2025 NFL Conference Championships

 

Last weekend I went 4 for 4, making up for my dismal performance in the Wildcard Round. I do wish the Bears’ game had a different outcome but this season leaves me looking forward to the 2026 draft and to the upcoming season. In the meantime, we have the conference championships and I think our next to last Sunday of NFL football will be another good one. Here’s how I think things will play out:

New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos

Sunday 3:00PM on CBS

At the end of the Broncos game, I felt like they were well on their way to Super Bowl LX. And then I heard the news that Bo Nix will be out for the rest of the playoffs. So, the Broncos now look to their backup quarterback, Jarrett Stidham, and I’m not sure what to expect from their offense this Sunday. But then, of late the Patriots’ offense has been playing like they have a backup behind center. I think this one will come down to the defenses. For the Broncos to win, they will need to force multiple turnovers. I just don’t think they will be able to do enough, and I give a slight edge to the Patriots’ defense. The Patriots win the AFC:

Patriots 20 Broncos 13

Los Angeles Rams vs. Seatle Seahawks

Sunday 6:30PM on Fox

Division rivals face off in the NFC championship game. These teams split their regular season match ups. This one is simple as it comes down to Sam Darnold. Darnold does not have to have a spectacular game, but he does have to protect the football. Points will be at a premium for both teams and turnovers will be tough to overcome. I think Darnold is up to the challenge. I also think the Seahawks D-line will put pressure on Stafford, making up for what they didn’t do in their two regular season games. I think the Seahawks win once again at home and become NFC champs:

Seahawks 17 Rams 14

2025 NFL Divisional Round

 

Last weekend my picks were way off, nothing short of embarrassing, but I did say that I expected a lot of surprises during this year’s playoffs. I’m glad that I was wrong about one of my picks as the team I grew up watching, the Bears, was able to beat their longtime rivals and will host another playoff game this weekend. What will the divisional round look like? Here’s what I think:

Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos

Saturday 4:30PM on CBS

Coming off the bye, the Broncos are at home against the Bills, whom I picked against in the first round. I underestimated the Bills receivers which came up big last week but this week they face an even tougher secondary which will be helped by a good pass rush. The Bills will also bring a good defense with a secondary that is more than able to trouble a Broncos offense which at times seems to misfire and I think that will be the key. Will the Broncos offense be able to play up to par? I think the Broncos will be able to run the ball against the Bills defense and the Broncos defense will be able to hold up against a determined Bills team. The Broncos move on:

Broncos 21 Bills 20

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seatle Seahawks

Saturday 8:00PM on Fox

I saw a lot of unhappy passengers on my train ride to work this past Monday and I have been avoiding sports talk radio here in Philadelphia as I can just imagine what the conversations have sounded like. The 49ers came here and proved that they were the better team. Now they head up to Seattle where they will try to get a win against the #1 seed. I think the play calling for the Seahawks will be better than what the Niners saw last week and this will be a case where the differences in the defenses will be on display. The Seahawks will need to protect the ball as the Niners will need to force turnovers if they hope to win. I think the Seahawks win at home.

Seahawks 17 49ers 14

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots

Sunday 3:00PM on ESPN

I picked against the Texans last week, which was a mistake and I suspect this is a 5^th seed that nobody wants to face. Their defense is for real and will pose yet another tough challenge for Drake Maye and the Patriots offense. I think this will be a low scoring affair and like so many of last week’s games, it will come down to the final drive. I also think the Patriots will move on with a chance to prove themselves against the #1 seed.

Patriots 13 Texans 10

Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears

Sunday 6:30PM on NBC

I feel like I should wait until the 2:00 warning to pick this one. I will not be shocked if the Bears are playing from behind once again and I’ll be pleasantly surprised if the Bears once again come back. I hope I’m wrong again this week, but I think this is the end of the line. This Rams team will put points on the board as will the Bears offense. This time though, I think the Rams will put the Bear in a hole that is just too deep to climb out of. The Rams will get another shot at one of their division rivals.

Rams 35 Bears 21

I’m not sure if this weekend will be able to top last weekend when it comes to exciting games, but it will come close. Hopefully, my Bears surprise me once again. What are your thoughts?

 

2025 NFL Wildcard Weekend

 

The 2025 NFL season was full of surprises and I suspect the playoffs will be more of the same. This is a situation where the saying, “anything can happen in the playoffs,” applies and I think 10 of the 14 teams have a legitimate shot at winning it all. The first step in doing so for twelve of those teams comes this weekend in the Wildcard round. Which teams will survive and play in the next round? Here’s what I think:

Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers

Saturday 4:30PM on Fox

By virtue of winning their division the Panthers get a home playoff game, coming in as the 4 seed in the AFC. In most years the 4-5 matchup is unpredictable, but I don’t think that will be the case in this game. Yes, I know that the Panthers beat the Rams back in November, but this is one time when I don’t think you can apply much from that previous game. The Rams come in ranked #1 in points per game and yards per game. On defense the Rams are 7^th in total number of sacks by the defense and 5^th in turnover differential. Unlike their previous game, I think there is just too much for the Panther to overcome. The Rams move on:

Rams 35 Panthers 14

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

Saturday 8:00PM on Prime

I grew up watching the Bears, suffering through several bad years. So, I thoroughly enjoyed watching them win the NFC North this season. I especially enjoyed the come from behind overtime win against the Packers. Unfortunately, (and it pains me to say it) I think the fun ends this weekend. I think that both offenses put on a show this weekend. Can the Bears force any turnovers? They will need to do so if they are going to win. While statistically the Bears are better on paper, I fear the Packers will be better this weekend.

Packers 31 Bears 28

Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Sunday 1:00PM on CBS

The Jaguars might be the best team in the league right now even though it seems as if nobody is talking about them. The fact that they went into the last week of the season with a chance of earning the #1 seed was just plain shocking. But this week they face Josh Allen and the Bills, who go into this year’s playoffs without having to face their number one stumbling block. While the Bills seem to have a slight statistical edge going into this game, I think they are a very good two-man team with both of those men being on offense. They will face a Jaguars team which has just enough firepower to stand toe to toe with the Bills, perhaps even pulling off the win.

Jaguars 35 Bills 28

San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Sunday 4:30PM on Fox

The defending champions take the field at home against one of the best offenses in the league. The Eagles bring an offense that is best described as inconsistent, often playing one good half of a game and then sleepwalking during the other. Here in Philly this has caused quite a bit of concern, leaving everyone scratching their heads and wondering what is wrong. On the other side of the ball, the Niners bring a defense which has also been inconsistent. I think the Eagles’ offense will do enough to give them a chance, but it will be their defense that wins this game.

Eagles 21 49ers 13

Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots

Sunday 8:00PM on NBC

If you had told me at the start of the season that the Patriots would win the AFC East, I would have asked how many games is Josh Allen going to miss. The Patriots have proven to be a legitimate contender and they come into this one equally matched with a good Chargers team. This might be the best match up of the weekend, worthy of its primetime slot. I think the key to this game will be the Chargers defensive line. Can they put pressure on Drake Maye and how will he respond? I think Maye will be just fine, leading his team to a home win.

Patriots 13 Chargers 9

Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Monday 8:15PM on ESPN

The Steelers get D. K. Metcalf back this weekend and I think we will see a different team than the one that played in the last two games of the season and against the Texans’ defense, the Steelers will need Metcalf, Warren and Rodgers to have a big game. This is a tough one to pick: another 4-5 match up where the teams seem evenly matched. When I first looked at this game, I picked the Steelers but as we are getting closer to game time, I find myself starting to have doubts. For now, I am sticking with my original thoughts.

Steelers 10 Texans 7

This should really be a fun weekend. Hopefully, my Bears surprise me and move forward along with the Eagles. What are your thoughts?