272 regular season games are in the books, and 18 teams have gone into off-season mode. The NFL playoffs are finally here, and 14 teams still have a chance at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. I'll analyze every game, round by round, picking winners, which will eventually guide us to our Super Bowl LIX winner in New Orleans on February 9th. Let's get started!
AFC Playoff Predictions
Wild Card Round
Game 1: (5) Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at (4) Houston Texans (10-7)
In year one of the Jim Harbaugh era, the Chargers are back in the playoffs, and I like them to pick up the win on the road. The Texans' offense has been ravaged by injuries this season, and the offensive line has not given C.J. Stroud enough protection, likely the main reason for the slight regression we have seen from the second-year quarterback. The Chargers' defense makes Stroud uncomfortable all day, while Justin Herbert and company do enough on offense to secure the first playoff win of Herbert’s career
Prediction: Chargers 24, Texans 14
Game 2: (6) Pittsburgh Steelers (10–7) at (3) Baltimore Ravens (12–5)
The longtime AFC North rivals will do battle in Baltimore, and I like the division-winning Ravens to come out on top at home. While the Steelers typically play the Ravens fairly well, the last time these teams met a few weeks ago, Baltimore dominated with a 34-17 victory. Since these teams know each other so well, I think Pittsburgh keeps it close throughout the first half, but Baltimore never truly feels in danger. The Ravens win and advance to the second round.
Prediction: Ravens 28, Steelers 19
Game 3: (7) Denver Broncos (10-7) at (2) Buffalo Bills (13-4)
Credit to the Denver Broncos for making the postseason this year. I do expect them to keep the Bills uncomfortable throughout this contest. Denver boasts one of the best defenses in all of football, which should help keep them in the game against a Bills team that doesn’t have many elite playmakers aside from Josh Allen. However, I expect Allen to come through and guide Buffalo to victory.
Prediction: Bills 27, Broncos 20
Divisional Round
Matchup: (5) Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at (1) Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)
In what will be Patrick Mahomes and a majority of the Chiefs' key starters' first game since Christmas, I think we should expect some rust, especially with the offense facing an elite Chargers defense. I believe the fighting Jim Harbaughs will give their division rivals all they can handle, but the Chiefs prevail late to reach the AFC title game for the seventh straight year.
Prediction: Chiefs 26, Chargers 20
Matchup: (3) Baltimore Ravens (12-5) at (2) Buffalo Bills (13-4)
There will be many questions asked in the building of the loser of this game. In a battle of the top two candidates for league MVP, I believe Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will take their show on the road and win at Buffalo. The Bills' run defense is simply not good, and while the Ravens' defense has shown flaws throughout the year, I don't think they will be on the field often. Jackson and Derrick Henry should be able to control the time of possession battle fairly easily. While Josh Allen will likely be handed the league MVP, Jackson will get the last laugh, setting up a rematch with the Chiefs with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
Prediction: Ravens 28, Bills 27
AFC Championship Game
Matchup: (3) Baltimore Ravens (12-5) at (1) Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)
As much fun as it would be to see a new team represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, you'd be foolish to pick against the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes has only lost one start since December of 2023, and in this matchup, he is 4-1 against Lamar Jackson. The Chiefs beat the Ravens for the second straight year in the AFC title game and head to the Super Bowl, looking for a chance pull off the NFL's first three-peat.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, Ravens 23
NFC Playoff Predictions
Wild Card Round
Game 1: (7) Green Bay Packers (11-6) at (2) Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
Don’t count out these Packers. Green Bay has struggled recently, but I’m not completely ruling out the possibility of a major upset. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts hasn’t played since Week 16, when he left a game in Washington with a concussion, and there’s no telling how he could perform after such a long layoff. However, Green Bay is dealing with injuries of its own, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Additionally, Jordan Love left the team’s Week 18 game with an elbow injury, and receiver Christian Watson went down with a torn ACL. Saquon Barkley scored three touchdowns in his Eagles debut when these teams met in Week 1, and I think he’ll have another big day as the Birds soar to the divisional round in a close battle with Green Bay.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Packers 21
Game 2: (6) Washington Commanders (12-5) at (3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
This has been a great first season for second-overall pick Jayden Daniels, as he and the Commanders have exceeded all expectations this year and found their way into the postseason. I expect them to keep the train rolling into Tampa this weekend and pull off the road upset. The Bucs did beat Washington in Week 1, 37-20, but Tampa Bay was much healthier then, and they did not impress me in a must-win game in Week 18 against the Saints. Marshon Lattimore matches up with Mike Evans one more time for old times' sake, and the Commanders move on to set up a battle with the Lions.
Prediction: Commanders 27, Buccaneers 24
Game 3: (5) Minnesota Vikings (14-3) at (4) Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
These teams met on Thursday Night Football in October, and the Rams prevailed 30-20. This time around, the Vikings get their revenge. Up until the NFC North title game in Week 18, the Vikings hadn't lost since that Rams game and had been fairly consistent all year long, while the Rams have been the polar opposite. They did overcome a 1-4 start to win the NFC West, but the offense has only been impressive over the last six weeks or so, to say the least. After getting their teeth kicked in against Detroit and missing the chance at a bye week, Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores get their team ready to go, and Sam Darnold bounces back and earns the first playoff victory of his career, just a few miles from where he grew up.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Rams 17
Divisional Round
Matchup: (6) Washington Commanders (12-5) at (1) Detroit Lions (15-2)
No team needed a bye week more than the Detroit Lions heading into the playoffs. If they end up facing the Commanders in this round, it would be a perfect matchup for them. I don't see how this Washington defense would be able to stop Detroit’s elite offense. On the other side of the ball, while the Lions’ defense has not been great recently, they put on a clinic in Week 18, with a bye and the division title on the line, against a very good Minnesota offense. Given the two weeks off, I expect the Lions to get more bodies in the lineup, and they take care of the Commanders to advance to the NFC title game.
Prediction: Lions 31, Commanders 23
Matchup: (5) Minnesota Vikings (14-3) at (2) Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
Unfortunately for Vikings fans, I think this is where your magical season comes to an end. If the Eagles are able to shake off the rust and survive against Green Bay, I like their odds of pulling off a second straight road victory. This Philadelphia core has played in games like this, and I’m not sure how Sam Darnold will handle a hostile crowd like the one he would face in the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia advances to set up a date with the Detroit Lions, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
Prediction: Eagles 26, Vikings 20
NFC Championship Game
Matchup: (2) Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) at (1) Detroit Lions (15-2)
At this point, considering health, the Eagles are probably the better team, but there is just something special about these Lions. Dan Campbell’s team has overcome the odds all season long, and I just don’t think there is any way they let this opportunity slip away in the NFC Championship game two years in a row, especially with them being at home for this one. The Lions win and advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
Prediction: Lions 28, Eagles 25
Super Bowl LIX
This was my Super Bowl prediction back in Week 1, and I’m sticking with it (not just because I have a future bet on it). The Lions and Chiefs have been the best two teams in their conferences all year long, and it feels as though we’ve been on this collision course since September. Detroit has been the more consistent team all year, and as much as I would love to see Dan Campbell celebrate a Super Bowl victory, with a chance to make history, I just don’t see how you can’t pick the Chiefs in this winner-takes-all game. With a win, the Chiefs would cement themselves in uncharted territory in NFL history, and we may need to have some serious conversations about their dynasty compared to that of the New England Patriots. Kansas City wins their fourth title of the Mahomes era, with number 15 also earning his fourth Super Bowl MVP.
Prediction: Chiefs 29, Lions 27
MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Commenti