After grinding through every single one of the 272 regular season games and mapping out how each division would shake out, it’s time to talk postseason football. These aren’t just predictions — they’re the culmination of every roster move, coaching change, and injury risk I’ve weighed going into 2025.
We’ll start with the Wild Card Round and work our way to Super Bowl LX.
AFC Playoffs
(2) Chiefs vs (7) Broncos — Chiefs win
This AFC West trilogy will be a slugfest. Denver’s defense is nasty, and Bo Nix will be smart with the football. But come January, betting against Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead is a bad life choice. The Chiefs’ improved OL and healthy skill players will allow them to attack Denver’s defense more effectively than in the regular season. Andy Reid will have the perfect counter to Vance Joseph’s blitz packages, and this one ends with Mahomes leading a game winning drive late in the fourth to edge out Denver.
(3) Bills vs (6) Chargers — Bills win
Jim Harbaugh will have the Chargers ready for a street fight, but this is a matchup where Josh Allen’s playoff switch gets flipped. The Bills’ pass rush will be key — forcing Justin Herbert into quicker throws and disrupting the deep shots that LA’s offense thrives on. Allen’s legs will be the difference. Expect a couple of “how did he do that?” moments in the second half, as the Bills pull away for a comfortable victory.
(4) Ravens vs (5) Bengals — Bengals win
These two teams know each other too well, and that familiarity benefits the quarterbacks. The Bengals’ defense is far from perfect, but against a Ravens offense leaning heavily on a 31-year-old Derrick Henry, they can stack the box and force Lamar Jackson into contested throws with a bad receiving core. Burrow’s playoff calm will shine here, and Ja’Marr Chase will find the soft spots in Baltimore’s secondary for at least one huge play.
NFC Playoffs
(2) Buccaneers vs (7) Commanders — Buccaneers win
Jayden Daniels will put on a show, but the Bucs’ pass rush will get to him just enough to force mistakes. Baker Mayfield has the veteran advantage here, and his chemistry with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will be too much for Washington’s secondary over four quarters. Expect this one to be close until a late Tampa touchdown seals it to avenge last year’s playoff loss.
(3) Eagles vs (6) Lions — Eagles win
Two physical teams, but Philadelphia’s trenches are the difference. The Lions’ OL, without Frank Ragnow, will struggle to contain Jalen Carter and the Eagles’ front. Saquon Barkley might not repeat his 2024 numbers, but he won’t have to — Jalen Hurts will make enough plays with his arm and legs to control the game. Detroit’s coaching turnover shows here with a few costly miscues.
(4) Vikings vs (5) Cardinals — Cardinals win
Kyler Murray steps into the national spotlight in this one. Minnesota’s defense will make him work early, but Trey McBride and the improved WR group will eventually break through. The Vikings’ rookie QB J.J. McCarthy plays well, but Brian Flores’ defense can only do so much against a dual-threat like Murray who can extend drives on third down. This will be a Kyler has arrived type of performance.
Divisional Round
AFC: (1) Texans vs (5) Bengals — Texans win
Houston’s defense is built for January football. Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter coming off the edge will limit Burrow’s time to throw, and Derek Stingley Jr. will get his shot at taking away Ja’Marr Chase on key downs. CJ Stroud won’t need to throw for 350+ — just make the right reads against a Bengals defense still patching holes. Home crowd plus defensive dominance sends the Texans to their first AFC Championship Game.
AFC: (3) Bills vs (2) Chiefs — Bills win
This is the matchup Bills fans have been waiting for — the playoff win over Kansas City. Buffalo’s secondary is healthier this year, and Sean McDermott will mix coverages to frustrate Mahomes. More importantly, the Bills’ run game will keep KC’s defense honest, giving Allen a chance to pick his spots downfield. Expect a back-and-forth duel, but a late Josh Allen touchdown drive finally gets the KC monkey off Buffalo’s back in a shootout victory.
NFC: (1) Rams vs (5) Cardinals — Rams win
Divisional rivals meet again, but this is where the Rams’ defensive line overwhelms Arizona’s front. The Rams’ dominant DL gets after Kyler Murray, forcing him into quicker reads. Matthew Stafford will carve up the Cardinals’ defense with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams winning one-on-ones all day. Arizona’s run ends here, but the foundation for a big 2026 season is set.
NFC: (2) Buccaneers vs (3) Eagles — Buccaneers win
This is the upset of the NFC bracket. The Bucs’ pass rush, led by Vita Vea and Haason Reddick , will make life miserable for Hurts in the pocket. Baker Mayfield, meanwhile, thrives in these types of underdog games, hitting chunk plays against an Eagles secondary that, while talented, is extremely young. The Bucs control the clock with Bucky Irving and close the game out with a long fourth-quarter drive.
Conference Championships
AFC: (3) Bills vs (1) Texans — Bills win
The Texans’ defense will land some early blows, but Josh Allen has been here before — and he won’t flinch. The difference? Buffalo’s improved offensive line will give Allen just enough time to attack Houston’s linebackers in coverage. CJ Stroud will make plays, but the Bills’ playoff experience wins out in a hostile road environment. Allen delivers a career-defining performance to send Buffalo to the Super Bowl.
NFC: (1) Rams vs (2) Buccaneers — Rams win
Two teams built to play in the trenches, but the Rams’ offensive creativity wins the day. Stafford has too many answers for Todd Bowles’ blitz-heavy approach, and Sean McVay will scheme up ways to neutralize Tampa’s pass rush. On the other side, the Rams’ DL will make Baker Mayfield uncomfortable enough to force a turnover or two, giving LA the cushion they need.
Super Bowl LIX — Rams vs Bills
Prediction: Rams 49, Bills 48
This is a battle of two veteran QBs with elite rosters behind them. The Bills have the big-play potential to win it all, but the Rams’ balanced attack and defensive front will control the tempo. Stafford, with one more Lombardi in sight, plays mistake-free football while Puka Nacua and Davante Adams shred Buffalo’s secondary on key third downs. Jared Verse and Co. lead this Rams defense to close out the biggest game of the year with a fourth-quarter stand.
The Rams ride off with their second title under Sean McVay, and Stafford cements his Hall of Fame case.
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