NFL 2021 Playoff Predictions

 As fans from all around get ready to approach the end of the NFL season  now is the time to start looking at who could potentially win the next Super Bowl. Before we get there, it’s important to have a steady base of who is just going to be in the playoffs, let alone win it all. . With that being said, there are a lot of potentially good matchups that could slowly start to reveal themselves within the next few weeks. Here are my playoff predictions: 

AFC WEST: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

 We’ve seen 2020 Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs continue to be great, as they currently stand 9-1, standing tall over the rest of the AFC West. It’s pretty clear that Kansas will make the playoffs without a doubt. With Mahomes on track to have another possible MVP season throwing for 2nd most passing yards in the NFL behind Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) at 2,687 yards, 25 TDs, 1 INT, and an 84.9 QBR along with a solid defense this pick was a no brainer.

AFC NORTH: PITTSBURGH STEELERS 

Pittsburgh has improved quite a bit since last season when they went 8-8. This season they’re at an 10-0 start, which speaks volumes. It’s actually Pittsburgh’s best start to a season in franchise history. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is having the most efficient year of his career, and running back James Conner is on his way to his first 1,000-yard season. On the defensive side Heyward, Tuitt and Alualu are basically the best inside D-linemen in the NFL. T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree are the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL. On top of that, there is Fitzpatrick and Edmunds, who are one of the best safety duos in the NFL. If that doesn’t scream a sure playoff spot and possible Super Bowl spot, then what in the world does?

AFC EAST: BUFFALO BILLS

Buffalo has had a great start, as they currently sit at 7-3, which is the best start to a Bills season since 1993. There seems to be a recurring pattern here. Josh Allen has had quite the start as he’s 3rd in the NFL right now for passing yards with 2,587 yards, 19 TD’s, 5 INT, and a QBR of 79.2%. Stefon Diggs is balling out as he’s 1st in the NFL in receiving yards with 813 yards, 1st in the NFL with 63 receptions, 3 TDs, and a 12.9 AVG. The Bills defense is also solid, which helps back up their 7-2  record with Jordan Poyer sitting at 3rd in the NFL for tackles with 60. All in all The Bills have stepped up their game and have shown that they’re hungry for a playoff spot.

AFC SOUTH: TENNESSEE TITANS

Derrick Henry has been the most talked about when it comes to the Titans as he’s been going absolutely crazy this season. Henry leads the NFL in rushingwith 201 attempts for  946 rushing yards. He’s 3rd in the NFL with 8 TDs and 13th overall with a 4.7 average. Along with Henry, the Titans have a decent Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill hasn’t been bad but he hasn’t been insane either; he sits at 4th in the NFL for TDs with 20, 3 INT, 14th overall with 2,128 yards, and 11th with a QBR of 74.8.

WILDCARD 1  INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The Colts sit at 7-3 this season thanks to their unmatched defense. The Colts defense are currently only allowing other teams a whopping 19.4 points per game, only 175 points against them this season, and 20 touchdowns allowed against the team. The Colts offense is continuing to work off their defensive success with quarterback Phillip Rivers sitting at 7th overall in the NFL passing for 2,395 yards. With that comes a not so exciting 11 TDs, 7 INT’s, and a QBR of 64.1%. Indianapolis on average scores 26.9 points per game, 242 points total, 61.11% on 4th downs, and 26 touchdowns on the season. Although they’re in a battle for first in the south with the Titans, the Colts are a playoff contender.
WILDCARD 2 BALTIMORE RAVENS

With MVP Lamar Jackson’s breakout season last year, this has been an interesting season for him to say the least. . So far Jackson has thrown 136-216 which is a percentage of 62.9% completion rate. He’s 2nd in the NFL for QB rushing yards with a crazy 469 yards, leading his team in rushing yards no less as well. The Ravens’ oppressive defense has kept an average of 15.8 points per game allowed, which is lowest in the league. With Jackson’s dual-threat continuing to increase and the defense continuing to smother anyone they play against, Ravens are a sure contender for this year’s playoff run. 

WILDCARD 3LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

The Raiders sit behind Kansas City in the West where they are 5-3. With a struggling defense, the Raiders are striving to make up for it with their offense. Running Back Josh Jacobs has been the main star of this offense as he has 161 rushing attempts, 538 rushing yards, 6 TDs, and an average yardage of 3.7. Meanwhile, Derek Carr has passed for 2,002 yards, 16 TDs, 2 INT, and a QBR rating of 77. With this hungry team comes the given that they are going to do anything and everything possible to prove themselves this season in the playoffs, making them a possible big contender.

NFC NORTH: GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Packers have been on the path to yet another playoff run as they are 1st in the NFC North over the Lions, Bears, and Vikings. They have a regular-season record of 7-3, where if they continue their win streak Green Bay will be a sure team to look out for in the playoffs. On average, the Packers are scoring 30.8 points a game which is 3rd best in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers continues to do his thing with 2,578 passing yards, 26 TDs, only 3 INT, and a QB rating of 84.3%. To add to the fire of the Packers offense, Davante Adams leads the NFL with 9 touchdowns this season and 741 receiving yards. With that, a solid defense follows allows only 24 points a game. Look forward to seeing the Packers fight for a Super Bowl spot this year.

NFC SOUTH: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Drew Brees and the Saints are at the top of the NFC South at 8-2. With the ongoing battle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with who will end up on top of the NFC south the Saints have shown no fear as they look to continue their winning streak of 6. Drew Brees, on the other hand, has thrown for 2,196 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INT, a completion rate of 73.5% and holds a current QB rating of 82.6%. Alvin Kamara is interesting as he has 486 rushing yards and also 648 receiving yards along with 7 TDs. Ranked as the 4th best defense last year and so far this year, if the Saints can keep up their hot streak they will have themselves a spot in the playoffs.

NFC WEST ARIZONA CARDINALS

Kyler Murray and the Cardinals have a lot to look forward to, as they stand 6-4 so far. Murray has rushed for 604 yards this season; let it be clear that he’s a QB rushing for 604 yards on top of 2,375 passing yards, 17 TDs, and a not so good 8 interceptions. Deandre Hopkins has been having quite the year with 67 receptions and 861 receiving yards. Kenyan Drake also is a notable key to this offense with 135 attempts and 612 rushing yards. The defense isn’t much to talk about, but solid enough to lead them to a division title. 

NFC EAST: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The NFC EAST this year is awful as the Eagles are projected to win the NFC East with a current regular-season record of 3-5-1. Carson Wentz has had a subpar season with only passing  2,091 yards with 12 interceptions and 12 touchdowns. The Eagles offense is pretty mediocre and the defense isn’t much to brag about but with the rest of the NFC East doing worse than 3-5 if they can get a few more wins they will get a playoff spot.

WILDCARD 1: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

2020 marks the Bucs first season with 6-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady.  Although the Bucs are 7-4, Brady hasn’t had the season in which most expected. Yes, he  has thrown for 2,739 yards, 23 touchdowns but has given up 9  interceptions, a completion rate of 66%, a QB rating of 71.8%. To complement Brady’s skills Ronald Jones ll has had a solid season rushing for 730 yards for 141 attempts, 5 touchdowns, and an average of 5.1 yards. On the defensive side LB Devin White has been hot with 56 solo tackles and a total of 88 tackles on the season, Levonte David is right behind him with 53 solo tackles and a total of 73 tackles this season. With this being said it’s very likely that Tampa will enter the playoffs this season.

WILDCARD 2 LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Rams are looking to take their division battling the Cardinals and the Seahawks. They stand at a 7-3 record, which isn’t bad but not enough if they want a playoff spot. Jared Goff has thrown for 2,447 yards, 13 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and a QB rating of 58.3%. Compared to last season’s stats, if Goff continues to put up numbers, he’s on track to have another big season in LA. Rams defense is worth noting as they have only allowed their opponents 18.7 points per game on average. With this, if Darrel Henderson Jr. and Cooper Kupp step it up and the defense stays steady, the Rams future looks promising in the playoffs.

WILDCARD 3  SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Russel Willson and the Seahawks are hungry this season as they are ranked the NFL’s number 1 offense. Tied with the Cardinals and Rams the Seahawks are also 6-3. Russel is fighting for a possible MVP award this year putting up big numbers with 2,789 passing yards, 28 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, 325 rushing yards, and a QB rating of 75.8. Going along with this team’s theme of big numbers, DK Metcalf has 816 receiving yards on 45 receptions , 8 touchdowns, and an average of 18.1 yards. As if that wasn’t enough, on the defensive side of things, the Seahawks have Bobby Wagner putting up a total of 87 tackles and 3 sacks. If Seattle continues to put the pedal to the metal with their offense and assuming Russel Willson keeps doing his thing, the Seahawks will end up deep in the playoffs.

Mind you it’s only halfway through the NFL’s season; these picks were chosen off of statistics of how each team is currently playing. Any fan would know that things often change a lot in terms of records or even who’s playing for each team. Assuming each player stays healthy for the rest of the regular season, expect to see these 14 teams battling for the NFC and AFC championship spots for Super Bowl LV this February in Tampa, Florida.