NFL Full Playoff Predictions
Who can dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC and can anyone beat the Packers in the snow?
This has been a very exciting NFL season, even with all of the implications caused by Covid-19’s pandemic. We saw Josh Allen’s rise to superstardom with the help of elite receiver Stefon Diggs. We saw Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers proving haters wrong and having MVP type years despite their age. The Chiefs left right where they left off going 14-2 to secure a bye in the AFC. Derrick Henry rushed for over 2,000 yards and helped the Titans secure another playoff berth. We also saw the Washington Football Team win the NFC East with a 7-9 record after a controversial benching of Jalen Hurts late in the game by Doug Pederson and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Miami Dolphins finished 10-6 and didn’t even make the playoffs, but a 7-9 Washington Football Team did? This begs the question of whether seeding in the NFL should change. Regardless of all of the questions surrounding the 2020-2021 NFL season, the playoffs are here, and it’s time to make predictions based on how teams are playing at the moment.
AFC Playoff Games: Wild Card Round.
#7 Indianapolis Colts @ #2 Buffalo Bills, Saturday January 9th @ 1:05 pm ET on CBS.
This game will be closer than people think, even with the Bills playing possibly the best football of any team right now. The Colts defense is elite and their run game with Jonathan Taylor leading the way has proven to be successful all year long. Phillip Rivers has had a surprisingly great year behind one of the best if not the best offensive line in the NFL. They have played every opponent tough regardless of the outcome and this matchup will be no different. In the end, the Buffalo Bills behind their elite defense and Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs will win this game by at least a touchdown. I’d say 31-21 Bills.
#6 Cleveland Browns @ #3 Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, January 10th @ 8:15 pm ET on NBC.
This game will be a bloodbath. Very close and hard-nosed football by both teams. Big Ben has a lot of experience so the Steelers have an upper hand, but there is something about the Browns defense and their run game that makes me think they are gonna win this game, even if they don’t have their head coach Kevin Stefanski who is out due to Covid-19. The Browns defense has been playing better as of late after a miserable start to the season. Their defense is no where near elite, but because of Myles Garrett and other pass rushers, it has potential to be dominant in this game if a lot of pressure is put on Big Ben. Nick Chubb will dominate the run game, even against a great Steelers defense. However, this game may come down to Baker Mayfield’s game managing and his ability to make big plays when he needs to. I think that Baker does enough for the Browns to win this game. The Steelers have lost serious momentum and I don’t see them getting it back in this game, even with a better coach and a more experienced team. Browns win 28-24.
#5 Baltimore Ravens @ #4 Tennesee Titans, Sunday January 10th @ 1:05 pm ET on ABC.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will get their chance at revenge against the Titans, this time in the Wild Card round. We all saw what happened in last year’s Divisional round where Derrick Henry ran wild and the Titans defense stopped Lamar Jackson. It was surprising since no one could stop Lamar Jackson and the 14-2 Ravens all year before this game. This year will be different though. The Ravens will be looking for revenge, not to mention that they have gained tons of momentum after winning their last 5 games to end the season. They will also have an answer against Derrick Henry this time, limiting him to less than 150 rushing yards(compared to the 195 rushing yards he had against them last year). Ryan Tannehill won’t be able to get it done in the end and Jackson will make big plays on the ground and in the air to carry the Ravens regardless of how Henry plays. Ravens win 34-28.
NFC Playoff Games: Wild Card Round.
#7 Chicago Bears @ #2 New Orleans Saints, Sunday, January 10th @ 4:40 pm ET on CBS.
I will keep this short. The Bears have an elite defense but nothing else. Their QB play sucks, they have one wide receiver in Allen Robinson, and their RB’s aren’t good either. The Saints on the other hand have an elite defense, elite RB play, good wide receivers, and a good enough QB. They will win this one easily, especially at home. Saints win 31-14.
#6 Los Angeles Rams @ #3 Seattle Seahawks, Saturday, January 9th @ 4:40 pm ET on Fox.
The Rams defense has been the best in the NFL this season, which makes this game tough to predict. Aaron Donald and company will put a ton of pressure on Russell Wilson the entire game. This game will be very close whether Goff or Wolford starts at QB. As crazy as it sounds I would rather start Wolford in this game over Goff due to his dual-threat abilities and his knack for getting away from pressure and rushing for first downs. Goff is not mobile whatsoever and even though he has a better arm than Wolford, Wolford’s ability to run would give the Rams a greater chance of winning this game in my opinion. Either way though, whether Goff or Wolford plays, the Seahawks will win this game because of Russell Wilsons’ experience and pocket awareness, not to mention the abilities of his elite receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Seahawks win 27-21.
#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ #4 The Washington Football Team, Saturday, January 9th @ 8:15 pm ET on NBC.
For all of the media members that are saying the Washington Football Team will win this game, I don’t know what sport they are watching because it’s obviously not football. Yes, Chase Young and the WFT’s defense is good and Alex Smith is healthy. Their offense is okay, but not great. Their defense is good but not elite. Don’t let people give you false hope. Tom Brady is the GOAT and with his weapons, there is no way he loses this first-round matchup. I don’t care what anyone says. Bucs win big 38-24 against the worst playoff team in years.
AFC Divisional Round Matchups
#6 Cleveland Browns @ #1 Kansas City Cheifs, Day and Time TBD.
Since Pittsburgh loses to Cleveland, the Browns will be shifted to play at Kansas City in the Divisional Round. Cleveland will try their best to dominate the run game and keep the ball as long as they can so Mahomes can’t get going. However, in the end, the Cheifs will find a way to win this one. Mahomes, Hill, Kelce, Edwards-Helaire, Bell, and the rest of the Cheifs offense has too much firepower to be stopped by a team with an average passing game. To beat the Cheifs you need a dominant defense and a dominant passing game and Cleveland has neither. Cheifs win 34-24.
#5 Baltimore Ravens @ #2 Buffalo Bills, Day and Time TBA.
This game will be very close. I think Josh Allen’s ability to put the ball in the air and dominate the passing game will be the difference. Stefon Diggs will have a big game and Zack Moss will score a TD as well. Lamar Jackson will play great as will the rest of the Ravens’ run attack, but it won’t be enough to beat the scorching hot Bills. Bills win 31-28.
NFC Divisional Round Matchups
#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ #1 Green Bay Packers, Day and Time TBD.
This may be the best game we see throughout the NFC playoffs. It will most likely be played in the snow between two offenses lead by elite QB’s. I think that Brady and the Bucs will be beaten up a little bit after playing the WFT, while Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will be fresh and ready to go. Not to mention the Packers have had weeks to prepare in the snow. It is their natural habitat and that will play a huge factor in this game as Tampa Bay is not used to that kind of weather. Expect this game to go back and forth but Rodgers and the Packers win a close one at home 34-31.
#3 Seattle Seahawks @ #2 New Orleans Saints, Day and Time TBD.
This will be a fantastic matchup with two of the NFC’s top teams. Alvin Kamara will run wild and score at least 3 TD’s and even Drew Brees will play great. The Saints are at home and will have some momentum after beating Chicago the week before. The Saints defense will also play great behind Cameron Jordan. However, this game will come down to QB play. Even though Brees will play great, Wilson will have a game for the ages since the Seahawks will desperately need him to. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett will each have a pair of TD receptions, and while the Seahawks defense won’t be good, their offense will pick up the pieces and win a shootout against the Saints. Seahawks win 44-41.
AFC Championship Game: #2 Buffalo Bills @ #1 Kansas City Cheifs, Sunday, January 24th @ 6:40 pm ET on CBS.
This will be one hell of a game. Both teams will be scorching hot going into this game, meaning both QB’s will play great. Josh Allen and Pat Mahomes should continue shredding defenses even in this game. Look for Kansas City’s defense though to stop the run game forcing Josh Allen to throw into a lot of traffic. This will cause Allen to throw an interception or two which will allow Kansas City to capitalize on offense. I think this will come down to QB play and defense. Even though the Bills defense has underperformed most of the year, it will reach its full potential in this one(at least at the end of the game). I think Josh Allen’s ability to get away from pressure and run for yardage will be the deciding factor even if he throws an interception or two. I also think that Mahomes will have a huge first half but then the Bills defense will figure it out and stop him in the fourth quarter allowing Allen and Diggs to take over the game down the stretch. As crazy as it sounds, I think that the Bills will knock off the defending champs and make it to their first Super Bowl since 1994. Bills win 37-34.
NFC Championship Game: #3 Seattle Seahawks @ #1 Green Bay Packers, Sunday, January 24th @ 3:05 pm ET on Fox.
This is poised to be a shootout, even if it is played in the snow. Two elite QB’s going at it. Seattle definitely has a better receiving core with Metcalf and Lockett even with Davante Adams being as good as he is for the Packers. Other than that, the Seahawks have no edge in this game. They don’t have the advantage in the run game or on defense. That will hurt them tremendously, especially with facing Rodgers who can put up the same kind of offensive production as Wilson. The Packers will also be at home which plays highly to their advantage. The Packers’ defense will make a couple of key stops and Rodgers will outduel Wilson down the stretch. Packers win this one 36-28.
Super Bowl LV Buffalo Bills Vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday, February 7th @ 6:30 pm ET on CBS.
A young and rising superstar QB vs. a proven one who is still aiming for more greatness. A tale of two fantastic defenses as well. This matchup will be a hell of a one to watch. Rodgers and the Packers have the advantage thanks to their experience, which should enable them to come out of the gate strong to a 14-0 lead. However, Buffalo’s defense will settle in and stop Rodgers and the Packers from scoring on four-six straight drives. This will take some stress off of Josh Allen and will allow him to throw for three touchdowns in that time frame. With a 21-14 lead, Buffalo will ease up on its defense and try to win a shootout. Rodgers will try his best to win this game down the stretch and he will score a game-tying touchdown with 1 minute and 30 seconds to go. However, this will be enough time for Allen, Diggs, and company to lead the Bills down the field for a game-winning field goal as time expires. Bills win Super Bowl LV 38-35.
I could be completely wrong about all of this and both of my Super Bowl teams could be eliminated by the Divisional round. But let’s see what happens since I could be spot on with my predictions as well. Hope you enjoyed the read and it’s time for the NFL Playoffs!