Find out our predictions for each game as these teams fight for a chance at making (and winning) the Super Bowl
Quarterback Jalen Hurt of the Philadelphia Eagles is ready for the playoffs in Tampa. Eric Hartline/USA Today
Quarterback Jalen Hurt of the Philadelphia Eagles is ready for the playoffs in Tampa. Eric Hartline/USA Today
The NFL playoffs are here. The matchups are set, and teams are ready to fight for a chance at making (and winning) the Super Bowl. Playoff action begins with the Cleveland Browns taking on the Houston Texans, and Miami Dolphins taking on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Then, there will be other games on Sunday. With that said, let’s waste no time and get into the playoff matchups.
Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans (Browns -2) – The Cleveland Browns are back in the playoffs. They reached the playoffs back in 2020, but they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional round. They had a successful regular season, as they finished the season 11-6. Now, they want to make a deep playoff run.
The Houston Texans are 10-7 in the regular season. The Texans are led by C.J. Stroud, an exciting rookie quarterback who impressed throughout the season. Stroud did not play when the Browns faced the Texans in the regular season.
The Browns won that game, but the Texans’ defense made Joe Flacco throw two interceptions. Cleveland is the favorite going into this game, but it could be a good game.
Prediction: The Browns get the win.
Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs -4.5) – The Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs are two talented teams that finished the regular season with identical records. They both finished the regular season 11-6.
These teams met in Frankfurt, Germany. The Chiefs beat the Dolphins 21-14 in that game. The Chiefs are the reigning Super Bowl champs. Beating the Dolphins may not be easy, but if Kansas City wants to repeat, it must be done. Can Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs run it back? Prediction:
The Chiefs get the win.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills (Bills -9.5) – The Pittsburgh Steelers finished the regular season with a record of 10-7. The Buffalo Bills finished the season with a record of 11-6. The Bills got hot the past few weeks, as they went on a five-game winning streak. The Steelers had a streak of their own, as they went on a three-game winning streak. Both of these teams fought for their Wild Card spots, and are itching to advance. There is a winter storm in Buffalo, so fans may be getting a snow game. Regardless, this is a good matchup and Buffalo should take it.
Prediction: The Bills win.
Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys (Cowboys -7) – The Green Bay Packers finished the season 9-8. They were on a three-game winning streak to close the season. The Dallas Cowboys finished the season 12-5. They had a two-game winning streak to finish the season. This could be a fun matchup but the Cowboys should take it.
Prediction: The Cowboys get the win.
Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions (Lions -3) – The Los Angeles Rams finished the regular season 10-7. The Detroit Lions finished 12-5. The Rams finished the season on a four-game winning streak. There is a little bit of history in this game, as Matthew Stafford (the Rams quarterback) and Jared Goff (the Lions quarterback) were traded for one another back in 2021. Both players have a chance to get a win over their old team, and it will be interesting to see who wants it more. The Lions are a good team at home and could come away with the win.
Prediction: The Lions get the win.
Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Eagles -3) – The Philadelphia Eagles finished the season 11-6. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished the season 9-8. The Eagles lost their last two games. Tampa Bay won their last one. This game would be an ideal time for the Eagles to bounce back from the two losses and go for a deep playoff run. But could Tampa Bay spoil their plans?
Prediction: The Eagles get the win.
In closing, The NFL playoffs will be fun, and we will see how things turn out.