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Bold Predictions

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NFL Divisional Round bold predictions: Rachaad White runs wild on Lions; Jordan Love shreds 49ers

Throughout the 2023 season, NFL Network analysts will provide one bold prediction heading into each week's slate of games (see the full Divisional Round schedule).

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Maurice Jones-Drew

The Detroit Lions boasted the league’s fifth-best ground attack during the regular season, rushing for 135.9 yards per game. On Sunday, their dynamic duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs takes on Tampa Bay’s top-five run defense. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers' lead back, Rachaad White, faces a Detroit D that has allowed fewer than 90 rushing yards in each of its previous five games. A tough matchup for both backfields, no doubt. But I think White is poised for a big game. In fact, I think he eclipses the century mark on the ground, outproducing Montgomery and Gibbs by himself.

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Matt Okada

For much of his dynamic rookie season, we've been calling Jayden Reed "Deebo of the North." He became the first player to have 700-plus receiving yards and 100-plus rushing yards as a rookie since ... Deebo Samuel in 2019. And now these playmakers will face off in Santa Clara for a berth in the NFC Championship Game. My prediction: The two versatile wideouts trade blows all game, as BOTH players score a touchdown through the air and on the ground.

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Marc Ross

Patrick Mahomes hitting the road in the postseason is new; the two-time MVP winning in the postseason is not. Despite being an underdog at Buffalo on Sunday, Mahomes rallies his offense and scores 30 points -- a total Kansas City hasn’t put up since November -- to lead the Chiefs to their sixth straight AFC title game. 

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Marcas Grant

Jordan Love has been one of the most surprising stories of the season. He turned it up a notch by throwing for three touchdowns in a blowout upset win over the Cowboys last week. He’ll stay hot in the Divisional Round against a 49ers defense coming off a long layoff. If there are any doubts that Green Bay has its next franchise quarterback, Love will erase them this weekend with another three-TD performance -- even if it doesn't lead to a Packers win.

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Michael F. Florio

All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown routinely has gone over 100 yards of late. But in a matchup against a Bucs defense that has struggled against receivers all year, he especially feasts. He puts up 150 yards and a touchdown to help the Lions reach the NFC Championship Game. 

Full NFL Divisional Round schedule

Saturday, Jan. 20

Sunday, Jan. 21

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