Now comes the fun part. If you’ve already read all my division previews, and you should, I get to look into my crystal ball (made in AMERICA) and predict how my playoff seedings will go down and who the eventual 2017-18 Super Bowl Champion will be.
Here’s what’s important to know, this is harder than you think. Predicting one team to get to the Super Bowl is tough enough, especially if you’re not just lazy and predict a rematch from last season. But both teams? Nearly impossible. While I guarantee plenty of people selected the New England Patriots to go to the Super Bowl last season, I defy you to find anyone that paired them against the Atlanta Falcons.
In my own history, I’ve pegged the Super Bowl correctly exactly once, in 2009 when the Arizona Cardinals faced off against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, made that play and I nailed it.
First up, let’s look at our seeds based on my predictions.
AFC
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: 12-4
3. New England Patriots: 12-4
4. Tennessee Titans: 10-6
5. Kansas City Chiefs: 10-6
6. Miami Dolphins: 10-6
NFC
2. Green Bay Packers: 12-4
3. Seattle Seahawks: 12-4
4. Carolina Panthers: 11-5
5. Los Angeles Rams: 10-6
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10-6
AFC WILD CARD
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
As much as I would love to see the Patriots fall as one and done in the playoffs, I don’t see it happening. They simply do not lose at Foxboro in the postseason unless they’re playing a Joe Flacco led team and I don’t think the Ravens are making the playoffs. That being said, it’ll be tighter than people think. I say, Patriots 24, Dolphins 20
Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans
Everybody in Nashville is going to be just as pumped as they were when the Predators made the Stanley Cup Finals. Unfortunately for my countrymen (and women), they’ll be just as disappointed. As ridiculous as it seems for a Mike Mularkey led team to make the playoffs at all, let alone win its division, it’s downright insane to expect a victory. Chiefs 27, Titans 17
NFC WILD CARD
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks
As fun as it’s going to be to see Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers get into the playoffs, the fun ends there. The Seahawks’ defense will just be too much for Tampa Bay to handle, especially at CenturyLink Field in front of the 12th man. This one probably isn’t close. Seahawks 41, Buccaneers 13
Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers
With all these new teams in the playoffs, it would be nice to see one of them make a run. Unfortunately, we won’t. While I love the Rams’ chances to surge into the playoffs, if they come in as a Wild Card, it’ll be a short stay, especially against a rejuvenated Cam Newton on the road. Los Angeles puts up a battle but falls, Panthers 34, Rams 31
AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND
Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders
It’s a divisional rematch of two teams that have already played each other twice at this point. My guess is the home team wins both contests unless the Raiders can steal one at Arrowhead. There’ll be no thievery here as Alex Smith gets overrun by Khalil Mack and Marshawn Lynch goes beast mode on the Kansas City front. Raiders 27, Chiefs 20
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s a rematch of last year’s AFC title game where not a single one of Pittsburgh’s coaches deserved to cash their game checks. The Patriots are a different team on the road in the playoffs. So different, in fact, that New England hasn’t won a road playoff game since 2006. The Steelers will get their revenge, but will have to fight for it down to the wire. Steelers 37, Patriots 30
NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND
Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys
Two athletic quarterbacks who can both play from the pocket face off in an epic battle of offense. The difference makers could just be the Cowboys’ defense, which should actually have everybody back from suspension. I’ve yet to pick against Dak Prescott and I’m not starting now. Cowboys 31, Panthers 30
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers
This seems to be a recurrent match up in the postseason. These two teams have met up three times since 2004, with the home team winning each game (2-1 Packers advantage). I see nothing different happening in this game, with Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay working their Lambeu Field magic to punch a ticket back to the NFC title game. Packers 27, Seahawks 24
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders
It’s the 1970s all over again as the Steelers face off against the Raiders, giving the city of Oakland one last feel good moment before the team packs up and heads to Las Vegas. I expect these to be two of the best offenses in the league by season’s end. Hell, it wouldn’t surprise me if they were Nos. 1 and 2. The Raiders will get the edge on defense and playing at home. Get ready to see plenty of replays of the Immaculate Reception. Raiders 20, Steelers 17
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys
Last year when these two teams met up in the playoffs, both quarterbacks played out of their gourds. It took the game to overtime, where Aaron Rodgers pulled a throw out of his ass prophesied on an ancient Egyptian tablet to butterfingered Jared Cook in overtime to win it. This one should be just that good, but, as I said before, I’m not going against Dak. Cowboys 34, Packers 31
SUPER BOWL 52
Oakland Raiders vs Dallas Cowboys
As good as these two teams were in the 1970s and as many Super Bowls as each went to, they never once faced off against each other. It’s only fitting in the last two seasons the Raiders will carry the banner of Oakland into battle this match up happens. Derek Carr and the Raiders offense will shine, but, ultimately, this is Dak Prescott’s season to become the face of the NFL. It’s battle of MVP candidates, but, in the end, Prescott leads Dallas to victory. Cowboys 37, Raiders 33
AWARDS
MVP: Derek Carr
Offensive Player of the Year: Le’Veon Bell
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Christian McCaffrey
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Derek Barnett
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