The NFL’s regular season ended Jan. 5, ushering in a new era of football. Below are Wild Card Weekend predictions and potential LIX Super Bowl contenders.
NFC
No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) vs. no. 7 Green Bay Packers (11-6)
This will be a tight match-up, with both teams struggling with injuries: Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is coming off a concussion, and Packers QB Jordan Love injured his elbow playing against the Chicago Bears Jan. 5.
These two teams met during week one in Brazil, when Saquon Barkley rushed for 109 yards and three total touchdowns as the Eagles won 34-29.
The Packers recently lost winnable games because they failed to dominate in the first half, leading to explosive fourth quarter finishes against teams like the Eagles, Vikings and Lions.
If they can lock down Barkley and the Eagles’ offense early in the game, the Packers should win.
Score prediction: Packers 31-27
No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) vs. no. 6 Washington Commanders (12-5)
The Bucs have won the NFC South for the fourth straight season and will host the Commanders, a team that hasn’t seen a playoff birth since 2020.
Tampa Bay defeated Washington 37-20 in week one, but that was Jayden Daniels’ first career NFL game. The rookie QB has since blossomed into a candidate for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
I believe Daniels has the ability to turn the tide in the Commanders’ favor and sail from Tampa Bay with a win.
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Score Prediction: Commanders 27-24
No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (10-7) vs. no. 5 Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
The Vikings are coming into this game following a 31-9 loss to one of the top NFC teams, the Detroit Lions, losing their chance to claim the 1-seed in the NFC.
The Vikings only lost to three teams during the regular season, one being the Rams during week eight.
With that victory, the Rams started heating up, and were able to win the NFC West in week 17 — getting a chance to rest their starters in week 18. The Rams have what it takes to beat the Vikings again, and continue to burn hot heading into playoff January.
Score Prediction: Rams 31-24
AFC
No. 4 Houston Texans (10-7) vs. no. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
In his first season as head coach, Jim Harbaugh led his Chargers into the playoffs. The Chargers have only appeared in the post-season twice in the last eight years, and are hungry for a playoff win.
The Chargers play an injury-depleted Texans team, which gives them an advantage. The Chargers are also playing terrific football, having won three games straight to close the regular season.
Under Harbaugh, no defense allows fewer points — 17.7 per game — and the Chargers have a balanced offense with a top-10 passing attack. The Chargers can leave Houston with a statement win.
Score Prediction: Chargers 35-14
No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (12-5) vs. no. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
The Ravens and the Steelers will meet for the third time this season after Pittsburgh won their first match-up at home.
The Steelers have limped into the playoffs with four straight losses, while the Ravens demolished Pittsburgh 34-17 during week 16 and continue to burn hot heading into the playoffs.
The Ravens are coming in hot, having won four games in a row and snatching the division from the Steelers.
Score Prediction: Ravens 28-10
No. 2 Buffalo Bills (13-4) vs. no. 7 Denver Broncos (10-7)
The Buffalo Bills are one of two teams that managed to beat the NFC’s strongest team: the Lions.
The Bills won their division and are the AFC’s second seed, and it seems they are not planning on slowing down.
The Broncos have barely scraped by and made the playoffs by chance. While Denver wished on stars for playoff contention, Buffalo breezed out of their regular season, becoming the first NFL team to score at least 30 touchdowns both passing and rushing.
Although the Broncos surprised their fans with Bo Nix sneaking a wildcard weekend spot, it would be shocking for them to upset a Buffalo team that’s 8-0 at home.
Score Prediction: Bills 31-20
Super Bowl contenders
NFC
America is thrilled to see an underdog team win a Super Bowl, excluding NFC North fans.
The Lions look stronger than ever as the NFC’s 1-seed. With Dan Campbell behind the team’s “knee-cap gnawing” mentality, it would be surprising not to see the team breeze past the NFC championship into the Super Bowl.
However, the playoffs are a different animal, and often we see dark horse teams crawl their way into the Super Bowl. Two dark horse NFC teams to watch are the Rams and the Packers, who could go on a Super Bowl run if they play their cards right.
AFC
A decade is characterized by a team's dominating abilities in the NFL, and like the early 2000s New England Patriots, the Kansas City Chiefs have reigned as Super Bowl contenders and champions.
This year is no different, with the Chiefs clinching their spot as the no. 1 in the AFC, hoping to secure a “three-peat” Super Bowl win — which would be the first in NFL history.
Although the Chiefs have had great success in the past, it doesn’t guarantee they will succeed this year. Two teams to pay attention to are the Ravens and the Bills, who could dethrone the Chiefs to take a Super Bowl home.
Izabella Kubiak-Reseigh is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at sports@dailylobocom or on X @kubiakizabella
