Wild Card Round:
AFC: BYE: #1 Denver Broncos (14-3)
#7 Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) @ #2 New England Patriots (14-3):
The New England Patriots are back at the top of the NFL mountain, and it will be up to the Chargers to shoot them down before they get red-hot. After an MVP-caliber season, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye faces one of his toughest opponents of the year. Los Angeles’ fifth-ranked defense has been the reason they have won games this season, but their lackluster supporting cast on offense surrounding Pro-Bowl quarterback Justin Hebert holds them back. On the other hand, New England has the perfect balance of offense and defense to win a shootout and shut down any opposing team coming their way. In Foxborough, the Super Bowl DNA runs deep. We predict the Patriots will handle the Chargers and have their eyes glued to the Lombardi trophy.
#6 Buffalo Bills (12-5) @ #3 Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)
After a breakout regular season that all Jaguars fans have been waiting so patiently for, they host the reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills at home. The Bills and Allen have both been criticized in the past few years for failing to reach the Super Bowl, but this year, in a Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson-free AFC, the light at the end of the tunnel has never been so bright. However, Trevor Lawrence and the Jags are going to drop a pile of boulders on that tunnel. Buffalo’s passing attack has been down this year, leading them to rely heavily on the league leader in rushing yards, James Cook III, to man the offense. Nonetheless, we expect Jacksonville’s No. 1-ranked run defense to shut that down and hold on, advancing to the Divisional Round.
#5 Houston Texans (12-5) @ #4 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
After a missed kick by the Baltimore Ravens in a game for the crown of the AFC North, the Steelers stole a home playoff game and eliminated the Ravens from playoff contention. However, the celebration in Pittsburgh will not last long. Houston will enter Pittsburgh riding a nine game win streak, one they do not look to end any time soon. That streak did not come by accident, with credit due to the number one ranked overall defense in the league and an offense that can hold on in close games. Pittsburgh’s offense led by a 42 year old Aaron Rodgers will not be able to keep up with the young and hungry Texans. The Texans will not be denied and advance to the next round.
NFC: BYE: #1 Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
#7 Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) @ #2 Chicago Bears (11-6) (Toss Up)
In a hard fought NFC North matchup, the Packers and Bears face off for only the third time in NFL playoff history, and this game has the potential to be one the greats. They split the regular season matchup 1-1,, with both finishing in one-score games, displaying just how close the matchup is despite the #2 and #7 seeding. Both teams have plenty of young talent, but with that comes a lack of playoff experience which will, no doubt, alter this game. Injuries will play a big part as well, with the Packers having 15 players placed on injured reserve, including Micah Parsons, a defensive game changer who is sidelined with a torn ACL. The Bears success this season has come on the shoulders of former 2024 #1 overall pick, Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson. Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love and star running back Josh Jacobs will put up a strong fight against a weaker defense, and this game could go either way, but we’re taking the Bears in this NFC North toss-up! (patent pending)
#6 San Francisco 49ers (12-5) @ #3 Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
In a rematch of the 2023 NFC Championship, the 49ers will head back to Philly looking for revenge. Throughout the year, the Eagles have been everything but consistent. At moments the defense looks just as good as last year and back to back Super Bowls does not seem out of the picture. The offense has taken a step back this year after losing their offensive coordinator Kellon Moore to a head coaching hire by the Saints. Star skilled players such as Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, and Devonta Smith all had down years to their standards and fans started to question the structure of the offense. In order to win they will have to lean on the defense. In our prediction, that will not go so well. The 49ers, led by Quarterback Brock Purdy, have a polished, fast paced, high scoring offense that includes Christian McCaffrey in the rush game and George Kittle in the air attack. They have already proven they can score at will, and even if the Eagles defense slows them down, we are not so sure the Eagles’ offense will be able to keep up.
#5 Los Angeles Rams (12-5) @ #4 Carolina Panthers (8-9)
The Carolina Panthers snuck into the playoffs after a wonky tie-breaker scenario in the NFC South, and unfortunately for them they are to play the likely NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, star receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, a good defense, and an incredible coach in Sean McVay. Interestingly enough, Carolina already defeated this same Rams team earlier in the season, adding some intrigue to this matchup.. Former 2023 #1 overall pick Bryce Young leads an 8-9 record caliber roster with little playoff experience against a team that won it in 2022. The Rams are a popular pick to win the Super Bowl and it would be a stunner if the Panthers put an end to those aspirations . They are home, and crazier things have happened, but we will make the safe bet and take Los Angeles.
