Predicting every single game in the 2025 NFL Playoffs

Predicting every single game in the 2025 NFL Playoffs

September 6, 2024; Sao Paulo, BRA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) battles Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) during the first half at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory attribution: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesSeptember 6, 2024; Sao Paulo, BRA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) battles Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) during the first half at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory attribution: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The NFL postseason begins Saturday afternoon, but why watch every game when we can tell you the results now?

Turn back if you’re not into spoilers. Here’s how the playoffs will unfold, starting with this weekend’s six wild card games.

Wildcard Round Predictions

January 5, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (7) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesJanuary 5, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (7) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

AFC: No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers vs. No. 4 Houston Texans: A healthier Texans offense would have been fun in the playoffs, but this struggling unit will have to contend with the league’s highest-scoring defense. Jim Harbaugh won’t give up everything in his return to the NFL postseason. Chargers 27, Texans 10.

No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. No. 3 Baltimore Ravens: The AFC North rivals split the season series, with each team winning at home. That’s as simple as their current form: Baltimore is 4-0 since the bye in early December, and the Steelers’ offense looked lazy during a four-game losing streak to end the season. Ravens 24, Steelers 13.

No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills: The Broncos’ strength is their pass rush, but Buffalo (league-low 14 sacks allowed) may be the only team that can counter. Bo Nix had a great rookie season, but no one wins wild card games at home like Josh Allen. Bills 28, Broncos 18.

NFC: No. 7 Green Bay Packers vs. No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles: Even though Jordan Love (elbow) and Jalen Hurts (concussion) are recovering from injuries, this should be an entertaining rematch of their Week 1 meeting in Brazil, which Philly won has at five. We don’t talk enough about these two defenses, especially the home team’s. Eagles 30, Packers 20.

No. 6 Washington Commanders vs. No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Two hot teams and two QBs who love running the ball in another Week 1 rematch. Tampa Bay won that day, but Washington’s defense has improved since then. Commanders 33, Buccaneers 29.

No. 5 Minnesota Vikings vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Rams: Sure, Sam Darnold may have stunk last week, but he was a big reason for the Vikes’ nine-game winning streak prior to that. They get another shot at the Rams after losing to them in Week 8, and their opportunistic secondary (24 picks in the regular season) seals this game with an INT. Vikings 27, Rams 24.

NFL Divisional Round Predictions

November 17, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) and safety Brian Branch (32) face off against Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han /USA TODAY Network via Imagn ImagesNovember 17, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) and safety Brian Branch (32) face off against Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han /USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

AFC: Los Angeles Chargers ranked No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City is a perfect 6-0 in the divisional round of the Patrick Mahomes era. The Chargers have put up a good fight against them this season, but the Chiefs will take this crazy streak to seven points. Chiefs 20, Chargers 16.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills: Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson combined for 253 rushing yards in a win over the visiting Bills in Week 4. That should translate well to the Ravens in windy Buffalo, and as they say, the defense travels. Ravens 31, Bills 13.

NFC: Washington Commanders at No. 1 Detroit Lions: The Commanders will be an attractive pick to go far, but I don’t think they can keep up with the Lions’ offense yet. Lions 34, Commanders 28.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Minnesota’s second-ranked rushing defense may feature Saquon Barkley, but this feels like a game where Hurts comes in and reminds the football world that he can get out in the playoffs. Eagles 27, Vikings 21.

Conference Championship Game Predictions

Dec 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) fights for the ball in the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesDec 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) fights for the ball in the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

AFC Championship Game: Ravens at Chiefs. A rematch of last year’s AFC title game and Week 1, both KC wins by seven points. This is where the magic ends for Mahomes and Co. I don’t want to call the Chiefs cheating, but they are weaker than usual and the Ravens are too strong on both sides of the ball for them to take another loss. Ravens 26, Chiefs 19.

NFC Championship Game: Eagles at Lions. There is a threat of a shootout. Am I really going to pick Philly to beat three NFC North teams in a row? Sorry, but I just don’t trust the Lions’ injury-ravaged defense to get them over the hump this year. Eagles 35, Lions 31.

Super Bowl LIX prediction

Super Bowl LIX: Ravens vs. Eagles. Violence from bird to bird. Two dual-threat quarterbacks. Two teams benefit from actually paying a free agent running back! We have a show coming up. Lamar gets his first ring. Ravens 34, Eagles 27.

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