NFC Championship Preview and Predictions

Sunday, Jan. 24 at 3:05 PM ET

FOX

SPREAD: Packers, -3.5

This playoff matchup will feature two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Fans have been waiting to see this playoff matchup for several years. We just missed out on having this matchup in the Superbowl in 2014 and 2016. Brady is 2-1 vs Aaron Rodgers, having won the last two matchups. Seeing as Brady is 43, this may be the last time they face each other, and it could not come at a better time: the NFC Championship game.

The last time these two teams matched up, the Packers got out to a 10-0 lead before the Buccaneers scored 38 consecutive points in the blowout victory.

However, that game happened in Week 6. In the postseason, the regular season gets thrown out the window as both these teams are drastically different than they were in Week 6. Both teams come into this game feeling confident that they will be the team representing the NFC in the Superbowl. They are both coming off great games, and have both been on a hot streak entering this NFC Championship game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Another year and another Championship game appearance by Tom Brady. However, this is obviously the first time that Brady will make an appearance in the NFC conference and not with the New England Patriots. Tom Brady has now made the Championship game in three separate decades and has more personal appearances than 28 other franchises in the entire league.

Buccaneers Offense

The Buccaneer’s offense was not great against the Saints, they had just 316 total yards, however, they did run for 127 yards. Though they weren't able to accumulate a large number of yards against the Saints, Brady did the most important thing in this game, which was to not turn the football over. The Bucs won the turnover battle 4-0 and scored 21 points off of the Saints’ turnovers.

Tom Brady, however, did not have a spectacular game (he didn’t need to), but he did throw two touchdowns. Ronald Jones led the rushing attack, running for 113 yards and two touchdowns.

The Buccaneers will be without wide receiver Antonio Brown for this game, as he is sidelined with an injury. While Brown is starting to show why he was once the top receiver in the NFL just a few years ago, his absence should have minimal effect on the Buccaneers offense as they have so many weapons around Tom Brady.

Buccaneers Defense

The Bucs defense held the Packers to just 201 yards of total offense. Rodgers was awful in that game, throwing for just 160 yards along with two interceptions. This was also one of only three games this season (including the playoffs) in which Davante Adams did not score a touchdown. The Buccaneers defense was able to successfully put pressure on Aaron Rodgers throughout the entirety of the first game. They sacked him four times, along with consistently forcing bad throws and making Rodgers move uncomfortably around the pocket.

The Buccaneers were able to hold the Saints to just one touchdown in the red zone and forced four turnovers last Sunday, including picking Drew Brees off three times in what very well could have been the future Hall of Famers very last game in the NFL.

They held the Saints offense to under 300 total yards. They will need to generate more offense as it is unlikely the Packers will turn the ball over four times this Sunday.

Rodgers threw just five interceptions this season, two coming in the first matchup against the Buccaneers. The Bucs will not be playing against a quarterback this Sunday who is not able to push the ball down the field or throw outside the numbers like Brees. The defense did not have to worry about long throws down the field against the Saints, but if they fall asleep against the Packers, Rodgers will pick them apart downfield. 

The Buccaneers will be getting Vita Vea back this week on the defensive line after he was out with an injury for most of the year. Before going down, Vea was one of the top-rated defensive tackles in the league and should have a huge impact on this already impressive Bucs defense.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers are coming off a game where they shredded the number one ranked Los Angeles Rams defense, led by All-Pro players such as Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. The Packers have looked nearly unstoppable the entire season, finally being awarded the number one seed in the NFC. In their first game of the playoffs this season, things looked no different as the Packers, and Aaron Rodgers more specifically, look ready to prove the doubters wrong after being mocked for much of the offseason.

Packers Offense

USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. On the ground, they ran for 188 yards, led by Aaron Jones’ 14 carries for 99 yards. They got whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted it. The Rams had no answer for this offensive attack, partially because 2x Defensive Player of the Year award winner, Aaron Donald, was injured and limited in what he could do. With no ability to get a pass rush on Rodgers, he was able to pick them apart.

While the Buccaneers defense has been good, it will have a hard time slowing down Aaron Rodgers and Devante Adams. Adams had another great game last week, despite being shadowed by Jalen Ramsey. Despite the promise that the Buccaneer’s young corners have shown this past season, they don’t have anyone who is quite on Adams’ level. He should have another huge game this weekend.

Packers Defense

The Packer’s defense held the Rams to just 244 total yards of offense. Despite the fact that the Packers defense played so well last week, it is important to note that they will not be facing Jared Goff this Sunday. For Rodgers in particular, this is just the second time in his career that he has had the number one seed, and the first time that he will play an NFC championship game at home, in Lambeau Field.

The Prediction

Both quarterbacks will be at the top of their games this Sunday, as they both have talented offenses with weapons all around that can easily turn this game into a shootout. This game will be about which defense can get a crucial stop. Aaron Rodgers is the league’s MVP, and I believe he will continue to play that way this Sunday, as he leads the Packers back to the Superbowl for the first time in 10 years.

ZACHARY’S PREDICTION: Packers 38 - 28