By Jack Zipper ’28 and Lincoln Hamid ’29
After 17 weeks and 272 common season video games, the NFL playoffs have lastly arrived. With each conferences extensive open, it’s laborious to guess who will find yourself enjoying for the Tremendous Bowl in Santa Clara. However, we at DSA tried our luck, and listed below are a few of our predictions.
New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers
After exhibiting appreciable promise final season, Drake Maye has leaped into superstardom below head coach Mike Vrabel. Finishing a league main 72% of his passes (minimal 50 makes an attempt) for 31 touchdowns and almost 4400 yards to only eight interceptions, Maye is without doubt one of the favorites to win MVP. Vrabel has accomplished wonders for this staff, bringing again self-discipline and focus to a staff that had been on a downward spiral in direction of the basement of the AFC East. He and Maye’s efforts have helped the Patriots rebound from an abysmal 3-14 final season to a 14-3 report and their first playoff look since 2021. On the opposite sideline sits the quarterback Maye was in comparison with popping out of school: Justin Herbert. Just like Maye, the arrival of John Harbaugh final season revitalized Herbert, and collectively the Chargers bounced again from a 5-12 season to make the playoffs. Quite a lot of the problems that plagued the staff final 12 months have been addressed. Their run sport has taken a leap, with rookie rushers Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal making a big effect as quickly as they took the sphere. Rookie tight finish Oronde Gadsden and the return of Keenan Allen supplied Herbert a wonderful set of weapons alongside lead receiver Ladd McConkey. On paper, these groups are comparatively even, with sturdy offenses and proficient defenses. Nevertheless, the Chargers are lacking key offensive linemen Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt to accidents, so anticipate Herbert to have a troublesome time navigating the pocket. The Patriot’s leaky pink zone protection, which ranks second worst within the league by landing charge, might come again to chunk them late within the sport. This sport can go both means, however the Chargers all the time appear to choke in large sport conditions. Anticipate the Chargers to blow a lead and lose the sport to certainly one of Drake Maye’s signature deep balls.
Prediction: Patriots 24-20
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Payments
With star quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Patrick Mahomes all absent from the playoffs, the AFC is extensive open for the reigning MVP Josh Allen to interrupt the glass ceiling and get into the Tremendous Bowl. His first problem: the pink sizzling Jacksonville Jaguars, who’ve received their final 9 straight video games to clinch the third seed within the convention. Trevor Lawrence, energized by first 12 months head coach Liam Coen and the acquisition of Jakobi Meyers in a midseason commerce, has had a profession 12 months. Backed by 1,000 yard rusher Travis Eitienne, and a protection that leads the league in rush yards allowed, Lawrence and the Jaguars are positive to be a handful even for a seasoned playoff staff just like the Payments. Whether or not the Jaguars can replicate their success within the playoffs remains to be unsure. Lawrence regarded terrible in his final postseason look, the place he threw 5 interceptions towards the Chargers and the Chiefs in his solely playoff run. In the meantime, the Payments have persistently confirmed themselves as a playoff winner (not less than till they run into Mahomes), and search for Allen to take advantage of a middling Jaguars cross rush and discover star tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, who when wholesome present Allen with a lot wanted choices down the stretch. In the meantime rookie Jackson Hawes could also be one of the best blocking tight finish within the league, giving Allen and league-leading rusher James Cook dinner more room to work with. Whereas the Jaguars will maintain this sport entertaining and shut, Allen and the Invoice expertise will repay and maintain them a step forward.
Prediction: Payments 31-27
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
There’s not quite a bit that must be mentioned about this sport. The Steelers squeaked into the playoffs with the AFC North title off of a missed subject aim from Ravens kicker Tyler Loop, and haven’t regarded like an actual contender all season. Huge receiver DK Metcalf is ready to return from his suspension, and the Steelers will search for TJ Watt, who returned within the last common season sport, to revitalize a sluggish protection that ranked within the backside half of groups in scoring and yards allowed. In the meantime, the Texans are the most well liked staff within the NFL, successful 10 out of their final 11 video games. Their protection is one of the best within the league, main all groups in yards allowed and rating second in factors per sport. Cross rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. have wrecked video games, every posting double digit sacks on the season. Star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. has had a down 12 months, however nonetheless will present a headache for Steelers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers when he appears downfield. It will likely be a defensive battle, however the Steeler’s protection just isn’t prefer it was. The Texans decide up a straightforward win right here.
Prediction: Texans 24-10
Chicago Bears vs. Inexperienced Bay Packers
The #2 seed NFC North Champions Bears host the #7 seed Packers of their third matchup of the season. The Bears return to the playoffs for the primary time for the reason that 2020 season, and search their first playoff win since 2011. The Packers, who began the season 5-1-1, pale down the stretch, hampered by the lack of Micah Parsons in Week 15. In these groups’ first matchup, the Packers defeated the Bears 28-21 after Caleb Williams threw a game-losing interception. The Bears defeated the Packers 22-16 in extra time in a dramatic late sport comeback in Week 16, though Jordan Love exited with a concussion. Saturday’s evening’s matchup will likely be Love’s return to the sphere, so anticipate his well being to play a pivotal position. The return of Rome Odunze after an prolonged absence will even be key.
Prediction: Bears 27-21
Philadelphia Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers
Why does it really feel just like the Philadelphia Eagles are pretenders? The Eagles, who hope to defend their Tremendous Bowl title, have been lower than convincing. Jalen Hurts has improved in some areas whereas declining in others, posting profession highs in touchdowns whereas posting his worst QBR since 2021. Saquon Barkely, only one 12 months faraway from his historic 2,000 yard season, has regressed barely. The protection has additionally taken a step again, falling from one of the best defensive staff final 12 months to exterior the highest 5 in EPA per play. Don’t depend on Jake Elliot to return up clutch in a giant spot, the kicker recognized for his late sport heroics has made a measly 74% of his kicks, one of many lowest charges within the league. In distinction, the 49ers appear to be they’ve all of it discovered. They grinded out a 12-5 report in one of many hardest divisions in soccer, and have proven their offensive potential by scoring 40+ factors in two of their final three common season video games. Brock Purdy, since getting back from harm, has been a monster via the air and on the bottom. Whereas the 13-3 loss to Seattle within the final sport of the season was regarding, it received’t matter a lot towards the Eagles, who would not have the firepower to compete with Kyle Shanahan’s offense. This sport feels just a little bit too straightforward for the 9ers: it might be a entice.
Prediction: 49ers 28-17
Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams
The #4 seed Panthers host the #5 seed Rams Saturday afternoon. The Panthers limped into their first profession playoff look since 2017, dropping their final sport of the season towards the Buccaneers to fall to 8-9, however they had been capable of maintain onto the NFC South. The Rams completed 12-5 this season, buoyed by one other stellar season from Matthew Stafford and a profession 12 months from Puka Nacua, main the league in receptions and 1715 yards. The Rams averaged 30.5 factors per sport, first within the NFL. The Panthers defeated the Rams 31-28 of their first matchup this 12 months in week 14. Whether or not Bryce Younger can maintain tempo with the Rams offense will likely be key on this matchup, because the third 12 months QB’s step ahead this 12 months has led the Panthers to their greatest season in years.
Prediction: Rams 31-13
