This is the final part of my series predicting the NFL Season. The playoffs are already here in my eyes and the playoff teams and standings will be based off of the records I predicted in my previous two articles.
Wildcard Round
Bengals (5) vs Jaguars (4)
Bengals vs. Jaguars is set to be an exciting game as both teams have solid defensive units but explosive offenses. The Bengals last season beat the Bills and Ravens in the playoffs but Joe Burrow is still yet to throw a 4th Quarter touchdown pass despite winning in one possession games in most of his postseason victories. The Jaguars took down the Chargers last season coming back down 27-0 in the third quarter. This game is going to be close but I think the Bengals are going to pull this one out.
Bengals 28 Jaguars 20
Bills (6) vs Chargers (3)
Josh Allen needs to prove himself this year after falling short time after time in the playoffs. He has proven to be good in the 4th quarter but in overtime is a completely different story being 0-5 throughout his career. Luckily for him he faces quite possibly one of the least clutch quarterbacks in the league in Justin Herbert who has struggled to put together game winning drives again and again and blowing leads that almost no one would be able to lose. The Chargers have a serious game planning problem stemming from the head coach and the defensive coordinator and despite all the talent they have, they are unable to contain any offense for a game. This one will be less close but still a great game.
Bills 24 Chargers 10
Chiefs (7) vs Dolphins (2)
The Dolphins are a great regular season team. In previous seasons they have gotten very hot at some point of the season and then slowed down and crept into the playoffs. However, this year I think they will stay hot for a majority of the year and slow down a bit in the playoffs. The Chiefs are quite the opposite. Typically they stay hot the whole year and somehow get better come December, but I think they will start off slow giving them the 7th seed this season. That’s not to discredit the Chiefs in any sort of way but instead just showing how competitive the AFC is this season. This game should be an AFC championship game as both teams are superbowl contenders but It happens to fall on wildcard weekend.
Chiefs 31 Dolphins 28
Cowboys (5) vs Buccaneers (4)
Not really much to analyze here, the Cowboys would be huge favorites and there is a reason why. I’m going to keep it short because we have a lot of more games to get too but just know the Buccaneers have a lot more roster building to do before they get competitive again.
Cowboys 34 Buccaneers 7
Vikings (6) vs Lions (3)
Another one I’m going to keep short because Kirk Cousins in prime time is not a recipe for success in any way shape or form. However the offense isn’t the problem. It’s this horrible defense that will curse this team with one possession losses until they get it fixed. Detroit, congratulations you have won a playoff game.
Vikings 14 Lions 24
Seahawks (7) vs 49ers (2)
This one will probably be closer than people expect. These division playoff games can always go any way because of how familiar the teams are with each other and how strong they can get their game plan over the season. However last season with basically the same roster the 49ers destroyed the Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs 41-23. I don’t think the game will be that far apart again but a similar victory will occur.
Seahawks 17 49ers 27
Divisional Round
Bills (6) vs Bengals (5)
This game is going to be great. Both teams are almost mirroring each other in every category with a top three quarterback, top five wide receiver, good defensive lines and solid secondaries. The Bengals have proven time after time to win these close playoff games. The Bills however have proved the opposite losing in the divisional round every year including a 27-10 loss to the Bengals. In the off season the Bengals lost their best player in the secondary in Jessie Bates III but had a young first round pick in Daxton Hill and former Alabama safety Jordan Battle. The Bills added Von Miller last season but he has yet to play in the postseason as he went down with an injury late last year. If healthy I’m not sure if he’s enough to cover the distance.
Bills 21 Bengals 27
Chiefs (7) vs Ravens (1)
Listen, I understand if this were to happen Ravens fans would be so mad at having to play the Chiefs after being the number one seed and why wouldn’t they? I’m slightly regretting my choice of putting the Chargers to win the division but you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. The Ravens at this point in the season are honestly probably on all of their backups as they usually get injured come playoff time. However, I can’t predict injuries,so it’s a fully healthy Ravens team vs a fully healthy Chiefs team. Both teams have a top five offense and a top five Defense so this game will be an absolute clash of titans.
Chiefs 31 Ravens 28
Lions (3) vs 49ers (2)
This matchup has game of the year potential. The Lions have come just short of beating the 49ers in their last couple matchups. With a new, upgraded team and through their approach to the game they look to finally get a leg up on the favored 49ers. The Niners look to avoid the upset as Brock Purdy seems to have his first challenge this playoffs and will have to prove himself against a tough defense. One thing that isn’t a question is the explosiveness of both of these teams. This matchup will prove to be a great one and could possibly become a constant playoff matchup for years to come.
Lions 24 49ers 21
Cowboys (5) Vs Eagles (1)
The Eagles are the top seed for a few reasons Great coaching, possibly the best offensive line ever constructed, one of, if not the best defensive lines depth wise in the league, and an explosive offense who can run the ball all over a team or throw it. The Cowboys have struggled in big playoff games and definitely will in this one. Dak Presscott plays for “America’s Team” but can’t play well when being watched by all of America. The Cowboys don’t really match up well with the Eagles as their strengths as a pass rushing team get countered by the Eagles offensive line and their strong secondary could have competed with the Eagles receivers but Trevon Diggs unfortunately tore his ACL. Cowboys fans I’m sorry but this year is not your year yet again.
Cowboys 14 Eagles 27
Championship Week
Chiefs (7) Vs Bengals (5)
For three years in a row the AFC Championship will be Chiefs Vs Bengals but this time it’s not going to be in Burrowhead but the Jungle. Mahomes looks to get to more of an even score with Burrow as Burrow has a 3-1 record vs Mahomes. The Bengals always start these games off slow but get hot towards the end which happens throughout the season also. One thing the Bengals can’t stop is the connection between Mahomes and Kelce as it seems no matter what he always just gets open. One thing that the Chiefs should be worried about is how they are going to be able to cover Jammar Chase and Tee Higgens as both players are extremely capable number one receivers and then you throw in an amazing slot receiver in Tyler Boyd. This game is going to be great for a third year in a row and is a coin flip for whos going to win.
Chiefs 21 Bengals 24
Lions(3) Vs Eagles (1)
The Lions look to do the impossible and make the Superbowl but to get there they have to take down the reigning NFC Champ Eagles. The Eagles have been here before and have some elite veteran Presence in Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox. The Lions however do have Jared Goff who has made a superbowl before with the Rams and lost 13-3. Jared Goff has thrown four touchdown passes with two interceptions through his playoff career with a passer rating of 79.9. However in his last season in the playoffs he had a passer rating of 100.7 and has improved greatly since. In the Eagles last playoff run Jalen Hurts had three touchdown passes, no interceptions, 94.7 Passer rating and 143 rushing yards with five extra rushing touchdowns. In 2023, the two best rushing defenses are the Eagles at 62.9 Rushing yards per game and then the Lions at 76.3 Rushing yards per game. This matchup is pretty similar at all levels. However, to me, there sadly is a clear winner.
Lions 28 Eagles 31
SUPERBOWL
Bengals(5) Vs Eagles (1)
These teams are searching for revenge as they have both lost a superbowl in the past two seasons. For the Eagles, their window is wide open. Their salary cap situation is amazing, their team is elite and their coach is good enough to not make bad calls to lose them games. For the Bengals this might be the last chance they get for a while as Joe Burrow just signed a massive contract which will probably make Tee Higgins a free agent at the end of his deal. This game will be explosive and will go down as an all time great. Bet the over no matter what.
Bengals 34 Eagles 31
