Dude…
14 teams battle it out. 2 teams have already locked into the quarterfinals with the first round bye. The back-to-back champions in the Kansas City Chiefs on the AFC side. The team from the North and hard nose football coach in the Detroit Lions in the NFC. 12 teams fight for the 6 remaining spots in the quarterfinals. We have MVPs and rookies. Surprise teams and expected teams. Super Bowl hopes and dreams will be made or shattered through the gauntlet of the NFL Playoffs. Here are your first round playoff predictions!
#5 LA Chargers @ #4 Houston Texans- This game is going to come down to who can have a better offensive scheme. Will Harbaugh and his old school style rushing attack be more successful? Or is Demeco Ryans run and gun style too much for the bolts to handle? I think if Houston was 100% healthy, they would probably win this game. However, we have noticed over the past few weeks how much Stroud and company has struggled with 2 of their 3 top wide receivers out for the season. Relying on Nico Collins to be the only receiving option in a throw first offense isn’t ideal. You double him and now who does CJ have to throw to? On the other hand, Harbaugh can run the ball down the throat of Houston with JK Dobbins, who is having an all pro like season. If the Houston defense finds a way to stop them, Justin Herbert can dice up the struggling secondary by throwing the ball to rookie Ladd McConkey or Quentin Johnson. The Chargers just have a better offense than the current Houston Texans. Even though this is an away game for LA, I think their defense will force CJ to throw it to someone other than Nico Collins and it’ll cost Ryans this year. Give me LA winning in this first round matchup.
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers @ #3 Baltimore Ravens- Ole reliable Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in yet another daunting first round playoff matchup as they take on former and maybe this year’s MVP in Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. John Harbaugh has his greatest rushing duo after Derrick Henry was signed in the off season. Henry hasn’t lost a step since leaving Tennessee and has quickly demonstrated that he will continue to be the best running back in the league. The Steelers have a Super Bowl winning QB in Russell Wilson who got a second chance after the disaster of a season with the Broncos last year. NFL’s NLE Choppa wide receiver in Kenny Pickens continues to shine with Wilson at QB. The defense is awesome with TJ Watt leading the charge. The only way the Steelers have a chance at winning is stopping Derrick Henry. If you force Jackson to have to throw the ball and be the only option on the ground, your chances of winning grow exponentially. However good luck stopping that beast. I think Wilson plays well, but Henry destroys the Steelers defense and demonstrates why the Ravens could be the team to dethrone the back to back Super Bowl Champions in the AFC. Give me Baltimore rolling the Steelers.
#7 Denver Broncos @ #2 Buffalo Bills- Bo Nix has led this Denver team to the postseason for the first time in almost a decade. The defense continues to be one of the best in the league with Patrick Surtain still being an eliminator of all threats near him or on his side of the field. Josh Allen has had an MVP season, distributing the rock to all receivers. This is a matter of who wants it more. I believe Josh Allen will have a great game, but don’t sleep on the Broncos, that defense could lead Allen into some difficult throws. The key will be the turnover battle and who can capitalize on those turnovers. It may be Bo Nix’s first playoff experience, but we all need a Cinderella story. I think Allen will continue to struggle in the playoffs and find themselves in a dog fight. Surtain and the defense forces Allen to make too many errors for him to ignite a comeback. Plus I hate the Bills. Give me Denver in the biggest upset of the first round.
#5 Minnesota Vikings @ #4 LA Rams- I know the Rams are at home, but it definitely feels like they are the underdog in this game. Missing out on the first overall seed after losing to Detroit in the last game of the season, Minnesota is looking to dismantle the LA Rams. Sam Darnold found a new home, and is striving in this new Viking home. J Jettas is still one of the best receivers this season and Darnold has been on point the entire season. Aaron Jones has been good as well for their ground game. The LA Rams also have great wideouts in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. The rushing attack is hit or miss based on how the offensive line is holding up. However, Kyren Williams can demolish a defense if he gets going. This is going to be about who can score the most points. Will J Jettas and the Minnesota Vikings offensive clicking like we’ve never seen before, I think the Vikings will throw it all over the Rams defense and win in easy fashion. Give me the Vikings to move on to the next round of the playoffs.
#6 Washington Commanders @ #3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Another phenomenal rookie in Jaden Daniels makes his debut in the playoffs as Scary Terry McLaurin finally has someone who can throw him a good football. On the other hand, the Bake show is in session, as Baker Mayfield continues to blossom into a top 10 QB in the league. He is missing Chris Godwin who is out for the season, but Mike Evans is going to be the it factor for the Buccaneers. Both defenses are good, but which one will keep up with these offenses better? Due to it being his first time in the playoffs, I think JD will struggle, especially against this passing defense. He will settle down, but I fear it’ll be too late. Baker is on fire and he deserves all the praise he is receiving. Give me the Bucs in a classic where the Commanders almost come back, but just fall short as Baker Mayfield puts on another stellar performance.
#7 Green Bay Packers @ #2 Philadelphia Eagles- Could we see 2 7 seed upsets in this year's playoffs? Maybe, but that all revolves around which Jordan Love we get. Do we get almost all pro Jordan Love or do we get Jordan Love who showed up in the first half against Minnesota in week 17. Who knows, but Josh Jacobs might help relieve some of that pressure off of Love so he can be accurate and throw the ball deep to his 4 different options. Philly has been quietly a good team in the NFC. With Saquon Barkley being even better than he was in New York, he has excelled this season, almost beating Barry Sanders' all time season rushing record. It’s not just Barkley as Jalen Hurts has been good at throwing the football to their weapons in AJ Brown and Devonta Smith. I really want to see Green Bay win, I would love to see Jordan continue in the playoffs. However, I feel like the Eagles have too many weapons to try and slow down. Barkley will get going on the ground and that will free up the air attack as well. The Packers need a few more pieces as the Eagles cruise to the second round.
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