2019 NFL Playoffs Prediction
Wildcard Round
-AFC
(6) Tennessee Titans @ (3) New England Patriots // Patriots 23-16
-This game features two teams trending in very different directions. Under veteran QB Ryan Tannehill and the NFL's leading rusher Derrick Henry, the Titans went 7-3 down the stretch to clinch the final playoff spot in the AFC. The Patriots on the other hand have struggled down the stretch, going 4-4 the second half of the season after an 8-0 start. Not too mention last week New England lost a home game to a 5-11 division rival, the Miami Dolphins, and lost their shot at a bye week. Really, everything is here for the makings of a Titans upset. But nobody wants to go into Foxborough in January. Nobody wants to see Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in the Playoffs. Especially not a Quarterback who is making their first Postseason start. I expect the Patriots defense to give Ryan Tannehill fits and the Patriots offense to do just enough to win this game.
(5) Buffalo Bills @ (4) Houston Texans // Bills win 20-17
-This matchup could be very intriguing. On one side, you have one of the bright young stars in the league with Deshaun Watson. On the other side, you have a surprise Bills team who nobody really expected to make the Playoffs. Both teams sat significant starters in week 17 too, so we're likely to get the absolute best of both teams. The difference maker? Buffalo's secondary. Aside from having an amazing young corner in Tre'Davious White they also have a phenomenal group of safeties in Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. If the Bills can shut down the Texans air attack, I don't think the Texans have the Running backs necessary to win this game. In a slight upset the Bills get their first Playoff win since 1995.
-NFC
(6) Minnesota Vikings @ (3) New Orleans Saints // Saints win 30-21
-After a disappointing season last year, the Minnesota Vikings are back in the Playoffs, lead by a much improved Kirk Cousins. Sadly for the Vikings though, they have to go on the road to a hostile environment in New Orleans, a place nobody wants to play. The Saints are a very strong team, lead by 19-year Quarterback Drew Brees, the NFL's all-time leader in passing touchdowns, pass completions, completion percentage, and career passing yards. The Vikings do stand a chance in this game, but give me Drew Brees and the Saints in a game where Quarterback may just be the difference maker.
(5) Seattle Seahawks @ (4) Philadelphia Eagles // Seahawks win 27-23
-I think everybody expects the Seahawks to just run away with this game. The Eagles really did just kind of land in the Playoffs because of the collapse of the Dallas Cowboys. But to the people who think this is going to be a cupcake game for Seattle, I say not so fast. There's never an easy road Playoff game, and the Seahawks are injury riddled, just a little less injury riddled than the Eagles. While the Eagles are missing a lot of quality receiving threats for Quarterback Carson Wentz, the Seahawks are missing a quality Running back behind Russell Wilson. Bringing back Marshawn Lynch was as flashy a move as it was a good one, but he's not the runner he was the last time he played for Seattle in the Playoffs. To me this game comes down to which QB can make the most plays. Give me the Quarterback who's won a Super Bowl over the Quarterback making his first Playoff start. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks live to see another week!
Divisional Round
-AFC
(3) New England Patriots @ (2) Kansas City Chiefs // Chiefs win 24-21
-Just a season ago the Patriots ended the Chiefs Super Bowl hopes on this same field in the AFC Championship. The Chiefs have their shot at revenge here. Can Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and the Chiefs step up to the task and take out the Patriots? I think so, as long as Kansas City's defense keeps playing as well as it has the last few weeks. The Chiefs are moving on to the AFC Championship for a second straight season!
(5) Buffalo Bills @ (1) Baltimore Ravens // Ravens win 34-20
-The Bills have had a phenomenal season, but this is just a nightmare matchup for them. Baltimore's offense is just too much for Buffalo's defense to handle, and Buffalo's offense isn't good enough to put up the points necessary to stick with Baltimore. I expect the Ravens to win this game pretty easily.
-NFC
(3) New Orleans Saints @ (2) Green Bay Packers // Saints win 33-27
-Rookie Head coach Matt LaFleur led the Packers on an amazing season and a first round bye. The Packers have a very solid team on both sides of the ball, and a Hall of Fame Quarterback Aaron Rodgers leading their offense. But while you can say these things about the Packers, you can say the same exact things about the Saints. What can you say about the Saints that you can't about the Packers though? That they have a Super Bowl winning Head coach. Sean Payton will outcoach Matt LaFleur to win a tough playoff game on the road.
(5) Seattle Seahawks @ (1) San Francisco 49ers // 49ers win 31-26
-This is the third matchup between these two teams this season. The first two matchups were designed by a combined 8 points. The 49ers have the more complete roster but that hasn't stopped the Russell Wilson and the Seahawks from giving the 49ers all they can handle. Will Head coach Kyle Shanahan and Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo be ready to step up to the plate in their first playoff game together? I think so.
Championship Round
-AFC
(2) Kansas City Chiefs @ (1) Baltimore Ravens // Ravens win 41-35
-Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes, two of the brightest young stars in the NFL squaring off in the AFC Championship. Could this be any more entertaining? It doesn't matter how well either of these teams defenses have been playing, this game will be a shootout. In a shootout things can really go either way, give me the team with the more multi-dimensional Quarterback and the homefield.
-NFC
(3) New Orleans Saints @ (1) San Francisco 49ers // Saints win 38-35
-Just a few weeks ago in New Orleans these two teams produced maybe the best game of the season. That contest saw the 49ers win 48-46 on a field goal as time expired. It was at that moment I began to think the Saints, my Super Bowl favorite all season to that point, may not be the best team in the NFC after all. Despite the 49ers being so talented and well-coached, I still think the Saints are the best team in the NFC. After losing a heartbreaking NFC Championship to the Rams last year, I'm taking Drew Brees and the Saints on the road to advance to Super Bowl 54!
Super Bowl 54
New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens // Saints win 32-29
-This has been my predicted Super Bowl matchup for a good part of the 2019 season. To me these are the two most well-rounded rosters in the NFL, both coached by Super Bowl winning coaches, and led by tremendous Quarterbacks. This year at times really has felt like it's the Ravens season, like nothing anybody could do would be enough to stop them. If there's anyone who can, it's future Hall of Fame Quarterback Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, my pick to win the Super Bowl last year too may I add. The Ravens aren't going to roll over by any means, I expect this to be a phenomenal, back-and-fourth game, but if the ball ends up in Drew Brees hands with a chance to win the game, I'm taking Brees and the Saints. The Saints win their second Super Bowl at the same place they won their first in 2010. Drew Brees can now choose to return next year, or ride off into the sunset like all great Quarterbacks should!
