After 18 weeks of football, the playoffs are set and Wild Card weekend is just days away. The storylines for the first round are juicy, but the weather looks like it is going to be a problem for many of the games. It should be a great weekend of football as the playoffs get under way.
Before we get to the first weekend we take a stab at predicting the Super Bowl matchup and winner.
AFC
Favorite – Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have looked like the best team in not only the AFC, but also the NFL over the last month and a half. Lamar Jackson has been great and the defense has been playing well. They didn’t just beat up on the bad teams, they also thumped both the 49ers and Dolphins in big games. They are going to be tough to beat, especially at home.
Darkhorse – Cleveland Browns
No team has had to deal with injuries as much as the Browns have and they just keep on winning. Nick Chubb out for the season no problem. Jerome Ford just stepped in and looked good. No Deshaun Watson, no problem. The Browns just went out and found Joe Flacco, who has had an encore and has looked great. They might not have the most talent right now, but don’t count them out.
Winner – Buffalo Bills
The Ravens look like the best team and still have the defending AFC Champion Chiefs out there, but the Bills played well to end the regular season, as they stole the division away from the Dolphins. Josh Allen is a big wildcard, but we think he finally gets it done and gets the Bills to the Super Bowl.
NFC
Favorite – San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers lost three in a row at the beginning of the season, but since then they have been great. They did lose to the Ravens in a big game and the Rams the last week, but they were resting players since they had already clinched the top spot in the NFC. This team is loaded and will play all their games at home.
Darkhorse – Los Angeles Rams
The Rams looked bad to begin the season, but once they got Cooper Kupp back they have been good. Matthew Stafford is looking good again and they have the best receiving duo in the league right now in Kupp and Puka Nacua. They also have Kyren Williams in the backfield who ran for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns. They have enough to make a run.
Winner – San Francisco 49ers
We really want to pick the Lions, as it would be fun to see them make their first Super Bowl and they finally have a team to do it, but the defense looks too shaky to get it done. The Cowboys also have enough offense, but they struggle against teams with winning records. Don’t be surprised if either of those teams make it, but we are going with the 49ers. They just have too many weapons and the defense is really good.
Super Bowl
The 49ers have won five Super Bowls, but haven’t taken home the crown since 1995 when they beat the San Diego Chargers. The Bills have never won a Super Bowl, but made it to four in a row in the early 90s. They lost all four, one of which they should have definitely won. Will this be the year they finally break through or will the 49ers add another trophy to their case?
Allen will do everything he can to keep the Bills in the game, but his turnover troubles will cost the Bills a chance to finally hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The 49ers win this in a close one.
Winner – San Francisco 49ers
