Following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL regular season, the 14-team playoff bracket has officially begun. Here are my predictions and analysis.
The 2022 NFL regular season ended in dramatic fashion. With the Lions win over the Packers on Sunday Night Football, the cheese heads were eliminated from the playoffs, setting up a highly anticipated Seahawks vs. 49ers wild card matchup. The Bills 35–23 win over the Patriots eliminated the Pats and kept the Dolphins season alive.
Following the recent playoff bracket adjustment, seven teams from each conference make the playoffs with the #1 seed getting a first-round bye. This year, the Chiefs and Eagles received a bye in their respective conferences. Here’s how the rest of the bracket shapes out.
My predictions for the wild card round
#7 Dolphins vs. #2 Bills: Josh Allen will take over the game, leading the Bills past the Dolphins
#6 Ravens vs. #3 Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase and the explosive Bengals offense will be too much for the Ravens to handle. Bengals advance.
#5 Chargers vs. #4 Jaguars: The underdog Chargers will advance following outstanding performances by Justin Herbert and Austin Ekeler.
#7 Seahawks vs. #2 49ers: The story of Brock Purdy will continue, leading to a Niners victory.
#6 Giants vs. #3 Vikings: COY candidate, Brian Daboll’s incredible season will come to an end. Vikings move on.
#5 Cowboys vs. #4 Buccaneers: Tom Brady plays in potentially his last game following a Cowboys victory.
My predictions for the divisional round
#3 Bengals vs. #2 Bills: Joe Burrow silences the Buffalo crowd. Bengals move on.
#5 Chargers vs. #1 Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense continue their marvelous season. KC advances to the championship game.
#3 Vikings vs. #2 49ers: Demeco Ryan’s defense led by Nick Bosa and Fred Warner limit Justin Jefferson and the Viking’s offense, leading to a Niner’s victory.
#5 Cowboys vs. #1 Eagles: Dak Prescott can’t figure out his interception problem. Eagles win 35–14.
My predictions for championship games
#3 Bengals vs. #1 Chiefs: Joe Burrow does it again, defeating Mahomes and co. in Arrowhead.
#2 49ers vs. #1 Eagles: Jalen Hurts has never faced a defense like the 49ers. Brock Purdy continues his storybook season, leading 49ers past Eagles en route to Glendale, AZ.
My Super Bowl prediction
Bengals vs. 49ers: Brock Purdy completes his heroic season, defeating the Bengals in Super Bowl LVII. Christian McCaffrey awarded Super Bowl MVP.
