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It’s one of the most exciting times of the year, the NFL playoffs. It’s not your usual cast of characters this time around, as teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals fell short of their goal to reach the postseason. For the AFC, the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars find themselves in the playoffs after missing the previous season. As for the NFC, the Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers made it into the dance after missing the previous season.

Let’s break down all the matchups heading into one of the most highly-anticipated postseasons in recent memory. Without further ado, let’s get after it.

(5) Los Angeles Rams at (4) Carolina Panthers

It’s a rematch of the Week 13 contest. During the regular season, Carolina proved victorious. If Carolina wants to pull off the massive upset, they’re going to have to find a way to slow down Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ offense. It was one of Stafford’s worst games of the season, turning the ball over three times. Playoff Stafford is a different monster, and Carolina has a tall task ahead of them.

For L.A., it might just very well be the return of wide receiver Davante Adams. Between Adams and superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua, they have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL and will look to rack up the score early against the Panthers.

The Rams are clearly the better team here, as the Panthers squeaked their way into the postseason while the Rams have a true MVP contender and, at one point, were fighting for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Stafford and the Rams take care of business, sending Charlotte home in the first round in our final score prediction.

Final Score Prediction: Rams 31, Panthers 17
Betting Odds: LAR -10.5, O/U 46.5
ESPN Predictor: 73.5% Los Angeles, 26.5% Carolina

(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Chicago Bears

Divisional matchups in the playoffs are always fun, and this heated rivalry will be center stage. The teams split the series, with the Packers winning on Dec. 7 and the Bears bouncing back with an overtime win on Dec. 20. It’ll be a thrilling matchup between two teams with plenty of bad blood over the years.

For Green Bay, getting back quarterback Jordan Love is going to be huge for their chances. The Packers are currently trying to hold on for dear life after losing four straight games to end the season. Their biggest addition in Micah Parsons has been lost to the year with a season-ending injury, with their franchise quarterback injured to close out the year. Fortunately, Chicago’s defense is a weakness, as it has allowed massive yards to quarterbacks throughout the past several weeks.

The Bears lost the season finale to the Detroit Lions, but have some young talent that makes the matchup even more intriguing. The rise of quarterback Caleb Williams has been a sight to behold, and the team also might be getting back some key reinforcements in wide receiver Rome Odunze, who had been battling a nagging foot injury.

With this kind of game, it all comes down to the home crowd. Chicago finally has a team worthy of cheering for, and if the defense can find a way to get some turnovers, it’ll be a party in Chicago. Love and the Packers have been bitten too hard by the injury bug and fall to Chicago in the first round of the playoffs.

Final Score Prediction: Chicago 32, Packers 27
Betting Odds: GB -1, O/U 45.5
ESPN Predictor: 54.5% Green Bay, 45.6% Chicago

(6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills are set to face off for the third time in the postseason, with Jacksonville winning the previous two matchups. After an up-and-down season from Buffalo, they squeaked into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed with quarterback Josh Allen at the helm. For Jacksonville, they ended the season on an eight-game winning streak and look to be one of the hottest teams in the league right now.

Buffalo will need Allen to put on his Superman cape for another otherworldly performance. He’s statistically been one of the best postseason quarterbacks of all time, but is also dealing with a nagging foot injury, and no real supporting cast outside of the stellar offensive line and running back James Cook. Buffalo has the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL, taking on the No. 1 rush defense in the NFL. It’s going to be a battle, and a game in which Buffalo is looking for their first road playoff win since the early 1990s.

Jacksonville is red-hot, beating teams by double digits during its impressive run and just one of a few teams in league history to win 13 games after having 13 losses the season before. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is playing his best football and has a home-field advantage paired with a stout defense that looks more than ready for the challenge.

Buffalo has playoff experience going for it. Despite head coach Sean McDermott being 0-5 in playoff road games, it comes down to the wire with Allen taking over the game and leading his team to their first road playoff win since before I was born.

Final Score Prediction: Bills 28, Jaguars 24
Betting Odds: BUF -1, O.U 52.5
ESPN Predictor: 49.3% Buffalo, 50.7% Jacksonville

(6) San Francisco 49ers at (3) Philadelphia Eagles

The 49ers have also been ravaged by injuries throughout the 2025 season and find themselves limping into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. San Francisco struggled against a similar team in the Seattle Seahawks, losing 13-3. If the 49ers want to turn a corner, getting back wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and offensive tackle Trent Williams will be a huge difference-maker in the matchup. Fortunately, the team does have one of the most elite running backs in football that they’ll be leaning on in the matchup in Christian McCaffrey.

For the Eagles, playcalling has been an issue this season as the offense has struggled to get things going consistently. The defense is there to battle out close games and is as elite as they come, but there are question marks surrounding the offensive abilities and if they’ll be able to get over the hump in the matchup. One spot where the Eagles can really take control of the game is getting quarterback Jalen Hurts going early and often, as the San Francisco pass rush has left much to be desired.

These games always come down to the final moments, and while the 49ers are banged up, they once again just find a way to win in the closing minutes of the game.

Final Score Prediction: San Francisco 27, Eagles 24
Betting Odds: SF +4.5, O/U 44.5
ESPN Predictor: 43.4% San Francisco, 56.6% Philadelphia

(7) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England Patriots

This might be one of the most intriguing matchups of the entire postseason. Quarterback Drake Maye has ascended to one of the very best at his position as the New England Patriots have had an incredible bounce back from their 2024 season. For the Chargers, Justin Herbert has found a way to be successful even without continuity on the offensive line.

For the Chargers to pull off the victory, they’ll have to lean on Herbert and the running game featuring Omarion Hampton, and even Herbert’s own legs, to the team’s advantage. The New England defense has struggled as of late, as the game is looking to be a shootout of sorts. Still, it does give cause for concern with just how beat up Herbert has been without the consistent protection up front.

The New England Patriots are one of the hottest teams in football right now and are 13-1 in their last 14 matchups. While the knock against the team has been their strength of opponents, you play who is on the schedule, and that’s exactly what the team has done, taking care of business all season. The team is getting back Milton Williams, which should go a long way toward finding success in stopping the run, and Maye will continue his dominance that he’s had all season.

The playoffs are typically close games, and this one is no different. With the Patriots being at home and Maye looking like a true MVP candidate, he drives his team down the field in the closing moments to give New England the victory.

Final Score Prediction: New England 24, Los Angeles 21
Betting Odds: LAC +3.5, O/U 46
ESPN Predictor: 45.9% Los Angeles, 54.1 New England

(5) Houston Texans at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers barely made it into the playoffs with the Baltimore Ravens missing a kick as time expired. They were gifted the No. 4 seed for their efforts. It was an instant classic, with the winner earning a playoff berth and the loser having to head into the offseason early.

Say what you will about Aaron Rodgers, but he looked good in the second half against Baltimore, all without his top receiving option, DK Metcalf, who was serving a two-game suspension for striking a fan. In the upcoming playoff matchup, Rodgers and the offense will have their full slate of weapons against one of the very best defenses in the league. Rodgers has plenty of playoff experience, giving the team a chance to pull off the victory at home.

Houston has also been one of the hottest teams in the league after starting the season 0-3. They then went on a 12-2 run to burst their way into the postseason. The defense consistently shuts down opponents and brings down opposing quarterbacks in large numbers, ranking among the league leaders in sacks. It’s no fluke either, as Houston has taken down some of the top teams in the league during their 9-0 run.

While the Steelers may be at home and coming off a thrilling win over the Ravens, the Houston Texans’ defense is just too much to handle and will bring down Rodgers multiple times in the contest. C.J. Stroud puts on some playoff magic as the offense gets going in the contest, ending the season for Pittsburgh with a double-digit victory.

Final Score Prediction: Houston 27, Pittsburgh 17
Betting Odds: HOU -3, O/U 39.5
ESPN Predictor: 54.5% Houston, 45.5% Pittsburgh

NFL Newsletter

Week 18 playoff scenarios for all teams | A to Z Sports All-NFL newsletter

Our All-NFL newsletter from January 2, 2025.

Wes Roesch