The 2026 NFL playoffs are finally here! Hard to believe it's already come to this point. I will be doing my full predictions on who will reach the Super Bowl. Let's get into it. Before I start, last week I went 9-7, bringing my final prediction record to 171-100-1. I've had a pretty good season, and let's see if I can continue it.
NFC Wild Card
(5) Rams vs (4) Panthers- Panthers win 23-20
The Rams, coming into this season, had a realistic chance at the Super Bowl after winning the NFC West and a playoff game. They started off the season on fire, and Matthew Stafford was an MVP favorite. Then things went south in the final month. The Rams lost back-to-back games to the Seahawks and Falcons and blew their shot at the division title. They won their last game to clinch the 5 seed, but there are questions entering the playoffs. The Panthers had a 5-12 season last year, but there was reason to have hope. Bryce Young looked better, but could he take the next step? The answer was yes. Young had over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns, both career highs. The Panthers went 8-9, but they won the NFC South and made the playoffs, becoming the 3rd team this decade to make the playoffs with a losing record. So, it may come as a surprise that I'm picking them, but they beat the Rams at home in November, so why can't they do it again?
(6)49ers vs Eagles- Eagles win 34-27
The 49ers had a rough year last year, riddled with injuries and bad play. They reclaimed Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator, and the defense has looked noticeably better under him. Even though the Niners have still been riddled with injuries, they've found a way to win. That's the most important thing. They can hang with anybody, and it doesn't matter who's playing for them. The Eagles are the defending champions, and people expected them to run over the league this year, too. They're a damn good team, but they've got question marks. Especially on offense. The offense usually only plays one half of competent football. I love Jalen Hurts, but there have been times where he hasn't been playing his best football. Kevin Patullo is not a good offensive coordinator. The defense has been great though, stifling offenses all over the league. Vic Fangio's a fantastic defensive coordinator. Although Nick Sirianni has gotten some (undeserving) criticism from Eagles fans, he's never missed the playoffs, and for that he should get some damn respect on his name. I wouldn't be surprised if the Niners won this, but I can't go against my Birds.
(7) Packers vs (2)Bears- Packers win 30-28
The oldest rivalry in football has a new chapter. The Packers traded for Micah Parsons a week before the season began, and he had a fantastic season before tearing his ACL in week 15. The team as a whole has dealt with some injuries, including to Jordan Love. The team has won in spite of it though. Not recently, however, as they're on a 4-game losing streak entering the playoffs. Jordan Love is coming back after suffering a concussion last time these two teams met, and there is some concern there, as he might be rusty. The Bears had low expectations entering this year. Although they hired Ben Johnson, there were still questions surrounding Caleb Williams. They started 0-2, and the questions were everywhere. Are they gonna suck this year? No! The Bears finished 11-6 and won the NFC North for the first time in 7 years. Williams had the most single-season passing yards in Bears history, and Johnson is a candidate for Coach of the Year. Now, you might be wondering, if you're saying these fantastic things about the Bears, why are you picking against them? Well, to be honest, I could see this going either way. But historically, the Packers have owned the Bears. I'm not sure if I see that stopping.
AFC Wild Card
(5) Texans vs (4) Steelers-Texans win 35-28
The Texans entered this season as the back-to-back AFC South champions. They had a regression last year, and there was reason to believe this wouldn't be a great season for them. They had a slow start, and many people had doubts as to whether this would be a good year. They were 3-5 halfway through the year, but won their last 9 games to punch their ticket to the playoffs. CJ Stroud had a hell of a year. Though he missed a few weeks with a concussion, he came back and was solid. The defense was stout and impressive, only allowing 30 points or more once, in the final game of the year. The offense has some questions, but the defense is damn good. As for the Steelers, it was business as usual. They blew the AFC North title to the Ravens, and then promptly got their ass kicked by them in the Wild Card. Then they had a busy offseason, signing Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, and Darius Slay. They started off well, going 4-1. Then they were 6-6 at the end of November, but finished 4-1 to clinch the AFC North. They beat their bitter rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, after the Ravens missed a game-winning field goal attempt. Rodgers has looked solid in his potential final season. The defense has looked stout, and although TJ Watt has been injured, he's still making an impact. I am taking the Texans because for some reason, I just don't trust the Steelers. Not sure why.
(6) Bills vs (3) Jaguars- Bills win 30-27
The Bills were expected to romp through the AFC East. They had the reigning MVP, Josh Allen, and one of the best offenses in football. The question was: Could they get past the Chiefs? Turns out they didn't even have to worry about the Chiefs. They started out 4-0, although some of their wins weren't the prettiest. Then they lost the next 2 games. But they then went on a winning streak and now they're 12-5. Allen has had a solid year, and although he's not lighting the league on fire, he's still impressive. He's been playing good football, and that's needed to win football games. The Jaguars hired Liam Coen, who was the Buccaneer's offensive coordinator last year. He took over a team desperate for a good season, and they got one. Trevor Lawrence was a mediocre quarterback, and he needed to take the next step. He did. The former #1 pick had over 4000 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was elite this year and the defense was very good as well, only allowing over 30 points twice. I am going to take the Bills, though, because the Jags haven't faced an offense like this yet.
(7) Chargers vs (2) Patriots- Patriots win 28-24
The Chargers made the playoffs last year, but got curb-stomped in Houston in round 1. They had a solid off-season, bolstering their offense and offensive line. Lots of people, myself included, wondered if Justin Herbert could get over the hump. So far, he has been good, but not great. He's got 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Ladd McConkey has been their best receiver, with 789 yards and 6 touchdowns. The defense has been solid as well. Jim Harbaugh's a good coach. They're going to have their hands full against the Patriots. Everyone thought the Patriots were dead. They were 4-13, and choked away the number 1 pick, so many people had low hopes for them. But they were busy in the offseason, bolstering their offense, and making their defense a little better too. They hired Mike Vrabel as head coach and Josh McDaniels to run their offense. All this work led to success. The Pats started 1-2, but won their next 10 games to get to 11-2, and finished the season 14-3. Drake Maye had a phenomenal sophomore season, with 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns. The offense has been on fire, and one of the best in the game. The defense has been mediocre, but with an offense like that, it's hard not to win. If the Chargers get off to a hot start, I see them winning, but if not, I'm going with the Patriots.
NFC Divisional
Panthers vs Eagles- Eagles win 28-17
If this matchup happens, it'll be a rematch of the 2003 NFC Championship. I don't think this will be much of a contest. Eagles win.
Packers vs (1) Seahawks- Seahawks win 27-10
The Seahawks were projected to have a mediocre season after signing Sam Darnold. The defense wasn't expected to do much. They proved everyone wrong by going 14-3 and being the #1 seed in the NFC. Darnold had over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was efficient and a game manager. The team around him was quite good. The defense has been lights out, and I don't think any team in the NFC can stop them.
AFC Divisional
Texans vs Patriots- Patriots win 30-23
This would be a 2016 AFC Divisional rematch. The Patriots won that game, and I see them winning this game, because I don't think Drake Maye can be stopped.
Bills vs (1) Broncos- Broncos win 34-27
The Broncos made the playoffs last year as the 7th seed, and got blown out in Buffalo. They helped out their offense in the offseason, by getting Evan Engram, and helped their defense by getting Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga. Things clicked in Bo Nix's second season, as he took a hell of a leap, with 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns. The defense was as scary as ever, and Sean Payton is back and better than ever. This would be a hell of a game. I am going to take the Broncos because it is in Denver.
NFC Championship
Eagles vs Seahawks- Seahawks win 28-20
Ok, hear me out. I picked the Eagles to lose in the NFC Championship game last year, and they won the Super Bowl. So what if I do it again?
AFC Championship
Patriots vs Broncos- Patriots win 32-28
I just think Drake Maye is too good right now to lose. I've gotta take him.
And here we are. Super Bowl 60. A rematch of Super Bowl 49. Will history repeat itself?
Super Bowl LX
(A2) Patriots vs (N1) Seahawks- Patriots win 31-24
Super Bowl MVP- Drake Maye
I think so. The Patriots are back. Laugh it up while you can.
Those are my predictions for the playoffs this year. I have enjoyed writing them throughout the year, and I hope you have enjoyed reading them.
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