Ralph Vacchiano
NFL reporter
The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions have regarded all season as in the event that they have been on a collision course for Super Bowl LIX. And, in fact, the Chiefs would first should beat the Buffalo Bills in what was certain to be an epic AFC championship recreation.
It’s what many predicted earlier than the beginning of the common season. It’s what the whole NFL world appears to count on.
Yawn.
When was the final time the NFL playoffs performed out precisely as everybody anticipated? When was the final time the very best common season groups ended up within the Super Bowl? When was the final time the postseason was fully predictable? (Note: Don’t take note of 2022).
It is healthier to disregard the “chalk” predictions, as a result of nobody actually desires it. What makes the NFL playoffs so thrilling is after we count on the sudden. It’s the up-and-coming racing groups that actually deliver the thrill. The shocking stars, the stunning performs, the highly effective underdogs – that is what makes the playoffs nice.
So, with that in thoughts, put the chalk again within the field and put together for surprises, like these 5 daring predictions for the NFL playoffs that I assure will come true:
1. Regime change
The Kansas City Chiefs will NOT attain the Super Bowl this yr.
It’s solely occurred as soon as within the final 5 years, however it is going to occur once more. This will be the most weak 15-2 workforce in NFL historical past. They’ve been taking part in with hearth all season. The incontrovertible fact that 11 of their 15 wins have been by one rating or much less exhibits how shut they have been to 4-13 as an alternative. I imply, they do not also have a Pro Bowl quarterback anymore.
They’re fortunate to be within the AFC and never should dwell in, say, the NFC North this season. But the AFC playoffs will proceed to offer them with some challenges. Odds are they may make it to the AFC Championship recreation as they solely want one measly win to get there. But that is the place their reign will finish. They will seemingly face the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills. Both are able to ending the Chiefs dynasty as soon as and for all.
Or no less than till subsequent yr.
2. Midnight in Minnesota
It’s becoming that the Minnesota Vikings’ first playoff recreation ends round midnight on Monday (no less than Eastern time), as a result of that is when Sam Darnold’s Cinderella season will finish and he’ll flip right into a pumpkin once more. The Vikings might have gone 14-3 this season and clinched the highest seed within the NFC, however they may lose their first-round recreation in Los Angeles to the Rams.
The seeds have been planted Sunday evening in Detroit when Darnold, in arguably the largest second of his profession, performed his worst recreation for the reason that well-known “seeing ghosts” recreation when he was with the Jets. He accomplished 43.9% of his passes and truthfully, if his receivers hadn’t stored bailing him out, that share would have been within the low 30s.
Rams coach Sean McVay will ensure that his defensive coordinator, Chris Shula, goes to highschool on that movie and finds a solution to get the phantom blitzes coming. Darnold is having a unbelievable season – an MVP yr – however he hasn’t all of a sudden was Patrick Mahomes (pre-2024 Mahomes, that’s). He’s nonetheless a restricted quarterback. And in a giant recreation – his first playoff recreation as a starter – we’ll all see why.
3. A command efficiency
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will lead the Commanders to the franchise’s first playoff win in 19 years.
He’s normally a reasonably protected wager to choose in opposition to rookie quarterbacks within the NFL playoffs. They typically do not fare properly or do not get very far. In truth, solely 5 have led a workforce to a convention championship, and none have ever even reached a Super Bowl as a starter. Daniels most likely will not be the primary within the Super Bowl, however I do not rule out that convention championship recreation.
At the very least, he’ll proceed his excellent common season with a stellar efficiency in a win at Tampa on Sunday evening. Bucs coach Todd Bowles is understood for inventive defensive schemes that may confuse younger quarterbacks, however Daniels has actually grown past that. Not solely is he nice at making the suitable reads, however he’s additionally good at improvising outdoors of the pocket. He’s already one of many 5 finest two-way quarterbacks within the recreation.
That can be sufficient for no less than one win. And do not be shocked if he scares the Lions within the divisional spherical, too.
4a. Invoices are all the time due
When the Buffalo Bills lose – and they’re going to lose – it is going to be in heartbreaking style. At some level within the recreation, their followers will see the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel. Victory will appear inside attain. They may even look forward and see a transparent path to that elusive championship. And then both a gust of wind will push their game-winning discipline purpose just a bit additional, or their opponent will discover a solution to go 99 yards in 14 seconds for a game-winning landing, or possibly…
…You know what? This occurs to the Bills on a regular basis. Everyone in Western New York expects it. And I did not say “chalk” predictions, so let me strive quantity 4 once more.
4b. Harbaugh bowl, 2.0
Did you want the primary Harbaugh Bowl in Super Bowl XLVII? Did you study all the things you ever needed to find out about their prolonged household then? Well, it has been 11 years and a variety of these tales have been overshadowed by the blackout on the Superdome that evening, so it is most likely time all of us bought a refresher course on the First Family of Football (teaching division).
John’s Ravens and Jim’s Chargers (wait, possibly that is reversed?…no, that is right) will meet within the AFC championship recreation. It will not be simple. John’s Ravens must win a division recreation away in Buffalo, whereas Jim’s Chargers must defeat the two-time defending champion Chiefs in Kansas City. But they may, as a result of who does it higher than Harbaugh? Right. Nobody.
The Ravens even have a workforce completely constructed to win in Buffalo, with a punishing working recreation that may work even within the snow. The Chargers have the hardest process, however whereas they’ve misplaced to the Chiefs twice this season, each have been one-score video games: 17-10 and 19-17. There’s little question that the third time might be a allure.
As far as Harbaugh is worried he would be the winner… Well, John received the Super Bowl and household bragging rights a few years in the past.
5. As I instructed you this summer season… Eagles-Ravens at LIX.
I wasn’t incorrect then and I’m not incorrect now. Super Bowl LIX will function the Baltimore Ravens and the Philadelphia Eagles, with the Ravens successful, 27-24.
After the Ravens beat the Chargers within the AFC Championship Game and the Eagles beat the Lions within the NFC Championship Game, New Orleans will put together for groups led by the 2 finest working backs in soccer. And after a yr of debate concerning the true worth of working backs and whether or not it is good to pay them, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry will take heart stage.
In truth, they may even dominate the sport. They will mix for greater than 400 yards and 4 dashing touchdowns. The Ravens would even shut out the sport with a nine-minute, time-consuming drive stuffed with nothing however Henry working. When that is throughout, Henry may have extra dashing yards than Lamar Jackson may have passing, however Jackson will nonetheless win MVP as a result of everyone knows that is a quarterback award.
Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He spent the earlier six years overlaying the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York and, earlier than that, 16 years of overlaying the Giants and NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.
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