Guessing How The NFL Playoffs Will Play Out

John: Let’s talk about the NFL: teams already in the playoffs, and those who may make it. Donald, how do you see the playoffs playing out?

Donald: We’ll have the Green Bay Packers going up against a team with a lot of experience: Yes, the New England Patriots. Tom Brady. Brady is somebody who’s always prepared. Dubbed the Comeback Kid, there’s no game he doesn’t have a high chance of pulling out. He’s not perfect, but more times than not, the Patriots win. They win championships. I have no issue whatsoever with them giving the Packers a problem in the Super Bowl because I don’t like the Packers that much. And with the Bears done, there’s no other team I want to root for.

Russell: In the NFC, with last year's playoffs team Bears not making it, we have in their place Green Bay, who did not make it last year. With this said, I’m leaning towards the New Orleans Saints and the Patriots, two teams who each have a veteran quarterback— Drew Brees and Tom Brady, respectively. Other than the Patriots in the AFC, I like the Baltimore Ravens, the Houston Texans, and the Kansas City Chiefs. In the NFC, though I really only like the Bears, I will give a 'lil nod to the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys. I can see Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson upsetting in the NFC and Kansas City’s Pat Mahomes doing the same in the AFC.

Patrick: We have an interesting playoffs scenario forming. The San Francisco 49’ers are currently in the fifth slot, which is huge in that they’ve pretty much played the best of all teams (on both sides) this year, so we could definitely witness an “upset” or two. Don, I’m going to tag along with you with the finals being Packers versus Patriots. I do like the Saints, though. Another factor in all of this is the battle between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles—teams with average records. In the AFC, the Ravens are currently in the top slot, but I’m sticking with the Patriots.

John: I see two fascinating battles between Houston and Tennessee—a battle for the fourth seed in the AFC South—and Dallas and Philadelphia in the NFC East. We basically know who the six teams will be in both leagues. The NFC is wide open; even the battle between the two average-record-having teams is huge, because there’s no clear-cut winner. I’m going with the Packers, because I believe the NFL wants to see Aaron Rodgers in the Super Bowl. The AFC? Unless New England drops to #3, New England will make— and win—the Super Bowl. Any final thoughts?

Donald: Patriots and Packers. Rodgers, you’re looking good, but you’re going up against Brady—the aforementioned Comeback Kid— arguably better than any other quarterback out there. Patriots win.

Russell: Super Bowl LIV: Saints versus the Patriots. Now, remember, these are only predictions, so don’t sweat me!

Patrick: One through six— including the wild card teams—is a pretty good lineup. Having a bye will not automatically give an edge—other than not losing in the first round—especially if you’re in the NFC and have to face one of the two lowest seeds: San Francisco or Minnesota; even in the AFC, the leaders may have to face the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Buffalo Bills—and, again, these four teams I mentioned are the LOWEST-seeded teams in the playoffs. This should be good.

John: A shout-out to a couple of dark horses: the AFC’s Kansas City Chiefs and the NFC’s Seattle Seahawks. Look out for these two.