It’s time for the playoffs… (playoffs?)
The entire season has led up to this. It’s win or go home football. Anything can – and probably will – happen. For the NFL playoffs, we’ll do round-by-round predictions. There’s a companion post for this one with my start of playoffs Super Bowl prediction. Check that out here.
For now – the Wild Card Round!
Rams (5) vs. Panthers (4) – Carolina had what many would call a surprise win over the Rams a few weeks ago. Stafford turned the ball over 3 times in that game (sounds an awful lot like another recent performance versus an NFC South opponent that had me on the edge of my seat during fantasy championship weekend). Lightning isn’t going to strike twice. Rams 31, Panthers 24.
Packers (7) vs. Bears (2) – Fun stat: the last team the Packers beat was the Bears; the last team the Bears beat was the Packers. As if we don’t get to see these two play each other enough, this rivalry now carries into the 2025 post-season. The Packers defense is likely to struggle with Micah Parson’s absence. Plus, Chicago saw Burden’s breakout late season and Odunze will be back. Bears 24, Packers 14.
Chargers (7) vs. Patriots (2) – The big knock on the Patriots this year has been they haven’t played any tough competition. That said, their defense has kept them in the close games and Drake Maye is really starting to look like Tom Brady 2.0. With the Chargers pulling people out of the stands to play offensive line, this one feels the closest you can get to a sure thing. Patriots 30, Chargers 20.
Bills (6) vs. Jaguars (3) – Oof. This one’s tough; and it makes me nervous for my Super Bowl prediction. The Bills really seemed to struggle in the back half of the season while the Jags were on the rise. Liam Coen seems to have found the code that finally unlocked T-Law, Etienne has earned his next contract (wherever it might be), and Meyers and Washington have really opened up the receiving game. However…I think Josh Allen is going to be a man on a mission in this year’s playoffs. His two kryptonites (Mahomes and Lamar) are not standing in his path. Watch out. Bills 28, Jaguars 25.
49ers (6) vs. Eagles (3) – The 3v6 matchups feel like the hardest ones to pick this year. The 49ers enter the playoffs having won 6 of their last seven (lost that 7th one to the #1 Seahawks) while the Eagles went 3-4 in that stretch. However, the 9ers are dealing with some key injuries (Trent Williams, Ricky Pearsall, Rendardo Green). Plus it’s hard to pick against the defending champs with Saquon still in the backfield. Another close one. Eagles 24, 49ers 21.
Texans (5) vs. Steelers (4) – The Steelers are in…barely. Their playoff spot came down to a rookie kicker going wide right on a 44-yard field goal. That Texans defense looks borderline unstoppable on so many fronts. It’s hard to envision a world where Pittsburgh finds a way to make this happen. Texans 28, Steelers 24.
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