Max's picks

Wildcard Round: AFC

#5 seed Baltimore Ravens @ #4 seed Tennessee Titans: The Ravens started off the 2020 regular season slowly. They won just six of their first 11 games after losing just three in the entire 2019 regular season. However, after their midseason COVID-19 crisis was resolved, Baltimore dominated its last five games. Only one was closer than 14 points. The Titans, however, are struggling. They were smashed 40-14 by the NFC’s number one seeded Green Bay Packers in week 16. A week later, they narrowly beat the 4-12 Texans, winning on a field goal that ricocheted off the goal post before bouncing in. The Titans have upset the Ravens in both of their last two meetings dating back to last year’s playoffs, but the Ravens are rolling and do not want to lose to the Titans again. Expect Baltimore to beat Tennessee, although the hit or miss Titan offense could make it close.

Prediction: Ravens 33, Titans 24

#7 seed Indianapolis Colts @ #2 seed Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen and the Bills are on fire. They have won their last two games by a combined score of 94-35 over respectable opponents in the Patriots and Dolphins. The Colts are also playing well. After looking like one of the biggest draft busts of the year early in the season, rookie running back Jonathan Taylor exploded onto the scene late in the year. He ended the season with over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, becoming just the third rookie running back in Colts history to do so. Both of these teams have momentum as they get set to face off in the wildcard round. The state of New York loosened COVID 19 restrictions just enough so that about 6,000 fans can attend Buffalo’s first playoff game since 1995. This one should be exciting. The Bills are the better team with the better quarterback, so they should be able to pull out a close win.

Prediction: Bills 28, Colts 24

Wildcard Round: NFC

#5 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ #4 seed Washington Football Team: This could be one of the biggest mismatches in NFL playoff history. Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offense enter the playoffs with a head of steam. They have scored at least 30 points in three straight games and over 40 in two straight. Washington’s offense, on the other hand, is one of the league’s worst. The Football Team is one of the best comeback stories in sports history. Head coach Ron Rivera battled cancer during the season but never missed a game and Alex Smith came back from a life-threatening leg injury to lead this team to the playoffs. However, they don’t stand a chance against Brady and the Buccs. I will be rooting for them, but I can’t imagine any scenario in which Washington wins this game.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Football Team 16

#6 seed Los Angeles Rams @ #3 seed Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense come into the playoffs struggling. They have only scored more than 28 points once since week nine, and that came against the Jets. The Rams are also struggling on offense. They only scored 20 points against the Jets in week 15, were held to nine in a week 16 loss to these same Seahawks, and only scored 18 against the Cardinals in week 17. Starting quarterback Jared Goff may not be able to play this week as he recovers from surgery to repair a broken and dislocated thumb suffered in week 16. Even if he plays, he will probably not be at 100%. Seattle beat the Rams just two weeks ago and should be able to do it again in the playoffs despite their struggling offense.

Prediction: Seahawks 20, Rams 15

#7 seed Chicago Bears @ #2 seed New Orleans Saints: On paper, this matchup looks like a mismatch. The Saints offense has been playing their best football of the season while the defense has been solid for a couple months now. However, Drew Brees is not as good as he used to be and has struggled in the postseason in recent years. The Bears are scrappy and have a great defense, making them the perfect team to beat the Saints in the playoffs. New Orleans has been eliminated from the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion three years in a row; twice in overtime and once on a miracle touchdown on the final playoff the game. I am predicting that the Bears will shock the world and break the hearts of Saints fans yet again.

Prediction: Bears 23, Saints 21

Divisional Round: AFC

#5 seed Baltimore Ravens @ #1 seed Kansas City Chiefs: At this point, The Chiefs starters will have had two weeks off after not playing in week 17. The Ravens, on the other hand, will come in with momentum after beating the Titans. Expect the Chiefs to start slowly and the Ravens to jump out to an early lead. However, Patrick Mahomes is destined to get going at some point. The Ravens are 0-3 against the Chiefs since Lamar Jackson took over as quarterback in 2018. Once the KC offense has knocked off the rust, expect them to roll and beat the Ravens.

Prediction: Chiefs 34, Ravens 27

#3 seed Pittsburgh Steelers @ #2 seed Buffalo Bills: If this matchup actually happens, both of these teams will be coming off home wins in the wildcard round. Pittsburgh and Buffalo faced off back in week 14 and the Bills rolled to a 27-16 win. Expect Buffalo’s high-powered offense to overwhelm the Steelers again. Big Ben and the Steeler offense simply have no chance of keeping up with Josh Allen and the Bills.

Prediction: Bills 30, Steelers 24

Divisional Round: NFC

#7 seed Chicago Bears @ #1 seed Green Bay Packers: After shocking the Saints in the wildcard round, the Bears have to travel to Green Bay to take on their biggest rival, the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers has had one of the best seasons for any quarterback in NFL history and led the Packers to two blowout wins over the Bears in the regular season. Green Bay should have no problem getting the win here.

Prediction: Packers 34, Bears 23

#5 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ #3 seed Seattle Seahawks: By now, the Seahawks’ offensive struggles are a huge concern, especially as they get set to face off with Tom Brady and the Buccs, who are on fire. Russell Wilson could blow up for a huge game at any moment, but I trust the consistency of Tampa Bay’s offense over Seattle’s inconsistent attack in. This would be a shootout, but I would expect Tampa Bay to prevail.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Seahawks 27

Conference Championship: AFC

#2 seed Buffalo Bills @ #1 seed Kansas City Chiefs: These two offensive powerhouses are on a collision course to meet in the AFC championship game. Both offenses are explosive and both defenses are beatable. This game could be a classic. The Chiefs will be favored, but it could really go either way. It would be a real shame if this matchup doesn’t come to fruition.

Prediction: Chiefs 38, Bills 34

Conference Championship: NFC

#5 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ #1 seed Green Bay Packers: These two teams faced off early in the season and the Buccs crushed the Packers 38-10. Tampa Bay matches up perfectly with Green Bay. Both offenses are great but the Buccs have the better defense. Tampa Bay will continue their winning streak and make it to the Super Bowl. With this win, the Buccs would become the first team to play in a Super Bowl at their home stadium.

Prediction: Buccaneers 34, Packers 28

Super Bowl

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Kansas City Chiefs: Tom Brady is a Super Bowl legend. He has played in six Super Bowls, winning all of them. Patrick Mahomes, while elite, has only played in one Super Bowl. In addition, Brady is the only quarterback who has defeated Mahomes in the playoffs. Tampa Bay’s superior experience will be too much for the Chiefs as their run will end in heartbreaking fashion as Brady picks up his seventh Super Bowl ring.

Prediction: Buccaneers 38, Chiefs 31