While the Ravens have no chance of repeating, the 49ers will need to survive as a wild-card team this year. That also means we don’t need to wait a week for their playoff rematch with Green Bay:


NFC Game of the Week

49ers at Packers (4:40 p.m. ET Sunday, FOX). It does feel early for these teams to be meeting, but the rest of the NFC playoff field is well aware that the winner here can go a long way. The 49ers have won the past three matchups over two seasons, with Week 1 wins at Lambeau and San Francisco sandwiching their explosive 45-31 victory in last year’s divisional round.

The tundra will be frozen, but given the recent history, that won’t cool off two elite athletic passers, Colin Kaepernick and Aaron Rodgers. It’s tough to top Steve Young vs. Brett Favre in this rivalry, but Kaep and A-Rod are doing their best to do so.

Just as the Packers will struggle to match up with Kaepernick’s weapons (Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis), the 49ers will give up some big plays on the back end to Rodgers’ receivers (Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, James Jones).

This game, however, will be decided by who can put the other team on ice in the trenches. The Packers’ front seven is missing Clay Matthews and Johnny Jolly. That will allow the 49ers’ stout O-line to control the action and give running room to Frank Gore, Kaepernick and others.

While the Packers are No. 26 against the run, the 49ers are No. 11. San Francisco's linebackers will limit the effectiveness of Eddie Lacy and know they will get a pass rush on Rodgers with Aldon Smith. Rodgers will do his best to lift Green Bay, but its other injury issues will be too much to overcome.  49ers 30, Packers 27 


AFC Game of the Week

Chiefs at Colts (4:35 p.m. ET Saturday, NBC). The Colts just beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, 23-7, in Week 16. They’ll face a healthier, more rested version in Lucas Oil Stadium this week. The game will be closer, but the result will be the same.

Andy Reid and Chuck Pagano both want their teams to play physical and disciplined. They don’t make many mistakes on offense, and they look to force them on defense. The Chiefs are at their best when they get explosive plays. They just tend to come from running back Jamaal Charles, the defense or special teams, and less often from QB Alex Smith.

Smith’s counterpart and fellow No. 1 overall pick, Andrew Luck, is better equipped to deliver big passes. As the Colts have seen more pop from Donald Brown and their backfield of late, more things have opened up for Luck. He’s cut down on the yards and turnovers to become a more efficient QB in Year 2. His passing and running stats are similar to Smith’s, but he’s the more talented player, and he’s at home. It will take just one impact play to steal a tight game, and Luck will make it.  Colts 23, Chiefs 20 


Shootout of the Week

Saints at Eagles (8:10 p.m. ET Saturday, NBC). The Saints’ Drew Brees and the Eagles’ Nick Foles share more than jersey numbers (9) and high schools (Austin Westlake in Texas ). They are also are fortunate to be quarterbacks playing in the league’s two most innovative offensive attacks. Sean Payton and Chip Kelly will throw everything at each other, and their defenses will be pretty aggressive, too. Through all the flashy plays and blitzes, however, this is a bread-and-butter game.

The Eagles are the best rushing team in the NFL with rushing champion LeSean McCoy, and the Saints have been vulnerable against the run when teams are able to stick with it. Although Brees and Foles will trade blows, the Eagles have the edge with their offensive line pounding away and taking it a little slower in the second half. As Brees tries to play catchup, Philadelphia’s underrated defense will put it away with a big play of its own.  Eagles 38, Saints 27 


Lock of the Week

Bengals over Chargers (1:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS). Nothing needs to give here for the hosts. The Bengals went 8-0 at home in the regular season with an average margin of victory of 18 points. They also handled the Chargers’ offense well on the road in a 17-10 victory in Week 13.

The Chargers’ secondary can’t slow down A.J. Green and the Bengals' wide receivers, and their linebackers will have problems with the running game and tight ends. Andy Dalton has had an up-and-down yet prolific season, and his stellar play at home will ensure his first playoff victory in three chances. Philip Rivers has been terrific, but he can’t make up for bad defense.  Bengals 34, Chargers 17 


Stats of the Week

Last week’s straight-up record: 13-3Season-to-date record: 160-95 (plus that pesky tie)Locks record: 13-3Upsets record: 6-10

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