NFL · 1 year ago

NFL Playoffs: Predicting Every Remaining Game in AFC Bracket

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

Future Odds
AFC Championship: Ravens: +115 Bills: +220 Chiefs: +330 Texans: +1300 Super Bowl LVIII: Ravens: +275 Bills: +490 Chiefs: +700 Texans +3300
The Eliminated
The Cleveland Browns did better than expected amid a quarterback carousel throughout the season. Joe Flacco shattered everyone’s perception of him, coming off the couch to lead the Browns into the playoffs. Still, nothing worked on Saturday. Not much will change in Cleveland as they look to use this offseason to get healthy. Hopefully, a healthy Deshaun Watson and this defense will be enough to compete in the AFC North next year. Miami had no chance in the playoffs. None. The odds weren’t in their favor, whether due to the cold, their injuries, or that they were playing on a short week. After many highlights this season, the Dolphins head home with some critical decisions, namely the future of Tua Tagovailoa’s potential contract extension. An offseason to get healthy will be beneficial, but more than health is needed to get this team into the top tier of AFC contenders. No one expected the Pittsburgh Steelers to get to this point, but they did, mainly partly due to another spectacular coaching performance by Mike Tomlin. Still, questions are rising about his future with the organization. Many questions need to be answered, the first being Tomlin. Still, some direction about a potential rebuild is necessary as this appears to be the ceiling for the current era of Steelers.
#1 Baltimore Ravens OVER #4 Houston Texans
How about the Houston Texans? What a team they have. CJ Stroud is balling and arguably is the best young quarterback in all of football right now, and DeMeco Ryans has the defense flying. They dominated the Cleveland Browns in every facet on Saturday, who were considered by many to be a sleeper Super Bowl contender to come out of the AFC. The Texans made the supposedly great Browns’ defense look like trash in embarrassing fashion, precisely the confidence they need as they prepare another stout defense in Baltimore. Baltimore sat back and enjoyed their bye week, but unfortunately, they didn’t get any upsets to help their Super Bowl chances. The Ravens weren’t just the best team in the AFC; they have been the best team in all of football and expect to win every game. Their offense looks unstoppable, with Lamar Jackson playing the best all-around football of his career, and the defense is full of stars. Stroud will have his hands full, but should we doubt him? Conversely, the defense has risen to every challenge this season, so why should I expect a no-show this week? I believe the Ravens are too talented to lose, but I’ll be betting the Texans against the spread since I’m confident they won’t go down without a fight.
#2 Buffalo Bills OVER #3 Kansas City Chiefs
Bills-Chiefs in the postseason, buckle up. We've seen this story before, but this time, it's in Buffalo with the Bills Mafia ready to finally get Patrick Mahomes and Co. in their house. I can't read into either team's wins this weekend as I can't think anyone who believed either team would lose. Still, we can look back at these two clubs' mid-December matchup and recognize that Buffalo felt in control from start to finish. The Bills are only 2.5-point favorites at home this week, which has me thinking this could be a trap line. However, how Buffalo has played over the past month and a half has me struggling to pick the Chiefs. They've won six straight games, their offense is rolling, and the defense is playing with a ton of confidence. I'm fully confident Buffalo can out-score this current version of the Chiefs offense, so it all comes down to what kind of gameplan defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo draws up. The Chiefs' defense has been the best we've seen in the Mahomes era, so they are needed now more than ever, with the Bills having such an offensive advantage. Overall, this feels like the Bills time to get the job done against the Chiefs, but knowing how Mahomes has Allen's number, anything is certainly possible.
#1 Baltimore Ravens OVER #2 Buffalo Bills
As someone who didn't think the Ravens or Bills would make the playoffs this season, let's say we're having ourselves a day. Baltimore has shattered expectations all season, and Buffalo has quieted the noise with their late-season dominance after an ugly first half of the season. This matchup will be an awesome one, likely one of the season's best games, and I think either team can win. On one end, who am I to bet against Baltimore? Lamar Jackson and the defense have been reliable week in and week out, continuing to rise and run through every challenge they have faced. On the other end, it's almost like the way Buffalo plays is the way you need to beat the Ravens. Josh Allen matches up great against the Ravens' defense, which relies on intimidating opposing quarterbacks, while the Bills' defense is playing their best football of the season. It's hard to pick a winner, but as much as I think Allen can finally get over the hump, I don't know how I could pick against the Ravens knowing how consistent, dominant they have been.
Future Odds
AFC Championship: Ravens: +115 Bills: +220 Chiefs: +330 Texans: +1300 Super Bowl LVIII: Ravens: +275 Bills: +490 Chiefs: +700 Texans +3300
The Eliminated
The Cleveland Browns did better than expected amid a quarterback carousel throughout the season. Joe Flacco shattered everyone’s perception of him, coming off the couch to lead the Browns into the playoffs. Still, nothing worked on Saturday. Not much will change in Cleveland as they look to use this offseason to get healthy. Hopefully, a healthy Deshaun Watson and this defense will be enough to compete in the AFC North next year. Miami had no chance in the playoffs. None. The odds weren’t in their favor, whether due to the cold, their injuries, or that they were playing on a short week. After many highlights this season, the Dolphins head home with some critical decisions, namely the future of Tua Tagovailoa’s potential contract extension. An offseason to get healthy will be beneficial, but more than health is needed to get this team into the top tier of AFC contenders. No one expected the Pittsburgh Steelers to get to this point, but they did, mainly partly due to another spectacular coaching performance by Mike Tomlin. Still, questions are rising about his future with the organization. Many questions need to be answered, the first being Tomlin. Still, some direction about a potential rebuild is necessary as this appears to be the ceiling for the current era of Steelers.

NFL Playoffs: Predicting Every Remaining Game in AFC Bracket

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