8 teams remain in the hunt for a Lombardi Championship. Here are my predictions for who will advance to the final four next weekend:
Buffalo Bills (6) @ Denver Broncos (1)
The Bills are on the road to face the Broncos on Saturday afternoon coming off a nail-biting victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Denver is rested after having a first-round bye and are ready to take on Buffalo. My mind is telling me to take Denver here as they are coming off a bye-week and arguably have the league’s best defense playing at home, but I can’t shake the feeling that Buffalo is poised to go on a run in these playoffs. Give me the Bills in a close one yet again. Josh Allen runs for a couple of TD’s and has the Bills playing in the AFC Conference Championship game.
Prediction: Bills 19 – Broncos 16
San Francisco 49ers (6) @ Seattle Seahawks (1)
After an impressive road win against the Philadelphia Eagles, the San Francisco 49ers are going to a familiar place to face off against the NFC’s 1-seed Seattle Seahawks. Just like Denver, Seattle also had last week off and is surely rested and ready to start their playoffs. I think this is where the 49ers’ luck runs out and Seattle gets an easy win. The 49ers will be without their top receiving option in TE George Kittle and this was already going to be a tough test against Seattle’s stingy defense. Seattle wins comfortably and advances to the NFC Conference Championship match where they will play host to whoever wins between Chicago and the LA Rams.
Prediction: Seahawks 27 – 49ers 14
Houston Texans (5) @ New England Patriots (2)
On Sunday afternoon, the Houston Texans will be visiting the New England Patriots in what should be a true defensive clash. This is probably the game of the week if you like defense and low-scoring games. The Patriots held the Chargers to only 3 points in their victory last week, while the Texans held the Steelers to only 6 points! I think the better offense take this game, which goes to New England. The Texans’ offense on the other hand has been way too inconsistent this season. It also helps to have home-field advantage. New England edges Houston and advances to the AFC Conference Championship game where in my prediction they will host the Buffalo Bills.
Prediction: Patriots 13 – Texans 9
LA Rams (5) @ Chicago Bears (2)
Sunday night will feature the LA Rams taking on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. According to the forecast, this will be played in very wintery conditions. Lots of snow and wind is expected which will affect how the game is played. Expect both teams to lean on their ground game if that is the case. The Rams struggled against a generally weak Carolina Panthers’ team last week, while the Bears had an impressive comeback win against an NFC favourite Green Bay Packers’ team. Rams QB Matt Stafford has an injured finger which will hinder their passing game that much more in a cold and wintery game. Pair that with the Rams’ struggles in cold-weather games and that leads me to my prediction. I will take Chicago here to weather the storm and advance to the NFC Conference Championship game to play the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
Prediction: Bears 22 – Rams 20
