2022 NFL playoff predictions

Today, I’m going to make my predictions for each game of the 2022 NFL playoffs. I know I don’t usually make articles about this, but I decided to do it today. I will provide who I think will win each matchup, as well as an explanation on why I made each pick. 

Wild Card Round:

(7) Dolphins at (2) Bills: Bills win by 14

1. Earlier this season, this matchup may have seemed like it could go either way. But, the Dolphins have come back down to Earth in recent weeks. Tua is no longer playing like an MVP contender and is constantly getting injured, Tyreek Hill hasn’t gotten the same amount of yardage recently, etc. The Bills meanwhile, have continued to play like contenders. They even have extra motivation now due to the Damar Hamlin incident. All things considered, I think the Bills easily beat the Dolphins here. 

1. (6) Ravens at (3) Bengals: Bengals win by 10
   1. The Bengals and Ravens matchup should be amazing, in theory. However, the Ravens have gotten worse down the stretch, while the Bengals have improved. The Ravens and Bengals look like opposites right now, as the Bengals offense has roared to life after a slow start. The Ravens, on the other hand, fell back to Earth after a strong September. I think the Bengals win this game, especially if Lamar Jackson has to miss this game. 
2. (5) Chargers at (4) Jaguars: Chargers win by 7
   1. The Chargers are a very interesting team, as they arguably have the most talented team in the league, but they have not played like that. Sometimes it’s been the injury bug, as shown with Joey Bosa, Rashawn Slater, and Derwin James for part of the season. They were my personal AFC West champion pick, but it hasn’t turned out like that. The Jaguars are also talented, but I feel like they are just not there yet. That’s why I have the Chargers winning a close game.
3. (7) Seahawks at (2) 49ers: 49ers win by 17
   1. I feel like this will be the only blowout of the wild card round, as the talent gap between these teams is astronomical. The Niners have Deebo, McCaffery, Kittle, Trent Williams, Bose, and Warner, while Seahawks really only have Metcalf, Lockett, Jamal Adams, and Kenneth Walker. I think the 49ers are too good to lose here.
4. (6) Giants at (3) Vikings: Vikings win by 7
   1. The Vikings have been the king of 1 score games this year, going undefeated in that category. Even though both Jefferson and Cook have struggled in recent weeks, I think the Vikings add to their streak here and win by a touchdown. 
5. (5) Cowboys at (4) Bucs: Cowboys win by 10
   1. The Bucs have been very disappointing this year, finishing with a losing record, the first of Brady’s career. They still managed to win a putrid NFC south, but I feel like even though they have a ton of talent, they can’t get it done vs. the Cowboys, who are coming off a big loss of their own.

Divisional round: 

1. (5) Chargers at (1) Chiefs: Chiefs win by 3
   1. The Chiefs are coming off of their first round bye, and this should be a very entertaining match. Herbert vs. Mahomes is always entertaining, but I feel like Mahomes gets the best of Herbert for the third time this season. The Chargers season ends here. 
2. (3) Bengals at (2) Bills: Bengals win by 3
   1. This game is another nail biter, as the Bengals win by a walk-off field goal. The Bills have all the talent in the world, but so do the Bengals. I think Josh Allen’s continuous red zone int’s will seal the deal here, and hand the Bengals their second straight trip to the AFC championship. 
3. (5) Cowboys at (1) Eagles: Eagles win by 10
   1. Another divisional game. Both of these teams are loaded with talent, and each has their own franchise qb. I ultimately think the Eagles take this once, since they have more overall talent, and their qb isn’t so interception prone. 
4. (3) Vikings at (2) 49ers: 49ers win by 13
   1. I already explained how the 49ers are oozing with talent, while the Vikings are king at 1 score games. I think the Vikings lose here, because they just don’t have the talent to keep up with the Niners.  

Conference Championship:

1. (3) Bengals at (1) Chiefs: Bengals win by 3
   1. I think the Bengals absolutely stun the Chiefs here in Arrowhead stadium by a walk-off field goal. Right now, Mahomes is 0-3 vs. Burrow in the last 2 years. Mahomes hasn’t proven he can knock off Burrow yet, and Burrow has all the talent in the world besides him. The Chiefs lose another heartbreaker to the Bengals in the AFC championship.
2. (2) 49ers at (1) Eagles: 49ers win by 3
   1. Another close one here, as the Niners knock off the 1 seed Eagles. Both of these teams are ultra talented, but I think the Niners can get it done vs. Hurts. Hurts still hasn’t proven he can make a run in the playoffs, and I think that is what makes the Eagles lose here. 

Super Bowl:

Bengals vs. 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Arizona: Bengals win by 7

1. This is a matchup between 2 heavyweight teams, but I think the Bengals win what they fell just short of winning a year ago – the Lombardi trophy. The Bengals ride on their franchise quarterback to knock off the juggernaut Niners. 

Source for all the matchups: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-playoff-schedule-bracket-dates-times-and-tv-for-every-round-of-the-afc-and-nfc-postseason/