In this week’s NFL playoff predictions, we’re going to make a few bold moves. We’ll cross our fingers and hope for the best!
The “nfl playoff predictions 2021” is a blog post that gives out some of the most likely outcomes for the upcoming NFL playoffs.
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In the NFL, it’s postseason time, and 14 teams are vying for a spot in Super Bowl LVI. It all starts with six wild-card games this weekend, with the victors joining the Packers and Titans in the divisional round the following Sunday. In the NFL playoffs, anything can happen. Ask the Buccaneers, who won the Super Bowl last year despite being the NFC’s No. 5 seed and winning three road games. So, how do you think the next several weeks will go? Will the favorites live up to their billing, or will the underdogs pull off some surprising upsets?
We polled 15 of our NFL experts for their best predictions for the whole playoffs and the games leading up to the Super Bowl. Which side has the greatest chance of winning it all, and who will aid them along the way? In the NFC, will Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, or someone else lead the way? Will the Titans be able to stave off a number of good AFC teams? Let’s see how far the AFC’s top-seeded club can go in the playoffs this season.
Are the Titans the best team in the AFC?
NFL commentator Sam Acho: I’m going with my midseason choice again. Tennessee will play in the Super Bowl after finishing the regular season with three victories and a 12-5 record. It won’t be the only No. 1 seed in the tournament. In the biggest game of the year, I have the Packers and Aaron Rodgers taking on the Titans.
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NFL fantasy analyst Stephania Bell: With Derrick Henry back in the lineup, the Titans will win the AFC Championship with a run-heavy attack. Allow me to introduce the 2018 Patriots to those who would laugh at the idea of a contemporary offense that ranks near the bottom of the league in pass-play percentage making it all the way to the Super Bowl. Yes, they had Tom Brady, but they also ran the ball 43.1 percent of the time, which was good for seventh in the league at the time. The Titans of 2021 rushed on 46.1 percent of their plays, which was a league-high, and they did it without Henry for half of their games after he suffered a serious foot injury. The return of Henry gives the Titans’ run game more strength and a huge red zone threat on the ground (10 touchdowns before his injury), which will be too much for their AFC opponents.
NFL writer/reporter Jeremy Fowler: Henry will continue where he left off in the playoffs, leading the league in rushing. A top athlete, particularly a 247-pound running back with a 2,000-yard season on his resume, seldom has two months to rest his legs before the playoffs. The Titans, who are the No. 1 seed, have fought ailments and are ready for January football, which means Henry will get at least 20 touches. I’m not sure I’m ready to put Ryan Tannehill in the Super Bowl, but behind Henry, receiver A.J. Brown, and an opportunistic defense, this team has the tools to go there.
Is it possible for the Bills or the Chiefs to return to the AFC Championship Game?
NFL writer/reporter Dan Graziano: The Buffalo Bills will participate in the Super Bowl. This is a club that has been together for quite some time, and they are still stinging from last year’s AFC Championship Game defeat in Kansas City, and they are desperate for a chance to revenge it. The game at Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Dec. 26 was a turning point in their season. “We knew we had what it takes to reach where we want to go,” running back Devin Singletary said, “but that game just gave us even more confidence and made us even more hungry.” The Bills’ run game is much stronger than it was at this point last season, which should help offensive coordinator Brian Daboll avoid becoming too one-dimensional. And I don’t believe people realize how outstanding their defense is now that Leslie Frazier is in charge. Even though it was the Jets and their season was finished (Week 18), limiting another professional football club to just 53 total yards of offense in a game is impressive. This club is well-coached, has a strong belief in itself, possesses the league’s most weather-proof quarterback, and has been preparing for this for many years. They should cash it in, in my opinion.
The Undefeated’s senior writer, Jason Reid: By beating Tennessee in the AFC Championship Game at Tennessee, Kansas City will progress to their third straight Super Bowl. Kansas City lost the conference’s top ranking and a chance to host the AFC championship game for the fourth consecutive season after a 34-31 defeat on the road against Cincinnati in Week 17. The Chiefs, on the other hand, have a lot to like, beginning with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. While opponents were satisfied to play Cover 2 and seldom blitz him this season, the superstar learned to be more patient in order to avoid giving up the huge plays that have marked his historic start to his career. But it was the Chiefs’ defense that saw the most improvement. Kansas City’s defense, which was often outmatched during the team’s 3-4 start, set the basis for the team’s current eight-game winning run. The Chiefs allowed the fewest points per game (12.9) and had the most takeaways (21) in the NFL during that time period.
What should we expect from the Cowboys and Bengals this season?
Cowboys safety, according to NFL analyst Matt Bowen In the playoffs, Jayron Kearse will be a game-changer. Demarcus Lawrence, Micah Parsons, and Trevon Diggs are playmakers on all three levels of Dan Quinn’s defense. Don’t forget about Kearse, however. Kearse is the tight end matchup specialist in Quinn’s man-heavy scheme, and he’s a tall, rangy safety with flexible attributes. George Kittle of the 49ers is Kearse’s first opponent.
NFL analyst Mike Clay: The Cowboys and Bengals will each win multiple playoff games and are legitimate Super Bowl candidates in their respective conferences. According to Football Outsiders’ DVOA, Dallas ranks first in the league in offensive scoring, fifth in defensive scores, and sixth in touchdowns allowed. The Cowboys feature one of the most skilled and deep offenses in the league, as well as a standout defense. And the Bengals are playing their best football of the season, and if they win the Raiders and everything goes their way, they may face a trip to Tennessee in the divisional round and a rematch with a Chiefs team they thrashed by 34 points just two weeks ago. Cincinnati would have a chance to win all three games with a strong defense and a high-level performance from quarterback Joe Burrow.
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Fantasy/sports betting writer Eric Moody: Bengals will make it to the Super Bowl. Burrow threw for 971 yards and eight touchdowns in Weeks 16 and 17, leading Cincinnati to the AFC North championship. The Bengals have all of the ingredients to compete for the Super Bowl, including positive momentum, a quarterback who excels under pressure, an offense that uses a trio of talented receivers (Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd) to threaten opposing defenses vertically, and a defense that can apply consistent pressure with only four linemen.
NFL analyst Mike Tannenbaum: Dallas will go on a tear and win at least two, if not three, games in a row. Lawrence, Parsons, and Randy Gregory are three excellent pass-rushers for the Cowboys, who are built for the playoffs. They’ll be decent on offensively and exceptional on defense if their offensive line (especially Tyron Smith) stays healthy.
Will the Packers be able to live up to the expectations?
Sports betting analyst Doug Kezirian: For good reason, the Packers are the betting favorite. The NFC used to seem to be a gauntlet, but inconsistency and injuries have exposed its flaws. And there are a lot of doubtful competitors in the AFC. Green Bay is certain to win the Lombardi Trophy, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to excel at the position.
NFL analyst Field Yates: This time, the Packers will defend their home turf and go to the Super Bowl. This isn’t exactly a bold statement, but this club seems different from the one that marched into the playoffs with high hopes last year. With Green Bay’s balanced offense and a defense that might return several important players (including pass rusher Za’Darius Smith and cornerback Jaire Alexander), I’m betting the Packers will play at SoFi stadium in mid-February.
NFL writer/reporter Seth Wickersham: This is just a hunch, but I believe three future Hall of Fame quarterbacks will retire with their current clubs after this season. We already know that Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers will retire. But I believe Tom Brady will as well. Finally, Aaron Rodgers will depart Green Bay after yet another season without a Super Bowl appearance.
The Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady, are back in the Super Bowl?
Fantasy/sports betting analyst Anita Marks: In the Super Bowl, Bill Belichick will face Tom Brady. The Bengals over the Raiders and the Chiefs over the Steelers are the only two wild-card games in which I feel confident. To borrow a term from Jalen Rose, the remaining matches are tossups to me, so let’s give the fans what they want. The Patriots, in my opinion, are a complete team. They can pound the rock in the fourth quarter against Buffalo on Saturday night, and then they’ll match up nicely against the Titans and Chiefs on their way to the Super Bowl. Brady and the Buccaneers might face the Eagles, Rams, and Packers in the NFC Championship Game, and they have the roster to shock Green Bay.
Brady will help the Buccaneers become the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since the Patriots in 2004 and 2005, when Brady was also the quarterback. With a league-high 5,316 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, he recently had perhaps one of the finest seasons of his career at 44 years old. Tampa Bay enters the playoffs on a three-game winning run, and despite not receiving the No. 1 seed, Brady has the required experience — even in adverse weather conditions, should they face the Packers at Lambeau Field.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is predicted to win the Super Bowl?
A: The New England Patriots are predicted to win the Super Bowl.
Who is going to the super Bowl 2022 predictions?
A: The New England Patriots are going to win in a close game.
Whos going to the Super Bowl this year?
A: The Super Bowl this year is in Minneapolis, Minnesota and will be attended by the New England Patriots.
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