NFL · 1 year ago

NFL Playoffs: Predicting Every Outcome in AFC Bracket

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

CONF: No. 1 Baltimore Ravens OVER No. 2 Buffalo Bills
Here we go: Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson. Two of the NFL’s most underachieving postseason quarterbacks squaring off with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line and forever changing their postseason narrative. By this point, the Bills will find themselves on a seven-game winning streak with a lot of backers believing they are too hot to stop right now, but I almost view this situation just like the 49ers-Eagles NFC Championship game last year. The 49ers were the hot team that had to go on the road to Philadelphia against an Eagles team that earned the No. 1 seed but many didn’t talk about a whole much, then the Eagles flat-out dominated the 49ers to quiet all their doubters once and for all. That’s precisely how I view this matchup. Everything looks to be falling into place for this Ravens team and they rise to every opponent in the biggest of ways. At home, with a Super Bowl trip on the line, I don’t expect that they’ll back down from the moment at all.
WC: No. 2 Buffalo Bills OVER No. 7 Pittsburgh Steelers
How about the Pittsburgh Steelers? After appearing dead in the water for most of the season with a dreadful offense led by Kenny Pickett and powered by Matt Canada, Mason Rudolph has this offense flying! With a bit of help and a three-game winning streak, the Steelers get the gift of having to travel to Buffalo to face arguably the hottest team in football, who has won five straight games to steal away the AFC North crown. Without TJ Watt, especially, the Steelers don’t have a chance. The ten-point spread says it all.
WC: v3 Kansas City Chiefs OVER No. 6 Miami Dolphins
At one point, the Miami Dolphins looked like they could make some legit noise, but now they look like a bunch of nobodies. Tua Tagovailoa has struggled mightily down the stretch. Opposing defenses are throwing everything they have at Tyreek Hill. Given all the injuries on offense, their once mediocre defense faces many injuries to some of their most impactful players, making them that much worse of a unit. I do not believe in this version of the Kansas City Chiefs making a run at the Super Bowl, but I trust Miami less. The only way the Dolphins have a chance is if Hill puts the team on his back and gives us a legendary performance in his old home-building. Even if that happens, I question if the Dolphins have enough offense to generate points against a stout Chiefs’ defense or if their defense can slow down Mahomes. The Chiefs are the way safer side here.
WC: No. 4 Houston Texans OVER No. 5 Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns have been a remarkable story to watch unfold down the stretch, with Joe Flacco coming off the couch to power this talented team to the postseason. Most of the public is backing them to beat the Texans, but I am not as convinced. First, a lot is being made about the Browns stomping down on the Texans in Houston a few short weeks ago, but that game featured mainly backups for the Texans, with Davis Mills at the helm. I expect more out of CJ Stroud, who is full of confidence after two straight wins to get into the playoffs. Looking at the Browns, their defense hasn’t traveled well on the road all season, and I can’t buy Flacco as a road favorite in the postseason, knowing I likely won’t get as dominant of a defense behind him. This may be an upset by looking at the odds, but not by the seeding, so I will place my faith in a surging young team to find a way.
DIV: No. 1 Baltimore Ravens OVER No. 4 Houston Texans
Well, so much for the surging young Houston Texans as they now head to Baltimore to face the best team in the AFC. As fun as the Texans’ run has been, they don’t have enough horses to beat the Ravens in Baltimore yet, as Baltimore has the better quarterback, offensive weapons, defense, and coaching staff. At the same time, it’s fair to think about all of Lamar Jackson’s postseason shortcomings in recent seasons in this spot against a dangerous team that has nothing to lose and is playing with house money. Still, their defensive dominance can mask any drop-off in this round.
DIV: No. 2 Buffalo Bills OVER No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have had the Bills’ number for years now, repeatedly blocking the Bills’ ultimate goal. This year feels different, though. Buffalo already beat KC, Buffalo is scorching hot amidst their five-game winning streak, and the once streaky Bills’ offense is getting all-around solid play with a dominant ground attack, alleviating a ton of pressure off of Josh Allen. There has been so much animosity built up in this matchup, and finally, the Bills get Patrick Mahomes in Buffalo, so I’d be shocked if the Bills Mafia lets Mahomes walk out a winner.
CONF: No. 1 Baltimore Ravens OVER No. 2 Buffalo Bills
Here we go: Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson. Two of the NFL’s most underachieving postseason quarterbacks squaring off with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line and forever changing their postseason narrative. By this point, the Bills will find themselves on a seven-game winning streak with a lot of backers believing they are too hot to stop right now, but I almost view this situation just like the 49ers-Eagles NFC Championship game last year. The 49ers were the hot team that had to go on the road to Philadelphia against an Eagles team that earned the No. 1 seed but many didn’t talk about a whole much, then the Eagles flat-out dominated the 49ers to quiet all their doubters once and for all. That’s precisely how I view this matchup. Everything looks to be falling into place for this Ravens team and they rise to every opponent in the biggest of ways. At home, with a Super Bowl trip on the line, I don’t expect that they’ll back down from the moment at all.
WC: No. 2 Buffalo Bills OVER No. 7 Pittsburgh Steelers
How about the Pittsburgh Steelers? After appearing dead in the water for most of the season with a dreadful offense led by Kenny Pickett and powered by Matt Canada, Mason Rudolph has this offense flying! With a bit of help and a three-game winning streak, the Steelers get the gift of having to travel to Buffalo to face arguably the hottest team in football, who has won five straight games to steal away the AFC North crown. Without TJ Watt, especially, the Steelers don’t have a chance. The ten-point spread says it all.

NFL Playoffs: Predicting Every Outcome in AFC Bracket

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