretty successful, regardless of how Goff does. The 49ers hadn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 50 games or something before Aaron Jones did it, but they're usually killing people by the second quarter, so who even has a chance to run enough to get 100 yards. Jones and the Packers pin-and-pull scheme showed that the 49ers can be run on and Jahmyr Gibbs may be just the man to do it. He had 9 carries for 74 yards and 4 catches for 40 yards against Tampa. Get him outside following Sewell and Hockenson and the Lions could have some big plays.
- If the Lions can protect Goff and get Gibbs the ball running outside, they can be relatively successful on offense, the problem is defense. Baker Mayfield wanted to do one thing in this game: throw it to Mike Evans. Guess what he did 8 times for 147 yards and a TD? In total Mayfield had 349 pass yards and 3 TDs and Tampa average 5.9 yards per carry. If the Bucs can do this to the Lions frail defense what will the 49ers do? It could be a massacre.
Next Week
I suspect we'll be doing a season in review article for the three NFC North teams next week though I will certainly be rooting for Detroit. Somehow, the 49ers feel like more of a rival than the Lions do to me.
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Mike Price is a lifelong Packers fan who recently moved form Utah to Stoughton (a Madison suberb). You can follow him on twitter at @themikeprice.
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Comments (24)
LambeauPlain
January 23, 2024 at 11:14 am
Not a lions fan because of their fans. Worst road experience ever with rude, profane lion fans hurling profanity at anyone wearing Green and Gold. It was just pathetic. I will never travel there again.
Having banter and talking smart with opposing fans is fun and expected. But being mean spirited and profane is totally uncalled for...especially when sitting with a young nephew, his young friend and a Father in Law.
It got so bad in our area of the stadium, the ushers began to tell lions fans to shut up or he'd toss them. That helped...a bit.
Starrbrite
January 23, 2024 at 02:49 pm
10-4 Lambeau—that’s too bad, you expect decent behavior from fans, especially in the Midwest. I experienced the same thing in Denver a few years ago. Another reason for me to despise the Donkeys.
GregC
January 23, 2024 at 11:31 am
Was it controversial when the Bucs went for two? The announcers didn't think so, and neither did I. The Packers won a game this season using that exact strategy.
The Packers had a shot at the Niners when they were vulnerable, coming off a bye. It will be tougher sledding for the Lions.
I should be cheering for the Lions. I have nothing against them, and I know a lot of Lions fans. But for some reason, my heart is not in it. I think it's jealousy. I will watch with interest, and may the best team win.
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 12:27 pm
If Deebo is healthy and the weather more friendly, I think the 49ers will be a different proposition and better prepared and focused after their scare last week. They have the better defense. The Lions have the better OL now it’s healthy but the 49ers DL is good too. overall I think the offensive skill weapons cancel each other out approximately. I’d suggest it will be close if both turn up to play, but I think McCaffrey and the 49ers ILBs ability to cover are the difference if Deebo is healthy.
GregC
January 23, 2024 at 12:50 pm
That's pretty much how I see it too. Having Deebo Samuel knocked out of the game added to the Packers' golden opportunity. Even if he's not back, I think the Lions will struggle to contain the 49ers offense, and I would still pick the Niners to win. If Deebo plays, it will be that much tougher.
splitpea1
January 23, 2024 at 11:36 am
A sample from a batch of prematurely printed tickets, supposedly at halftime. But Lions came back from a 24-7 deficit to win the divisional playoff game. But check out how economical the NFL playoffs were for the fans back then; the price of $7.50 equates to roughly $80.32 in today's money.https://images.app.goo.gl/tydKBCPrN1WyVd6B8
Cheezehead72
January 23, 2024 at 11:38 am
I am hoping for a Lions Ravens SB.
After the Packers lost I was hoping for a Lions Bills SB. Bills blew it again much like the turd I dropped.
I do not like the 49ers and I really do not want to see the Chiefs in it again. Plus I am tired of seeing Swift cheering.
Yes some Lions fans can be rude but they have never been to the SB and they are an NFC team. Ravens have not been there in awhile and I like Jim H.
Cheezehead72
January 23, 2024 at 02:25 pm
Oops I meant John Harbough. I always mix up the names.
beerandbrats
January 23, 2024 at 12:12 pm
The Lions are probably feeling pretty confident right now. I hope the Niners kick the dog snot out of them! We simply can't have lions and vikings and bears thinking they are better than the Green Bay Packers!
Cheezehead72
January 23, 2024 at 02:23 pm
The Lions won the division so they are better than the Packers. The Vikings won the division last year so they were better than the Packers. If you want to feel that way then the Packers must win.
joejetson
January 23, 2024 at 03:04 pm
The Vikings and Bears always talk big about beating the Packers, but deep down in their shriveled hearts, they know the Packers own them.
And soon, after their bonus draft picks end, the Lions will be back in the dark, damp cellar, where they belong.
beerandbrats
January 23, 2024 at 03:43 pm
You nailed it joejetson!
WestCoastPackerBacker
January 23, 2024 at 01:20 pm
Yeah, at least for GB the gut punch is in the playoffs. And this is nothing like past playoff losses, except maybe for Rodgers' first year in the playoffs. With Rodgers it was expected to compete for a Super Bowl. This year was about seeing if Jordan was the future of the team and seeing who else needs to be let go in the rebuild. But Jordan and the young guys made this about how far we can go in the playoffs, instead of whether we have a franchise QB.
Not the same gut punch at all. This one carries a ton of hope for the future.
jlc1
January 23, 2024 at 02:14 pm
Yes there is good evidence for hope. But geez things can go south in a hurry in the NFL. Just ask an Eagles fan. So I've talked myself into being nervous about next year. GPG!
T7Steve
January 23, 2024 at 01:30 pm
I have a problem with liking any team this weekend.
The 9ers have already faced their toughest test in the playoffs and will prevail. The Lions' window is closing.
MitchAnthony
January 23, 2024 at 01:40 pm
I'm pulling for the Lions. I know their fans can be bastards but I chalk that up to so many years of being bottom dwellers. They're just so damn frustrated. As far as I'm concerned the team with the absolute worst fans has already been eliminated and that is the Eagles. The City of Brotherly Love has the worst NFL fans by far and away.
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In the AFC it is the Ravens for me. That's a tough team and they draft well year in and year out. I've grown tired of the circus surrounding the Chiefs as well.
Bitternotsour
January 24, 2024 at 05:13 pm
Sorry. Viking fans are the worst. Then Seattle. Philly rolls in there somewhere along with the Cowboys.
Leatherhead
January 23, 2024 at 05:49 pm
I am happy that I have lived long enough to see the Lions appear in their second championship game in my lifetime. I told my son to remember this because he might not see it again. They won't beat the 49ers, and they won't win the division next year. This is their apex.
The Bears actually scored only a few less points than the Packers. I mean, Love and all the weaponry barely outscored Fields and his ......helpers. Let that soak in for a few seconds. And defensively, they were 20th but a few TDs difference would have put them closer to 10th. This is our primary threat for 2024.....rich in draft picks, they might give Fields some help.
The Vikings have no QB. They either need to reload with Kirk Cousins or waste another first round pick on a QB who'll never do much for them. Whichever they choose, it'll end up being a mistake
Bitternotsour
January 24, 2024 at 05:11 pm
Can't feel bad for a fanbase that used to have to wear bags over their heads. Good on Detroit. This is it. Their pinnacle.
I'm not ready to hand the NFC to SF. Goff is the kind of QB who can run off 17 or 18 consecutive completions, and they both have real, live, professional players.
The Vikings are doomed to be who they always are. The Bears will deal Fields, only depends on his market.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 27, 2024 at 06:42 pm
If Chicago simply improves their team around Fields, they can do that. If they think they can transform themselves into a SB contender in this one draft they're fooling themselves, and would likely just get worse.
jont
January 24, 2024 at 02:06 pm
All non-football reasons behind my only mild interest in who wins this week.
Nothing against the Lions-- Goff's likable, and I like the coach's fight all the way style-- while SF strikes me as generally insufferable, though Deebo is special.
Love Lamar, just a great player, but a little Harbaugh goes a very long way with me. And I love Andy, but you can have Kelce, his skinny girlfriend, and his suddenly attention hungry brother. And Mahome's little brother? Good God, that kid needs some kind of professional help.
Bitternotsour
January 24, 2024 at 02:40 pm
John Harbaugh isn't near the douche his brother is, and Kelce is smart, clever and a really funny guy. Also, I wouldn't call Taylor Swift skinny, that girl got a backside and some hips.
jont
January 25, 2024 at 12:38 pm
Reasonable people can disagree.
(But you are SO wrong. Taylor Swift has a butt!?!?)
FWIW, not my downvote.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 27, 2024 at 08:30 am
Lol Swift is trying to use nutrition and exercise to get a bigger butt now that she's in a relationship.