Connor Smith is a senior and a reporter for the Fishers Tiger Times. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.
As another January is upon us, the road to hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy at Levi’s Stadium starts Saturday, Jan 10. Unfortunately, the Colts will not be in the playoffs for the fifth straight season, but that means I can watch over the next few weeks without any stress. 14 teams, which vary from the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles to the up-and-coming Chicago Bears, will battle it out on the gridiron over the next month to declare a champion. Here are my predictions for how each game will play out, and my prediction for who will be crowned champion of Super Bowl 60.
AFC Wildcard
No. 7 Seed Chargers vs. No. 2 Seed Patriots on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 8:15 p.m. EST
Patriots win 24-14
Quarterback Drake Maye comes into this game, second in MVP odds. The Patriots offense was second in points per game this season, and while they had the easiest strength of schedule, I expect the offense to stay hot against the Chargers, who has the ninth ranked defense in points allowed and fifth in yards allowed. The Chargers come into this game with an offensive line that is without its two starting tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Chargers quarterback, Justin Herbert, is the third most sacked quarterback in the league this season. His playoff history up to this point also includes blowing a 27-point lead in 2023, and a 4-interception performance in 2025. I’ve got the Patriots winning at home.
No. 6 Seed Bills vs. No. 3 Seed Jaguars on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 1:00 p.m. EST
Jaguars win 28-20
This is quarterback Josh Allens’ first time in the playoffs without quarterback Patrick Mahomes, which after possessing a 0-4 record against him in playoffs games, should be a relief to him. Allen and the Bills, however, must travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars, who are currently on an eight-game winning streak. Jacksonville head coach, Liam Cohen, finally has quarterback Trevor Lawrence playing up to the level he was sought after during his college career. Combine the red-hot winning streak, with a Bills team that has less than ideal weapons surrounding the 2025 MVP (Allen), I have the Jaguars advancing to the divisional.
No. 5 Seed Texans vs. No. 4 Seed Steelers on Monday, Jan. 12 at 8:15 p.m. EST
Texans win 17-14
When the Texans started off 0-3 this year, history was not on their side, as only five teams had started 0-3 and made the playoffs since 1970. The Texans became the sixth, with the help of the second-best defense in points allowed per game, and first in yards allowed. While the offense has been inconsistent, they have been able to score enough points to guide them to a nine-game winning streak. The Steelers, fresh off a game ending missed field goals by the Ravens to win the division, are a team that has been consistently average in recent memory. Head coach Mike Tomlin has not had a losing record in his 19-yearcareer with the Steelers. And yet, they have not won a playoff game since 2017. The league’s highest paid defense has been just average this season, and the offense is nothing to fear. Led by 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, he will see if he has one last playoff run in him. I think this elite Texans defense will have no problem stopping this Steelers offense and will move onto face Denver.
NFC Wildcard
No. 7 Seed Packers vs. No. 2 Seed Bears on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 8:15 p.m. EST
Packers win 27-24
The Bears will get home field advantage in the historic rivalry against the Packers. This matchup happened twice in the regular season, with both teams winning once. Packers quarterback Jordan Love was not fully healthy the second game, in which the packers lost. The Bears offense is third in rushing and 10th in passing. Their defense on the other hand, hasn’t been as elite, ranking 22nd in pass defense and 27th in run defense. While the Packers don’t have as elite of an offense, their offense has been solid enough to win them games, and especially against a weak Bears defense, I’m taking the experience of the Packersto pull of their second seven seed upset in three years.
No. 6 Seed 49ers vs. No. 3 Seed Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 4:30 p.m. EST
49ers win 21-17
The defending champion Philadelphia Eagles have not been as dominant of an offensive force as last year. Running backSaquon Barkley, the 2024 offensive player of the year, took a major step back from his historic campaign last year. Wide receiver AJ Brown also had a notable decline, further adding to the Eagles offensive woes. Their top five defense, however, is what brought them back to the playoffs. On the other side, is an injury riddled San Fransico team that had clawed their way to the playoffs. Losing two key defensive players in linebacker Fred Warner and edge rusher Nick Bosa is not ideal, but the 49ers have managed to put up 12 wins this year. I expect running back Christian McCaffery to run all over the Eagles 22nd ranked run defense, and the Eagles offense not to put up enough points to counter. The 49ers pull off the upset and stop the Eagles from repeating as champions.
No. 5 Seed Rams vs. No. 4 Seed Panthers on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 4:30 p.m. EST
Rams win 38-10
The Panthers are the weakest division winner, possessing a losing record of 8-9. They lost their final game and only got into the playoffs thanks to the help of other teams in their division. I don’t think this team stands a chance against the MVP- favorite, quarterback Matthew Stafford and the No. 1 offense he is leading. The Rams have the league leader in receiving touchdowns, wide receiver Davantae Adams, and wide receiver Puka Nacua, who was second in the league in receiving yards. The Panthers have the 30th ranked passing defense, so I expect Stafford to have a big game, and advance the Rams to the divisional round.
AFC Divisional
No. 5 Seed Texans vs. No. 1 Seed Broncos either on Saturday, Jan 17 or on Sunday, Jan. 18
Texans win 20-17
The Broncos and Texans are two very similar teams. Both can be characterized as elite defenses, with inconsistent offenses. When both teams are similarly built like this, it comes down to which quarterback can step up and deliver for their team. I prefer Texas quarterback CJ Stroud in this situation, especially given the fact that Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is top five in the league in interceptions thrown. Stroud also has more playoff wins and experience than Nix, and I think the Texans continue their winning streak with another upset.
No. 3 Jaguars vs. No. 2 Seed Patriots either on Saturday, Jan 17 or on Sunday, Jan. 18
Patriots win 31-28
The Jaguars will have a one-dimensional attack on this New England defense, with their rushing attack being below average. The Patriots, on the other hand, have both a top six rushing and passing attack, and against a weak Jaguars secondary, I expect quarterback Drake Maye to continue his MVP-type sophomore season and punch his team’s ticket to an AFC championshipgame.
NFC Divisional
No. 7 Seed Packers vs. No.1 Seed Seahawks either on Saturday, Jan 17 or on Sunday, Jan. 18
Seahawks win 28-17
Quarterback Sam Darnold will look to avenge his playoff woes from last season with Minnesota in this game right here. And while the Packers have a solid squad, I don’t see an offense that lacks a 1,000+ yard rusher and an 800+ yard receiver being able to blow past the No. 1defense in the NFL. Darnold has been known to be reckless with the football, being third in the league in interceptions thrown, but I think he has a solid offensive performance against an average Packers defense. Seattle moves on to the NFC championship game.
No. 6 Seed 49ers vs. No. 5 Seed Rams either on Saturday, Jan 17 or on Sunday, Jan. 18
Rams win 35-31
This matchup happened twice in the regular season, but notably Mac Jones started quarterback for the 49ers while Brock Purdy was injured. While the change at quarterback could help the San Francisco offense, I still see the best offense in the league continuing to roll. After seeing a weak Eagles offense, the injury riddled 49ers defense will not know what hit them. I see San Francisco staying in the game, but ultimately, the Rams advance.
AFC Championship Game
No. 5 Seed Texans vs. No. 2 Seed Patriots on Sunday Jan. 25 at either 3:00 p.m. EST or 6:30 p.m. EST
Patriots win 35-17
I think this is where the Texans offense finally cannot do enough to help their defense. This will be the best defensequarterback CJ Stroud and company have faced in the playoffs up to this point. I expect yet again a huge game from quarterback Drake Maye, who will reach his first Super Bowl, and bring the Patriots back to the big game for the first time since 2019.
NFC Championship Game
No. 5 Seed Rams vs. No. 1 Seed Seahawks on Sunday, Jan. 25 at either 3:00 p.m. EST or 6:30 p.m. EST
Rams win 38-34
This matchup happened twice in the regular season, with each team winning one. Quarterback Sam Darnold had four interceptions in the first game, yet the Seahawks’ elite defense was able to keep it a one score affair. However, I think Darnold’sturnover tendencies will show this game, not only as the pressure of a game which he’s never experienced before, but also facing a Rams defense that is top five in turnovers. Matthew Stafford’s experience will show; in the regular season, he threw five touchdowns and zero interceptions across their two matchups. Stafford advances to his second Super Bowl as a Ram.
Super Bowl LX
NFC Representative No.5 Seed Rams vs. AFC Representative No.2 Seed Patriots on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. EST
Rams win 28-24
This matchup will mark the third time these teams have faced in this game, the other two being Super Bowls XXXVI and LIII.Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford are the two favorites for MVP, and this game could show who the true MVP is. Overall, the Rams have the better team around their quarterback, a more veteran presence, and have played better teams up to this point. I think Matthew Stafford gets his second Super Bowl ring, to go along with the MVP award, cementing his legacy as a great all-time quarterback. As for the Patriots, this season that was supposed to just be a small step in the rebuilding process, will be viewed as a massive success. Maye will have proven he is a top quarterback in the league, and he and the Patriots could very well find themselves back in this game very soon.
This NFL season has been full of unexpected surprises, and I’m sure the playoffs will be full of the same. We will be gifted with some high-quality football over the next month, and I can’t wait to see who is hoisting the Lombardi Trophy when it’s all said and done.
