2023 NFL Playoff predictions: Do Seahawks have any more magic?

Divisional Round games

49ers vs Vikings

It will be interesting to see how the Vikings respond to a situation like this. They spent all year sitting in the two seed hearing about how overrated they are, only to lose that coveted #2 seed and a potential home game in this scenario. In 2019, the Vikings went to Santa Clara and Kirk Cousins was overwhelmed by a tremendous 49ers defense while San Francisco ran all over Minnesota. I believe this year’s 49ers defense is even better and will repeat their 27-10 2019 win.

SF over MIN 31-16

Buccaneers vs Eagles

The final game of Tom Brady as a Buc (he’ll play somewhere else next year) goes similarly to what we saw from Tampa Bay in last year’s divisional-round loss to the Rams. I expect a fresh and healthier Eagles team to jump out to a big lead, only to hold on for dear life at the end.

PHI over TB 34-28

Bills vs Bengals

A rematch from that fateful Monday night when Damar Hamlin’s injury resulted in the eventual cancellation of a pivotal game. To be honest, I thought Cincinnati was going to win that game and eventually become the #2 seed. With that game being canceled, the Bengals unfairly were shut out from hosting this pivotal game. If Cincinnati was the higher-seeded team and hosting, I probably would be taking the Bengals to get to the super bowl, but this game is in Buffalo and I’ll take the home team.

Prediction: BUF over CIN 38-34

Chiefs vs Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville got a huge win the previous week over an AFC West team to show the world they’re next in line among all the great AFC teams, but on this day, they see what current greatness looks like in Kansas City.

The Chiefs are a better team in almost every facet, and I expect them to impose their will on a young Jaguars team. It is a painful lesson for the Duval faithful, but a good one to learn for 2023 as they will be a major contender with the addition of WR Calvin Ridley.