SPORTS

Who's Gonna Win? NFL Playoff Predictions

USASat Jan 11 2025
Alright, the regular NFL season is done and dusted, which means it's playoff time! Last week, I got 12 out of 16 game picks right, with a minor boo-boo on the Patriots/Bills game. For the whole season, I nailed 190 picks out of 272, that's about 70% accurate. Not bad, eh? Let's dive into my picks for the Wild Card Weekend! The Chargers ended their season on a high note, winning three games straight to finish with 11 wins. They're going up against the Texans, who bagged the AFC South title with a 10-7 record. I'm backing the Chargers because their defense is solid, and I think they'll give C. J. Stroud a hard time. Winner: Chargers. Next up, the Steelers are facing the Ravens. Pittsburgh limped into the playoffs with four losses, while Baltimore won their last four to snag the AFC North crown. The Ravens are without star receiver Zay Flowers, but I don't see the Steelers outscoring them on the road. Russell Wilson hasn't been great lately. Tough call, but I'm leaning towards the Ravens. Winner: Ravens. The Broncos are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015. They beat the Bills in Buffalo last year, so anything can happen. But the Bills are tough, and Josh Allen is a beast. I think the Bills will edge this one out. Winner: Bills. The Packers and Eagles matchup is a good one! Both teams have talent, but the Eagles have a healthier roster. The Packers lost Christian Watson to an injury, and they've got a lot of players on the injured reserve list. I think the Eagles will win this one. Winner: Eagles. The Commanders and Buccaneers game should be fun. Both teams have balanced offenses and defenses. It might come down to who makes the least mistakes. I'm betting on the Commanders' rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, to shine. Winner: Commanders. Lastly, the Vikings are playing the Rams. The Vikings stumbled against the Lions last week, and they're on the road as the fifth seed. The Rams are on fire, winning the NFC West. But this game is in Arizona due to wildfires, so no homefield advantage for the Rams. I think the Vikings can bounce back and win this one. Winner: Vikings.

questions

    Given the Chargers' recent winning streak, do you think they have enough momentum to overcome the Texans in their playoff matchup?
    If the Broncos win, will the Bills start calling themselves the 'Buffalo Bills-ups' to indicate they're no longer unbeatable?
    Considering the Ravens' winning streak and the Steelers' losing streak, do you still believe the Steelers have a chance to win on the road?

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