Who’s Going to the Playoffs? NFL Predictions
The NFL season is winding down, and it’s time to start thinking about who’s going to the playoffs. Here are our predictions for who will make it to the big game.
NFC
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league. The NFL is the highest level of professional football in the United States. NFL teams compete each year to win the Super Bowl, the world’s largest annual professional American football championship game. As of the 2018 season, the NFL has 32 teams, divided into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).
East
In the East, the New England Patriots are predicted to win their division for the tenth consecutive year. The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins are both likely to make Wild Card spots. The Bills added a number of key players in the offseason, including running back Frank Gore, wide receiver Cole Beasley, and offensive lineman Mitch Morse. The Dolphins made some noise in free agency as well, signing linebacker Kyle Van Noy and defensive end Shaq Lawson.
North
In the NFL’s centennial season, the NFC North is sending two teams to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The Green Bay Packers (13-3) and Minnesota Vikings (10-6) both clinched playoff spots in Week 16, with the Packers winning the division and the Vikings securing a wild card berth.
The Packers are led by second-year head coach Matt LaFleur, who has instilled a new culture in Green Bay and helped quarterback Aaron Rodgers rediscover his MVP form. The Packers offense is one of the most balanced in the NFL, ranking in the top 10 in both passing and rushing yards per game. Defensively, the Packers are led by All-Pro defensive end Za’Darius Smith, who had 13.5 sacks in his first season with Green Bay.
The Vikings are seeking their fifth consecutive playoff appearance under head coach Mike Zimmer. Minnesota’s offense is centered around running back Dalvin Cook, who rushed for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns despite missing five games due to injury. The Vikings defense is one of the best in the NFL, led by defensive end Everson Griffen and safety Harrison Smith.
The NFC North is arguably the toughest division in football, with all four teams finishing above .500 for just the second time since realignment in 2002. The Packers and Vikings are two of the most complete teams in the NFL and will be tough outs for any opponent in January.
South
1. New Orleans Saints (11-5) – The Saints have been on a tear as of late, winning seven of their last eight games. They’re led by second-year stud running back Alvin Kamara, who has amassed over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns. The Saints also have one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL, allowing only 20 points per game.
2. Carolina Panthers (10-6) – The Panthers are coming off a disappointing season in which they failed to make the playoffs. However, they still have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Cam Newton and a stout defense that should be able to carry them to a division title.
3. Atlanta Falcons (9-7) – The Falcons are a talented team that has struggled with consistency over the past few seasons. They have all the pieces to make a run at a Super Bowl, but they’ll need to put it all together if they want to win the division.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11) – The Buccaneers are in rebuilding mode after firing head coach Dirk Koetter following last season’s disappointing campaign. They’ll be led by newly-signed quarterback Mike Glennon and will be looking to rebuild through the draft.
West
In the West, the Rams and Saints are still on track for a first-round bye, but the Panthers and Seahawks are nipping at their heels. The Vikings have a comfortable lead over the Packers and Bears, but all three teams could still end up in the wild card hunt.
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-1)
2. New Orleans Saints (10-2)
3. Carolina Panthers (8-4)
4. Seattle Seahawks (8-4)
5. Minnesota Vikings (7-5)
6. Green Bay Packers (5-7-1)
7. Chicago Bears (8-4)
AFC
It’s that time of year again! The NFL season is winding down and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. Who’s going to make it to the big dance? Let’s take a look at the AFC and make some predictions.
East
The Ravens have a cakewalk to the AFC North title, as they are two games up on the Steelers with just five to play. They also currently hold the conference’s No. 1 seed and would need to completely collapse in order to not make the playoffs. As for Pittsburgh, it will likely take a Wild Card spot. The race for that final spot is wide open, as there are currently six teams within two games of each other. The Bills currently sit in the driver’s seat, but the Titans, Raiders and Browns are all within striking distance. It should be a fun race down the stretch.
In the AFC East, it looks like the Patriots will once again run away with the division title. They are currently four games up on the Bills and Dolphins with just five to play. New England is also in good shape for a first-round bye as they hold a two-game lead over both Kansas City and Houston for that No. 2 seed. As for Buffalo and Miami, it looks like they will be battling for that final Wild Card spot. The Bills currently hold a one-game lead over their division rivals, but both teams have some tough games remaining on their schedules.
North
1. Green Bay Packers- The Packers have looked like the best team in the NFL for most of the season. They have one of the best quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and a great head coach in Matt LaFleur. The Packers should win the division easily.
2. Minnesota Vikings- The Vikings have a good team, but they may not be good enough to make the playoffs. They will probably be a wild card team.
3. Chicago Bears- The Bears have a good defense, but their offense has been struggling. They may not make the playoffs this year.
4. Detroit Lions- The Lions have been one of the worst teams in the NFL this year and are not going to make the playoffs.
South
1. Colts (11-5): Colts’ fans have to be ecstatic with how their team has played this season. They’ve exceeded expectations and look like they could be a playoff team.
2. Titans (9-7): The Titans are another team that has exceeded expectations this season. They’ve been in the hunt for a playoff spot all season long and should be in the mix again next year.
3. Texans (8-8): The Texans are a tough team to predict. They could easily finish with a winning record or miss the playoffs entirely. I’m predicting they land somewhere in the middle and just miss out on the playoffs.
4. Jaguars (7-9): The Jaguars are another tough team to predict. They could easily finish with a winning record or miss the playoffs entirely. I’m predicting they land somewhere in the middle and just miss out on the playoffs
West
1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) – The Chiefs had a great season, but ultimately fell just short of the Super Bowl. They’ll be back with a vengeance in 2020 and will win the AFC West.
2. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) – The Chargers had a solid season, but injuries to key players derailed their playoff hopes. They’ll be back healthy in 2020 and will win a wild card spot.
3. Denver Broncos (9-7) – The Broncos had a decent season, but failed to make the playoffs. They’ll continue to improve in 2020 and will compete for a wild card spot.
4. Oakland Raiders (8-8) – The Raiders had a disappointing season, but showed flashes of potential. They’ll take a step forward in 2020 and will compete for a wild card spot.
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the biggest and most important American football game of the year. It is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL). The game is usually played on the first Sunday in February. It is the climax of a regular season that begins in September.
