2018 NFL Playoffs Prediction
The NFL Playoffs are one of my favorite events every year, so you best believe I'll be in heaven from now until February 4th. This year there's some absolutely tremendous teams in the Playoffs this year. The AFC seams completely open, and the NFC has at least three teams that look like legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Let's see how I think it will all unfold.
Wildcard Round
-AFC
(6) Indianapolis Colts @ (3) Houston Texans // Colts win 24-20
-This is an absolutely amazing game to start the 2018 NFL Playoffs, two division foes meeting for a third time. Expect this game to game to go down to the very end. I'll take an Andrew Luck lead Colts team that went 9-1 down the stretch over a Deshaun Watson lead Texans team who went 2-2 in their final four games.
(5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (4) Baltimore Ravens // Chargers win 31-20
-What a great year it's been for both of these teams. The Chargers go 12-4 and almost win the AFC West, the Ravens go 6-1 in their final seven games to snag the AFC North crown out of Pittsburgh's hands. Despite the Ravens hot play down the stretch, I worry that the Playoffs may be a bit too much for rookie Quarterback Lamar Jackson. It's essentially a matchup of rookie QB vs. veteran QB. I expect Philip Rivers and the Chargers to pull out a win on the road!
-NFC
(6) Philadelphia Eagles @ (3) Chicago Bears // Eagles win 21-18
-It doesn't feel like it's supposed to end this way for the Bears, a great season just isn't supposed to end at the hands of an inferior team. Whilr it may not feel right, it's entirely possible. The Eagles guided by last year's Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles went 3-0 down the stretch to sneak into the Playoffs. The Bears on the other hand, they went 12-4 over the course of the season and their Playoff chances never seemed in doubt. The biggest problem with the Bears going into this game? A team full of players with no prior Playoff experience. The Eagles on the other hand, they just won the Super Bowl last year. Youth bites the Bears, and Saint Nick and the Eagles fly into the Divisional round.
(5) Seattle Seahawks @ (4) Dallas Cowboys // Cowboys win 24-21
-Can the road teams sweep Round 1 of the Playoffs? I think not. I'm sure a lot of people are ready to ride off Dallas in this game purely because of Head coach Jason Garrett. Newsflash: Jason Garrett's got a good squad this year. The Cowboys very stout defense will suffocate Russell Wilson, and the Cowboys will make just enough plays on offense to win a tight Wildcard matchup.
Divisional Round
-AFC
(5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (2) New England Patriots // Chargers win 24-23
-In my life I don't think I've ever betted against the Patriots in the Playoffs. So why do it now? Because the Patriots haven't looked like the Patriots this season. The Chargers on the other hand, they've been impressive all year and have won some pretty impressive road contests this year: @Seattle, @Pittsburgh, and @Kansas City. The Chargers will not walk into this game afraid of the Patriots. This is the Chargers best chance to get Philip Rivers a Super Bowl ring, first they'll have to upset Tom Brady and the Patriots on the road to do so. Chargers will get it done and move onto the AFC Championship game.
(6) Indianapolis Colts @ (1) Kansas City Chiefs // Chiefs win 35-31
-Arguably two of the NFL's top five Quarterbacks from this year will face-off in this matchup. Andrew Luck and the Colts are no joke, but neither are Patrick Mahomes Chiefs. Mahomes is capable of making insane, video game-like plays that make people's jaws drop. The key for the Colts? Try to limit those type of plays. I don't there's such thing as stopping this Chiefs offense, just slowing it down. I don't think the Colts will be able to slow down the Chiefs offense enough to win this game. The Chiefs win and setup an all AFC West Championship!
-NFC
(4) Dallas Cowboys @ (2) Los Angeles Rams // Rams win 34-23
-As I said earlier, the Cowboys defense is stout. But is it stout enough to handle Todd Gurley, Jared Goff, and the rest of the Rams offense? Probably not. The Rams are more than capable of putting up 30 on any given week, and they usually do. It would take a heroic performance by the Cowboys defense and Quarterback Dak Prescott to win this game. The Rams offense will power them into the NFC Championship!
(6) Philadelphia Eagles @ (1) New Orleans Saints // Saints win 37-21
-A matchup of last year's Super Bowl winners and this year's best team, this game would have the potential to be the best game off the Playoffs. I don't think it'll quite live up to the hype that will surround it. The Eagles barely sneaked into the Playoffs while the Saints cruised to 13 wins. I believe Drew Brees and the Saints will outduel Nick Foles and last year's Super Bowl champs.
Championship Round
-AFC
(5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (1) Kansas City Chiefs // Chargers win 32-29
-These AFC West foes meet for the 3rd time. With the season series split bragging rights are up for grabs here. The Chargers won the last matchup 29-28...in Kansas City. The Chargers have came into Kansas City and beat them before, I don't see why they couldn't now. At the end of the day the Chiefs have the NFL's best offense but the Chargers are the more well-rounded team. Philip Rivers gets to his first Super Bowl in his 15th season!
-NFC
(2) Los Angeles Rams @ (1) New Orleans Saints // Saints win 34-28
-These two teams met in Week 9 in this exact same location. That game? A 45-35 Saints win in what was one of the best games of the season. We should all feel lucky if we get to see this matchup again. On a neutral field this game would be a 50-50 toss up, but fortunately for the Saints they'll get to play this game in the Superdome and in front of their fans. Homefield advantage isn't always a huge factor, but it will be here. The Saints will rally behind their fans and move onto the Super Bowl!
Super Bowl 53
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints // Saints win 30-27
-Philip Rivers vs. Drew Brees, this Super Bowl would be an absolute classic. In my opinion, these are the two most well-rounded teams in the NFL and that's why they'll end up in the Super Bowl. Ever since the Saints beat the Rams in Week 9 I've had them winning the Super Bowl, and I don't plan on changing my mind now. Drew Brees and the offense can score 30 at will most weeks, and if they don't, the Saints defense can hold teams down enough for them to win. Philip Rivers and the Chargers will give the Saints a really tough fight, but this Saints team has seemed like one of destiny all year. The Saints get a second Super Bowl ring for Drew Brees in what could be his last game ever.
