2019-2020 NFL Playoffs – Predictions and Top 10 Super Bowl Matchups!

The 2019 NFL regular season is over, and the playoffs start next weekend.  Who will be playing in Super Bowl LIV in Miami?  I’m going to predict the playoffs, even including scores, and then afterwards I will list my top 10 Super Bowl matchups. 

Wild Card Round
AFC:
(6) Titans at (3) Patriots: Titans 24, Patriots 20
Yup.  The Patriots get upset at home in the playoffs.  Tennessee is the more complete team and more physically imposing, and Derrick Henry has a great day.

(5) Bills at (4) Texans: Bills 19, Texans 17
The Bills defense is really good.  The Texans defense isn’t that good.  I see yet another upset here, with Josh Allen winning his first ever playoff game.

NFC:
(6) Vikings at (3) Saints: Saints 30, Vikings 23
No Minneapolis Miracle here, especially since the game is in New Orleans this time.  The Vikings claw back from a deficit but are unable to get another opportunity to score.

(5) Seahawks at (4) Eagles: Eagles 27, Seahawks 19
One and done for the Hawks.  The Seahawks are not the same team that played Philadelphia over a month ago, and the Eagles are playing better football since then.  Result: Eagles win. 

Divisional Round
AFC:
(6) Titans at (1) Ravens: Ravens 34, Titans 21
The Titans have trouble keeping up with a rested and efficient Ravens team. 

(5) Bills at (2) Chiefs: Chiefs 26, Bills 17
Arrowhead in January proves too much for these Bills.  The Chiefs won’t light up the scoreboard, but neither will the Bills. 

NFC:
(4) Eagles at (1) 49ers: 49ers 28, Eagles 13
The 49ers defense dominates, getting turnovers and sacks galore.  The 49ers have control of the game all game long and mostly run and kill the clock. 

(3) Saints at (2) Packers: Saints 27, Packers 20
The Saints upset the Packers in a cold game.  Normally indoor teams don’t do well in these environments, but the Saints are out to prove they are better than the Packers and deserved the higher seeding. 

Conference Championships
AFC:
(2) Chiefs at (1) Ravens: Chiefs 28, Ravens 26
The Ravens get a few field goals from Tucker, but the Chiefs have CC game experience which proves to be the difference.  Lamar Jackson has yet to beat the Chiefs and it remains that way, proving the Chiefs are his kryptonite.

(3) Saints at (1) 49ers: 49ers 28, Saints 24
As much as I’d like to say the Saints upset the 49ers in this one, I just don’t see it happening.  The 49ers beat them once before, they can do it again.  Also, the division most represented in the Super Bowl for the NFC in recent memory is the NFC West. 

Super Bowl LIV: Chiefs 35, 49ers 31
In a wildly exciting game, the Chiefs emerge victorious.  Mahomes gets the ball last, down 31-28, and instead of going for a field goal and overtime, connects with Mecole Hardman for a game-winning score.  Mahomes wins Super Bowl MVP.
Wow, not terribly far off!  The Chiefs won, as I predicted, but the score wasn't quite as high for either team.  I was right on predicting Mahomes for MVP, but he was a clear favorite to begin with.


My Top 10 Super Bowl Matchups:
#1 – What I predict: Chiefs vs. 49ers
Again, this is my Super Bowl prediction, the battle between Joe Montana’s two teams.
And this just so happened to be the matchup that happened!  Yet again, we have a Super Bowl with two teams who had first-round byes.  We'll see if my predicted score above holds true for the game.

#2 – The obvious choice of #1 seeds: Ravens vs. 49ers
The most likely Super Bowl matchup every year is the two #1 seeds meeting, and in this case would be the Ravens and 49ers.  It would also be a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII, in which the Ravens won.

#3 – The two hottest teams: Ravens vs. Packers
These are the two teams with the longest winning streaks in the NFL. 

#4 – My mid-season Super Bowl picks: Ravens vs. Saints
This was my mid-season pick for the Super Bowl, Charm City vs. the Big Easy.  New school vs. Old School.

#5 – The Super Bowl matchup I’ve wanted for YEARS: Patriots vs. Packers
Can we finally get a Brady vs. Rodgers matchup in the Super Bowl?  Probably not, but it doesn’t hurt to hope.  This, and the one below this, would tie for the matchup between the oldest franchises in the playoffs. 

#6 – A fitting rematch: Chiefs vs. Packers
A rematch of Super Bowl I in the NFL’s 100^th season?  That would be very fitting.  It’s also a matchup of the two State Farm QB’s, which we were deprived of earlier in the season because Mahomes was hurt.

#7 – To pad the Hall of Fame Resume: Patriots vs. Saints
The next best thing to Rodgers vs. Brady to me would be Brees vs. Brady.  To some, this would be a better matchup.  This matchup would be legendary, with the winner padding his resume for Canton even more, not that either of them need it.

#8 – Battle of the Birds: Ravens vs. Seahawks
The NFL is due for a wild card team getting to the Super Bowl.  They’re due for a team winning three road games on their way to the Super Bowl.  The Seahawks, I believe, have the best shot at doing that of any 5 or 6 seed.  And to see Jackson vs. Wilson would be pretty awesome.

#9 – Rematch of an epic game: Patriots vs. Seahawks
If the Seahawks were to make it back to the Super Bowl, wouldn’t it be fitting for it to be against the Patriots?  Marshawn Lynch is on the roster again, and perhaps we could give him that opportunity he so deserves. 

#10 – Two of the biggest dynasties in NFL history: Patriots vs. 49ers
Arguably, the two biggest dynasties in NFL history would be the 49ers from the 80s to the mid-90s and the Patriots  from the 2000s to the 2010’s.  Would be fitting for the NFL’s 100^th season.  Also this would pit Jimmy Garoppolo against his former mentor, Tom Brady. 

All Possible Super Bowl Matchups, Their Storylines and Likelihood

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Highly... highly doubtful this would happen.  There has never been a Super Bowl with two #6 seeds, although there has been a Super Bowl with two wild card teams.  Not many storylines in this one... it would certainly be a hard-fought, defensive struggle with perhaps some aerial attacks from the gunslinger QB's. 

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Again highly unlikely as these two teams basically limped into the playoffs.  But they are two well-coached teams and it would be the second time John Harbaugh has faced an NFC West team in the Super Bowl.

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Two historically unfortunate franchises facing off (One would get their first Super Bowl win).  Also it would be the battle of the kitties.  Would be another hard-fought game, but this wouldn't be a Super Bowl that intriguing.  Not very likely, either.

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
How many times would we hear Steve Smith Sr.'s name mentioned in the talk before the game?  Answer: A LOT.  He would probably want this Super Bowl, but not many people do.  Would be another defensive game.

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Another matchup where a team would get their first Super Bowl win.  Highly unlikely matchup with the two QB's (Dalton, winless in playoff games, and Lindley, who is a practice squad guy on most teams).

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Jim Caldwell, the current coach of the Lions and former coach of the Colts, would be the main storyline here.  Also, two Texas-raised QB's (Luck and Stafford) would be facing off.  Not too likely, but not impossible for this matchup.  If a matchup is going to happen where the seeds of the two teams add up to at least ten, this would be the matchup that would happen.

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Defense vs. Offense?  Hard to say what the storylines would be for this game.  Dallas would be heavily favored, for sure. 

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Another battle of the kitties which you certainly shouldn't bet on.  These two teams tied in the regular season... might we see overtime in the Super Bowl for the first time if this were to happen?  Also, two minority coaches facing off (First since Lovie Smith's Bears against Tony Dungy's Colts).  Wouldn't be a Super Bowl that NBC is clamoring for, that's for sure.

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
How many times would Bruce Arians' name be mentioned?  A LOT.  This would be a fantastic Super Bowl to watch with the Bruce Arians storyline (provided Arizona got Stanton back and he was playing decently).  Could Arizona's D contain Andrew Luck?

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (6) Detroit Lions
These two teams are pretty close geographically.  Also, the Steelers 2nd to most recent Super Bowl victory came in the Lions stadium.  Other than that, not too many storylines. 

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Would be a very good matchup, but not many storylines.  Almost all of America would be rooting for the Packers, more than likely.  And the Ravens would be huge underdogs.

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Not many storylines here, either.  Dallas would be heavily favored, having taken out Green Bay (and probably Seattle, both on the road) to get to this point. 

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Two number one pick QB's (Luck and Newton) face off in a chance to reward their team for picking them number 1 overall with a Super Bowl title.  And two soft-spoken coaches who get a lot of respect from their players would face off.

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
This would be a rematch of Super Bowl XLIII, EXACTLY six years later (Feb. 1, 2009 to Feb. 1, 2015).  A few of the same players remain, namely Big Ben for the Steelers and Larry Fitzgerald for the Cardinals.  And with the Steelers trying to take a Super Bowl from the Cardinals on the Cardinals' turf, this would be a very good matchup. 

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Would likely be a high-scoring game.  What prevails, a horse or lion?  Could Matthew Stafford be the third rising QB to beat Manning in a Super Bowl?  (The first two being Brees and Wilson)  Also, Golden Tate would be facing the Broncos in the Super Bowl for the 2nd straight year.

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Not too many storylines here, other than Pete Carroll vs. the other Harbaugh brother.  Justin Forsett would be facing his former team.  Both running backs would be from the University of California.  Would be a hard-fought, low-scoring game. 

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Titletown vs. No Titles in this town.  Basically.  Green Bay would be heavily favored and heavily rooted for.  There was a regular season game in 2013 between these two teams which was back and forth and high scoring, which I'd expect this game to be as well.

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
These two teams just recently played and Dallas smoked them.  Indy would be seeking revenge.  This would be a good matchup for NBC, with two gunslingers airing it out.  It would be up to the defenses to make a big play or two. 

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Don't see this matchup happening (at all) but it would be a fun game to watch.  Two big QB's against two tough defenses.  Two minority coaches facing off in this game as well.

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Peyton Manning taking on another NFC West team with a tough defense.  Depending on Arizona's offense, Denver could be heavily favored.  Not likely with Arizona limping in to the playoffs.

(1) New England Patriots vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Not too many storylines.  It would be Tom Brady in University of Phoenix Stadium against a wild card team from the NFC... again.  Could Stafford pull an Eli Manning and beat Tom Brady?

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Very few storylines in this matchup that NBC would probably want to stay away from.  The Hawks would be heavily favored, more than likely.  It would be the 2nd time the Hawks (as a #1 seed) face an AFC North Team (that is a wild card) in the Super Bowl. 

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
The story would be the quarterbacks, of course.  Two quarterbacks with potent offenses with defenses that usually do just enough to get wins.  Would most likely be a high-scoring and entertaining game.

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
OH MAN.  This rivalry would be renewed with a Super Bowl matchup.  This would be a dream matchup for NBC.  Many are dreaming of this potential matchup.  The history behind these two franchises would be the main storyline.

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
This would be the John Fox Bowl, the Denver coach having previously coached Carolina.  However, I don't see this matchup with Denver happening, either, but anything's possible.  Peyton Manning would be facing another athletic African American quarterback who comes with a strong running game and a solid defense.  Would Manning lose again?

(1) New England Patriots vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Tom Brady would need to shake his Arizona demons... against Arizona.  Arizona would probably be underdogs in their own stadium.  Bruce Arians would be a coaching god if he won this matchup.

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
I predicted this matchup at the start of the season, and I'm sticking to it (sort of).  It's a real possibility.  It would be the matchup of the QB's from the 2012 draft class, Luck vs. Wilson (1st overall vs. 75th overall).  Would be a good matchup and the Seahawks SHOULD be favored.

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
This is another dream matchup for NBC, a rematch of Super Bowl XLV.  Many of the same players remain from those teams, including the starting quarterbacks.  The first time they faced off was in an environmentally-controlled arena, and this time would be the same thing. 

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
This is another matchup that NBC would like.  This is a "rematch" of Super Bowl XII, 37 years later.  This game would be very high-scoring (41-38?) and more than likely be close.  Their regular season game in 2013 would be one many would hope this game would be similar to.

(1) New England Patriots vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
This would be a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVIII, with basically only Tom Brady remaining from either of those two teams.  The Patriots would be heavily favored, but the Panthers would give them a fight. 

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Oh boy.  Rematch of Super Bowl XL.  This is a game I would definitely want to see, just so the Hawks could get revenge.  The Hawks are scheduled to host the Steelers next season, so a Super Bowl re-rematch would take place the following season.  Let's just hope for this game Bill Leavy would not be officiating. 

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Rematch of Super Bowl XXXII.  I have dreamed of this Super Bowl matchup again for a long time, because Super Bowl XXXII was the first Super Bowl I ever watched.  These two teams playing against each other look so visually appealing, with red and orange vs. yellow and green.  Another dream matchup for NBC.  If the Hawks can't be in the Super Bowl, THIS is the matchup I would want.

(1) New England Patriots vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Another game for the ages.  Dallas would have a TON of supporters, being much geographically closer to Arizona than New England.  Hard to say who would be favored.  This would be an exciting and close game, for sure.

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Rematch of Super Bowl XLVIII, less than a year later.  Obviously, the Broncos would be seeking revenge.  A Super Bowl rematch hasn't happened the following season since Dallas and Buffalo in 1993 and 1994.  Dallas won both of those games (the first easily, the second sort of easily) and I think the same would happen here.

(1) New England Patriots vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Another dream matchup.  They played in the regular season in Green Bay, with the Packers coming out victorious.  New England would be seeking revenge and without Lambeau to protect the Packers, New England would have a real shot (and probably be favored).  Rematch of Super Bowl XXXI.

(1) New England Patriots vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
This is the matchup many Hawks fans think will happen, are rooting for, or both.  It would be the 2nd straight year the two #1 seeds face each other.  This isn't technically a dream matchup for NBC, but it would be a classic.  I do think the Patriots would put up more of a fight than the Broncos last season, but I see the Hawks coming out on top. 


So there's all the possible Super Bowl matchups.  Which will happen?  We'll find out by the end of January 18, when the conference championship games conclude.  Should be fun to watch.