Playoff predictions

[BobDigital]

WC

(5) Minn @ (4) LAR - Tough draw for the Vikings here. The Rams may not be a particularly good team, but with those WRs they are a big time upset option for sure. And regardless of his year, do we trust Darnold? I don't. But i think they get through this one. Vikings 30 LAR 23

(6) Wash @ (3) TB - Two of the least hyped but also best teams in the NFL. Match up of the week IMO. Daniels vs Mayfield isn't exactly a set the world on fire headliner, but both teams have shown consistent competence and have some talent. A 1 point spread isn't out of line here. It's a tough one... but i think WASH takes it. 27-24

(7) GB @ (2) PHI - This should be a really good one too. But while GB has had a good year, i just don't see them having the talent to put Philly down. Love does well but the best D in the NFC won't be denied this time. PHI 27-20

(5) LAC @ (4) HOU - Houston should have been a better team this year. I know injuries happened and all that, but they should have been better with that talent. I'm not buying they get it working now after they've had starts and stops all year. LA has a good D and they can score a bit. LAC 24-17

(6) PIT @ (3) BAL - No need to get too into it. Baltimore is the better team. The question is does PIT have a decent upset chance? I don't see anything they do well enough to try to force one, they need to hope Lamar chokes. I don't think he does here. BAL 27-17

(7) DEN @ (2) BUF - Now if you're looking for a shocker of an upset, here is one to watch. Denver has nothing to lose, a good D and some talented guys who do some hard to deal with things. An upset wouldn't shock me here. This Denver team isn't bad. That being said, Bills hold on in a nail bitter i think. BUF 24-23

DIVISION

(6) Wash @ (1) DET - Wash has been underrated all year, and the Lions have D issues, but it's not as bad as made out. Just not good. It is above average, which is plenty here. Lions are simply too good. Lions 34-20

(5) MInn @ (2) PHI - Some would call this a pick em on paper at a neutral sight. But i think the home team takes it. Also I don't believe in Darnold and the Vikings seem a bit like a paper tiger to me.

(5) LAC @ (1)KC - KC has been to the AFCCG many times in a row now. Will they again? This team has been a bit lucky all year and won a bunch by the skin of their teeth. Remember that blocked FG at the last second to hold on? LAC sure does. Upset incoming (Kinda... cause KC isn't as good as their record says.) LAC 20-19

(3) BAL @ (2) BUF - This will be a good one. Honestly not confident to say one way or the other and don't like either team. Fun fact. Both teams are at 157+ point differential. Either way one team will claim it is the rightful MVP vs the one who shouldn't have won. I'll talk BUF here. 31-30

AFC/NFCCG

(2) PHI @ (1) DET - Best D in the NFC vs best O in the NFL. How can you not root for the Lions at this point? Also I hate Philly. But all that aside. I think they are just better than Philly who while talented seem a bit shaky at times to me. The Lions just seem more steady and dependable. Lions 31-24

(5) LAC @ (2) BUF - Does LA have a chance to shock BUF? I think so. They have the kind of D to make things hard on Josh and can score a bit. Also, let's not forget the Bills D is pretty average so the Chargers will have chances to score. Will they score enough? I don't think so, but again expect a close one. BUF 27-20

SB

(1) DET vs (2) BUF - Nothing to say. Lions win. F the Bills.

 

[PatsFan2]

The AFC have some Good Teams but the NFC looks like the Power Conference. Minnesota and Green Bay have to be the Toughest Five and Seventh seeds ever. The Eagles have a Perfect Team...Great games to watch especially on the NFC side.

 

[mgcolby]

I think its interesting that the Broncos are the trendy upset pick. I just don't see it. I think the recency bias thing is at play. After destroying the Chiefs last week which was more of an illusion than I think people realize. Normally teams resting starters basically rest essentially their key skill players and any folks nursing an injury.

The Chiefs went full monty. I think they only played two of their offensive line starters, they gave DJ Humpries the start at LT, his second action of the season, they sat Thuney etc...

Here are their inactives: Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, Trent McDuffie, Jawaan Taylor, George Karlaftis and Isiah Pacheco.

Offensively:
Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith, each took the first three snaps. DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown were active but did not play a snap. Xavier Worthy played one snap. The receivers used were: Justin Watson (33 snaps, 97%), JuJu Smith-Schuster (32, 94%), Nikko Remigio (31, 91%) and tight end Peyton Hendershot (28, 82%).

Defenseively:
Trent McDuffie, Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, Justin Reid, Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill all inactive or didn't play. That is six starters.

Here are the results for the last four games played for Denver prior to the Chiefs.

​

Sorry for the long response. I just want to help those that may be under the impression that the Chiefs just sat a few key guys. They pretty much sat everyone. It could help some folks in their decision making on their Patsfans.com Picks contest...

The Bills should win this by double digits.

 

[denverpatsfan]

Donks should have beat the Chiefs in KC if it wasn't for a failed FG attempt. So they have a shot on the road in Buffalo.
Eagles are really good. That defense will be tough to handle in Philly. I would pick them to the Super Bowl but they might have trouble on the road in Detroit. Assuming Detroit gets there. however.

 

[jdlboot14]

Just please let the Chiefs lose.
We know the Zebras will do everything in their power to cheat their way to a win. But, please don't even let them get out of the Divisional round. I don't care about who wins the SB - even the Ratbirds could win, as long as the Chiefs aren't in it.

 

[yukon cornelius]

i like the rams upset

 

[PatsFan2]

Donks should have beat the Chiefs in KC if it wasn't for a failed FG attempt. So they have a shot on the road in Buffalo.
Eagles are really good. That defense will be tough to handle in Philly. I would pick them to the Super Bowl but they might have trouble on the road in Detroit. Assuming Detroit gets there. however.

I think Buffalo will be very tough when the bullets start to fly. Allen looks like he's on a SB mission.

 

[TheRainMaker]

There will be upsets for sure.

Baltimore would be a bad matchup for Buffalo’s small defense in the divisional round.

LA Chargers would be a good matchup for KC as both team’s offenses are crap.

I’m going to go with the Eagles at Lions for NFCCG and Baltimore at KC for AFCCG.

I’m undecided on Super Bowl pick.

 

[Real fan 02]

WC

(5) Minn @ (4) LAR - Tough draw for the Vikings here. The Rams may not be a particularly good team, but with those WRs they are a big time upset option for sure. And regardless of his year, do we trust Darnold? I don't. But i think they get through this one. Vikings 30 LAR 23

(6) Wash @ (3) TB - Two of the least hyped but also best teams in the NFL. Match up of the week IMO. Daniels vs Mayfield isn't exactly a set the world on fire headliner, but both teams have shown consistent competence and have some talent. A 1 point spread isn't out of line here. It's a tough one... but i think WASH takes it. 27-24

(7) GB @ (2) PHI - This should be a really good one too. But while GB has had a good year, i just don't see them having the talent to put Philly down. Love does well but the best D in the NFC won't be denied this time. PHI 27-20

(5) LAC @ (4) HOU - Houston should have been a better team this year. I know injuries happened and all that, but they should have been better with that talent. I'm not buying they get it working now after they've had starts and stops all year. LA has a good D and they can score a bit. LAC 24-17

(6) PIT @ (3) BAL - No need to get too into it. Baltimore is the better team. The question is does PIT have a decent upset chance? I don't see anything they do well enough to try to force one, they need to hope Lamar chokes. I don't think he does here. BAL 27-17

(7) DEN @ (2) BUF - Now if you're looking for a shocker of an upset, here is one to watch. Denver has nothing to lose, a good D and some talented guys who do some hard to deal with things. An upset wouldn't shock me here. This Denver team isn't bad. That being said, Bills hold on in a nail bitter i think. BUF 24-23

DIVISION

(6) Wash @ (1) DET - Wash has been underrated all year, and the Lions have D issues, but it's not as bad as made out. Just not good. It is above average, which is plenty here. Lions are simply too good. Lions 34-20

(5) MInn @ (2) PHI - Some would call this a pick em on paper at a neutral sight. But i think the home team takes it. Also I don't believe in Darnold and the Vikings seem a bit like a paper tiger to me.

(5) LAC @ (1)KC - KC has been to the AFCCG many times in a row now. Will they again? This team has been a bit lucky all year and won a bunch by the skin of their teeth. Remember that blocked FG at the last second to hold on? LAC sure does. Upset incoming (Kinda... cause KC isn't as good as their record says.) LAC 20-19

(3) BAL @ (2) BUF - This will be a good one. Honestly not confident to say one way or the other and don't like either team. Fun fact. Both teams are at 157+ point differential. Either way one team will claim it is the rightful MVP vs the one who shouldn't have won. I'll talk BUF here. 31-30

AFC/NFCCG

(2) PHI @ (1) DET - Best D in the NFC vs best O in the NFL. How can you not root for the Lions at this point? Also I hate Philly. But all that aside. I think they are just better than Philly who while talented seem a bit shaky at times to me. The Lions just seem more steady and dependable. Lions 31-24

(5) LAC @ (2) BUF - Does LA have a chance to shock BUF? I think so. They have the kind of D to make things hard on Josh and can score a bit. Also, let's not forget the Bills D is pretty average so the Chargers will have chances to score. Will they score enough? I don't think so, but again expect a close one. BUF 27-20

SB

(1) DET vs (2) BUF - Nothing to say. Lions win. F the Bills.

With the ability to control both LOS the Ravens are the most physically dominant team in the playoffs up front on both sided of the ball they are atop the league running the ball and stopping the run. That is a formula teams have to have to advance in the post season.. that is how we won in the first dynasty. Detroit Buffalo, KC and Baltimore are the class of the NFL then I'd go Vikings. I have:

Baltimore Vs KC in the AFCCG.

Detroit Vs eagles in NFCCG.

Baltimore and eagles in superbowl

 

[Guts]

With the ability to control both LOS the Ravens are the most physically dominant team in the playoffs up front on both sided of the ball they are atop the league running the ball and stopping the run. That is a formula teams have to have to advance in the post season.. that is how we won in the first dynasty. Detroit Buffalo, KC and Baltimore are the class of the NFL then I'd go Vikings. I have:

Baltimore Vs KC in the AFCCG.

Detroit Vs eagles in NFCCG.

Baltimore and eagles in superbowl

Ravens will go full ****** vs the Queefs and put the game on Lamar's arm and that'll be their downfall

 

[Guts]

Nobody is beating the Queefs

 

[Real fan 02]

There will be upsets for sure.

Baltimore would be a bad matchup for Buffalo’s small defense in the divisional round.

LA Chargers would be a good matchup for KC as both team’s offenses are crap.

I’m going to go with the Eagles at Lions for NFCCG and Baltimore at KC for AFCCG.

I’m undecided on Super Bowl pick.

Teams that control the LOS go deep into the post season.. Baltimore has that formula. It's great to be a high octane offense no doubt.. but Detroit and Buffalo can't stop anyone. Your prediction is similar to mines.

 

[Guts]

Just please let the Chiefs lose.
We know the Zebras will do everything in their power to cheat their way to a win. But, please don't even let them get out of the Divisional round. I don't care about who wins the SB - even the Ratbirds could win, as long as the Chiefs aren't in it.

Just put it in your head they're gonna 3 peat and it'll make life easier for you. The league sucks
Billdos aren't gonna do anything
the Ratbirds are going to fail

 

[Real fan 02]

Ravens will go full ****** vs the Queefs and put the game on Lamar's arm and that'll be their downfall

Ravens got hosed week 1.. should have won that game.. key will be Derrick Henry and Zay flowers.. Lamar needs to learn from his mistakes... ride Henry to the superbowl.

 

[everlong]

I wish the Chiefs had to go through both Buffalo and Baltimore. As it stands I think both of those teams will win along with the Chargers who are the only other team IMO who could take out the Chiefs. I agree with the above statements about Denver being overhyped.

NFC is a lot more blury. Philly will win. I'll go with the two road teams in the other games in Washington and Minnesota but I wouldn't be shocked if the home teams win.

Divisional round: I hope the chargers knock off the Chiefs but I'm going Buffalo and KC. NFC I don't see a dome team going into Philly for what should be very cold and windy game and winning. Washington has been a great story but it ends here.

Championship games. Please Bufflo win this one. I like Detroit over Philly.

SB; Buffalo vs Detroit, I like Detroit but by no means would this be a lock. Given how many points the two teams scored the last time they faced off the O/U is going to be really high. In rematches the game never goes the same way. I'd be the under hard.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Just please let the Chiefs lose.
We know the Zebras will do everything in their power to cheat their way to a win. But, please don't even let them get out of the Divisional round. I don't care about who wins the SB - even the Ratbirds could win, as long as the Chiefs aren't in it.

The refs are not going to want to piss off Taylor Swift….especially her fans.

 

[Guts]

Ravens got hosed week 1.. should have won that game.. key will be Derrick Henry and Zay flowers.. Lamar needs to learn from his mistakes... ride Henry to the superbowl.

They should have won the AFCCG last year too but they didn't learn and they won't learn. They won't use Henry if they face the Queefs

 

[mgcolby]

Teams that control the LOS go deep into the post season.. Baltimore has that formula. It's great to be a high octane offense no doubt.. but Detroit and Buffalo can't stop anyone. Your prediction is similar to mines.

The Lions have been treading water and just got Anzelone back, not sure if they have anyone possibly coming back for the divisional round. But getting anyone back on that defense is huge for them.

 

[jmt57]

AFC Wild Card
#5 LA Chargers at #4 Houston - This should be a much more competitive game than the two other AFC wild cards. I feel as though Houston has been very inconsistent and playing okay, but not great all year. Once the Chargers got healthy they have played much better, other than a blowout loss to Tampa Bay that appeared to be a letdown after playing KC a week earlier.
I'll take the Chargers (-3) to win and cover here.

#6 Pittsburghat #3 Baltimore - The Ravens have a much better offense (#1 in yards, #3 in points than Pittsburgh (#23, #16), and Lamar Jackson is playing like an MVP, while Russell Wilson is playing like the QB who has played his way off of two teams. Baltimore is on an upward trajectory, winning four in a row and is 12-3 after a shaky start. Defensively they're about the same. Pittsburgh has looked very mediocre in four straight losses and has cooled way off after an 8-2 start. The momentum and confidence for these two teams is polar opposite of each other.
I think Baltimore is going to blow the Steelers out by at least two touchdowns and cover the 9½ spread,

#7 Denver at #2 Buffalo - Yes the Broncos have the better defense, but there is a larger differential between the two offenses. I have trouble getting past Denver's record versus good teams. Sean Payton has had three questionable clock management games this season alone, so that doesn't bode well for Denver either.
The spread is 8½points; I think Buffalo covers that easily.


NFC Wild Card
#5 Minnesota at #4 LA Rams - Should be the most entertaining game of the weekend. Oddsmakers have this fairly close, with the Vikings favored by 1. A week ago I would have said the Vikings without hesitation, but this is a tough call after only scoring 9 points against Detroit's injury riddled defense. Should be a high scoring affair, with receivers on both teams that Pats fans will lust after. I'm guessing, with less than sold conviction, that the Vikings have a bounce-back game and win.
Vikings in a close game that comes down to the final possession; I'll take the over (47½) as well.

#6 Washington at #3 Tampa Bay - I've been a big believer in the Bucs and Baker Mayfied this year, especially since Mike Evans got over his midseason hamstring injury. But wow, they have looked absoultely flat in two of the last three games - which were must-wins to get into the playoffs - and their defense looks very vulnerable. Jayden Daniels and Washington keep finding ways to win (five in a row).
Washington (+3) in a mild upset.

#7 Green Bay at #2 Philadelphia - The Eagles are superior on offense, the two are about the same on defense. Even if Jordan Love's elbow is fine (I'm not convinced that it is), I'll take Jalen Hurts over Love.
The Packers might cover the 4½ spread, but Philadelphia wins this one.

 

[mgcolby]

i like the rams upset

I honestly don't see that as an upset. The Rams are healthy. I know technically they are the underdog, a home dog at that. Which is enticing if you're into that kinda thing.