Upsets on the horizon? Title darkhorses? Here are our wild card predictions...
The picks are in. Who do you see winning this weekend?
“I know what everyone wants me to do and that’s to win a Super Bowl. And that is the most important thing for me.”
That’s what Sean McDermott told us in his sit-down interview with Go Long. Expectations are (very) high here in Western New York. Again.
Of course, the Bills are not alone. The AFC’s quite top-heavy with Kansas City, Buffalo and Baltimore all sharing the same title-or-bust sentiment. Over in the NFC, the Detroit Lions earned a much-deserved bye — and the entire conference appears wide open.
I’ll have a pair of stories for you tomorrow on the Bills and Commanders.
How Dan Quinn rebuilt the team in D.C. is fascinating.
Until then, let’s get to our predictions. For those new to Go Long, Bob McGinn has covered the NFL since 1979 and has been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jim Monos, a frequent podcast guest, scouted for the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints before taking over as the Bills’ director of personnel. Today, he’s the GM of the Memphis Showboats in the UFL.
Be sure to share your picks in the comments.
Thanks to all for growing our community.
TYLER DUNNE
AFC
Justin Herbert is too good to go five seasons without a playoff win and Jim Harbaugh knows C.J. Stroud. Whereas Chargers DC Jesse Minter’s scheming is trending one direction, Texans OC Bobby Slowik has regressed. I wouldn’t be surprised if L.A. is the team that sneaks up on everyone this postseason. Chargers 27, Texans 13.
Those Steelers may be the annoying pickup basketball player wearing goggles in this game and these coaches know each other more than they know themselves. It won’t matter. The talent discrepancy is vast. Ravens 30, Steelers 20.
Patrick Surtain Jr., a DPOY favorite, could eliminate half the field and it wouldn’t matter. Josh Allen will find the open man and steer this team into an epic clash with the Ravens next week. Bills 34, Broncos 21.
NFC
It’s been ugly the last two weeks but this is still a team that’s been steadily building toward such a gut-check game. Jordan Love comes alive and it doesn’t matter how many yards Saquon Barkley gains because Jeff Hafley’s defense will create turnovers at opportune times. Packers 27, Eagles 24.
Jayden Daniels is special. The Commanders earn a signature playoff win that’ll help catapult them into serious Super Bowl contention next season. Commanders 34, Buccaneers 27.
All season, the three most important people in the Vikings building — Kevin O’Connell, Sam Darnold and Brian Flores — have bounced back from rough performances. Matthew Stafford’s always liable to have a Canton-worthy game but not today. Vikings 28, Rams 12.
BOB McGINN
AFC
Jim Harbaugh went 2-0 against C.J. Stroud in The Game and there’s little or no reason to think the slumping ex-Buckeye will get him now. The Chargers don’t beat themselves. Chargers 30, Texans 10.
The Steelers are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these antagonists but not one of their victories has been by more than a touchdown. The Ravens will win this one by more than two touchdowns. Ravens 38, Steelers 16.
Rookie quarterbacks have no chance in Buffalo come January. The third AFC matchup looks like another snoozefest. Bills 45, Broncos 9.
NFC
The Packers made it close in Brazil four months ago and close is what it’ll be late Sunday afternoon in Philly. Nevertheless, Matt LaFleur’s sixth season in Green Bay ends with not a single victory of true substance. Eagles 27, Packers 21.
When in doubt, go with the veteran quarterback. In the best game of the weekend, the resurrected Baker Mayfield outpoints rookie phenom Jayden Daniels. Buccaneers 31, Commanders 30.
It’s hard not to love the Rams’ youthful, dynamic front featuring Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Bobby Brown. The Lions’ all-out rush ruined Sam Darnold and so will the Rams at Sofi. Rams 28, Vikings 16.
JIM MONOS
AFC
To be considered a real QB, you live and win in the playoffs. Time for Justin Herbert to enter the real NFL. Chargers 23, Texans 13.
Lamar will get his stats but he will have to earn them as they face a familiar foe. Wonder if the Steelers front office will try to get Mike Tomlin a QB next season? Ravens 27, Steelers 23.
It will not be easy for Josh Allen, but he is locked in and ready to take this team to NOLA for the Super Bowl. Test No. 1 is a rookie QB in Bo Nix playing his first NFL playoff game on the road. No crazy turnovers and Bills cruise. Bills 31, Broncos 13.
NFC
If the Eagles lose this one they need to take a hard look at the head coach and QB are truly the answer. No excuse at home against a QB in Jordan Love who will give you opportunities for turnovers. Eagles 31, Packers 17.
Feel like this game is gonna be wild. Two average defenses can lead to plenty of points. Jayden Daniels is pure talent. Baker is his fiery self. Good back and forth in this matchup. Buccaneers 31, Commanders 28.
The Vikings have been consistently good all year and their reward is an away playoff game. Darnold needs to forget his game vs Detroit and establish himself as the starting QB of the Vikings with this win. Just hope Matt Stafford does not fire. Vikings 27, Rams 20.
Content creators have been pushing the DVOA and EPA advanced analytics numbers to prove the Packers are one of the best teams in the NFL. We're gonna learn real quick that DVOA is mirage. Packers DVOA is #3 in the NFL. Eagles #5. Come on now. The eye test is a long abandoned metric of deciding how good a team really is will be making a comeback. Admire TD for picking Pack, but final score will be more like Monos prediction.
All in on McGinn's picks. Maybe the Steelers keep it closer, but otherwise can envision all of those. Packers will probably make it close in the end and would love if they followed Tyler's pick, but especially with the flops against the Vikings, have seen nothing that indicates they're ready for a sudden breakout. And also like the Rams over Minnesota, which looked really shaky Sunday night and, like the Packers, can't get over just how few actually noteworthy wins they have this year.