This weekend, the NFL opening round of the playoffs will begin. In each conference, there will be three games played, the higher seed having home field advantage. Below, Sports Editors Ryan Lomanto and Matthew Rilli share their predictions about the games.
AFC:
Bills (6) over Jaguars (3)
Score: 33-20
Ryan Lomanto
After coming off of a 4-13 record last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars turned it around this year under new Head Coach Liam Coen. This season, Jacksonville ended with a 13-4 record and won the AFC South for the first time in three years. Jacksonville is also on an 8-game winning streak and will be looking to carry that momentum into the playoffs. However, this will be a difficult task for Jacksonville as they are facing the 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen (QB) and the Buffalo Bills. Even though Allen is 0-4 in road playoff games, Buffalo’s postseason experience will most likely get them the win over Jacksonville. Buffalo Running Back James Cook has had a phenomenal year, ranking first in the NFL for rushing yards with 1,621, according to ESPN. Buffalo has had another great year, ending the regular season 12-5 — second in the AFC East — and extending its streak to seven consecutive playoff appearances (the longest active streak in the NFL). I believe that the Bills will get the job done in round one, 33-20.
Patriots (2) over Chargers (7)
Score: 27-20
Matthew Rilli
Just like the Jaguars, the New England Patriots have completely flipped the script over the last two seasons. Last year, the Patriots finished with a 4-13 record. This season, under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots are now 14-3 and have been playing like a Super Bowl-caliber team. Quarterback Drake Maye has had an MVP-type season— passing for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns on just 8 interceptions, per ESPN. The Patriots are going to try to continue this momentum at home, as they have to handle the Los Angeles Chargers. Led by Quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers have finished the season with an 11-6 record for back-to-back seasons under Coach Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers have had tons of success this season on both sides of the ball. However, they will be faced with an extremely tough challenge as they will have to go into Foxborough and beat the Patriots, who are eagerly trying to start up a new dynasty.
Texans (5) over Steelers (4)
Score: 22-16
Matthew Rilli
Despite starting off their season with a 3-5 record, the Houston Texans have been able to turn things around tremendously. The Texans were able to finish off the season on a 9-game winning streak, finishing 12-5. This winning streak was brought in with great help from the team’s phenomenal defense— ranked No. 1, per Fox Sports. Although missing some time due to injury, Quarterback C.J. Stroud has still had a solid season. The Texans have had great success in the run and pass game this season, and they are looking to keep their success going while they head into Pittsburgh. The Steelers, under Coach Mike Tomlin, were recently featured in what I believe was the game of the year in week 18. In a game in which they had to win in order to make the playoffs, Quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the Steelers to a game-winning touchdown with under one minute remaining in the game. The Steelers will have to utilize the run and pass game against this mighty Houston defense. Rodgers is playing his first season with the team and is looking to bring home Pittsburgh’s seventh all-time title, which would be the most in NFL history.
NFC:
Rams (5) over Panthers (4)
Score: 27-10
Ryan Lomanto
Coming off of back-to-back losses to close out the season, the Carolina Panthers snuck into the playoffs with an 8-9 record and won the NFC South. Carolina, however, pulled off a 31-28 upset win over the Rams in Week 13. This weekend, the Panthers have an advantage in that they are at home, and they have a 5-3 record when they are in Charlotte this season. The Panthers will have a tough task on their hands if they want to pull off the second upset of the season against the Rams. Rams Quarterback Matthew Stafford has put up MVP numbers this season, being first in passing yards with 4,707 and leading the league with 46 touchdowns, per ESPN. Stafford has led the Rams to a 12-5 season and has also won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2022. The Rams also lead the NFL in yards per game with 394.6, which will be no match for the mediocre Panthers defense. The Rams will get the job done over the Panthers, 27-10.
Eagles (3) over 49ers (6)
Score: 23-21
Ryan Lomanto
The Philadelphia Eagles (11-6), the back-to-back NFC East champs, enter their Wild Card Matchup against the San Francisco 49ers (12-5) with a critical defensive advantage and the benefit of recent rest by sitting their starters in week 18 against the Washington Commanders. While the 49ers have a dynamic offense led by Running Back Christian McCaffrey, who had 1,202 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns this season, the team’s defense has struggled significantly— allowing 340.2 yards per game, per ESPN. In contrast, the Eagles have a young and athletic defense, which ranked 28th across the NFL in points allowed with 325. The situational edge also favors Philadelphia, as the Eagles opted to rest their starters in week 18 to prepare for the postseason, whereas the 49ers are coming off an emotional and physically taxing 13-3 loss against the Seattle Seahawks. That loss cost them the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. With Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts maintaining a perfect 5-0 home playoff record at Lincoln Financial Field and a pass rush that recorded 42 sacks this season, facing a 49ers O-line that may be without All-Pro Trent Williams, the Eagles defense is bound to disrupt Quarterback Brock Purdy and exploit San Francisco’s weak defense to advance.
Bears (2) over Packers (7)
Score: 30-28
Matthew Rilli
The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have faced off twice this season, splitting the series. In their first matchup, the Packers defeated the Bears 28-21. The second time around, the Bears had a miraculous comeback in the fourth quarter, winning in overtime 22-16. The Chicago Bears are led by second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams came off of a phenomenal sophomore season, finishing with 3,942 pass yards, which is the most single-season passing yards in franchise history. First-year Head Coach Ben Johnson is an NFL Coach of the Year candidate; he has truly turned things around for them. Last season, the Bears finished 5-12, and they are now the No. 2 seed in the NFC at 11-6. On the other hand, the Green Bay Packers have been dealing with numerous injuries that have impacted them this season. Before the season, they traded for superstar defensive end Micah Parsons, who tore his ACL in week 15. The Packers are led by Quarterback Jordan Love, who has been dealing with a concussion over the past couple of weeks but is going to suit up to play in Chicago. The Bears are going to have to take advantage of the beat-up Packers team. Expect this battle between the NFC North teams to be a high-scoring duel, but the Bears should come on top due to better coaching and execution.
