NFL: Predicting the Playoff Picture in the AFC
By Julian Cordova
The start of the 2024 NFL season is right around the corner. In the next 18 weeks, we will experience 32 teams duke it out for a chance at the Lombardi trophy. But to even have a shot at the big game in New Orleans, you must make the playoffs. A quick refresher:
There are 32 teams in the NFL; 16 in both conferences. Of these 32 teams, only 14 make the playoffs, 7 from each conference. To make the playoffs you need to do the following:
1. Win your division
Or
2. Have a top 3 record among the 12 teams that did not win their division
So how will the playoffs end up looking in 2025? Let’s look at how the NFC may play out this year in my predictions.
The Conference Winner
(1) Detroit Lions: 13-4 (3-3)
The Lions were one-half away from reaching their first Super Bowl last year. Their off-season should make Detroit even more hopeful after adding Kevin Zeitler, DJ Reader, and Carlton Davis. In my predictions this year, not only do I have the Lions winning the NFC, but I have them winning more games than any other team in the NFL this year. What an interesting time to be alive. Buy Goff and Amon-Ra stock.
The Division Winners
(2) San Francisco 49ers: 11-6 (5-1)
These guys ain’t going anywhere. The 49ers have a strong argument as the scariest roster in the league. While 11 wins may seem low, they have a rough schedule this year, and I do believe all of the off-season drama with Aiyuk and Williams will affect the offense in some way. I’m also not a huge fan of the moves they’ve made on defense whether it be downgrading at EDGE, a poor plan at LB, or the coaching, I think the 49ers may have a little lull of a season.
(3) Philadelphia Eagles: 11-6 (4-2)
Philadelphia, on a good day, could legitimately be the Super Bowl favorites. They have superstar talent across the board, great coaches, and could feature one of the best running games we’ve ever seen. Saquon behind that OL is like a well it’s a top 3 talented RB in the league behind a top 3 (arguably 1) OL- make your similes. This will also obviously benefit Jalen Hurts extremely well. So why do I have the Eagles losing 6 games? Well: it’s a pure projection. My one big hesitation with this Eagles team is Nick Sirianni and his grasp on the locker room. A team can be as talented as they want, but if there is a disconnect between the HC and his players, you can only go so far. I believe we saw that last year and I’m projecting it again. Should it not happen, I may pick this team to go all the way come playoff time.
(4) Atlanta Falcons: 10-7 (3-3)
Kirk Cousins was the trophy of free agency. Atlanta seemingly agreed as they had to tamper to land him. Jokes and jabs aside, I’m excited to see this new-look Falcons offense. I think there is a common misconception of what Arthur Smith’s offense is; it isn’t a poorly schemed offense that can’t execute. It just wasn’t designed to benefit the likes of any 3 of the star Atlanta offensive weapons. That will certainly change under this McVay-inspired/copy-pasted offense. I also like Raheem Morris as the lead man of this team. I don’t think this is an overhyped team and I think they’re the best team in the NFC South by a reasonable gap.
The Wildcards
(5) Dallas Cowboys: 10-7 (5-1)
The Dallas Cowboys. It’s a sentence within itself. Always something to talk about with the boys. What are we talking about this year? Eh, probably 10 or 11 wins. I don’t see this as a Cowboys team that is in store to exceed or underperform expectations. We know that they’re good enough to make the playoffs. We know that the Cowboys can beat good teams. The question is, has been, and will continue to be: can Dak keep his composure? He’s had a couple of good playoff games but in his other 5 games, he’s either played poorly or made some bad mistakes. Will that change this year?
(6) Green Bay Packers: 10-7 (2-4)
The Packers are in a limbo that will only be concluded by the start of the season. They’re similar to the Eagles where if all goes right, the sky is the limit. I expect there to be growing pains at least to start the season. The new defense could take off but it will take time under new DC Jeff Hafley. I also think the Packers will find a clear WR1 this season but that may take time as well. Jordan Love could take off into the stratosphere this year, but I’d also bet on that to take time. Is there any guarantee that all 3 of those things happen this year? I feel this is a team that may struggle in the regular season, but when it gets to the postseason…
(7) Los Angeles Rams: 9-8 (3-3)
The Rams could have the best offense of any team in the playoffs. Barring any major developments throughout the season or an Aaron Donald unretirement, they’ll also probably have the worst defense in the playoffs. This is a team that is simply battling to get into the postseason because once they’re in, they can go on a run and beat anyone with that dangerous McVay offense. They sneak into the playoffs as the 7 seed as the only NFC team with a 9-8 record.
Just Missed Out
(8) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9 (3-3)
(9) Seattle Seahawks: 8-9 (2-4)
(10) Chicago Bears: 8-9 (3-3)
So with the top 7 teams decided, let’s take a quick look at what the NFC playoffs would look like.
Wildcard Round
(7) LA Rams @ (2) SF 49ers
(6) GB Packers @ (3) PHI Eagles
(5) DAL Cowboys @ (4) ATL Falcons
Starting with an interesting NFC West matchup, as I said, the Rams just want to give themselves a chance to go on a run. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen as they run into their older brothers in the Wildcard, I’m going SF at home here. We have a rematch from week 1, except instead of Brazil where it’s a Packers home game, they’re in Philly this time. I also feel there are fewer questions about the Eagles, so I’m gonna lean Eagles. Then, Dallas will continue their playoff woes against a Falcons team that will have an extremely loud crowd cheering them to their first playoff win in 7 years.
Divisional Round
(4) ATL Falcons @ (1) DET Lions
(3) PHI Eagles @ (2) SF 49ers
The Falcons can have their fun for a week, the Lions are way too good of a team coming off a week of rest–in Detroit–give me the Lions. The more interesting game is an absolute headliner with the 3-seeded Eagles heading to 2-seeded San Francisco. I was going to pick the 9ers, but I guess I’m just a sucker for how good that run game will be. I’m genuinely so excited to see how Saquon will look back there–give me Philly in the Divisional.
NFC Championship
(3) PHI Eagles @ (1) DET Lions
I like this matchup. It would be a fantastic game of 2 offensive juggernauts, for completely different reasons, with very capable defenses facing off for a chance at an illustrious shot at New Orleans. The way I’m gonna choose a winner here is by looking at the defenses. The Lions will be a team that can kill you on the ground, but especially by air. The Eagles defense is pretty good in defending the pass, but not so much against the run. The Eagles offense is deadly through the air, but lethal on the ground. The Lions have a good passing defense, but a really good run D. It may come down to those 1 or 2 drives the defenses can hold the other team to nothing in those vital moments. Despite my not-very-infamous disapproval of Aaron Glenn, I think his defense will hold up to get the Detroit Lions to their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
Make sure to read my AFC predictions to see who the Lions will be taking on in Super Bowl LIX before we cover that right below here.
So... Super Bowl LIX (Spoilers Ahead)
(1) KC Chiefs vs (1) DET Lions
It’s my 1-seed in the AFC and NFC. Surprise–sure it’s boring but they’re my top teams in their conferences for a reason. The Chiefs are the 2-time defending champs looking for the first 3-peat in NFL history. The Lions are unarguably a bottom 5 or worse franchise in the Super Bowl era seeking their first Lombardi trophy in their first appearance in 59 years. Both teams have incredible rosters, incredible coaching staff, and incredible front offices.
It would be a fantastic game, and the Lions have even shown they’re capable of beating Patrick Mahomes in Arrowhead. Despite this–as great of a storyline as it would be for Dan Campbell and the Lions to upset the Chiefs–I unfortunately do have to predict the Chiefs complete the 3 straight championship run. They have elite talent across the board. One of the greatest HCs to ever put on a headset, they’re proven winners, and have a fantastic winning culture.
The Lions could pull off the upset here, but I do think the Chiefs are that good. I think they have the best player in the history of football, and this year is when he will start to establish that case. Remember: I’m a Broncos fan, this hurts me as much as it hurts you if not worse! Side note: Mahomes wins SBMVP and adds another MVP to his trophy case this season. Just mentally preparing myself for the worst.
I’d love to hear how wrong I am on Twitter @jayincee05 if you feel the need.
Thanks for reading!