NOTE: The scores are somewhat arbitrary. They loosely convey how close the game will be/how each team will fair on each side of the ball.
Another season, another reason me and my fellow Bears fans have reason to look forward to other sports seasons (Maybe my Angels can get a good season rolling?) (Yes I copied this from last year, but my pain is eternal)
Regardless, it's time to act right but be incredibly wrong about the NFL postseason, hooray.
Game 1: AFC Wild Card 2 - Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs limped into the playoffs almost as pathetically as the Titans. While the Chiefs ended their season on a lukewarm 4 game winning streak to opponents with a combined .406 win percentage following a much less impressive 4 game losing streak to teams with a combined .406 win percentage. The Titans don't fare much better, as offensive centerpiece Marcus Mariota during the Titan's 1-3 record to end the season posted a paltry 77.6 Passer Rating (Heavily weighted by his 110.8 rating in a loss to the 49ers), and has more INTs (15) than TDs (13) this season. Needless to say, this game isn't the marquee matchup we might have expected after the Chiefs' hot 5-0 start combined with the offensive weapons added to Marcus Mariota's arsenal. If Kareem Hunt and Marcus Mariota are truly over their midseason woes, expect a good offensive shootout. If both teams continue to stagnate, expect an early exit for both. So who either triumphs or limps ahead? Kareem Hunt will shine at home.
Titans 23 - Chiefs 28
Game 2: NFC Wild Card 1 - Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams
The defending NFC Champion Falcons have not looked the same in 2017. An inconsistent offense due to diminishing returns from Julio Jones and Matt Ryan led to a team treading water all the way to a 6th seed. The Rams have some of the best defensive playmakers and the current best young (healthy) QB with the most electric offense on the back of MVP candidate Todd Gurley. Expect Aaron Donald to take Matt Ryan off the field often, only to have Goff and Gurley score quickly. No choking this time Atlanta, because I don't expect you to hold any sort of lead.
Falcons 13 - Rams 34
Game 3: AFC Wild Card 1 - Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
What happened the last time the Bills played an AFC South team in the playoffs? I'm sure you've seen it. Can the Bills flip the script? It depends on LeSean McCoy's injury. McCoy can help keep the Bills in the game on a defense built to stop the pass against a QB who plays ultra-conservatively. Without him, Buffalo has to hope they survive a low scoring affair. Can they contain an inconsistent Blake Bortles and powerful Leonard Fournette? Probably not Fournette.
Bills 10 - Jaguars 24
Game 4: NFC Wild Card 2 - Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
The best Wild Card matchup belongs to these divisional rivals. The Panthers have a rather dull offense but as usual, lean on an effective defense. Despite the experience and success of Drew Brees, the Panthers have been to the big dance recently, and mostly intact since then (notable departure Kelvin Benjamin sat out the 2015 campaign on IR). Could the Panthers upset the Saints, hosting an uncharacteristically stout defense and the best RB duo this season? If it comes down to it, I'd bank on Drew Brees over Cam Newton 9 times out of 10.
Panthers 27 - Saints 28
Game 5: NFC Divisional Round 1 - New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles
This would have been an excellent matchup with Carson Wentz. Without, the Eagles are flat. Their defense led by Fletcher Cox is formidable enough to hold Kamara and Ingram down for a little bit, but can Nick Foles close the gap with excellent help around him? Not likely against this Saints defense.
Saints 21 - Eagles 17
Game 6: AFC Divisional Round 1 - Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots
This matchup won't go so smoothly for Kansas City as it did last time I imagine. The Patriots defense was not what it was last season, which the Chiefs exploited during the first game this season. The Chiefs have regressed since then, but have picked up their momentum in time for the post-season. It is hard for teams to repeat in a sport as brutal as the NFL, but surely the Patriots are up to the task against the slightly above average Kansas City Chiefs, right? Andy Reid might have something to say about that. (Look, I need one bold prediction and a revitalized Chiefs have a good shot to beat a weary Patriots team.)
Chiefs 31 - Patriots 28
Game 7: AFC Divisional Round 2 - Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers
The first-round bye gives the Steelers hope to flip avenge one of their 3 losses (coincidentally their worst) with Antonio Brown after his injury a couple weeks ago. If he plays, the Steelers have a good shot to reach yet another AFC Championship game with Ben Roethlisberger. Without, they stand minimal chance for Le'veon Bell to overcome the Jaguars D. But honestly, I take the Jaguars either way, that Steelers D is not as good when the offense can't find it's groove.
Jaguars 27 - Steelers 14
Game 8: NFC Divisional Round 2 - Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings
With the Eagles eliminated, the Vikings' odds at playing all their playoff games at home becomes a reality. But can they overcome the Rams again? While the Rams D will put up more of a fight against a slower Vikings offense, I don't think the Rams hot offense to put up much of a fight against the dominant Vikings defense.
Rams 10 - Vikings 13
Game 9: AFC Championship Game - Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars
Kareem Hunt has been a very intriguing rookie and the focal point of what was once the hottest offense in the NFL. But the gamechanger could be Tyreek Hill. If the long game is capable with Alex Smith still slinging it, he is a very hard man to cover and his big-play capability will decide this game. But Alex Smith is not a gunslinger, congrats Jacksonville.
Chiefs 6 - Jaguars 17
Game 10: NFC Championship Game - New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings
The Saints and the Vikings have two of the best defenses in the league and the two best in the NFC. The offensive edge goes to the Saints, but will it be enough to overcome the overbearing Vikings defense? This NFC Championship rematch might be on repeat.
Saints 17 - Vikings 14
Game 11: The Pro Bowl - AFC vs. NFC
WHO CARES
Game 12: Super Bowl LII - Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New Orleans Saints
Certainly not what was expected towards the beginning of the season, but that tends to happen in the NFL, even before this year full of turnaround teams. As poetic as a Jaguars/Rams Super Bowl would have been, this is the more realistic option. The Jaguars live on defense and survive on offense. The Saints do more than that. Along with the Vikings, the Saints were the most complete team in the NFL. Great defensive performances complete with a dominant run game are what quietly made the Saints the scariest team in the NFL. Oh, and depending on future Hall of Famer Drew Brees in a pinch certainly doesn't help. While I would prefer the Jaguars defense over the Saints defense, I think it's safe to say which team has the more reliable offense. Drew Brees was the difference maker in previous outings, this time, it'll be Ingram and Kamara. I would count on the Saints winning their 2nd Super Bowl.
Jaguars 16 - Saints 21
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