NFL Playoff Bold Predictions: Major upsets abound

The path to the current playoffs was entertaining, the final finishes between the Ravens and Browns helping decide who came in from the AFC North (Baltimore or Pittsburgh), seeing the Saints and Cowboys coasting into the playoffs, and the Bears convoluted path into their current game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Prediction 1: For the First time since the 2012 season, a Wild Card team makes the Super Bowl Championship.

Justification: During this season we saw Dallas beat New Orleans, Seattle beat Kansas City and the Eagles beat the Rams. Look, I get it, this one is quite bold, but between the streaky nature of Dallas, Seattle, Houston and Philadelphia coupled with the overall strength in Baltimore and Chicago, I can see one of these teams making a real deep run this year.

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Prediction 2: The Patriots do NOT reach the Super Bowl for the first time in three years.

Justification: The emergence of the Kansas City chiefs coupled with the Texans and Chargers recent play, I think someone new steps into the AFC Super Bowl spot.

Prediction 3: One of the conference championships is decided by one point.

Justification: This has not happened since 1981-1982 season between Dallas and San Francisco but I think this year it will be the product of a bold 2 point conversion late in a game. Teams seem more willing this season to make a bold game ending move.

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Prediction 4: The Super Bowl is decided by 10+ points.

Justification: The first time since 2015-2016 when Denver beat Carolina 24-10, I think despite some competitive games early on, one team runs away with it in the end.

Prediction 5: The highest team (Seattle) averaged 160 yards rushing per game this year. In the playoffs we see at LEAST four instances of teams rushing for 250+ yards.

Justification: Baltimore is rushing the ball (both Lamar and the tandem of RBs), Seattle is rushing the ball, New England has their select times, Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley, Alvin Kamara and more. In a time when the ball is being slung around, I think we see a lot of rushing going on.

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