It’s the holiday season, so the snow is falling, people are preparing their festivities, and everyone is merry and bright. Yet, while others are out enjoying the holiday spirit, a select group of people will be locked inside glued to the TV, NFL fans..
The start of winter signifies the beginning of the end of the NFL season, the regular season comes to an end and the playoffs begin while 18 eliminated teams’ fans won’t be able to see their team in the playoffs, 14 teams’ fans get to cheer on their team and hope that they will make it to one of the biggest stages in sports: the Super Bowl.
This season’s Super Bowl (Super Bowl 58) is being held on February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, and it will be the first time the city will ever host the event. But before the event is held the question that all NFL fans and bettors in Vegas are asking is which teams will be in the Super Bowl, who will win it, and who will fall just short of playoff glory? This article will answer the questions with The Pioneer’s predictions for the playoffs.
The 14 Teams of the Playoffs
AFC
Division Winners
- Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens have been dominating the league since week one. With the best defense in the league and the best point differential in the AFC (as of week 13) it’s hard to imagine the Ravens not being the number-one seed in the AFC, even with an injured TE Mark Andrews.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Even though they have a terrible wide receiver core, they have a great defense, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and every Swiftie on their side, so what else could you need?
- Miami Dolphins – Tyreek Hill looks like he could be the first wide receiver to win MVP and the Dolphins have the second-best offense in the league (as of week 13) so they should be able to overcome their inability to beat teams over .500.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – The team is well-rounded enough to win their division and make a playoff run as long as Trevor Lawrence can stay healthy.
Wildcards
- Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud’s playing and DeMeco Ryans’ coaching have carried the team all year long and there’s no reason that they would slow down before the playoffs.
- Indianapolis Colts – Their ease of schedule will allow them to slip into the playoffs but hey who doesn’t want to see some Gardner Minshew mania in the postseason?!
- Denver Broncos – Much like the Colts, their strength of schedule is massive which will aid them in getting the last AFC spot in the playoffs. It also helps that Russell Wilson is kinda good again.
NFC
Division Winners
- San Francisco 49ers – Second-best point differential in the league (as of week 13), Brock Purdy, and the ability to absolutely destroy some of the best teams in the league, that’s all that needs to be said.
- Philadelphia Eagles – How the Eagles have consistently won in extremely close games is baffling but their ease of schedule along with their already strong record will allow them to tush push their way past the Cowboys for the NFC East title and a spot behind the 49ers in the NFC.
- Detroit Lions – Whatever Dan Campbell has been feeding his players is working and their success is quite indescribable, there’s no sign that their momentum will slow before the playoffs.
- New Orleans Saints – They’re just here because they won the worst division in football.
Wildcards
- Dallas Cowboys – MVP Dak, the best point differential in the league (as of week 13), and an inconsistent record against teams above .500 put the Cowboys here.
- Green Bay Packers – Jordan Love is insane.
- Seattle Seahawks – The 12th man screams their very okay team into a very okay record and the last spot in the NFC.
Playoff Predictions
Wildcards
AFC
(#5) Texans at (#4) Jaguars: The Texans have no playoff experience, and the Jaguars have barely any but it should be enough for a very solid win.
(#7) Broncos at (#2) Chiefs: Come on, there’s no world where the Broncos’ offense can score on the Chiefs’ defense, especially in Chief’s Kingdom. The Chiefs win easily.
(#6) Colts at (#3) Dolphins: There is absolutely no one on the Colts defense that can stop Tyreek Hill. Dolphins win in a blowout.
NFC
(#5) Cowboys at (#4) Saints: Everyone knew that whoever was representing the NFC South would be a first-round exit. The Cowboys win without a doubt.
(#7) Seahawks at (#2) Eagles: The Eagles are good enough that they should beat the Seahawks but they can’t seem to have any blowouts so they will win in an insanely close game that gives everyone in Philadelphia heart palpitations.
(#6) Packers at (#3) Lions: Honestly a close matchup but home-field advantage will probably lead to a Lions win.
Divisional Round
AFC
(#4) Jaguars at (#1) Ravens: Ravens are better in every aspect, Ravens win in a semi-close game.
(#3) Dolphins at (#2) Chiefs: The Dolphins’ defense is good enough to contain Kelce, the rest of Kansas City’s wide receivers can’t catch, and again no one can guard Tyreek. Dolphins win in a surprising blowout.
NFC
(#5) Cowboys at (#1) 49ers: Cowboys vs. 49ers week 5 repeat, 49ers destroy the Cowboys.
(#3) Lions at (#2) Eagles: Another game that could go either way but will likely end in an Eagle’s win because of home-field advantage and the fact that Jared Goff sometimes becomes terrible in the playoffs.
Conference Championships
AFC
(#3) Dolphins at (#1) Ravens: Although the Ravens, like every other team in the league, don’t have anyone to guard Tyreek, they do have the offense to win in a close shootout.
NFC
(#2) Eagles at (#1) 49ers: Eagles vs. 49ers week 13 repeat, Brock Purdy leads the 49ers to a semi-large win and makes all of Philadelphia cry.
The Super Bowl
(#1) Ravens vs. (#1) 49ers – This match will be close no matter how it’s drawn up. But looking at the broader picture, the 49ers have a better offense and defense, the only thing that the Ravens have over the 49ers is their special teams and that won’t be enough to stop a 49ers Super Bowl win in Vegas.
