As the final bracket is now out in the open, Bracket Yard offers to you its 2024 NFL playoff predictions.
The league has 32 teams, but now just 14 remain in the quest for the Lombardi Trophy. One of them will hoist it in front of adoring fans on February 9 in New Orleans. Which team will it be? We walk you through our game-by-game expectations, all the way through the finish.
2024 NFL Playoff Predictions: Wild Card
NFC Wild Card Round Predictions
Philadelphia defeats Green Bay. This could end up being one of the best games on the card for the opening weekend of the playoffs. This is the same Packers team that went into Dallas a year ago as a seven seed and embarrassed the Cowboys. Can lightning strike twice? I cannot promise that, but what I do know is that Philly rarely loses at home. An upset here would not surprise me, but Philly going down in the first round would, if that makes sense.
Washington defeats Tampa Bay. Not a good week for the “Bay” teams I suppose. Tampa was somewhat fortunate to win their division despite some uneven play. Both of these teams are ordinary defensively, at least according to the stats, but given that Baker Mayfield and Jayden Daniels both have weapons (and in Daniels’s case, is a weapon himself), this has the possibility to turn into a slugfest.
Minnesota defeats Los Angeles. Sure, the Rams could win this game, but it is hard for me to sit here and tell you that a 14-win team is going to get bounced in the first round. Oh, did I mention the Rams beat the Vikings earlier this year in Los Angeles? Probably should have mentioned that. Anyway, I actually do not love this Minnesota pick. It makes the most sense given the trajectories of both teams, but despite being 14-3, Minnesota was just 3-3 against teams that made the playoffs.
AFC Wild Card Round Predictions
Buffalo defeats Denver. The Broncos are a nice story this year, they did what they had to do, et cetera, yada yada yada. Buffalo is a machine and do not be fooled by their own outcome last week against New England: They all but took the week off. Orchard Park will be a very lively environment, and while I do not doubt that Denver can put together a respectable effort, I would not want to pick against Buffalo, either.
Los Angeles defeats Houston. The Texans beat a Tennessee team on Sunday that gave up and/or looked content to tank for the number 1 pick. That was therefore the best they have looked in a while. There is something off about them this year, and if they do not figure it out quickly, the Bolts, who are no historical playoff kings themselves, will end their season at home.
Baltimore defeats Pittsburgh. The Black and Yellow enter this game on a four-game losing streak. Baltimore is not where you go to cure your ills. Logic would suggest the Ravens will put them out of their misery, but there are two cautions here: This is a divisional matchup and these teams know each other very well, and Pittsburgh has beaten Baltimore this season. The rubber game should be interesting, but I do not like Pittsburgh’s current trendline.
2024 NFL Playoff Predictions: Divisional
NFC Divisional Round Predictions
Detroit defeats Washington. The Commanders will no doubt be happy to play in the divisional round, going from football purgatory to a playoff win in just one year. They will of course want more than that, but Detroit is the proverbial buzzsaw that will bifurcate whatever team emerges from the wild card round like a log.
Philadelphia defeats Minnesota. This could be a surprisingly interesting game if it happens, but if I was not sold on the Vikings beating the Rams, I am definitely not sold on them going into Philly and beating the Eagles. Looking at the records does not tell the whole story. Minnesota fattened up on beating lousy teams whereas I think the Eagles are seen as having more of a playoff pedigree.
AFC Divisional Round Predictions
Kansas City defeats Los Angeles. Lots of people out there in Football Land do not believe in the 15-2 Chiefs because they have only on rare occasion blown anyone out, despite winning 15 games. Whether you are on that train or not, they did beat the Chargers twice this season and will be the favorite in this game. You are what your record says you are, I suppose. Now, it is difficult to beat the same team three times in one year. Los Angeles has weapons around Justin Herbert, and they upgraded in the coaching department this year, but the question is, despite what people think of the Chiefs being a “fake” good team, if anyone actually believes the Chargers are going to go in there and win when almost nobody has beaten them this year? That’s what I thought.
Buffalo defeats Baltimore. On paper, this is a great game. If you look at past results, the Ravens smoked the Bills in September. However, two things about that: The game was in Baltimore, and yes, it was in September. The Ravens would deserve to be taken seriously here but I would also imagine that the Bills have been plotting their revenge. Baltimore winning this game would not be a surprise at all.
2024 NFL Playoff Predictions: Conference Championships
NFC Championship Prediction
Detroit defeats Philadelphia. These are the two titans of the NFC this year. Sorry, Minnesota. Other teams will come and go in these playoffs, but this is just how it has to be. The Eagles will be a tough, tough out, but Detroit has never had a more clear and well-defined opportunity to go to a Super Bowl as they do now. It’s on them if they do not take advantage of it. They are good enough to beat Philadelphia, but I also think Detroit is the only NFC team on their level.
AFC Championship Prediction
Buffalo defeats Kansas City. The Bills have lost to Kansas City in the playoffs three out of the previous four years. I do not have the heart to pick Kansas City over them again. Let’s say the Bills finally – FINALLY – get over the hump and vanquish their arch nemeses. However, they will have to do it at Arrowhead.
Super Bowl Champion Prediction
Detroit defeats Buffalo. The Lake Erie Bowl might not capture the hearts and minds of network executives who want a flashy finale to the season, but in terms of the quality of the teams, this is top-notch. Offense vs. offense in this potential game, and it could end up being very entertaining even though Detroit and Buffalo might not be the most glamorous franchises in the football world. Detroit will hardly care about glamour when they finally kiss the trophy for the first time in February. Expect a surge in births in Michigan in November 2025 as a lifetime of fan disappointment melts away, and raw exuberance turns to animalistic lust.
