Using playoffpredictors.com, I predicted the 2019 NFL season. Here are the results.
Edit: This was made prior to the Andrew Luck retirement. All Colts related predictions were written without consideration of his retirement and Jacoby Brissett named as the starter.
The preseason kicked off last week, with 32 NFL teams looking to make their mark on the league and sort out their depth charts. It would take a fool to predict the results of the playoffs in January all the way back in August, but as we’ve learned, I am a true fool. Below are my predictions for the 2019 NFL season, and which teams will be in these playoffs.
Click Here for my 2019 AFC Preview
Click Here for my 2019 NFC preview
Wild Card Weekend:
(5) Chiefs @ (4) Browns
This matchup is probably the most interesting of the four. A team with joint top odds for the super bowl plays at the feel good story of the NFL. Two teams playing second year starters, two teams with juggernaut offenses, Kareem Hunt’s former team versus his new team. Storylines are peppered in all over the place. This will easily be an all time shootout and in my opinion the team with the better quarterback takes the matchup.
Score Prediction: 34-25 Chiefs
(5) Falcons @ (4) Rams
A rematch from the 2017 playoffs, the Falcons will take on the SBLIII participant Rams. In this matchup the Falcons took home a 26-13 victory against the new look Rams squad. In this past year, the Rams have reached the super bowl and the falcons have missed the playoffs. The Rams would want to get revenge for their defeat in the last playoff game. That, plus home field advantage, should give the Rams the advantage they need to win this matchup.
Score Prediction: 28-24 Rams
(6) Steelers @ (3) Patriots
Ah, the classic matchup. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Tom Brady. Lets remind ourselves of Ben’s record against Brady. What’s that? 2-8 you say? Wow, what about in the playoffs specifically? 0-3? Wow. I don’t feel there’s much to say here besides history says this is a dead matchup and combined with Patriots home field? That points to New England blowing this team out.
Score Prediction: 38-17 Patriots
(6) Packers @ (3) Cowboys
Another matchup with a lot of history, Green Bay takes on Dallas. If you’ll recall, the one and only Mason Crosby hits a 53-yard field goal twice in a row to knock out the one seeded Cowboys in 2016. However, the Dez catch is much more memorable from this matchup. The Dallas defense will matchup well with Rodgers’ offensive system and give them a solid edge. I think Dallas uses these memories and homefield to push past their bogey team and move on to their cursed divisional round.
Score Prediction: 34-31 Cowboys
Divisional Round:
(5) Chiefs @ (1) Chargers
An AFC West match-up in the second round, this promises to be a battle with neither side giving up any effort. I couldn’t imagine this ending without at least 50 points scored total, and a game going straight down to the wire. Overall, I think I have to give the advantage to the home side and a hungry Philip Rivers to take the win home over a second year Patrick Mahomes.
Score Prediction: 37-33 Chargers
(4) Rams @ (1) Saints
Oh this should be good. A rematch of the NFC Championship that was ‘tainted’ by the missed pass interference call on Nickell Robey-Coleman. Losses of Lamarcus Joyner and Ndamukong Suh will give the Saints an easier task on defense but their loss of Mark Ingram will make the task about the same. Overall I think this game will become a shootout and quarterback play will be the deciding factor. Jared Goff will get his day again, but I doubt it’ll be this year, as Drew Brees will push to add a second super bowl to his resume.
Score Prediction: 24-18 Saints
(3) Patriots @ (2) Colts
Well this is a true shock, Tom Brady deep in the playoffs? I could have never guessed it. Except that I completely am guessing it. The Colts are a fresh exciting team who finally decided to protect their franchise QB Andrew Luck but they were unlucky enough to run into the team that has made the last three Super Bowls and won two of them. I think this team will be here for years to come, but for now, they’ve ran into the juggernaut of the AFC
Score Prediction: 31-17 Patriots
(3) Cowboys @ (2) Bears
Two stellar defenses face off in this NFC clash that a fan from 2015 would cringe at. The Cowboys boast a top 5 offense to match-up with the Bears #1, but the offense will be where the game is won. Zeke will be the X-factor that makes the difference, and if he has an elite level game, they will win. I think after receiving whatever big contract he’s in line for he’ll be more prepared to have that type of game. I believe Dak and the Cowboys will make their first NFC Championship since the 1995 super bowl victory.
Score Prediction: 17-10 Cowboys
Conference Championships:
(3) Patriots @ (1) Chargers
A rematch of the divisional round clash from last year. If you don’t recall, just imagine a cat getting stepped on and running away, that was the chargers. The Chargers have Melvin Gordon holding out however I expect him to return by the end of the season, but lets talk about the Patriots. Tom Brady at the age of 42 returns for another NFL season and has a beautiful roundabout of receiving threats. A newly reinstated Josh Gordon, current Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman, rookie Nkeal Harry and Demariyus Thomas. Brady has more weapons than he’s had in a long time. The Chargers aren’t afraid this year though. No, I believe Rivers is motivated by all the critics constantly mentioning his zero career super bowl appearances; for this reason I think the most complete team in the league will make their first appearance in the Super Bowl, ending the Patriots three year streak.
Score Prediction: 44-38 Chargers
(3) Cowboys @ (1) Saints
This is the hardest match-up i’d have to predict. Two teams that could only muster one playoff win against wild card teams; two teams that were defeated by the eventual NFC Champion Rams. Two very even teams that are bringing back the exact same team give or take. As some may recall, their week 13 TNF match-up ended in a nail biting 13-10 Cowboys win, however, that was at the Cowboys home. I think the cowboys have a window of about 2-4 years and they know it, the Saints? This could be their last shot. Drew Brees and the Saints will pick themselves up and defeat the Cowboys in a low scoring defensive battle that brings it down to the wire.
Score Prediction: 17-14 Saints
Super Bowl:
Chargers v Saints
Here we are, the big game. Super Bowl LIV, where two great quarterbacks face off in an attempt to add one last Super Bowl to their resumes. These two teams are extremely talented and either could win it. Both have the talent necessary, so the question is begged, who is hungrier? Philip Rivers is surrounded by young talent that will have chances at super bowls for years to come, but this will probably be the 38 year olds last shot, and they’ll know that. Drew Brees holds multiple quarterbacking records, Drew Brees has won a Super Bowl, Drew Brees has left his mark on this league. Plain and simple, I think Philip wants it more, and I think he will finally add that elusive Super Bowl to his otherwise elite resume.
Score Prediction: 33-28 Chargers
Let me know what you think in the comments, did I get it spot on? Or am I way off base. The NFL regular season kicks off on Thursday, September 5th with Bears v Packers @ 8:20 EST.
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