The 2025 NFL Playoffs are upon us, and sadly, the New Orleans Saints are as soon as once more not amongst this 12 months’s playoff area. Even with out the Saints within the playoffs this 12 months, there are fairly just a few gamers to root for, and groups to root towards. We definitely have some attention-grabbing matchups this weekend, so let’s check out every sport in addition to which groups can be transferring on to the Divisional Spherical subsequent weekend.
Final week I went 8-8
I advised you so: Lions over Vikings!
What do I do know: Falcons over Panthers?
AFC – #5 Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at #4 Houston Texans (10-7)
Saturday, January eleventh – 3:30pm CST – CBS
Houston hosts their second-straight Wild Card sport, however in contrast to final 12 months, they arrive into this one struggling. Final 12 months’s Texans gained 3 of their final 4 earlier than they smashed Cleveland within the Wild Card, however these Texans are coming into this showdown having misplaced 2 of their final 3, each of these losses towards the AFC’s elite, however the losses had been obvious. That is the prospect for Houston to show they belong in that elite, however the Chargers try to show the identical.
The final time we noticed the Chargers within the Wild Card, towards the AFC South champs at the moment as properly, it ended with them blowing the sport in historic vogue. Happily for LA, that was below a special teaching regime. Now, Justin Herbert and the Bolts can change the narrative with Jim Harbaugh on the helm within the playoffs. This can be a defensive affair, with the Chargers protection making the large stops crucial ultimately to take this narrative-shifting win on the highway. Los Angeles wins 23-20.
Decide: Chargers
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AFC – #6 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at #3 Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
Saturday, January eleventh – 7:00pm CST – Prime Video
Two of essentially the most bitter division rivals within the NFL assembly within the playoffs makes for must-see TV, however the truth this sport can be on a subscription-based service might preserve some from seeing one other epic chapter on this rivalry. These groups break up the season collection, with Baltimore successful the latest matchup at dwelling three weeks in the past. That one might have been decidedly within the dwelling group’s favor, however this one would be the better of the three.
Protection once more wins the day on this matchup as properly, as this may definitely be one of many hardest-hitting video games of Wild Card weekend. In the end, Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the dynamic Ravens dashing assault will make the performs wanted to deliver the win dwelling for the Ravens over their arch-rivals. Baltimore wins 24-20.
Decide: Ravens
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AFC – #7 Denver Broncos (10-7) at #2 Buffalo Bills (13-4)
Sunday, January twelfth – 12:00pm CST – CBS
This must be a really shut Wild Card playoff spherical throughout the board, apart from this sport. Denver will not come into this sport in awe of, or afraid of Buffalo, however they’ll are available outclassed roster to roster, participant to participant. Sean Payton has carried out quite a bit with a bit of this season, and so they definitely earned their playoff spot, however Buffalo is presently on one other degree.
Sean Payton’s rookie quarterback Bo Nix will battle towards an underrated Buffalo defensive unit. Josh Allen and the offense get all of the credit score, and deservedly so, however their protection will present Denver that they’re up-to-the-minute on this one. Buffalo’s steadiness on offense led by Josh Allen, would be the largest issue to victory for the house group, who can be sending the group dwelling glad, whereas sending themselves to the Divisional spherical as soon as once more. Buffalo wins 31-19.
Decide: Payments
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NFC – #7 Inexperienced Bay Packers (11-6) at #2 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
Sunday, January twelfth – 3:30pm CST – FOX
This can be a rematch of their thrilling season opener in Brazil, and very like that sport, this can be a detailed matchup. Not like final 12 months’s bloodbath of Dallas within the Wild Card spherical, Inexperienced Bay will face a lot stiffer competitors in Philly. The Pack have not been their hottest over the previous few weeks, however they’ve the expertise and training to show it on when they should, however in the end Philly could also be on one other degree right here.
Will probably be the dominant Philly protection making the essential stops towards Jordan Love down the stretch coupled with Saquon Barkley controlling the sport on the bottom that make all of the distinction ultimately. Prefer it or not, the Eagles begin their run to the NFC title right here. Philadelphia wins 28-25.
Decide: Eagles
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NFC – #6 Washington Commanders(12-5) at #3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers(10-7)
Sunday, January twelfth – 7:00pm CST – NBC
This is also one other rematch of the opening week of this season, one which noticed Tampa beat this new-look Commanders group at dwelling. It could have been a loss to open the season for Washington, but it surely turned out to be the start of higher occasions for the franchise. Washington is unquestionably among the finest tales within the NFL this previous season, a downtrodden franchise who had been all however forgotten for a very long time, in seek for a lightweight at the hours of darkness. That mild got here within the type of rookie standout quarterback Jayden Daniels and a brand new teaching regime to help him.
Tampa Bay has been on an absolute tear since their bye week, going 6-1 over that stretch, together with a 40-17 drubbing of fellow Wild Card contenders, the Chargers. Tampa is probably not essentially the most feared or most revered group within the NFC’s Wild Card area, however they’re definitely some of the harmful. Jayden Daniels will present the flashes of his shining star in his playoff debut, however it is going to be Baker Mayfield who shines the brightest, as Tampa’s passing assault outlasts their counterparts from Washington. Tampa Bay wins 30-24.
Decide: Buccaneers
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NFC – #5 Minnesota Vikings (14-3) at #4 Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
Monday, January thirteenth – 7:00pm CST – ESPN
Final Sunday Night time, with every part on the road for the Vikings, Minnesota failed spectacularly, in a loss that will properly ship reverberations by means of the group. Minnesota could have quite a bit to show on this one, led by Justin Jefferson, who will put the Vikings on his again whereas severely testing the Rams protection. The Vikings might have misplaced their likelihood on the simpler path within the NFC, however generally the more durable path makes for more durable groups.
The Rams gained a remarkably turbulent NFC West this season, qualifying for the playoffs for the fourth time over the previous 5 seasons. Very like Tampa, the Rams is probably not essentially the most feared group within the NFC playoff area, however they too are some of the harmful. The Rams are rolling into the playoffs, going 5-1 to finish the season, and so they have the teaching and willpower to maintain that roll going. This one will come right down to a game-winning area aim by the house group. Los Angeles wins 24-23.
Decide: Rams
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Let’s see what the Wild Card spherical has in retailer. Right here’s to an entertaining playoff weekend. Depart us your picks, feedback, and perception beneath!
