2024 NFL Conference Championship Predictions

Brock Purdy is determined to make people forget about last years NFC Championship. Find out who we got playing in Super Bowl 58.

Chris Ransom Last Updated: January 25, 2024.

3. Kansas City Chiefs 13-6-0	Versus	1. Baltimore Ravens 14-4-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

We're back for the 2023 NFL Season. You can follow our weekly predictions crew. Jesse Lucas won the first year in 2014-2015. Jason Bantle and myself now have two championships after I won the NFL Pickem Champion Trophy for most accurate predictions against the spread in 2020-2021 and had the most accurate NFL predictions again in 2022-2023. Oren Shiri, Tanya Holmes, and Wes Langley have one pickem title too back in 2021-2022. Send me your predictions on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to be eligible for prizes should you have a perfect week. You can also email me your season picks by emailing me at chris@draftutopia.com.

For the fourth year in a row Draft Utopia defeated the maintstream media in NFL Predictions. After I had the best record in 2020-2021 going 181-74-1, Wes Langley went 189-95-1 in 2021-2022. I went 190-92-3 in 2022-2023 allowing Draft Utopia to become the first sports website in the world to three peat in NFL predictions. Lisa Donovan secured first place on the year for 2023-2024 after going 4-2 in the wild card round meaning Draft Utopia has officially four peated in NFL Predictions.

Lisa Donovan is first in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings with a 197-85 after going 4-0 on divisional round week. Lisa has a eleven game lead over Emmy Bantle of Jason Bantle's Yahoo pool and Sue Stolenberg who are both tied for second in the country at 186-96. Jared Dublin is 185-97 remaining fourth in the country. Tyler Sullivan is now fifth in the country with a 182-100 record.

I am tied with Doug Burrell of Gridiron Experts for sixth in the country at 181-101 after I went 3-1 in the Divisional Round. Mike Clay of ESPN went 3-1 in the Divisional Round and took the number eight spot from Jamey Eisenberg as Mike Clay is now eighth in the country at 178-104.

Jamey Eisenberg is now ninth in the country 177-105. Jason Reid of ESPN is is tenth in the country, but so is Matt Bowen of ESPN who went 4-0 in the Divisional Round with Matt Bowen and Jason Reid tied for the final spot in the top 10 with both Reid and Bowen being 176-106 on the year. I usually don't remember from Jason's Yahoo pool is now in twelfth with a 175-107 record.

Andrew Kermish is third in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings with a 174-108 record after going 3-1 in the Divisional Round. Andrew is currently tied for thirteenth in the country with Leo Sells with a 174-108 record.

Jason Bantle and Tanya Holmes are tied for fourth in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings with a 173-109 record on the year. Jason and Tanya are both tied for fifteenth in the country.

Brian Bayless is sixth in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings with a 172-110 record. Anakin's mom from Jason's Yahoo pool is tied with Brian for seventeenth in the country.

Wes Langley is seventh in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings with a 171-111 record after going 3-1 in the Divisional Round. Wes is ninteenth in the country. Colleen Wolfe of NFL Network rounds out the top 20 with a 170-112 record.

Jesse Lucas and Tracy Porter are tied for eighth in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings with a 168-114 record. Jesse and Tracy are tied for twenty first in the country. Will Brinson of CBS is twenty third in the country wth a 167-115 record. Seth Wickersham an Eric Moody are tied for the last two spots in the top 25 at 166-116 on the year.

Joseph Potter and Oren Shiri are tied for tenth place in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings at 162-120 on the year. Joey and Oren are tied for twenty ninth in the country.

Why the Kansas City Chiefs Will Win: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has Donovan Smith at left tackle, Joe Thuney at left guard, Creed Humprhey at center, Trey Smith at right guard, and Jawaan Taylor starting at right tackle. Donovan Smith has been inactive since week 13 with Kansas City Chiefs 2023 third round pick Wanya Morris playing left tackle the past five games. Wanya Morris suffered a concussion in week 18, but the good news for Kansas City is that Donovan Smith has been a full practice and his playoff experience that he had during Tampa Bay's run to Super Bowl 55 where Tampa Bay dethroned the Super Bowl 54 Champion Kansas City Chiefs will be on display this weekend against a team that has their top three pass rushers all out with injuries.

Outside of Donovan Smith at left tackle, I trust the rest of the offensive linemen in these roles even though offensive tackle is finally a weakness for Kansas City after being a strength for Patrick Mahomes during his first five NFL seasons as a starting quarterback. Lucas Niang, Kansas City's 2020 third round pick who once started in his second year before having a tedious injury history is now Kansas City's swing tackle if something happens to Smith or Taylor thanks to Morris being in concussion protocol. Nick Allegretti is the backup left guard to Joe Thuney, the backup center to Creed Humphrey, and the backup right guard to Trey Smith. He's stepped in whenever someone on this interior offensive line has missed a few plays. Unlike last year when Thuney and Smith each missed a game during Kansas City's run to Super Bowl 57, Kansas City's interior offensive line has been fully healthy for the most part this season.

Joe Thuney looks like he will be out. Kansas City will be getting Wanya Morris back. Kansas City will have Donovan Smith or Wanya Morris at left tackle, Nick Allegretti filling in for Joe Thuney at left guard, Creed Humphrey at center, Trey Smith at right guard, Jawaan Taylor at right tackle.

Kansas City has Rashee Rice, Skyy Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as their top three wide receivers when fully healthy. Rashee Rice, the 2023 second round pick out of SMU has asserted himself as the flanker wide receiver on the Kansas City Chiefs becoming the number one wide receiver for Patrick Mahomes as a rookie really stepping up down the stretch. He's probably better served a number two receiver down the road if the Kansas City Chiefs upgrade at wide receiver in a very deep and top heavy 2024 NFL Draft at wide receiver, but Rice got the job done as a number one wide receiver this season as a rookie.

Skyy Moore got promoted from slot receiver as a rookie to the number two wide receiver after stepping up in a big way during Super Bowl 57 as a rookie. Skyy Moore got placed on injured reserve the day after Kansas City defeated New England in week 15 making Moore ineligible to play from weeks 16 to the wild card round of this years NFL Playoffs with Moore being eligible to return next week if the Kansas City Chiefs advance. Skyy Moore did not play in the wild card round, and has already been ruled out for the Divsional Round game. Skyy Moore is unlikely to play in the AFC Championship game.

Justin Watson whose been the most consistent situational big play threat off of the bench in random situations has been the number two wide receiver in relief of Skyy Moore the past three weeks. This is largely due to the fact that both Marquez Valdes-Scanting and Kadarius Toney last years number two receiver that complimented JuJu Smith-Schuster during Mahomes MVP season have both dropped enough passes to get benched. Unforunately, Marquez Valdes-Scantling is Kansas City's slot receiver this week due to his injuries and will probably remain in that role for the rest of this season once Skyy Moore returns due to how much he's getting paid.

Justyn Ross and Mecole Hardman are both listed as backups on the Kansas City Chiefs depth chart as the number five and number six wide receivers, but can come in and catch passes off the bench situationally like Justin Watson's done the last two years. Kansas City's seventh and only third string wide receiver at the moment is Ritchie James. This is mainly due to Skyy Moore being on injured reserve.

Travis Kelce is the best tight end in the NFL as well as the main receiving target option on this offense despite being a tight end. He's also dating Taylor Swift, but I'd rather preview the game even though I am happy for Travis. Travis Kelce had eight conseuctive seasons over 1,000 receiving yards putting together his worst NFL season since his rookie year. Travis Kelce could have a signature game at tight end especially if strong safety Jevon Holland and free safety DeShon Elliott, Miami's two starting safeties both get ruled inactive after playing through injuries in week 18. Travis Kelce's last game with over 90 receiving yards was week 12 against the Raiders with his last receiving touchdown coming in week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Kelce actually averaged 20.2 yards per catch in week 13. Kelce played well in week 14 despite not getting in the end zone nearly winning the game on a trick play versus the Buffalo Bills on the day Frank Wycheck passed away.

Travis Kelce is the biggest playmaker on this offense. He isn't the only impact player on this offense. Noah Gray has three years of experience as a number two tight end and is currently on the third year of his four year rookie contract. Blake Bell is the third string tight end. Matt Bushman got called up from the practice squad to be the third string tight end after Kelce's injury, but will probably get sent back down to the practice squad.

Isiah Pacheco is the starting running back. Kansas City has Jerick McKinnon as the backup running back and Clyde Edwards-Helaire as their third string running back. Kansas City got Isiah Pacheco back in week 17 despite placing Jerrick McKinnon on injured reserve leading up to that game. Kansas City will have Isiah Pacheco as their main running back with Kansas City Chiefs 2020 first round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the change of pace running back before Jerrick McKinnon returns. Right now, Lamichael Perine is the third string running back, but I expect Kansas City to release him once McKinnon is cleared to play. Jerrick McKinnon could return if Kansas City happens to make their sixth consecutive AFC Championship Game and would be back by Super Bowl 58 at the latest if Kansas City found a way to defend their AFC Title.

Isiah Pacheco has missed two practices in a row. Jerrick McKinnon is still on injured reserve. If both are ruled inactive, then Clyde Edwards-Helaire will get the start in the AFC Championship.

Kansas City has Mike Danna at 4-3 right end. George Karlaftis Kansas City's 2022 first round pick from Purdue enters year two at 4-3 left end. Charles Omenihu is the backup 4-3 right end after giving away free Peacock subscriptions leading up to this weeks game. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas City's 2023 first round pick is the backup 4-3 left end. Kansas City is just as deep on the edge as they were a year ago despite letting Frank Clark walk.

Kansas City has Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi the two starting 4-3 defensive tackles on their Super Bowl 54 and Super Bowl 57 teams back. Tershawn Wharton and Neil Farrell Jr. are the backup 4-3 defensive tackles. Kansas City added Isaiah Buggs the starting defensive tackle on the Detroit Lions to their practice squad after Detroit released Isaiah Buggs. Derrick Nnadi has been ruled out for this game after getting injured in the wild card game and not practicing all week. He hasn't practiced the first two days and is likely out for the AFC Championship. My guess is Tershawn Wharton starts next to Chris Jones for the second week in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs All Pro defensive tackle. You also have Neil Farrell Jr. as the backup 4-3 defensive tackle and Isaiah Buggs would get promoted from the practice squad to be a fourth 4-3 defensive tackle for depth here.

Kansas City has Willie Gay Jr. at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Nick Bolton at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Leo Chenal at 4-3 left outside linebacker. Kansas City has three quality starters at linebacker that can defend the run and drop back into coverage. When Kansas City runs 4-2-5 nickel Willie Gay Jr. will be the starting outside linebacker with Nick Bolton as the middle linebacker. Leo Chenal would be the backup outside linebacker to Willie Gay Jr. while former Los Angeles Chargers starter Drue Tranquill will serve as a backup to Nick Bolton. Cam Jones a undrafted linebacker out of Indiana did well enough to make Kansas City's second team as a backup and showed some promise in week 18, so that's a guy to watch moving forward.

Kansas City has Trent McDuffie at field cornerback, L'Jarius Sneed at boundary cornerback, Justin Reid at strong safety, and Bryan Cook their 2022 second round pick taking over for Juan Thornhill at free safety. Jaylen Watson is playing at nickel cornerback, Joshua Williams is playing at dime cornerback, and Darius Rush the rookie cornerback out of South Carolina as a quarter cornerback give the Kansas City Chiefs the depth at cornerback to limit opposing wide receivers from making big plays as Rush had a top 100 grade in the late third to early fourth round before being waived by the Indianapolis Colts. Kansas City also has Nic Jones their 2023 seventh round pick out of Ball State who impressed me on tape and the interview process before making the Chiefs 53 man roster. Mike Edwards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety from last year is the backup strong safety to Justin Reid with 2023 fourth round pick Chamarri Conner moving over from cornerback to free safety. Kansas City listed Darius Rush, and Nic Jones as inactives at cornerback relying on their top 4 cornerbacks from last years Super Bowl 57 roster.

After Ja'Marr Chase called Bryan Cook just another guy on injured reserve, he got cleared to play prior to week 17. Kansas City has had their best 11 defensive players on the field for four games this season against Denver in week 6, the Los Angeles Chargers in week 7, the Cincinnati Bengals in week 17, the Los Angeles Chargers in week 18 where Andy Reid rested his starters on offense, but played his starters on defense, and in the wild card round against Miami. Kansas City is 5-0 in those games with their defense giving up 17 points or less in all five of those contests. This is why injury reports and constantly studying the team depth charts weekly trumps momentum because if you talk about the Chiefs being sixth in pass defense, but in the bottom five in turnover margin from Kansas City's miscues on offense, getting fumble recoveries, or interceptions you aren't taking the health of the Kansas City Chiefs defense as a team into account when picking a winner solely based on whose got more momentum.

Kansas City has Harrison Butker at kicker. Kansas City also has Tommy Townsend at punter. Ritchie James is the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner.

Why the Baltimore Ravens Will Win: Lamar Jackson has Ronnie Stanley at left tackle, John Simpson at left guard, Tyler Linderbaum at center, Kevin Zeitler at right guard, and Morgan Moses is starting at right tackle. Patrick Mekhari is the backup left tackle, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu is the backup left guard, Sam Mustipher is the backup center, Ben Cleveland is the backup right guard, and Daniel Faalele is the backup right tackle. Baltimore has the starters and backups on this offensive line to make a deep run.

Baltimore's top three wide receivers are Rashod Bateman Baltimore's 2021 first round pick out of Minnesota, Odell Beckham Jr. whose getting $18 million on a one year deal, and Zay Flowers Baltimore's 2023 first round pick out of Boston College as a slot receiver in three wide receiver sets. Nelson Agholor, Devin Duvernay, and Tylan Wallace Baltimore's 2021 fourth are the backup wide receivers.

Mark Andrews dominated in week 4 against the Cleveland Browns, but he suffered a season ending injury in week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Baltimore has Isaiah Likely, a top 5 tight end in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Coastal Carolina who started for Baltimore starting the rest of the year and Likely is faster than Andrews. Likely was considered a top 5 tight end in the 2022 NFL Draft with starter potential. Charlie Kolar, a tight end that Baltimore drafted out of Iowa State in the 2022 NFL Draft is healthy after missing his entire rookie season with an injury and is currently Baltimore's backup tight end following the injury of Mark Andrews. Baltimore doesn't have a third string tight end on the depth chart, but Mark Andrews was designated to return off of injured reserve last Friday. Mark Andrews missed the Divisional Round, but is expected to be back for the AFC Championship.

Gus Edwards and Justice Hill as the top two running backs on this depth chart with Dalvin Cook as the third string running back now thanks to the season ending injuries to J.K. Dobbins and Keaton Mitchell. Patrick Ricard is the starting fullback on the Balitmore Ravens and is one of the leagues better fullbacks.

Baltimore has Justin Madubuike at 3-4 right end after starting at 3-4 left end the last two years, Michael Pierce and Travis Jones are a potent combo 3-4 nose tackle with Pierce starting. Jadeveon Clowney starts at 3-4 left end, but acts as a third edge rusher on the interior.

Baltimore has Odafe Oweh at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Kyle Van Noy at 3-4 left outside linebacker until Tyus Bowser returns from his injury. Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen are quite the tandem at 3-4 middle linebacker. David Ojabo is the backup 3-4 outside linebacker once he returns from his injury. Malik Harrison and Trenton Simpson are the backup 3-4 middle linebackers.

Baltimore has played Brandon Stephens at field cornerback while moving Marlon Humphrey over to boundary cornerback putting Humprhey against number two receivers. That seemed to work like gangbusters when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars. It also worked against San Francisco in week 16. Arthur Maulet a former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback for depth is Baltimore's new nickel cornerback. Baltimore also has Ronald Darby at dime cornerback and Rock Ya Sin is the quarter cornerback when all of their cornerbacks are healthy. Jalyn Armour Davis is the number six cornerback and he got injured with Baltimore placing him on injured reserve. Damorious Williams is also on injured reserve after playing at nickel cornerback as a rookie. Baltimore has Kyle Hamilton at strong safety and Marcus Williams at free safety. Geno Stone is a great backup safety. Baltimore will have all three safeties back, but Marlon Humphrey didn't practice on Tuesday.

Justin Tucker is considered the leagues best kicker. Baltimore also has Jordan Stout at punter.

Shawn Smith is the referree in this game. Kansas City is 5-2 in games officiated by Shawn Smith and Baltimore is 5-1 in games officiated by Shawn Smith. Baltimore defeated Kansas City 36-35 in the only head to head game between Kansas City and Baltimore.

Prediction: Baltimore is a 3.5 point favorite at -3.5. The over or under is 44.5 with 71% of the public betting on Baltimore. The money line is +160 for Kansas City and -185 for Baltimore. I like Kansas City to win and to cover with the under at +160. Bet $240 on this game for Kansas City and win up to $400 as long as the Ravens win by 3 or less.

Final Score Chiefs 23 Ravens 21

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

3. Detroit Lions 14-5-0	Versus	1. San Francisco 49ers 13-5-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

Draft Utopia airs on Talkshoe and Spotify now. We have a show on Spotify with Oren and myself that airs sometimes as well as our usual weekend show on Talkshoe and Restream which livestreams what I do on Talkshoe to Youtube showcasing the visuals I use when breaking down things on my podcast. The Draft Utopia podcast is already underway with the first batch episodes of season 13 on Talkshoe while our podcast on is also on Restream with the newest Restream episodes embedded to Youtube. Joey and I have already broken down every position from quarterback to punter.

Why the Detroit Lions Will Win: Quarterback Jared Goff has a stronger offensive line than last year. He's got Taylor Decker back at left tackle, Jonah Jackson at left guard, Frank Ragnow at center, Graham Glasgow at right guard, and Penei Sewell at right tackle. Graham Glasgow impressed Detroit enough to take the starting right guard spot from Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Detroit has had the offensive line back at full health for a few weeks following Frank Ragnow's return. A lot of Detroit's depth players on the offensive line like Matt Nelson the backup left tackle and Halapoulivaati Vaitai have been on injured reserve. Dan Skipper took over at swing tackle after Matt Nelson got placed on injured reserve with Colby Sorsdal taking over at swing guard after Vaitai got placed on injured reserve again. Jonah Jackson did get injured against Tampa Bay as did Frank Ragnow. Ragnow returned to that game while Jackson didn't. Both look unlikely to play in the NFC Championship.

Jared Goff has Amon-Ra St. Brown as his flanker wide receiver, Jameson Williams is back from his injury as the secondary wide receiver, and Josh Reynolds is the slot receiver. Detroit has Donovan Peoples-Jones, Kalif Raymond, and Antoine Green their 2023 seventh round pick out of North Carolina as the backup receivers for depth. Josh Reynolds, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Kalif Raymond have all kept pushing each other for that slot receiver spot next to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams with each receiver pushing each other for playing time when Williams was out with a injury in week 18. Kalif Raymond already got ruled out after getting injured in week 18 so that means Josh Reynolds and Donovan Peoples-Jones will split reps in three wide receiver sets. Kalif Raymond looks like he's out again.

Sam LaPorta the 2023 second round pick out of Iowa is the starting tight end, Brock Wright is the backup tight end, and James Mitchell is the third string tight end. Sam LaPorta got injured in week 18 and missed two days of practice, but got ruled questionable rather than inactive. Both Brock Wright and James Mitchell practiced in a limited capacity despite dealing with injuries. James Mitchell already got ruled out with a injury. If Sam LaPorta ges ruled inactive, Detroit will only have one of three tight ends and will not be able to run twelve personnel with multiple tight ends which is something head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson love to do to keep opposing defenses on their toes. Sam LaPorta played in the wild card round.

David Montgomery is the Detroit Lions starting running back, but Jahmyr Gibbs started in week 3 when Montgomery was out with an injury before Montgomery returned in week 4. Both David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are capable of starting honestly since Montgomery is listed as the Lions starter on their team website, but Gibbs is listed as the starter on Ourlads heading into the wild card game this weekend. Craig Reynolds is the third string running back behind Montgomery and Gibbs. Jason Cabinda is the starting fullback, but he's on injured reserve. Jason Cabinda did return to practice in a limited capacity despite still being on injured reserve, but he's desginated to be activated off of injured reserve. Detroit moved Cabinda to their practice squad.

Detroit will have Aidan Hutchinson at 4-3 right end and Josh Pascal at 4-3 left end just like last year when both of Detroit's 2022 draft picks were healthy. Romeo Okwara and John Cominsky are the backup 4-3 defensive ends with Okwara as a backup to Aidan Huchinson at 4-3 right end with Cominsky as a rotational edge rusher complimenting Pascal as a backup 4-3 left end, but the thing with Cominsky is he did start the majority of games for Detroit in 2023. Charles Harris is a third string 4-3 defensive end. It is also possible that James Houston IV gets activated off of injured reserve this week.

Detroit got their top two 4-3 defensive tackles with Alim McNeil and Benito Jones has started at 4-3 defensive tackle in relief of Alim McNeil now as the two starters at 4-3 defensive tackle after releasing Isaiah Buggs. Detroit also has Levi Onwuzurike and Broderic Martin Detroit's 2023 third round pick out of Western Kentucky as backup 4-3 defensive tackles.

Alex Anzalone is moving from 4-3 right outside linebacker to play the WILL on the weakside after playing 4-3 middle linebacker at the MIKE. Derrick Barnes has moved to 4-3 middle linebacker at the MIKE. Jack Campbell Detroit's 2023 first round pick out of Iowa began the year at 4-3 middle linebacker, but moved to 4-3 left outside linebacker at the SAM after cooling off following a hot start. Jalen Reeves-Maybin is the backup 4-3 right outside linebacker to Alex Anzalone, but is also the number four linebacker behind Anzalone, Barnes, and Campbell in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Malcolm Rodriguez is the backup 4-3 middle outside linebacker to Derrick Barnes in a 4-3 defense if Jack Campbell stays at 4-3 left outside linebacker during the game. It is also possible that Detroit considers moving Campbell inside and using Malcolm Rodriguez on the outside in that scenario.

Detroit currently has Cameron Sutton at field cornerback, Kindle Vildor is filling in for a injured Jerry Jacobs at boundary cornerback, Brian Branch as their nickel cornerback, Will Harris at dime cornerback, and Steven Gilmore the younger brother of Stephon Gilmore who was an undrafted Free Agent out of Marshall beat out Chase Lucas for the quarter cornerback job. Detroit has Khalil Dorsey as the number six cornerback ahead of Chase Lucas whose now on the practice squad. Detroit also has C.J. Gardner-Johnson back at strong safety and Kirby Joseph at free safety with Ifeatu Melifonwu as the backup strong safety and Tracy Walker III as the backup free safety. Detroit's safety depth is better than their cornerback depth after cornerback depth was the strength for Detroit during the entire regular season.

Michael Badgley is Detroit's kicker now as he replaces Riley Patterson. I don't agree with Detroit's decision to cut Riley Patterson to be honest. Jack Fox is punter. Khalil Dorsey, whose been the backup return specialist on Detroit behind Kalif Raymond is now the kick returner and punt returner. Khalil Dorsey has 0 return yards in two starts with every one of his returns on kickoffs being a touchback. Dorsey has mainly been used as a kick returner and has zero experience at punt returner.

Why the San Francisco 49ers Will Win: Brock Purdy has a terrific offensive line with Trent Williams at left tackle, Aaron Banks left guard, Jake Brendel at center, Spencer Burford at right guard, and Colton McKivitz taking over for Mike McGlinchey at right tackle after learning under McGlinchey as his backup for three years. Brock Purdy needs to stay healthy because Sam Darnold is the backup. Jaylon Moore was suprisingly effective at times when filling in for Trent Williams as a backup left tackle over the last two years during the regular season, but struggled this year before Trent Williams returned in week 10 following San Francisco's week 9 bye week. Nick Zakelj will be the backup left guard to Aaron Brooks. Jon Feliciano can be a backup on the interior offensive line at both center and right guard. Matt Pryor, who was god awful with the Colts last year is the backup right tackle to Colton McKivitz which has to be somewhat concerning after Mike McGlinchey left San Francisco.

San Francisco has Deebo Samuel as their flanker receiver, Brandon Aiyuk as their secondary receiver, and Jauan Jennings as their slot receiver. San Francisco has Ronnie Bell their 2023 seventh round pick out of Michigan as the number four wide receiver. Ray-Ray McCloud is the number five wide receiver on this depth chart. Chris Conley is the number six wide receiver on this depth chart after Danny Gray got placed on season ending injured reserve.

George Kittle is San Francisco's starting tight end. Kittle is still a top 5 tight end in the NFL and was the only tight end to exceed 1,000 receiving yards in 2023.

San Francisco has Christian McCaffrey as their starting running back whose considered the best running back when fully healthy after dominating in 2022 following his trade from Carolina to San Francisco. Elijah Mitchell is their backup running back after starting some as a rookie in 2021. Jordan Mason is the third string running back. San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk is the best fullback in the NFL. San Francisco has the best running back, fullback, and depth of any team in the NFL.

San Francisco 49ers 4-3 right end Nick Bosa wants to be the leagues highest paid defensive player. Nick Bosa, the second overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Ohio State won 2022 NFL Defensive Player Of The Year. Nick Bosa will start at 4-3 right end with Clellin Ferrell starting at 4-3 left end. Randy Gregory is the backup 4-3 right end and Chase Young is the backup 4-3 left end after San Francisco traded for Chase Young at the 2023 NFL Trade Deadline.

Drake Jackson began the year starting next to Nick Bosa at 4-3 left end, but got placed on injured reserve in week 10. Clellin Ferrell did not practice this week and is out for the Divisional Round.

We don't know whether Randy Gregory or Chase Young will start next to Nick Bosa with both Clellin Ferrell and Drake Jackson inactive. My guess is Chase Young will end up starting next to Nick Bosa, but both Young and Gregory need to step up to take pressure off of Bosa if San Francisco wants to get back to the NFC Championship.

Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead are the starters at 4-3 defensive tackle for San Francisco. Javon Kinlaw, San Francisco's 2020 first round pick who started for three years after replacing DeForest Buckner out of South Carolina is now a backup defensive tackle. Kevin Givens one of San Francisco's backup defensive tackles last year is remains the number four defensive tackle on this depth chart.

San Francisco has Dre Greenlaw at 4-3 right outside linebacker and Fred Warner at 4-3 middle linebacker. These two start in these respective roles regardless of whether San Francisco runs a 4-3 base defense or a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Oren Burks will start at 4-3 left outside linebacker, but will be the backup 4-3 outside linebacker in 4-2-5 packages. Dee Winters, San Francisco's 2023 sixth round pick out of TCU that I had a third round grade on actually won a backup linebacker job where he will be a backup to Greenlaw in 4-3 packages and a backup to Warner at middle linebacker in 4-2-5 packages. Jalen Graham, San Francisco's 2023 seventh round pick out of Purdue will be the backup 4-3 left outside linebacker to Oren Burks and would only play situationally on 4-3 plays if something happened to Burks. Both Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner got injured against Minnesota in week 7.

San Francisco has Charvarius Ward at field cornerback, Ambry Thomas, San Francisco's 2021 third round pick at boundary cornerback, and Deommodore Lenoir at nickel cornerback. Isaiah Oliver is the dime cornerback. Darrell Luter Jr., San Francisco's 2023 fifth round pick from South Alabama is the quarter cornerback.

Ji'Ayir Brown, San Francisco's 2023 third round pick is starting in relief of Talona Hufanga at strong safety with Tashaun Gipson returning at free safety for his second season in San Francisco thanks to Talona Hufanga tearing his ACL.

San Francisco has Jake Moody their 2023 third round pick out of Michigan starting at kicker. Mitch Wishnowsky is San Francisco's punter after being a 2019 fourth round pick after the former Utah punter won the Ray Guy Award in 2018. Ray-Ray McCloud remains the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner for San Francisco.

Clete Blakeman is the referee in this game. Detroit is 3-5 in games officiated by Clete Blakeman and San Francisco is 4-5 in games officiated by Clete Blakeman.

Prediction: San Francisco is a 7 point favorite at -7. The over or under is 51 with 64% of the public betting on San Francisco. The money line is +260 for Detroit and -320 for San Francisco. Take San Francisco to win and cover with the under at -320. Bet $380 on this game for San Francisco and win up to $700 as long as the 49ers win by 8 or more.

Final Score 49ers 31 Lions 17