PREVIEWING AND PREDICTING THE NFL PLAYOFFS
- Reed Jones
- Jan 11
- 5 min read
The NFL regular season and the playoffs are finally here. Starting today we will see teams strive to be the ones hoisting up the Lombardi Trophy and get to scream "I'M GOING TO DISNEY". We have some great matchups this weekend and in any possible amalgamation of teams that win/lose. It's time to put on our thinking cap, look into my crystal ball, and predict who wins each game for this weekend and going forward. I'll do score predictions for all this weekend and my 2 best bets for each game this weekend.
SATURDAY: JANUARY 11TH
LA CHARGERS (-2.5) VS HOUSTON TEXANS (O/U: 41.5)
It's hard for me not to get with the Chargers here. After going 5-12 last year, Jim Harbaugh came in and immediately turned them around as they went 11-6 this year. The Chargers gave up the least amount of points in the NFL this year and the Texans offense has taken a step back after season-ending injuries to both Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs. I think the Texans defense is also VERY good but the Chargers will overwhelm on both sides of the ball.
PREDICTION: CHARGERS 27, TEXANS 17
BEST BETS (PARLAYED IS +250):
CHARGERS -2.5 (-120)
I have the Chargers winning by 10 points so I'll gladly take the spread
JK DOBBINS ATTD (+125)
I think the Chargers just run and run and run as Houston has a good secondary and pass rushers
BALTIMORE RAVENS (-9.5) VS PITTSBURGH STEELERS (O/U: 43.5)
Look, I'll admit that I AM a Steelers fan. But even if I wasn't a Steelers fan for some reason my gut is kind of leaning towards the Steelers. Call me crazy all ya want. The Steelers ended the season on a 4-game losing streak that included a 34-17 loss to the Ravens. But let me remind you that Lamar averages 212 passing yards and has 9 interceptions against the Steelers in his career. He is also 2-4 in games against them with both a win and loss occuring this year. I get Lamar is more than likely the MVP but everything just kind of lines up. Mike Tomlin looking for his first playoff win since the Obama administration AND being an underdog. Lamar is basically a guarantee to win the MVP and has yet to have a dominant playoff run. The Terrible Towels will be flying and give me the upset here (I have to ride with my team).
PREDICTION: STEELERS 23, RAVENS 20
BEST BETS (PARLAYED IS +218):
STEELERS +9.5 (-112)
Even though I have the Steelers winning, if they lose I still think it will be a close game. Give me the points to be safe.
DERRICK HENRY ATTD (-225)
Zay Flowers will be missing this game and is the best receiver on what's already a week pass-catching unit. It's Tractorcito season.
SUNDAY: JANUARY 12TH
BUFFALO BILLS (-8.5) VS DENVER BRONCOS (O/U: 47.5)
Josh Allen is legit putting the team on his back this year. After losing Stefon Diggs this off-season everyone figured the Bills would take a step back. They guessed wrong. Allen just had the best season of his career and beat both No. 1 seeds in each conference. Although the defense is a little suspect at times, they get a little warmup going against rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Now that's not a knock against Bo Nix who has also been great this year but I'm just riding the Bills wagon until the wheels fall off.
PREDICTION: BILLS 35, BRONCOS 24
BEST BETS (PARLAYED IS +190):
O47.5 (-112)
I think there will just be points everywhere. And if the Broncos want to keep this close they'll have to keep up with Buffalo who will probably put up a large portion of that over themselves.
Josh Allen ATTD (-125)
We're riding with Josh getting into the endzone. It just makes sense.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-5.5) VS GREEN BAY PACKERS (O/U 45.5)
So Jalen Hurts WILL be playing this Sunday which means a lot. Despite Tanner McKee looking like he's one of the best kept secrets in the NFL, the Eagles offense just flows with Hurts because of his running. Which already has the runningback who just ran for the 8th most rushing yards in a single season and easily could have broken it if he played in the last game. I think the Eagles might be the most complete team in the NFL on all levels. The Packers are 11-6 which sure is a great record. But their best win? A 24-19 victory of the Rams (who were missing Puka Nacua AND Cooper Kupp). I'm taking the birds.
PREDICTION: EAGLES 27, PACKERS 20
BEST BETS (+198):
SAQUON BARKLEY ATTD (-175)
The best runningback in the NFL to get in the endzone. Book it.
JOSH JACOBS ATTD (-115)
Jacobs had a quite 1300+ yards and 15 TDs. I like him getting in as well especially if Love is struggling passing the ball.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-3) VS WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (O/U 50.5)
I think two of the biggest surprises this year are in this game. Baker Mayfield, who threw for 4500 yards and 41 TDs, going against the rookie Jayden Daniels, who had a combined 4450+ yards and 31 TDs. The only reason I'm leaning towards the Buccaneers this game is I trust their defense a little more than I trust Washington's. I think this will be the most exciting and closest game of the Wild Card round though and would not be shocked at all if either team won in a close game OR shootout.
PREDICTION: BUCCANEERS 28, COMMANDERS 27
BEST BETS (PARLAYED IS +204):
BAKER MAYFIELD 250+ PASS YARDS (-120)
JAYDEN DANIELS 50+ RUSH YARDS (-130)
This is just trusting these two QBs to continue excelling at what got them to this point.
MONDAY: JANUARY 13TH
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (-2.5) VS LA RAMS (O/U 47.5)
Now the BIGGEST surprise of the season was easily Sam Darnold. Not only did he turn into a QB1 but played like a top 10 quarterback this season as he went for 4300+ yards and 35 TDs. Brian Flores has this Vikings defense firing on all cylinders, Justin Jefferson is the best WR in the NFL, and the Vikings are looking for a bounceback after a disappointing loss for the 1 seed to the Lions. So I'll take the Vikings here despite a monster performance coming from Puka and rookie Jared Verse for the Rams.
PREDICTION: VIKINGS 30, RAMS 21
BEST BETS (PARLAYED IS +258)
KYREN WILLIAMS ATTD (-130)
Dude just always finds a way to get in the endzone
JUSTIN JEFFERSON 100+ REC YARDS (+115)
Again he's the best receiver in the NFL. The Rams secondary is decent but this is JJettas. Let's get it.
REST OF THE PLAYOFFS BASED OFF MY PREDICTIONS:
2ND ROUND:
CHIEFS 28, STEELERS 18
The Steelers run ends here despite beating the Ravens. It's Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in the playoffs
BILLS 31, CHARGERS 27
The Bills just have a little more weapons on offense and Josh Allen is just going to be too much to handle.
EAGLES 27, BUCCANEERS 21
The Eagles exact revenge on the Buccaneers for a regular season blowout loss they took to the hands of Baker
LIONS 28, VIKINGS 24
Dan Campbell goes for it on 4th late in the game that will end up resulting in the game winning touchdown
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS:
BILLS 27, CHIEFS 20
Josh Allen finally overcomes the Mahomes obstacle and makes it to the Super Bowl after a costly Mahomes turnover
LIONS 21, EAGLES 18
The Lions confidence and return of David Montgomery proves to be too much for the Eagles who didn't take an opportunity to go into halftime with a field goal after a bonehead play call from Nick Siranni.
SUPER BOWL 59
BILLS 38, LIONS 31 WITH JOSH ALLEN AS SUPER BOWL MVP
This was my preseason pick and I have to stick with it. Josh Allen finally completes his run and announces that he and fiancee Hailee Steinfeld will be honeymooning in Disney.
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