As snow began to fall in Texas on Jan. 9 and 10, extending the holiday break for many joyful children across the state, the upcoming NFL playoffs were set aside. By the time school had recommenced, most children were back in school and the wild card (the first round of the playoffs) had already been finished.
With that being said, here are my predictions for the remainder of the NFL Playoffs.
Divisional Round
Jan 18th: Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) vs Houston Texans (10-7)
Houston is coming off of a huge 32-12 win against the LA Chargers in the wild card on Jan 11, and a win of that caliber was largely unexpected. Quarterback C.J. Stroud had a fairly good game, going 22/33 for 282 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. Running back Joe Mixon also had a great game, running 25 times for 106 yards and 1 TD. The Texans played the Chiefs back in week 16, and Kansas City won in a nail biting 27-19 game. The Texans finished the regular season with a 10-7 record, losing 2 of their last 3. However, they looked like a dominant force in the game against the Chargers, giving the team a spark of energy.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, are on a hot streak. They were heading into Week 18 with the 1st-round bye already locked, so they opted to just play all of their backups to avoid injury, resulting in a loss. Disregarding that loss, the Chiefs finished the season with a 15-1 record. However, many of these wins seem very lucky because many were won by last-second field goals, fumbles, or missed calls by refs. So theoretically, the Chiefs are locked in for a three-peat Super Bowl led by QB Patrick Mahomes, having won the big game the prior two years despite “worse” teams. Because the Chiefs have become the league’s new superpower, they are also now the league’s most hated team. The main problem for the Chiefs: injuries. Mahomes is struggling with an ankle injury. RB Isiah Pacheco, OT Jawaan Taylor, and WR Mecole Hardman are all injured as well. With all of these injuries, it is sure to be a close game between the two.
Projected Winner: Houston Texans
Jan 19th: Buffalo Bills (13-4) vs Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
Buffalo and Baltimore each breezed through the wild card round, Buffalo beating the Denver Broncos 31-7 and Baltimore beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14. Both teams also happen to have the frontrunners for the MVP race: Josh Allen for Buffalo and Lamar Jackson for Baltimore. That is a conversation in and of itself, but this game might help determine who wins the award. I won’t get too deep into the race, but I will say that Jackson has a league-top RB in Derrick Henry, an all-star TE in Mark Andrews, and a pro-bowling WR Zay Flowers. Josh Allen’s best option by far is RB James Cook, but he is far from Henry-level. Allen’s numbers are slightly below Jackson’s:
Josh Allen (307/483, 3731 pass yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs, 102 carries, 531 rush yards, and 12 TDs)
Lamar Jackson (316/474, 4172 pass yds, 41 TDs, 4 INTs, 139 carries, 915 rush yards, 4 TDs)
However, Allen did sit Week 18, so his stats would have been boosted if he played every week. Both teams are very evenly matched, so it will likely come down to the QB play to decide the game. The Bills, much like the Chiefs, are on a hot streak, having won 9 of their last 10, disregarding a week 18 loss in which they benched all of their starters. In my eyes, with the way Buffalo has been playing, it would be hard to see them lose this game.
Predicted Winner: Buffalo Bills
Jan 18th: Detroit Lions (15-2) vs Washington Commanders (12-5)
The story of the year in the NFL has been rookie QB Jayden Daniels leading the Commanders to their best record since 1991, and after a 23-20 win in the wild card against Tampa Bay, their first playoff win since 2005. The game itself was a nailbiter, with Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez DOINK-ing in a field goal as time expired for the win. Daniels himself was 24/35 for 268 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 picks and appears to be a lock for rookie of the year. The Commanders have had many magical moments this season, including a Daniels-to-Noah Brown hail mary win as time expired, and the doinked field goal certainly joins the list. The Commanders, including the wild card win, are on a winning streak of 6, but there is a high chance that streak might end against Detroit. Many fans are complaining that despite their 12-5 record, they still have to play the 1-seed Lions.
The Lions have quickly risen to become a fan-favorite of NFL fans, mostly because of Head Coach Dan Campbell. Campbell took over the team in 2021 and quickly took them from the bottom of the league to where they are today. Campbell and OC Ben Johnson have worked together to create many iconic plays over the course of the season, completely innovating how NFL teams use trick plays.These plays include the “stumble-bum” play, the many lineman receiver plays, hook and ladders, and many more. While the Lions may not have the most talent, Campbell and Johnson can scheme their way through most of their games.
Predicted Winner: Detroit Lions
Jan 19th: Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) vs Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
The Rams started the season 1-4, and it looked as if they would be off to another mediocre season after last making the Super Bowl in 2021. However, the Rams returned to their glory at the end of their season, with their 10-7 record enough to be 1st in the NFC West. They managed to upset the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings in the wild card round 27-9, and they look to be on fire heading into their game against Philadelphia. Every position on their offense is filled with a dangerous weapon: Matthew Stafford at QB, young Kyren Williams at RB, and Puca Nacua and Cooper Kupp at WR. Nacua and Kupp did miss large chunks of the year with injuries, and had they stayed healthy the Rams’ record would likely be much improved.
However, they will have to tackle the unstoppable giant that is the Eagles. The Eagles’ 14-3 record is tied best in franchise history, with the other 14-3 team playing in 2022. In that 2022 season, the Eagles made it to the Super Bowl but lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Chiefs. The Eagles proved not to be flukes in the wildcard, steamrolling the Green Bay Packers. MVP candidate Saquon Barkley proved dominant in that game as he has all year, taking 25 carries for 119 yards. Him and scrambling QB Jalen Hurts provide two threats on the ground that will be hard for LA’s defense to stop. The real strength for Philly is their defense, which overall is second in the league. The Eagles certainly seem like the hardest team to beat in the playoffs this year.
Predicted Winner: Philadelphia Eagles
Conference Championships
Jan 26th: Houston Texans (10-7) vs Buffalo Bills (13-4)
Now in the conference championship phase, this would be the farthest CJ Stroud will have ever made it in the playoffs after losing in the divisional round last year. This Houston team is notably young and inexperienced, with their rebuild having been initiated just last year after three straight losing seasons. The team is built off of young talent, and while this gives advantages such as extra health and athletic ability, it also has the disadvantage of inexperience. Buffalo, on the other hand, has made the playoffs every year since 2019 and is led by a 28-year-old Josh Allen. Experience may not be the deciding factor, but the talent level on these teams is not ridiculously unbalanced, so it could certainly influence who wins.
Predicted Winner: Buffalo Bills
Jan 26th: Detroit Lions (15-2) vs Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
This is a matchup every NFL fan wants to see. It will certainly be an exciting game. It is a matter of coaching vs. talent. The Lions, while certainly talented, are not nearly as star-studded as Philly. However, Detroit has proved themselves to outsmart and outscheme their opponents all year. Philadelphia is a classic, rough and tough football team; they’re loaded with big, scrappy players who fight to the blow of the whistle. This is emphasized in their most iconic play: “the tush push.” Everybody lines up behind the QB and shoves him forward for the first down. Should this matchup appear in the NFC Championship, there is a high chance it will be game of the year.
Predicted Winner: Detroit Lions
Super Bowl LIX
February 9th
Buffalo Bills (13-4) vs Detroit Lions (15-2)
Should this matchup come to fruition for Super Bowl 59, here are some stats for each team regarding the Super Bowl
Buffalo Bills: Super Bowl wins — 0 (4 appearances), Last Appearance — 1993
Detroit Lions: Super Bowl wins — 0 (0 appearances), Last Conf. Champ Appearance — 2023
Buffalo has a rich, although depressing, Super Bowl history, after appearing in the big game four years in a row from 1989 to 1993 and not winning it once.
However, I don’t think their luck will get any better. I predict the Detroit Lions will be the 2024 Super Bowl Champions!
Buffalo has been on a hot streak lately, but I just don’t think they can carry that momentum all the way to the Super Bowl. Detroit has been one of the most dominant teams the entire season, and I think they are a clear choice to win the big game.
For any of you wanting to watch the playoff games, the divisional round will take place between Jan 18-19, the conference championships will be on January 26, and the Super Bowl will be on February 9 in New Orleans, LA.
