Super Bowl Predictions: Previews and Potential Upsets for Every Postseason Game
Well, the playoff schedule is set after the Seattle Seahawks "upset" the St. Louis Rams in Week 17.
A lot of intriguing matchups to cover, and a lot of intriguing upsets to proclaim.
In the first round alone, we have the Philadelphia Eagles versus the Green Bay Packers, the Indianapolis Colts versus the New York Jets, and the Baltimore Ravens versus the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC, we will have the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers waiting in the wings, and in the NFC, the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears.
Who will advance? Who will go home? Who will laugh? Who will cry?
Can the struggling Michael Vick get past the touch Packer defense? Will Peyton Manning pick apart a vulnerable Jets defense, or will the Jets defense force many Manning picks? Can the rising Chiefs upset the Ravens? Can the Patriots be knocked off before the Super Bowl? What about the Falcons?
So many questions floating around in my head. I guess I'll have to answer them.
Here are my NFL playoff predictions.
NFC First Round: Packers vs. Eagles
1 of 11
The Philadelphia Eagles have been a Super Bowl favorite for a while, but their time has come.
I predict the Green Bay Packers, who just sneaked into the playoffs, will beat the Eagles in the first round.
I think the Packers have shown in the last two weeks (even the last three weeks) that they are an extremely dangerous team.
In the last two weeks, the Packers have beaten the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears, and they lost by four points three weeks ago with a backup quarterback against the New England Patriots.
We all know about the offense, led by Aaron Rodgers, but the defense has been downright scary lately.
The Eagles haven't looked very good the last two weeks and the backbone of the offense, Michael Vick, has been struggling, with five interceptions and two lost fumbles in his last four games.
Sure, the Eagles went with backup Kevin Kolb in Week 17, but their 24-14 loss last week to the Minnesota Vikings bothered me.
Prediction: Packers 24, Eagles 21
AFC First Round: Jets vs. Colts
2 of 11
I can't believe I'm saying this given the slide the New York Jets have been on lately, but I just don't see the Indianapolis Colts as the same team this year as last.
The Colts won the last four weeks to clinch the AFC South, but I can see the Jets defense giving Peyton Manning some trouble, who hasn't been his unstoppable self in 2010. He's thrown too many interceptions this season and the Jets have started scoring points again the last two weeks, including 34 against the Bears in Week 16.
The Colts have been in the upper half of the league in pass defense this year, but they haven't been able to snuff the run, which will be good news for a Jets offense averaging 4.3 yards per carry leading up to Week 17.
I see the Jets limiting Manning, and the Jets advancing.
Prediction: Jets 27, Colts 24
AFC First Round: Ravens vs. Chiefs
3 of 11
The Kansas City Chiefs haven't been talked a lot as a top team in the NFL, which is understandable given they haven't beaten a top team this season.
But they deserve to be in the playoffs, not only because of their 10-6 record, but because of their team.
They are ranked first in the NFL in rushing behind Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, and the Matt Cassel-Dwayne Bowe connection has been electric.
But they aren't the Baltimore Ravens. Despite the Ravens only winning 13-7 in Week 17 versus the Cincinnati Bengals, they have rattled off four straight wins after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 13-10.
The offense appears to disappear at times, but has the capability of putting up big points, evidenced by the 30 they put up in their win over the New Orleans Saints.
Even if they don't put up big points against the Chiefs, I see the Ravens winning, a veteran defense against an inexperienced and young Chiefs offense.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
NFC First Round: Saints vs. Seahawks
4 of 11
The Seattle Seahawks pulled off a miraculous 16-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams in Week 17 to capture the NFC West crown and make it into the playoffs.
However, despite having home field against the New Orleans Saints, I don't see this going very well for the Seahawks.
They still have a bad pass defense and Charlie Whitehurst isn't going to play as well against the Saints...or Matt Hasselbeck for that matter if he comes back.
The Seahawks lost to the Saints in Week 11, 34-19.
By the end of this one, with Drew Brees most likely stepping his game up, it could be ugly.
Prediction: Saints 34, Seahawks 20
NFC Divisional Round: Packers vs. Falcons
5 of 11
As dynamic as the Green Bay Packers' defense as been, I see the Atlanta Falcons giving them problems in the playoffs, for obvious reasons.
Going into Week 17, they were averaging 25.5 points per game. They also have a dynamic pairing in QB Matt Ryan and receiver Roddy White. Michael Turner is one of the best running backs in the NFL. And the Falcons defense hasn't given up more than 24 points since Week 7.
I see the Packers scoring 24 points in this one, but I see the Falcons edging them out barely with the explosive offense they have.
Either way, it should be a great game.
The Falcons beat the Packers in Week 12, 20-17.
Prediction: Falcons 27, Packers 24
AFC Divisional Round: Jets vs. Patriots
6 of 11
The matchup we all can't get enough of.
After the New York Jets knock off the Indianapolis Colts, they will get to face the 14-2 New England Patriots (lucky them).
The season series is tied at 1-1, but their last meeting was a blowout in the Patriots favor, 45-3.
Although I see the divisional round matchup being much closer, I still see the Patriots beating the Jets.
I'm not convinced the Jets are an elite defense this year (they were ranked 11th in points allowed coming into Week 17). And I feel it will only take an elite defense to knock off the Patriots this year.
The team could possibly be the best it's been in the last few years (yes, including the 2005 Super Bowl team and the 18-1 2007 team).
I see them beating the Jets, but not in as brutal a fashion.
Prediction: Patriots 31, Jets 21
NFC Divisional Round: Saints vs. Bears
7 of 11
I can't wait for this matchup.
Even after the Saints' 23-13 loss in Week 17 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I still really like them based on their 17-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16.
I think they are the dark horse of the playoffs, with a better-than-advertised defense and, of course, Drew Brees.
When quarterbacks like Brees get into the playoffs, their level of play usually rises. And that's a scary thing given Brees is one of the best QBs in the league during the regular season.
I expect it to be a low-scoring affair, however, with the Saints scoring just enough against what could be the best defense in the league in the Chicago Bears.
This is Bears QB Jay Cutler's chance to show he's a real leader, but I don't see him leading them past the Saints (although I have been impresses with him lately). The Saints will cause more problems for Cutler than the Bears will cause for Brees.
Prediction: Saints 20, Bears 17
AFC Divisional Round: Ravens vs. Steelers
8 of 11
The Pittsburgh Steelers won six of their last seven games after losing to the New England Patriots to close out the regular season, including a Week 13 win against the Baltimore Ravens.
I believe the Steelers will again beat the Ravens in the divisional round, although I don't see the game being as sloppy as the 13-10 affair (and no, that was not a defensive standoff, it was just bad offensive football).
The Steelers seem to be in playoff form already. The Ravens, however, constantly puzzle me. They play bad football against the Steelers, then win their last four games of the season, including a 30-24 win against the New Orleans Saints.
But that's why I'm hesitant about this team—you can't count on them week in and week out. They ended their season with a win, but they scored 13 points against the Cincinnati Bengals...who, unless I'm mistaken, have a bad defense.
Against one of the best defenses in the NFL in the Steelers, I see problems ahead. But, then again, they could score 30 like they did against the Saints. However, I'm leaning toward the former.
Prediction: Steelers 23, Ravens 17
NFC Conference Championship: Saints vs. Falcons
9 of 11
Despite the New Orleans Saints losing their last game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17 (which I attribute to looking ahead), I still can't get over their win over the Falcons at Atlanta in Week 16.
The 17-14 victory showed me a lot, particularly of their defense.
The 14 points allowed by the Saints were the lowest point total for the Falcons since Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Saints always have a deadly offense with Drew Brees and company. But to see the defense come alive really impressed me.
I think the playoffs are a lot different story than the last game of the season. And I can see the defense following suit, not to mention I think Brees will be stellar, as he always is on a big stage.
I do believe it will be a higher-scoring game on both ends than in Week 16.
But sorry Falcons fans, I see the defending Super Bowl champions making a consecutive Super Bowl appearance.
Prediction: Saints 33, Falcons 27
AFC Conference Championship: Patriots vs Steelers
10 of 11
I can't wait for this matchup.
The 14-2 vaunted New England Patriots versus the vaunted Steelers defense? I might actually buy one of those NFL Films recaps of the game.
The Steelers defense is indeed a ferocious unit, but how do you pick them over the Patriots when they lost, 39-26, against them in Week 10, and lost to the Jets, who the Patriots destroyed?
I'm sorry, I hate to be one of those "homers," but I just don't see the Steelers stopping Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Not to mention the Patriots defense has gotten much better since their Week 10 matchup, something that doesn't fare well for a banged-up Steelers offensive line.
Prediction: Patriots 33, Steelers 23
Super Bowl: Patriots vs. Saints
11 of 11
I have a whole gaggle of predictions on Super Bowl XLV, but I'll try to narrow it down for you in this slide.
The New England Patriots will defeat the New Orleans Saints in the biggest game of the year.
Based on both teams' overlooked defenses, Tom Brady and Drew Brees will throw an interception and less than three touchdowns.
Based on Chris Ivory and BenJarvus Green-Ellis' recent performances, they both will score.
So will Deion Branch for the Patriots, and Marques Colston and Lance Moore for the Saints.
Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty will intercept Brees to end the game.
Both Brees and Brady will be sacked at least once.
Oh ya, and Brady will run a TD in and do the "Dougie," and coach Bill Belichick will actually smile when the Patriots win the whole thing.
Prediction: Patriots 31, Saints 27
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")