Who Will Win Super Bowl LIX? Our NFL Playoff Predictions.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year - not Christmas, but the NFL Playoffs! As the new year begins, 14 teams are gearing up for the ultimate race to Super Bowl glory. Let’s dive into the hopes and dreams of these teams and make our predictions on who will be hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy in February.
Wild Card Round
Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans
Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers head to Houston on a three-game winning streak, with quarterback Justin Herbert playing some of the most efficient football in the league. Under Harbaugh’s leadership, the Chargers have embraced a tough, old-school style, favoring a ground-heavy approach with 27+ rushing attempts per game. With JK Dobbins back in action and Ezekiel Elliott added after his release from the Cowboys, expect the Chargers to lean heavily on the run game once more. On the defensive side, the Chargers boast the league's top defense in terms of points allowed per game, surrendering just 17.7 points on average this season. The Houston Texans enter the game as underdogs, a role that may suit them after a season marked by inconsistency. After a promising 10-7 finish with rookie quarterback CJ Stroud last year, many expected a jump in performance this season, but instead, the Texans have stayed steady, recording another 10-7 campaign while Stroud’s numbers have regressed. This matchup is unlikely to be a high-scoring shootout.
Chargers 24 - 16 Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
In an all-AFC North showdown, two teams that split their regular-season series now face off with contrasting trajectories. The Steelers held the division lead for the first 14 weeks, but over the final month, the two teams went in opposite directions. Baltimore closed out the season with four straight wins, while Pittsburgh faltered, losing their last four games and allowing the Ravens to claim the division title. Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, is arguably having the best season of his career, shattering personal records in passing yards and touchdowns despite his reputation as a “running back.” The Ravens’ acquisition of Derrick Henry in free agency has been a game-changer, fueling a dominant rushing attack all season. Both defenses are fairly evenly matched, but the game may ultimately hinge on the offenses, where the Ravens hold a commanding advantage, leading the league with 424.9 scrimmage yards per game. Mike Tomlin continues to earn praise for keeping a less-than-elite Steelers team competitive year after year, but we predict an early playoff exit for Pittsburgh once again.
Steelers 14 - 35 Ravens
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills
Buffalo enters this game as heavy favorites, but the Denver Broncos should not be underestimated. Under Sean Payton’s leadership, the team has had time to adjust to his style, and during the 2024 draft, he may have found his franchise quarterback in Bo Nix. The Broncos’ defense features standout players like shutdown corner Patrick Surtain II and rising star linebacker Nik Bonitto, helping make the unit one of the league’s best. Nix has also breathed new life into Denver’s offense, leading all rookies in passing yards and touchdowns, and helping the Broncos snap their playoff drought. However, their reward for reaching the postseason for the first time since Super Bowl 50 is a tough matchup against the Buffalo Bills in upstate New York. Led by superstar Josh Allen, the Bills have been electrifying this season, securing big wins over both the No. 1 seed Chiefs and the Lions, proving that this Buffalo team might be different from those in the past. While this game could potentially feature an upset, we still expect the Bills to come out on top in what promises to be another thrilling contest.
Broncos 27 - 30 Bills
Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
In the NFC, the Vikings narrowly missed out on the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, settling into the 5th seed and now facing Sean McVay's Rams in Los Angeles. Minnesota entered the season with uncertainty after parting ways with Kirk Cousins, leaving a potential battle between free agent signing Sam Darnold and rookie JJ McCarthy. However, a preseason injury to McCarthy and a career resurgence from Darnold helped propel the Vikings to their best regular-season win total since 1998. Regardless of who’s under center, this offense is loaded with firepower, particularly at receiver with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. With a defense now operating under Brian Flores, the Vikings are a wildcard team hoping for a deep playoff run. As for the Rams, their season has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent play. After starting 1-4, they rebounded to claim the NFC West, but scoring has been a challenge. The Rams’ talent on both sides of the ball is undeniable, and if anyone can get them playoff-ready, it’s Sean McVay. However, with questions about which version of the Rams will show up, the Vikings will aim to leave California with a victory.
Vikings 27 - 17 Rams
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This game may be flying under the radar, but it could end up being the most exciting matchup of the weekend. An electrifying quarterback duel is on tap between rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and seasoned gunslinger Baker Mayfield. After finding a home in Tampa, Mayfield has rewarded the Buccaneers with career highs in both passing yards and touchdowns, finally living up to the expectations that come with being a Heisman winner and the No. 1 overall pick. In one of the most heartwarming moments of the season, wide receiver Mike Evans extended his remarkable streak of 1,000-yard seasons on the final play of the regular season, and now he’s looking to help the Bucs overcome a re-energized Commanders squad. Thanks to the inspiring play of Daniels, Washington has completely turned its season around, becoming one of the most exciting teams in the NFL. With 12 wins, the Commanders have posted their best record since 1991, the year they went on to win the Super Bowl. While a Lombardi trophy may be a bit out of reach this season, Washington has far exceeded expectations, and a first playoff win since 2005 is certainly within their grasp.
Commanders 34 - 31 Buccaneers
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Love and the Packers, travelling to a No.2 seed from the NFC East in the first round of the playoffs - we've seen this script before. However, this Eagles team isn't going to roll over and accept defeat like a certain team did last season. Over the past few years, Philadelphia has assembled one of the NFL's most formidable rosters through stellar drafting, smart free-agent signings, and shrewd trades. The Eagles are primed for another deep playoff run and are considered the biggest challenge for the Detroit Lions. On the other side, the Packers are dealing with injuries on both offense and defense, and those missing pieces could prove costly for an otherwise promising team. Depending on the health of both quarterbacks, the score could swing widely, but with 2,000-yard back Saquon Barkley leading the way, the Eagles should have enough to come out on top.
Packers 21 - 28 Eagles
Divisional Round
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
After defeating the Texans, the Chargers will head to Arrowhead Stadium to face their divisional rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs. What more can be said about the Chiefs? While they haven’t exactly dazzled this season and have lacked the "Big Play Ability" we usually associate with a Patrick Mahomes-led team, they’ve managed to grind out a near-perfect record. A big reason for that success has been their defense, which ranks highly in several key categories. Out of their 15 wins, they allowed 20 or more points only five times. Even though Mahomes' season hasn't reached his typically high standards, he remains a proven winner. The Chargers, riding the momentum from their Wild Card victory, will take heart in the fact that despite losing both regular-season match-ups to the Chiefs, both games were tightly contested, including a two-point loss at Arrowhead in early December. Still, the seasoned playoff performers that are the Chiefs should secure another postseason win, a victory that would allow Mahomes to tie the legendary Joe Montana for second all-time in playoff wins for a quarterback —a remarkable feat for a player in just his seventh season as an NFL starter.
Chargers 14 - 20 Chiefs
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Fueled by MVP front-runners Jackson and Allen, this matchup has all the makings of a heavyweight showdown. Can the Ravens replicate their dominant Week 4 victory over the Bills—a game highlighted by Derrick Henry’s near 200-yard rushing performance and two touchdowns? Or will the Bills, backed by their home crowd, turn the tables and claim redemption? One thing is certain—both teams have spent the past six seasons knocking on the Chiefs’ door for AFC supremacy, and they’ll be eager to take another shot at Kansas City. After Buffalo’s predicted back-and-forth thriller in the Wild Card round, another grueling battle could be on the horizon.
Ravens 35 - 38 Bills
Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are the No. 1 seed in the NFC—a phrase never written until this season. As the only NFC team yet to appear in a Super Bowl, they’ll be aiming to add even more historic milestones to their postseason run. This year, they’ve shown that last season’s success was no fluke. Once defined by losing records and playoff heartbreak, the Lions have transformed into a legitimate powerhouse.Even after losing star defensive end, Aidan Hutchinson, early in the season, Detroit has continued to rise, establishing themselves as one of the NFL’s most dangerous teams. With a talent-packed roster full of playmakers and the advantage of a bye week to rest and prepare, they’ll be a tough team to stop.Head coach Dan Campbell has become the heart and soul of this team, earning admiration from players, fans, and the city alike. Under his leadership, the Lions have achieved back-to-back 12+ win seasons for the first time in franchise history. While the Commanders showed grit in their hard-fought win over the Buccaneers in the last round, facing this surging Lions squad might be a challenge too big for Dan Quinn’s young Washington team.
Commanders 14 - 28 Lions
Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles
The Vikings head to the 'Linc' looking to derail the Eagles’ bid for a return to the NFC Championship Game, setting the stage for an intriguing tactical showdown. Philadelphia boasts the league’s second-best rushing offense, while Minnesota counters with the second-best rushing defense, promising a fierce battle in the trenches. Beyond the ground game, this match-up is loaded with star power at wide receiver, making the aerial attacks equally crucial. The Eagles’ rookie cornerback duo could play a pivotal role in deciding the outcome as they face the daunting task of containing Jefferson and Addison. If they can rise to the challenge, Philadelphia will have a strong chance of emerging victorious.
Vikings 20 - 23 Eagles
Conference Championships
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs
This matchup tells the story of two franchises and two quarterbacks who have defined the NFL landscape over the past decade. In the regular season, Josh Allen has led his Bills to an impressive 4-1 record against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. However, the playoffs have been a different story, with Kansas City emerging victorious in all three postseason meetings. Whenever these two teams clash, it’s must-watch television and this showdown would be no exception. With so much at stake - the Bills determined to finally overcome their playoff nemesis and reach their first Super Bowl since the 1990s, and the Chiefs chasing history with a shot at an unprecedented three-peat - this is a game no fan would want to miss.
Bills 31 - 27 Chiefs
Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions
The Eagles and Lions share several similarities, both boast talented young cores and star power across their rosters. They match up evenly in most areas, and games like this often come down to two key factors: quarterback play and coaching. In these departments, the Lions might have a slight edge as they aim to guide Detroit to its first Super Bowl appearance. Expect a tightly contested battle where a single play could be the difference-maker.
Eagles 24 - 27 Lions
Super Bowl LIX
Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions
After all this playoff prediction fun, what better way to cap it off than with two teams vying for their first-ever Lombardi Trophy? In this scenario, Buffalo has battled through a gauntlet of high-scoring, nail-biting games and will look to ride that momentum to victory. Meanwhile, representing the NFC, the Lions will be eager to avenge their regular-season loss to the Bills - a game that showcased peak offensive prowess, with both teams combining for 90 points and 1,080 yards, the highest-scoring match-up of the season. The Super Bowl points record stands at 75, set in Super Bowl XXIX when the 49ers routed the Chargers. While it’s hard to imagine this year’s game surpassing that mark, neutral fans can certainly hope for another offensive spectacle. No matter the outcome, football will be the ultimate winner, and for one of these franchises, capturing their first Super Bowl title will etch their players and coaches names into NFL history forever.
Bills 28 - 24 Lions