NFL Playoff Predictions: Championship Weekend

This is it, The penultimate week of NFL football is upon us. The best of the best have made it to the final four of the nation’s most popular sport. The divisional round was set to be a fantastic showcase of premier NFL talent and, for the most part, it delivered on that promise. The board went primarily chalk, though the games had intrigue and new storylines that made everything feel just as exciting as we all expected.

As for my performance on predictions, I went a tidy 4-0, correctly predicting all of the winners. This is actually not overly impressive as again I went pretty much chalk. What was impressive, however, was the fact that I just about nailed the score of Packers-Rams. That game ended 34-18 and I had it ending 32-19. If that isn’t a win then I don’t know what would be. I was only six total points off on the Bucs-Saints scoreline as well but that one feels less impressive. The other two games were madness so oh well. All that to say that I officially have an 8-2 record for my first ever year making official predictions for the NFL playoffs. Let’s bump that up to 10-2, shall we?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Green Bay Packers

The battle of the two very different bays is upon us. Tampa is off the retirement of Drew “Noodle” Brees. Drew had a great career and sometime early in the offseason, I will be writing a lengthy piece on him. As for Tompa Bay, they now have the luxury of traveling up to the frozen tundra. Tom Brady has always been at least a decent performer in the cold, however, last week did not inspire confidence. Brady looked like he was constantly uncomfortable and with the Saints' very good pass defense, he struggled to move the ball down the field. The Tampa defense was roaring on Saturday night and they were the real MVP of that game. The Packers have the number one passing defense in the NFL and Tom will need to pull a legendary performance out of his de-aged butthole to pick up the win here. The good news for Tampa is that their best defender against the run is ready to return. Vita Vea’s importance to the success of this defense cannot be understated and getting a player of that caliber back right now is incalculably valuable. Aaron Jones has been so important to the success of the Green Bay offense, and without the ability to consistently run the ball the Packers may struggle.

Speaking of the Packers offense, does it even matter? DeVante Adams is actually on another level. He is making a very strong case that he is the best wide receiver in the NFL. Jalen Ramsey couldn’t completely put the breaks on him and that should be the only thing I need to tell you. Aaron Rodgers has returned to MVP form and the offensive line up north is as good as it’s been all season. Green Bay looked dominant against Los Angeles last week, and the final score does not tell the full story. The Rams were never fully in that game. The Packers offense is explosive, and the defense is stout, particularly against the pass. The Packers look hungry and that spells trouble for every fan of the Bucs. 

These two teams played earlier this season. Push that game out of your mind. These are two completely different sets of competitors. The game is back at Lambeau Field, except this time the game will be played in temperatures hovering around freezing. Tampa has many good pieces, but the Packers are just too good this season. 

Prediction: Buccaneers 17 - Packers 31

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs

This is the real Super Bowl, I don’t care what anyone else says. This game is more interesting and should be more fun than any matchup possibility for the actual big game. The Buffalo Bills showed the world last weekend that when they need it, their defense can be stellar. The offense also went up against a top-two defense in the league and held their own. The game was slow, low scoring, and everything the Buffalo Bills hate playing. Yet they still grabbed the win. Josh Allen was composed and as accurate as he could be with the wind like it was during the game. Justin Tucker even missed two field goals. He looked almost as shocked as the rest of us felt! The Bills made the Ravens look silly on offense for most of the game and that kind of defensive prowess will need a big-time follow-up if they want to win this week.

The Kansas City Chiefs, on the other hand, observe what you mere mortals call adversity and scoff at the suggestion that they may fall victim to it. Patrick Mahomes went out of this game with a concussion just as the Chiefs were set to put the game on ice. The Cleveland Browns deserve a great deal of credit for pulling the game back within five points, but the Chiefs made one of the gutsiest play calls of all time on fourth and one with less than two minutes to go in their own territory. The call sent them to the AFC title game. The Chiefs defense benefitted from one of the worst rules in football, but other than that they looked very good. The offense had some struggles but when Mahomes is on the field, there is never much doubt of their ability to score a needed touchdown. The biggest thing for the Chiefs is that they win. When things get tough the Chiefs grab victories and that cannot be overstated. 

This should be a wild romp of a game. I have not been this excited for a football game in quite some time. That being said, the Chiefs are going to win. As long as Mahomes stays in the game the whole time, the Chiefs are just too well built and too good. 

Prediction: Bills 24 - Chiefs 31