2020 NFL Playoff Predictions
- Ryan McCrary
- Jan 4, 2020
- 4 min read
We’ve finally made it. After an extremely entertaining regular season in which we saw the rise of the backup quarterback, the Browns disappoint once again, and the Ravens go on a 12 game win streak and become the best team in the league after a 2-2 start, we’ve finally made it to the playoffs. This is what NFL fans have been patiently waiting for over the past few weeks. Now that we’re here, it’s time to take a look at the wild card games and predict the winner of each matchup.
Wild Card:
This is a fantastic matchup between the 4th seed Texans and the 5th seed Bills. One of the most important things a team needs to be successful in the playoffs is a good quarterback. No matter how good your team is if your quarterback can’t make big plays in the playoffs, you’re going to lose. That’s why the Ravens lost to the Chargers last season in the wild card. Lamar Jackson wasn’t good enough as a passer to take advantage of the Charger’s defense that consisted of extra linebackers to stop the run game. The Texans have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Deshaun Watson and having a dynamic quarterback like Watson gives the Texans a chance to win at home. I just don’t know if he can do enough to make up for their inconsistent run game and lackluster defense (28th ranked defense). Although I trust Watson more than Josh Allen, I have zero faith in the Texans’ run defense. The Bills 8th ranked rushing offense should have no problem having success against the Texans’ 25th ranked rush defense. If Josh Allen is able to have a big impact as a rusher in this game, it might be a long day for the Houston Texans. The Bills will rely on their run game and stout defense to upset the Texans on the road.
Pick: Buffalo Bills
This is a very interesting matchup. The Titans are better than their 9-7 record and they just might have what it takes to upset the Patriots in Foxboro. The Titans have a dominant running back in Derrick Henry and a decent run defense and they will rely heavily on these things to defeat the Pats. I worry that Tennessee will struggle to run the ball on New England’s 6th ranked run defense and if Ryan Tannehill has to win the game for the Titans, they’ll probably go home with a loss. There are two things I have 100% faith in this matchup. 1. Bill Belichick and 2. Tom Brady in the playoffs. Brady has been pretty bad this season (his numbers are solid, but the film is meh), but every time I say the Patriots are done, they go into the playoffs and show why they have been one of the greatest dynasties in the history of American sports. For that reason, I’m picking the Patriots to get a tough win at home before taking on the Chiefs.
Pick: New England Patriots
Don’t underestimate the Eagles in this game. They have home-field advantage and over the past few seasons they have consistently been underdogs and whenever people say the Eagles have no chance to win, they shock them and show why you cannot count out the Philadelphia Eagles. However, this is a difficult task for Philly. Anytime you play Russell Wilson you know you’re about to endure 60 minutes of Hell. The Seahawks offense is going to rely heavily on Wilson because literally all of their running backs are hurt and that does not bode well for the Eagles who have a below-average secondary. The Eagles have to be able to score and below 20 points isn’t going to be enough to take down the Seahawks. Scoring is going to be extremely difficult for Philly due to injuries and unless Pederson can come up with the greatest game plan of his life, I don’t see them getting it done. The Eagles have to score 20+ points and get to the quarterback to secure the upset.
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
The Superdome is going to be electric for this game. I’m super excited about this matchup because both teams are talented and well-coached. The Saints have one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Drew Brees and matchup nightmares at running back and wide receiver (Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas) while sporting one of the best run defenses in the entire league. The Vikings have one of the best running backs in the entire league in Dalvin Cook and a tremendous receiver tandem in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Add a defense lead by All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks and you have one heck of a football team. The problem with the Vikings is their quarterback is Kirk Cousins and he doesn’t have a good history when it comes to big meaningful football games. If you think Kirk Cousins is going into New Orleans and pulling off the upset, you’re crazy. Drew Brees isn’t losing to Kirk Cousins I’ll tell you that.
Pick: New Orleans Saints
I’m not going to do a deep dive into the rest of the playoff matchups I think will happen, but here are my predictions for the rest of the playoffs:
2nd Round:
Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
New England Patriots @ Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Chiefs
New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers
Pick: Saints
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers
Pick: San Francisco 49ers
Conference Championships
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs @ Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
NFC
New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers
Pick: New Orleans Saints
Super Bowl
Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
Super Bowl MVP: Lamar Jackson
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