The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions have been the talk of the NFL season, with many predicting a collision course for Super Bowl LIX. However, it’s rare for the NFL playoffs to unfold exactly as expected. Instead, the playoffs are often filled with surprises, upstart teams, and shocking plays.
With that in mind, here are five bold predictions for the NFL playoffs:
1. Regime Change: The Kansas City Chiefs will not reach the Super Bowl this year. Despite their 15-2 record, the team is vulnerable and has been playing with fire all season. They may face difficulties in the AFC playoffs, and it’s likely their reign will end in the AFC Championship Game.
2. Midnight in Minnesota: The Minnesota Vikings’ first playoff game will end around midnight, and it will be the last game for Sam Darnold’s Cinderella season. The Vikings will lose their first-round game against the Rams, despite Darnold’s impressive regular season.
3. A Command Performance: Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will lead the Commanders to their first playoff win in 19 years. Daniels has grown beyond expectations and is already one of the five best two-way quarterbacks in the game. He will lead the team to a win in Tampa and may even give the Lions a scare in the divisional round.
4. Bills are Always Due: The Buffalo Bills will lose their next game in excruciating fashion. Despite their chances of winning, they will come up short due to a gust of wind or a last-minute score by their opponent.
4b. Harbaugh Bowl, 2.0: The Harbaugh brothers, John and Jim, will meet again in the AFC Championship Game. John’s Ravens will face off against Jim’s Chargers, with the Ravens emerging victorious. The teams will face off in a punishing run game that will even work in the snow.
5. Like I Told You Back in the Summer…: The Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles will meet in Super Bowl LIX, with the Ravens winning 27-24. The game will feature two of the best running backs in football, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, who will combine for more than 400 yards and four rushing touchdowns.