NFL Playoff Wild Card Predictions

The 2023-24 NFL postseason is officially here. Let’s run through the 14-team playoff bracket and make our best guess as to how the tournament could play out.

Will the respective No. 1 seeds — the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers — face off in Super Bowl 58? Or will a surprise contender emerge from the 2023-24 NFL playoff picture?

(2) Buffalo Bills > (7) Pittsburgh Steelers

Heading over to the AFC first, the Bills clinched the AFC East and secured the conference's No. 2 seed with a win in Week 18. They're the team to watch, having notched five consecutive victories to end the regular season.

Josh Allen has been leading a high-voltage Bills offense, which ranks third in EPA per play and fifth in scoring. Their defense, initially hit hard by midseason injuries, has made a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the season. Since Week 10, they've allowed more than 22 points only once.

This strong offense-defense combo positions the Bills favorably to move past the Divisional Round, starting with a win against the Steelers. While Mason Rudolph has stepped up as Pittsburgh's new quarterback, the Bills' defense, especially against the pass, has been formidable. They've been fourth in pass defense efficiency over the last nine weeks, even while facing top quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, and Dak Prescott. The Steelers, it seems, might find their playoff run cut short.

(3) Kansas City Chiefs > (6) Miami Dolphins

Alright, let's break down the Chiefs vs. Dolphins matchup. This game had all the makings of an offensive showdown, but it's looking like we might be in for a defensive slugfest instead. Why? Injuries, chilly weather, and some off-kilter play are stirring the pot.

If it does turn into a battle of defenses, my money's on Kansas City. Their defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, is like a chess grandmaster when it comes to playoff strategy. He's got a solid pass rush and a secondary that's more than ready to take on Tyreek Hill, an old pal from the Chiefs.

The Dolphins are in a bit of a bind. They might be missing Raheem Mustard and Jaylen Waddle, and even if these guys play, they're not going to be at 100%. That's a big ouch for Miami.

On the other side, Patrick Mahomes hasn't been getting the best support from his receivers this year, but he's likely to have plenty of time in the pocket in this game. The Dolphins' defense is missing key players like Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and Andrew Van Ginkel, which means less pressure on Mahomes. So, in a game that's shaping up to be unexpectedly defense-heavy, Kansas City seems to have the edge.

(4) Houston Texans > (5) Cleveland Browns

In the last AFC showdown, we're going with the favorites. It looks like DeMeco Ryans, in his first year at the helm for the Texans, and rookie QB C.J. Stroud are on track to notch their inaugural playoff wins. The Browns boast a top-tier defense, not overly dependent on turnovers but still ranking third in interception rate. Stroud, on the other hand, has been a model of efficiency, leading the NFL with a mere 1% INT rate. He seems well-equipped to handle the Browns' aggressive defense without giving up the ball.

Flipping the script, Cleveland's Joe Flacco has been a bit of an interception machine since stepping in as quarterback in Week 13, leading the league with eight picks. Despite ranking 17th in PFF’s turnover-worthy play percentage during this period, it seems like the 38-year-old has been dogged by some bad luck. However, if Houston can snag a couple of takeaways and Stroud keeps his cool and the ball secure, it could be a tough day for Flacco and the Browns.

(2) Dallas Cowboys > (7) Green Bay Packers

Green Bay's defense is definitely raising some eyebrows, and not in a good way. Sure, they only let 19 points slip through in the last two games of the regular season, but let's not forget the 30 points they coughed up to the two-win Carolina Panthers in Week 16. Plus, they wrapped up the season ranked 27th in DVOA – not exactly a stat to brag about.

Now, let's talk about Mike McCarthy's big return. He's facing off against the very team that showed him the door back in 2018. But the odds of his revenge being spoiled? Seems pretty slim. The Packers just don't have the firepower in their secondary to keep pace with the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and the rest of the crew. And Dak Prescott? He's likely to have a field day picking apart Packers DC Joe Barry’s defensive scheme. So, all signs are pointing to McCarthy and his team having the upper hand in this matchup.

(5) Philadelphia Eagles > (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This potential upset might not look like a big shocker on paper, but the Eagles are definitely not in prime shape heading into the playoffs. Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith are all dealing with injuries, and there's a big question mark on whether they'll be at their best against the Buccaneers.

However, if Philly's key trio can gear up for Monday night's game, they have a real shot at exploiting Tampa Bay's shaky pass defense. Todd Bowles' squad has been more effective against the run, which might put a damper on D'Andre Swift's impact and push Hurts to rely more on passing.

Back in November, picking the Eagles to win would have been a no-brainer. But now, it's a bit of a dicey call. Still, with Nick Sirianni's knack for game management, Philadelphia might just have that tiny edge they need to pull off the upset.

(6) Los Angeles Rams > (3) Detroit Lions

Jared Goff's got a score to settle with Sean McVay and the Rams, no doubt about it. After being traded to Detroit in 2021, he had to watch his old team clinch a Super Bowl with his replacement, Matthew Stafford, at the helm. Talk about a motivation booster!

The Lions are sitting as three-point favorites at home, which pretty much tells us the betting world sees this as a neck-and-neck matchup.

Expect a high-scoring affair here. The Rams have the tools to exploit Detroit's shaky secondary, thanks to Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. They're likely to find plenty of success through the air.

Detroit's defense has been a brick wall against the run, especially from Week 14 onwards, allowing a measly 62.5 rushing yards per game. This means Rams' RB Kyren Williams might find it tough to make ground. But Stafford and his crew should find plenty of opportunities to rack up some serious yardage in the passing game. So, while Goff is hungry for revenge, the Rams have the firepower to make it a real challenge.