Now that we know every team who has clinched the NFL playoffs, we can finally make our playoff predictions starting with Wild Card Weekend.
#5 Tennessee Titans (9-7) at #4 Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
Kickoff: Saturday, 1/6/18 4:35 p.m ET
Kansas City has won 4 straight going into the playoffs after a rough patch in the middle of the season only winning 1 game from week 6 to week 13. They have definitely found their stride again. The Titans have one of the worst passing defenses but a top rushing offense. Alex Smith is going to have thrown a lot and I think he’ll get it done.
Prediction: 27-20 Chiefs
#6 Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at #3 Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
Kickoff: Saturday, 1/6/18 8:15 p.m ET
The Falcons have not been the same team they were last season and Rams running back Todd Gurley could be the NFL MVP this season. Jared Goff took a giant step forward in his sophomore season after a tough rookie year. The Rams look to be clicking right now. Even though the Falcons have a stout rushing defense. I still expect Gurley to run all over them. Look for the Rams to dominate the Falcons at home on Saturday.
Prediction: 35-20 Rams
#6 Buffalo Bills (9-7) at #3 Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)
Kickoff: Sunday, 1/7/18 1:05 p.m ET
The Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation is a lot richer now because of the Buffalo Bills fans donating up to $100,000 last week. Dalton’s Cincinnati Bengals beat the Baltimore Ravens giving the Bills their first playoff berth since 1999. They will take on one of the best defenses in the league this season. Their pass defense is number 1 in the league with cornerback Jalen Ramsey anchoring that secondary. Bills Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is not going to be able to throw on this secondary and with a banged up LeSean McCoy, the rushing attack could suffer as well. Look for the Jags to dominate Taylor keeping him in the pocket, challenging him to make plays with his arm and not his legs.
Prediction: 42-17 Jaguars
#5 Carolina Panthers (11-5) at #4 New Orleans Saints (11-5)
Kickoff: Sunday, 1/7/18 4:40 p.m ET
The NFL is saving the best wild-card game for last. Drew Brees vs Cam Newton. The Saints are a completely different team since the start of the season. The Saints are top 5 in both rushing and passing this season. That running back tandem of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram could spell trouble for the Panthers with a weak secondary. Those 2 running backs are mostly used in the passing game but also can pound the rock as well. The Panthers have not fared well against New Orleans this season losing both games this season. The Panthers got trounced 34-13 in week 3 and then again losing at home 31-21 in week 13. The Saints are not going to dominate but I like them at home in this matchup.
Prediction: 23-20 Saints
These teams will move onto the Divisional Round next week and my Divisional Round picks will come next week. What are your predictions?
