The Cavalier’s 2022 NFL Playoff Predictions

The NFL regular season has come to a close and the playoff bracket has been finalized. It is now time to predict how the bracket will play out and who will win the Super Bowl come February. Here are my predictions: 

AFC Wild Card: 

(6) Patriots at (3) Bills: These two teams have had two meetings recently, with them splitting the two games. When the Patriots beat the Bills, there were large gusts of wind that prevented either team from throwing the ball, which hurt the Bills’ offense that is centered around Josh Allen. There should not be anything preventing him from throwing the ball downfield this weekend, so I like the Bills to win at home. Prediction: Bills 31. Patriots 20. 

(5) Raiders at (4) Bengals: The Bengals are seeking their first playoff win since 1991, and both starting quarterbacks will be making their playoff debuts. Road playoff wins are hard to come by, but I think the Raiders will be able to sneak out of Cincinnati with a win just like they have in many other important games this season. Prediction: Raiders 27. Bengals 24. 

(7) Steelers at (2) Chiefs: The last time these two teams met, The Chiefs destroyed the Steelers with a quarter of Tyreek Hill and no Travis Kelce. Expect a lopsided game and the possibility of Chad Henne getting some garbage time snaps. Prediction: Chiefs 41. Steelers 9. 

NFC Wild Card: 

(7) Eagles at (2) Buccaneers: Young quarterbacks often have a hard time playing against Tom Brady in the playoffs, but I expect Jalen Hurts to overperform his expectations and stay competitive with Brady and the Bucs. I like the Bucs by 10. Prediction: Buccaneers 31. Eagles 21. 

(6) 49ers at (3) Cowboys: The Cowboys’ offense has been absolutely on fire down the stretch and I expect them to continue high-scoring play against the 49er’s defense. Jimmy G will struggle against Dallas’ elite defense. Prediction: Cowboys 34. 49ers 20. 

(5) Cardinals at (4) Rams: The Rams lost in Week 18 in a shootout with the 49ers, and I believe their offense will continue to torch secondaries. Kyler Murray will struggle against an elite Rams pass rush and have no downfield weapons with Deandre Hopkins injured. Prediction: Rams 27. Cardinals 10. 

AFC Divisional: 

(5) Raiders at (1) Titans: Tennessee earning the bye week may allow them to have Derrick Henry back for their first playoff game. However, I don’t think it matters as the Titans are clearly the better team in this matchup. Prediction: Titans 24. Raiders 13. 

(3) Bills at (2) Chiefs: A rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game. The Chiefs got the upper hand last year after an amazing game from Mahomes and Hill. The same result repeats as the Chiefs advance to their fourth straight AFC Championship. Prediction:  Chiefs 34. Bills 27.  

NFC Divisional: 

(4) Rams at (1) Packers: A playoff rematch of Davante Adams and Jalen Ramsey once again headlines this matchup. But once again Adams is able to force himself open and create problems for Ramsey and the Rams defense as they fall to the Packers in the Divisional Round. Prediction: Packers 28. Rams 13. 

(3) Cowboys at (2) Buccaneers: As we saw in Week 1, these two offenses have the opportunity every week to light up the scoreboard. In the highest-scoring game of the playoffs, the Cowboys are able to avenge their Week 1 loss to the Bucs and send Brady home. Prediction: Cowboys 38. Buccaneers 35.  

AFC Championship: 

(2) Chiefs at (1) Titans: The Titans have an opportunity to advance to their first Super Bowl since 1999 at home in front of their fans. However, Mahomes quickly derails that opportunity as the AFC Championship game does not stay competitive for long. Prediction: Chiefs 34. Titans 10. 

NFC Championship 

(3) Cowboys at (1) Packers: The Packers have sent the Cowboys home in heartbreaking fashion in two of their most recent playoff appearances, but the NFC Championship has been the ending point of Aaron Rodgers’ led teams in the past. Rodgers gets over the hump and advances to the Super Bowl. Prediction: Packers 28. Cowboys 17. 

Super Bowl 

(2) Chiefs vs (1) Packers: The two best quarterbacks in the league matchup in America’s biggest game. Mahomes has played in more Super Bowls as of late, but Rodgers uses his playoff experience to win his second Super Bowl title. Rodgers is crowned Super Bowl MVP that night and in the coming weeks is also given the NFL MVP award. Prediction: Packers 31. Chiefs 27.