PORT JEFF, NY- Greetings and Happy New Year! Let’s talk some playoff football – NFL Playoff Picks and Preview
Wild Card Round
#2 Patriots over #7 Chargers.
There isn’t much more unjust in the world of sports then the Patriots having Drake Maye fall right into their laps and almost instantly become the league MVP. Despite being the seven seed, the Chargers aren’t a significantly worse team than New England and there’s an argument to be made they have the better QB. However, what the Patriots do have is a competent offensive line, something the chargers absolutely do not. Coming into week 18 the chargers have by far the worst graded offensive line of any team in football. It’s truly a miracle Justin Herbert has lasted the entire season without a devastating injury.
Patriots 24 Chargers 17
#3 Jaguars over #6 Bills
What Josh Allen has done with this very average roster is truly remarkable. The defense cannot stop anybody and on top of that Sean McDermott is an extremely flawed HC who is far too conservative considering who is QB is. The Jags barring a stunning week 18 upset will enter this game on a 8 game win streak and playing as well as any team in football. Since their bye, Liam Cohen has Trevor Lawrence playing at an elite level that we haven’t seen since his Clemson days. The Jags have a really good roster top to bottom and are absolutely live for a Super Bowl run.
Jags 28 Bills 24
#5 Texans over #4 Ravens
I do think the Ravens will defeat the Steelers in week 18 and win the AFC North. However, that is not an indictment of what I think of this team. Lamar Jackson has simply not been at full strength at any point this season and against this Texans defense that’s as ferocious and dominant as any unit we’ve seen in many years. I think they’ll be able to do just enough on offense and shut down the Ravens with that incredible defense.
Texans 17 Ravens 14
Divisional round
1) Broncos over 5) Texans
The Broncos are an interesting team. They’ve obviously had an excellent year securing the number one seed, however, they have very few convincing wins against good teams, and they’ve played many close games against lesser opponents. These two teams are very similarly constructed, but where Denver has the advantage is their O-line which is among the best in football and can protect Nix enough from the dominant pass rush of the Texans, something that can’t be said about the O-line of the Texans. I make this pick with little conviction as I truly believe these teams are very similar and one turnover in either direction is likely enough to win the game.
Broncos 20 Texans 17
3)Jaguars over 2) Patriots
As stated earlier, I couldn’t be more impressed with the way Liam Cohen and Trevor Lawrence have this offense humming. I think they’re the best and most complete team in the AFC right now and I think they go into New England and knock off the likely MVP in Drake Maye.
Jaguars 24 Patriots 21
#3 Jaguars over #1 Broncos
This shouldn’t be a surprise at this point. Give me the Jags to go into Denver and win the AFC and represent them in the Super Bowl.
NFC
#Bears over #7Packers
Coming into the playoffs I wanted to pick against the bears as I believe they’ve been a extremely lucky for much of the season. However I think this matchup sets up very well for them. The Packers are limping into the playoffs. Micah Parsons is out for the year, Jordan Love is concussed and Josh Jacobs has clearly been hurt for weeks. I think Ben Johnson’s offense will be able to run the ball at will against the banged up Packers defense.
Bears 24 Packers 20
6)49ers over (3) Eagles
I think the Eagles offense is completely broken. I have no idea what it is, but the offense we saw win a Super Bowl a year ago simply isn’t the same. Despite having one of the best defenses in football I think the 49ers offense is too good to slow down and Philadelphia won’t be able to keep up.
49ers 28 Eagles 21
5)Rams over Bucs/Panthers
I couldn’t care less who wins the NFC South and makes the playoffs. Rams by two touchdowns at least.
Rams 31 NFC South champ 10
1)Seahawks over (6)49ers
What we saw this defense do to maybe the best offense in football in San Francisco was as impressive a performance we’ve seen all year. As long as Darnold doesn’t turn the ball over they can win the Super Bowl.
5)Rams over 2)Bears
A nightmare matchup for the Bears. Despite stumbling over the last month or so and missing out on the number one seed, the Rams are as complete a team in football and in this matchup they should be able to score every time they touch the ball
Rams 35 Bears 24
#5 Rams over #1 Seahawks
What a treat this would be. These are far and away the two best teams in football but what separates them is the true massive gap at the QB position. The Seahawks have the better players at almost every level of the game except for QB and in this matchup that’s all that matters. This would be an instant classic that could really go either way but I’ll take McVay and Stafford to go back to the Super Bowl
Rams 23 Seahawks 20
Super Bowl Rams over Jaguars
This would truly be an incredibly fun matchup. Two of the best offensive minded coaches in football in a matchup almost no one would’ve predicted this past offseason. Despite not winning the division I think the Rams are the best team in football and Stafford adds a second Lombardi Trophy before he retires.
