Wild Card Predictions for 2024 NFL Playoffs

  

        After a hard fought season filled with many highs and lows from a multitude of injuries to teams finding their identities, fourteen teams remain fighting to hoist the Lombardi trophy and etch their names in the history book. With that being said, here are my predictions for the Wild Card round of the 2024 playoffs.

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans:

Earlier this season the Browns dominated the C.J. Stroud-less and injury riddled Texans. However, this time around the Texans are much healthier. Both teams fought hard this season battling through much adversity and are both deserving of a playoff win to show for their efforts. However, I think the experience that Joe Flacco has and the methodical mind of Kevin Steffanski take the edge and beat the young up-and-coming Houston Texans. As much as I want to see Houston go on a Cinderella run, this Cleveland team is too well-rounded, well-coached, and experienced for them to lose this early in the playoffs.

Score Prediction:

Cleveland Browns wins 27-23

Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs:

The reigning Super Bowl champs are set to face off a depleted Dolphins team. Although I do not think the Chiefs are good this year offensively, their defense will come up big and carry them to a win. The Dolphins heavily rely on Tyreek Hill in the passing game and if there is one team that knows how to stop the seemingly unstoppable playmaker, it is his former team, the Chiefs. Andy Reid’s defense currently ranks fourth in yards allowed in the passing game at 176.5 yards per game. Not to mention the weather of the game is supposed to be less than zero degrees Fahrenheit which will certainly impact the passing game too. Patrick Mahomes has never not made it past the wild card round in his career and I don’t think that will happen this year especially playing in Arrowhead Stadium with the best home atmosphere in the NFL.

Score Prediction:

Kansas City Chiefs win 17-13

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills:

The Steelers squeaked into that final number seven spot with some help, but I don’t see them lasting long. Mason Rudolph has done everything right since he has taken over as the starter, but I think the Bills are simply a better all around team and will win. The Steelers are also without their best player and NFL sack leader, TJ Watt, which minimizes any chance that they do have to win this ball game. With Mike Tomlin as head coach and poor weather conditions, you never know what can happen, although I do think Josh Allen and company are just the better team on all sides of the ball and are more motivated than ever to make a run to win the Super Bowl. 

Score Prediction:

Buffalo Bills win 24-14

Green Bay Packer at Dallas Cowboys:

Both teams are playing high level football right now and this game will be closer than most think. The two teams are well coached and have quarterbacks that are coming off of career high regular seasons. That said, I have Dallas winning. Dak Prescott is having an MVP caliber season and the defense has played like the best in the league at times. They have playmakers on offense, defense, and special teams and pose a threat to turn the game their way at any given point making them one of the most dangerous teams to face off in the league and I don’t think the Packers have the talent and experience to pull off an upset. The Packers have been impressive and shown they can compete with anyone, but to have a young quarterback go into Dallas and beat a red hot “America’s Team” that has one of the top defenses in the league is a lot to ask and I don’t see that happening.

Score Prediction:

Dallas Cowboys win 38-30

Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions:

The Matthew Stafford homecoming and the Jared Goff revenge game are deservedly getting lots of hype. Aside from the full-circle moment storylines in this game, both teams are great and have two of the smartest and most resilient coaches in the game. It is going to be a dramatic battle. Everyone is rooting for the Lions to be victorious following this matchup as they haven’t tasted hope of winning a Super Bowl due to the lack of success of getting to the postseason and then winning in the postseason on the rare occasion that they make it there in the first place. I unfortunately don’t see that trend stopping as I think the Rams will edge out Detroit in dramatic fashion. Dan Campbell’s aggressiveness won’t be able to match Sean McVay’s strategic play style. Whenever a Sean McVay team makes it to the playoffs they usually kick into a second gear and make a run in the playoffs and I fully expect that with this team.

Score Prediction:

Los Angeles Rams win 24-23

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

The Eagles and Buccaneers is a toss up. Although the past two games weren’t pretty, they have momentum of winning the NFC South division on their side while the Philadelphia Eagles have fumbled the number one seed and divisional title by losing an unprecedented five out of their last six games after beginning with a 10-1 record. The Eagles are at an all-time low even though they have the five seed. For some reason though, I have a gut feeling that the Eagles come out hot and perform like the team they were in the first half of the season even without star receiver AJ Brown. Hurts and the rest of the team have a chip on their shoulder and I think the team will start to click again at the right time and move to the next round of the playoffs after this game.

Score prediction:

Philadelphia Eagles win 28-24

        The playoffs are a new season and an opportunity to take part in history. Anything can happen when the best of the best clash especially with external factors such as weather conditions, injured players, and even missed calls by the officials. Which wild card team do you think can make the most noise in a deep playoff run?