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Saturday:
Cleveland Browns (11-6) at Houston Texans (10-7)
The Browns lost last weekend, but they were resting their starters, knowing they were locked into their playoff position. Prior to that game, this was one of the hottest teams in the league. The Texans, meanwhile, won the AFC South by default, when it seemed that nobody really wanted to win it. I think that the Browns are the better team, and I suspect that they match up well against the Texans. Look for the defense to force Houston turnovers, and for the Browns to score an impressive win on the road to advance to the divisional round.
My pick: Cleveland
Miami Dolphins (11-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)
I will now admit that I was skeptical about just how good the Dolphins were throughout the season. They received a lot of hype, especially after improving to 3-0 after scoring 70 points against the Broncos. But usually, hot offenses can be slowed down by very strong and determined, aggressive defenses. And it seemed that Miami had a lot less swagger after playing tougher teams. They lost (twice) to the Bills, lost to the Chiefs, lost to the Eagles, and got smoked themselves by the Ravens. The Chiefs, meanwhile, might not be as consistent as they have been in the past, and their offense has not taken off all season. Still, this is the time of the year when they have thrived, and I do not expect that to go away without a single win in the postseason. They are champions for a reason, and in tis one, I expect them to show it.
My pick: Kansas City
Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at Buffalo Bills (11-6)
The Bills looked shaky just after Thanksgiving, when they were 6-6, and fully three games behind the then first place Dolphins. Since then, Buffalo went on a tear, winning their final five games and coming all the way back to win the AFC East division title, despite enormous odds against them. They enter this weekend as the hottest team in the league. The Steelers feel more suspect, having overcome a late slide with a winning streak towards the end, and getting some help, as well. But the Bills feel like the better team, as well as the team with momentum. Pittsburgh can be scary, and they have pulled off upsets against the Bills before. Still, this one should go to the Bills.
My pick: Buffalo
Green Bay Packers (9-8) at Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
A legendary playoff rivalry, dating back to the 1960's, and the "Ice Bowl." Back in the days when the Packers were the leading dynasty in the NFL, winning the first two Super Bowls. Since then, these teams met numerous times, in the 1990's and again in the 2010's. And so they meet again. The Packers were impressive towards the end of the season, and deserve a lot of credit for qualifying for the postseason. However, the Cowboys have been consistently one of the best teams in the NFC this season, and they should be able to take this one at home, where they remain undefeated so far this season.
My pick: Dallas
LA Rams (10-7) at Detroit Lions (12-5)
It's amazing that these two teams will meet in the playoffs. Matthew Stafford, who led the Rams to a Super Bowl triumph two seasons ago, played most of his career with these Detroit Lions. Meanwhile, Detroit's quarterback, Jared Goff, led the Rams to the Super Bowl years ago. The Lions have an explosive offense, but it concerns me that they suffered so many injuries last weekend. That makes them feel more vulnerable than they might otherwise be. Still, I expect them to have just enough to get past a tough Rams team this weekend.
My pick: Detroit
Monday Night
Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)
The final playoff game of the weekend will be played on Monday night. This is a tough one to call. I think that the Eagles are the better team IF they play their best. But that is a big if, because they are clearly going through severe problems right now. The last time that I saw a team start off as hot as the Eagles did after racing off to a 10-1 start, and then collapsing at the end of the season, would have been the 1986 Jets, who also started 10-1 before losing their final five regular season games. The good news for Philly is that the Jets bounced back to win the Wildcard game the next weekend, and almost won in the divisional round, as well. But the Bucs, who do not feel like a very good team, might win simply because the Eagles cannot seem to get out of their own way in recent weeks, having lost five of their last six games. A tough game to call. Still, I will go wit the home team, because the end of the Eagles season really made it seem as if they are limping to the finish line.
My pick: Tampa Bay
1st Pick Playoff Predictions:
AFC:Wildcard:
Browns defat Texans
Chiefs defeat Dolphins
Bills defeat Pittsburgh
NFC:Wildcard:
Cowboys defeat Packers
Lions defeat LA Rams
Bucs defeat Eagles
AFC Division Round:
Ravens defeat Browns
Bills defeat Chiefs
NFC Divisional Round:
49ers defeat Bucs
Cowboys defeat Lions
AFC Championship Game: Ravens defeat Bills
NFC Championship Game: 49ers defeat Cowboys
Super Bowl LVIII: 49ers defeat Ravens
2nd Pick Playoff Predictions:
AFC:Wildcard:
Browns defeat Texans
Chiefs defeat Dolphins
Bills defeat Pittsburgh
NFC:Wildcard:
Cowboys defeat Packers
LA Rams defeat Lions
Eagles defeat Bucs
AFC Division Round:
Browns defeat Ravens
Bills defeat Chiefs
NFC Divisional Round:
49ers defeat Eagles
Cowboys defeat Rams
AFC Championship Game: Bills defeat Browns
NFC Championship Game: Cowboys defeat 49ers
Super Bowl LVIII: Bills defeat Cowboys
All 14 NFL playoff teams odds to win the Super Bowl (including the Bills) by Nick Wojton January 9, 2024:
https://billswire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-playoff-teams-super-bowl-odds-49ers-ravens-bills-nfl/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1ac4YfxUIbSJ8yikiJtDZ0siDiLKR56D9PEi15-xhP8cC1XcFfYvXOLkE
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