After 18 gruelling weeks of play, the playoff picture is finally set, the 1 seeds are established (sort of) and 14 sides are daring to dream of lifting the Lombardi in Arizona on the 12th February 2023. Before that game though, there are 3 rounds of playoff games to get through and I’m here to tell you exactly how it is going to pan out.
Wildcard Round
San Francisco 49ers def. Seattle Seahawks
This is one of those that feels like it should be a non-contest. The 49ers have arguably the best defence in the league and the Seahawks effectively snuck in the back door to get into the playoffs. Given how Seattle was expected to perform at the start of the season, this would still be exceeding expectations since they made it this far. Score prediction: 49ers 31-14 Seahawks
Jacksonville Jaguars def. LA Chargers
The Jaguars hype train continues. Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson are going to roll into SoFi stadium and beat the Chargers in their own backyard, casting doubt over whether Brandon Staley is really the man to take the Chargers to the next level. This could all pan out differently if LA decides not to handicap Justin Herbert but personally, I don’t see it. Score prediction: Chargers 20-22 Jaguars
Buffalo Bills def. Miami Dolphins
Another cut and dry game, especially with the Dolphins now confirmed to be missing Tua. Skylar Thompson has performed well enough so far as a rookie but his immediate ceiling is very clear and it definitely isn’t high enough to take them past Buffalo at Highmark stadium. Score prediction: Bills 34-12 Dolphins
New York Giants def. Minnesota Vikings
The first upset of my predictions. I don’t see any reason why Danny Dimes can’t lead the G men past a very suspect Vikings team, that could quite possibly be the worst 13-4 team in NFL history. In multiple games this season the Vikes have allowed 30+ points and that is part of a potent recipe to lose playoff games. The other is having a quarterback that is notorious for not showing up in big games. Score prediction: Vikings 17-20 Giants
Cincinnati Bengals def. Baltimore Ravens
The argument for this one is near identical to the one above in the Bills – Dolphins game. Baltimore are very likely to be without star QB Lamar Jackson again as he struggles with injury, and it’s shown how heavily their offense and scheme relies on him being the man under centre. Meanwhile, the Bengals are really rolling, carrying heavy momentum into the post-season and the Burrow to Chase connection is firing on all cylinders. Score Prediction: Bengals 35-10 Ravens
Dallas Cowboys def. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
To round out the Wildcard round, I have Dak and his band of Cowboys winning on the road at Raymond James Stadium. Despite Prescott’s recent struggles, the Dallas roster is just too stocked with talent to falter against a Bucs team that staggered to win the worst division in the league. Almost certainly Brady’s last season in Florida, could it also be his last ever NFL game as well? Score prediction: Cowboys 28-14 Buccaneers
Divisional Round
San Francisco 49ers def. Dallas Cowboys
Wins against the Seahawks and Bucs would pair these two up against each other in the Divisional, and I can’t see even that stacked Dallas offence being able to score freely on the best defence in football. Compounding this, I doubt the Cowboys could stop the physical and skilful 49ers run game. McCaffery looks almost back to his best, and his best is elite. Mr Irrelevant leads San Francisco to yet another Conference Championship game. Score Prediction: 49ers 19-14 Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles def. New York Giants
The divisional round is where the 1 seeds now enter the picture and I believe the Brian Daboll first year turn around for Big Blue comes to a screeching halt in Philly. A healthy Jalen Hurts is a massive danger and the Eagles clearly play to his strengths as well as having two of the best linemen in their position in Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson. Score Prediction: Eagles 31-20 Giants
Kansas City Chiefs def. Jacksonville Jaguars
Another entry of a 1 seed to put a stop to another fairytale season. No one would’ve expected the Jags to make it this far but when coming up against Mahomes coming off a bye week? Make sure you get those tickets booked back to Florida nice and early. Despite a probable loss however, this will have been a very successful year for Jacksonville and they’d be poised to make another good run next year. Chiefs 31-15 Jaguars
Cincinnati Bengals def. Buffalo Bills
This matchup (rematch-up?) will likely be one of the more emotional games in recent NFL history given the events of week 17 in the regular season. Despite this though, I see the Bengals overcoming the Bills in what is likely to be a closely run shootout. I place Burrow and Allen on about equal level, but the Cincinnati defence appears superior to the Bills and will be rolling with a lot of good form. Score Prediction: Bengals 36-34 Bills
Conference Championship
San Francisco 49ers def. Philadelphia Eagles
Despite the Eagles fantastic regular season record, they aren’t carrying tons of momentum into the Playoffs and two of the players mentioned above are likely still going to be carrying injuries (Jalen Hurts & Lane Johnson). Philly have also shown this season that they struggle without Hurts, whereas the 49ers seem virtually unstoppable with their endless ‘next man up’ policy. A victory on the road sends the team from Santa Clara with its last-pick-of-the-last-round QB to a sensational Super Bowl berth. Score Prediction: Eagles 23-26 49ers.
Cincinnati Bengals def. Kansas City Chiefs
For all the Chiefs firepower on offence this season, they had more last year and still couldn’t overcome the Bengals at Arrowhead. Cincinnati has become something of a bogey team for Kansas in recent times, the last three matchups going the way of the cats. Joe Burrow has complete control and mastery over this Bengals offense and I don’t believe the Chiefs have the talent or scheme to slow him down enough to allow Mahomes to win the shootout. Back to back Super Bowl games for Joe Shiesty. Score Prediction: Bengals 30-28 Chiefs
Super Bowl
Cincinnati Bengals def. San Francisco 49ers.
Remember when I said the 49ers were virtually unstoppable? Unfortunately we live in the real world, not a virtual one. I expect this to be an extremely close, back and forth game, but I ultimately expect the experience and talent of Burrow to elevate his team above Purdy and obtain revenge for last years final defeat to the Rams. This could definitely be one of many rings for Joe Burrow. Score Prediction: Bengals 21-18 49ers.
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