Our NFL Playoff Preview and Predictions
The playoff teams have been finalized, the matchups have been locked in and the takes have been flying. It is officially playoff football. Each team has their unique storyline heading into the postseason. Will Mahomes lead Kansas City to a second Super Bowl win in his young career? Can McCarthy and the Cowboys finally break through the glass ceiling they’ve been stuck under for 20+ years? Will Herbert have any success in his first playoff appearance? Each question will be answered in a matter of weeks.
Let’s take a look at what each team does the best and what might be their downfall. We’ll start with the AFC.
AFC
1) Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have an advantage over every team in the playoffs because of how well their quarterback and head coach mesh. Reid and Mahomes are a match made in heaven and send shivers down every defensive coordinator’s spine. Unfortunately for those two, the Kansas City defense has been average or worse in all of Mahomes’ seasons. That is still the case this year as their secondary leaves a lot to be desired and can easily be shredded by some of these other top quarterbacks. Chris Jones and George Karlaftis have been getting to the opposing quarterback a lot better the last month or so and that trend has to continue if the Chiefs want to hang another banner. If Burrow, Allen or even Herbert has all day to throw, Kansas City will be upset in the playoffs again.
2) Buffalo Bills
Similar to Kansas City, Buffalo’s hopes and dreams rely solely on one player, Josh Allen. HIs ability to make plays with his arm and legs are what gives their offense an advantage. The Bills just have to pray Allen has thrown his last RedZone interception. This has been a major problem all year for Josh and could lead to their undoing. If there’s one team with a “team of destiny” vibe though, it’s Buffalo. They’re lack of a running game is what opposing defenses will hone in on. Allen can do a lot, but against these great teams, he can’t be tasked with doing everything. Buffalo needs to find a way to get Singletary more involved and their defense to step up and play at least somewhat like they did at the beginning of the year or they risk being sent home before the Super Bowl again.
3) Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is a top three quarterback in the league, but that is not what makes the Bengals scary. It’s their three headed monster of a receiving core. Chase, Higgins and Boyd arguably make up the best wide receiver room in the NFL. One of them is always open for Burrow to find. He might not have time to find them though with how injured his offensive line is becoming. La’el Collins is already out for the year and Alex Cappa went down with a fairly serious injury last week that could keep him out for an extended period of time. Cincinnati needs their replacements to step up and their defense to keep playing well if they’re going to make another run at a Super Bowl.
4) Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are playing with house money. After a horrible year last year, they’re now 9-8 with a division crown and a home playoff game. No one is expecting anything which might be the perfect spot to be in. Their star quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, is turning into the player everyone thought he would be out of college. As an added bonus for Jacksonville, Mike Williams will not be playing for Los Angeles in their first-round matchup. If they advance past the Chargers, I don’t think they do much else, but a playoff win could go a long way towards getting this franchise back on its feet in showing that they do really belong with the top dogs of AFC.
5) Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers finally seemed to be finally getting healthy at the right time until head coach, Brandon Staley, decided to play the starters for the majority of their game last week. A game where nothing would change in the playoff seeding no matter the outcome. Because of this blunder, Mike Williams will now be out for at least this week and likely more. This offense runs much more smoothly when Allen and Williams are out there. It’s a tough blow to a franchise that always seems to be one step away. A first round exit because of some bad coaching decisions in Week 18 might mean the end of the Brandon Staley era. We know what we will get from Herbert for the most part, a solid performance that keeps them in the game at least. But this team’s defense got absolutely shredded by the better half of the teams they played this year, including giving up 30+ to the Jags earlier this year. While we expect a lot from Herbert, nobody is a lock to win when your defense gives up 30+.
6) Baltimore Ravens
What is there to say about the Baltimore Ravens. For the last two seasons, Lamar has been hurt in the home stretch. It’s been a hot start followed by an ice cold finish. I wouldn’t be surprised if Baltimore can find a way to keep their Wild Card round game against Cincinnati close, but I’m more so expecting them to get blown out. Without Jackson, they don’t have the offensive firepower necessary to contend with the rest of the AFC. It should be a quick, first round exit followed by an akward off-season with Lamar’s contract situation looming over everyone’s heads.
7) Miami Dolphins
Similar to the Ravens, Miami is fighting the injury bug at the wrong time. Tua and Teddy are both out, meaning we will be given another Skyler Thompson game. Not even the magnificent Mike McDaniel can make Thompson an NFL starter in less than a month. They have the weapons and an improving defense, but without a quarterback, this team might as well forfeit. Tyreek Hill might be wishing he stayed in Kansas City after a brutal loss on Sunday in Buffalo.
NFC
1) Philadelphia Eagles
For the majority of the season, Philadelphia was considered to be the best team in the league. They were firing on all cylinders and Jalen Hurts was neck and neck with Patrick Mahomes for MVP. That has all changed in a matter of weeks. Hurts went down with an injury that kept him sidelined for two weeks. They lost their star offensive lineman, Lane Johnson. The defense has been outstanding all year, even falling a few sacks short of the all-time season record. If Hurts and Johnson aren’t 100%, their defense will have to carry the majority of the load if they’re planning on making a deep run. I like their chances in a weak NFC, that is until they run into San Francisco.
2) San Francisco 49ers
Speaking of the 49ers, I don’t know if they have a unit I don’t love. I am not a San Francisco fan, but they are a powerhouse. Their defense is full of All-Pros. Their offense, even though it’s lead by Mr. Irrelevant, has been a wagon the last month. It would be crazier if they weren’t a wagon though when you have a rejuvenated McCaffrey and Kittle, a healthy Deebo and another strong wide out in Aiyuk. The 49ers are our pick to make it to the Super Bowl out of the NFC. Brock Purdy could crack under the pressure being he’s only a rookie, but with how well Shannahan draws up plays, even that seems like a long shot.
3) Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have one thing every other team in the league doesn’t: Justin Jefferson. Jefferson can take over any game he wants to, Cousins just has to feed him the ball. Their defense has been their achilles heel all year, but their offensive is explosive enough to get them out of any hole they’re in. Playoff Kirk should be their main concern. We know their defense will let up 21+, but Cousins can’t turn back into a pumpkin. The clock won’t read 12 at kick off, so this Vikings team could see their great season slip away.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay has had a roller coaster of a season with a lot more downs than ups. They’re limping into the playoffs thanks to one of the worst divisions in the history of the NFL. The good news is they have Tom Brady at the helm and in the playoffs, Tom always seems to pull a rabbit out of his hat. In the past, he’s had a defense to give him some help. That won’t be the case this postseason. Brady, Evans and Godwin will be tasked with putting the team on their backs. I’m not they have another run in them, but would anyone be surprised to see Brady in another Super Bowl?
5) Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the biggest mysteries all year. They lose Dak to injury, but Cooper Rush is able to go 4-1 in his absence. Dak comes back to save the day and ends up leading the league in interceptions. Micah Parsons is labeled Defensive Player of the Year until he decides to go AWOL the last month and a half. Now they’re headed to Tampa Bay in the Wild Card round after getting their butts kicked by a Sam Howell lead Commanders team. There is a lot of pressure on Dallas to get at least one playoff win this year, but I’m not sure they have it in them. Could be more of the same for the Cowboys and their fans.
6) New York Giants
The only way I know to describe the Giants is sneaky. They always seem to be in each game even though their offense, at least on paper, shouldn’t be very good. They’re a grind it out team that really doesn’t beat themselves. Brian Daboll has done an excellent job as head coach and deserves Coach of the Year. A playoff win against Minnesota would seemingly guarantee Daniel Jones and Barkley a new contract. The Giants have to be careful though with their Barkley usage. They tend to rely on him too much and don’t end up adjusting until it is too late.
7) Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith took a should be 4-win Seattle team to a playoff berth. He’s going to need some more magic if he’s going to take his team out of the Wild Card round. Smith will also need a lot of help from the Seahawks stud, rookie running back, Kenneth Walker. A shoo-in for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Walker has turned into one of the better backs in the league. If Geno is on, he can be a very accurate, excellent quarterback, but this Seattle team will have to play perfect football today to beat a loaded 49ers team who is as hot as can be.