The most anticipated time of year is back, and the NFL playoff bracket has officially been set. This year’s bracket is wide open, and we at DGS Blueprint have decided to predict the NFC and AFC first round of playoffs, speculating on who’s going to win each game.
NFC Wild Card predictions
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Starting with the most anticipated game, as the Packers head to Soldier Field to face the kings of the NFC North, the Chicago Bears. Both these teams have played each other twice already, with the Packers winning in the first of the two in week 14 and the Bears winning the second one at Soldier Field in week 16. Both these teams have solid rosters; however, with Micah Parsons injury and the Bears having home-field advantage, I am going to select the Bears to move on to the next round.
Pick: Bears
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
The 49ers’ offense seemed unstoppable this year, until they faced the Seahawks, and they proved to many why they are contenders to win the whole thing. The Eagles, on the other hand, have not really been in the same success they were in last year when they won the whole thing. Despite the doubts critics have about the 49ers’ defense, I think this will be a game where teams will go back and forth, and ultimately, the 49ers will end up winning.
Pick: 49ers
Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers
It is insane that the Panthers are hosting this game despite having more losses than wins – really tells you a lot about the NFC South. The Rams have been looking impressive recently, heading into the playoffs with quarterback Matthew Stafford who is likely hanging up his cleats after this season. This pick should come as no surprise, but I predict the Rams to advance and defeat the Panthers at their own turf.
Pick: Rams
AFC Wild Card predictions
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
This game is the most difficult to predict, with both teams experiencing many crucial injuries. The teams will fight in order to bring home a Lombardi Trophy. The Patriots have been cruising through the AFC and are led by quarterback Drake Maye, who is predicted to win the NFL MVP, the only problem is that the Patriots have had one of the easiest schedules among all the teams this year.
The Chargers are led by quarterback Justin Herbert and Hall of Fame coach Jim Harbaugh, but their biggest weakness is their offensive line, which I predict will ultimately go on to cost them the game, giving the Patriots the upper hand.
Pick: Patriots
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
Although the Jaguars did start the season 5-4, they have had an incredible comeback with first-year head coach Liam Coen turning quarterback Trevor Lawrence into an MVP candidate. The Jaguars’ defense should not be overlooked either, as their evolution from last season has had a drastic impact on the team’s recent success as well. Although Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been living up to his name, the teams defense has been falling behind in important games, which will allow for the Jaguars to advance to the next round.
Pick: Jaguars
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers
I can predict that this game will have an incredibly slow start and a no-different finish. Both teams have done a tremendous job of limiting the teams’ running options, forcing the opposing team to throw. However, given the fact that Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has an impressive history of success in the first round and the Texans are the Texans, I can predict that the Steelers will be moving on.
Pick: Steelers
This weekend’s wild-card round is anticipated to be a thriller as the road to the Super Bowl officially begins. Anything can happen once the NFL playoffs start.
