NFL playoff round-by-round and Super Bowl predictions
Will Drew Brees be smiling in Miami on Feb. 2? Credit: Getty Images/Jonathan Bachman
Two hundred and fifty six games down. Eleven to go.
After a fun regular season, let's see what the playoffs have in store for us. Here are Newsday's NFL writers' round-by-round picks for the playoffs, capping it off with selections for Super Bowl LIV in Miami on Sunday, Feb. 2.
JOE MANNIELLO
WILD-CARD ROUND
AFC: Bills over Texans, Patriots over Titans
NFC: Saints over Vikings, Eagles over Seahawks
DIVISIONAL ROUND
AFC: Ravens over Bills, Chiefs over Patriots
NFC: 49ers over Eagles, Saints over Packers
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Ravens over Chiefs
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Saints over 49ers
SUPER BOWL
Saints over Ravens: I've been on the 49ers' bandwagon for most of the season, and if they make it to Miami I obviously wouldn't be surprised. There's just something about this high-scoring Saints team, though. Going 13-3 and having to play in the wild-card round will only give them a bigger edge after the Minny Miracle two seasons ago and the non-PI call agaisnt the Rams in last year's championship game. This year, they win a wild one out West against San Francisco before holding off Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in a memorable Super Bowl. Drew Brees earns his second title after throwing the winning touchdown pass to - who else? - Michael Thomas.
Michael Thomas had a record-breaking season for Saints. Credit: AP/James Kenney
BOB GLAUBER
WILD-CARD
AFC: Texans over Bills, Patriots over Titans
NFC: Saints over Vikings, Seahawks over Eagles
DIVISIONAL
AFC: Ravens over Texans, Chiefs over Patriots
NFC: 49ers over Seahawks, Packers over Saints
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Chiefs over Ravens
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
49ers over Packers
SUPER BOWL
Chiefs over 49ers: If there’s one team capable of upsetting the Ravens, it’s the Chiefs – as long as Andy Reid calls an aggressive game plan for Patrick Mahomes. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been a major upgrade, making Kansas City a complete team and giving them a distinct advantage over the 49ers in a Super Bowl matchup.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have all the weapons to make a Super run. Credit: Getty Images/David Eulitt
TOM ROCK
WILD-CARD
AFC: Texans over Bills, Patriots over Titans
NFC: Saints over Vikings, Seahawks over Eagles
DIVISIONAL
AFC: Ravens over Texans, Chiefs over Patriots
NFC: Seahawks over 49ers, Saints over Packers
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Chiefs over Ravens
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Saints over Seahawks
SUPER BOWL
Saints over Chiefs: After two heartbreaking playoff eliminations in the last two years, Drew Brees and the Saints get to and win the big one. It’s the last stand for the old guard of quarterbacks before the new generation starts winning titles next year.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees passes against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney) Credit: AP/James Kenney
AL IANNAZZONE
WILD-CARD
AFC: Texans over Bills, Patriots over Titans
NFC: Saints over Vikings, Seahawks over Eagles
DIVISIONAL
AFC: Ravens over Texans, Chiefs over Patriots
NFC: 49ers over Seahawks, Saints over Packers
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Chiefs over Ravens
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Saints over 49ers
SUPER BOWL
Saints over Chiefs: I picked the Saints over the Chiefs in the Super Bowl before the season and I'm sticking with it. Drew Brees finally gets back to the Super Bowl and wins his second championship. Brees, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara prove to have too much firepower, even for the Chiefs.
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