Updated NFL Playoff Predictions

Updated+NFL+Playoff+Predictions

Blake Lioi

With the wildcard games over now, here are my predictions for the rest of the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

For the AFC, we have the New England Patriots hosting the Tennessee Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars. I believe the Patriots will beat the Titans because the game is in Foxborough, and no team has beaten the Patriots at home in the playoffs except for the Baltimore Ravens. In addition, the Patriots have a much better offense and are much more experienced in the playoffs.

In the Jaguars-Steelers game, I think the Steelers will come out on top even though the Jaguars beat them in Pittsburgh in the regular season. The Steelers are an experienced playoff team unlike the Jaguars and they have been playing very well these past few weeks. Jacksonville has been struggling lately and they just barely beat the Bills in the wildcard game. Plus, the Steelers do have a better offense and defense than the Jags.

For the NFC, you have the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings hosting the New Orleans Saints. In the Eagles-Falcons game, I believe that the Falcons will come out on top in a very close battle. The Falcons are determined to get back to the super bowl after an embarrassing 28-3 blown lead last year against the New England Patriots, and with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Devonta Freeman on offense, I think they should have no trouble putting up points against the Eagles. In addition, the Eagles are without star quarterback, Carson Wentz, so that will surely affect them in this game.

In the Vikings-Saints game, I believe that this will be a very close battle between two very good teams, and in the end the Saints will emerge victorious. Drew Brees and Mark Ingram are having a terrific season, and if they keep it up, there’s no doubt in my mind that the Saints will go deep into the playoffs.

With my predictions, that makes the AFC Championship game the Patriots hosting the Steelers and for the NFC Championship, the Saints hosting the Falcons.

In the Patriots-Steelers game, I believe the New England Patriots will make their way back to the super bowl in a close battle with Pittsburgh. With a great offense, I feel New England will have no trouble scoring against the Steelers. I also believe that James Harrison will play a big role for New England because of his frustrations with the Steelers over this past month.

For the NFC Championship game, I believe that Saints will beat NFC South rivals in a very close battle. This year the Saints and Falcons split their games, each taking a victory from each other. With home field advantage, against their rivals, I believe Drew Brees and Mark Ingram will step up big to send their team to the Super Bowl.

That means Super Bowl LII will be the New England Patriots taking on the New Orleans Saints. This game will be a very tough offensive battle between two of the best quarterbacks in the league. By a very close score, I think Tom Brady and his Patriots will go back-to-back and win their sixth championship.

No matter what happens this year, it will be very interesting to see who ends up in Super Bowl 52.

Update: Blake is 1-3 on his predictions, but his projected Super Bowl winning Patriots are still in the running, and will be facing the Jaguars in the AFC Championship game.