NFL Playoff Predictions

 

It's another disappointing season for the Cleveland Browns. But that doesn't mean we can't have fun following the NFL playoffs to see how the postseason plays out! Especially when there is still an Ohio team in the running. How will the conference championship games play out, and who will win it all this year? 

Bengals vs Chiefs

I am biased toward choosing the Bengals here as an Ohio resident, but Mahomes's recent ankle sprain makes the pick even more realistic. Cincinnati took down Kansas City in the same game last year, and I think they have a great shot to pull off the repeat upset next weekend. While the Chiefs are loaded with talent, Joe Burrow possesses something possibly more important than any amount of talent or athletic ability: a cool, level, and focused mind. With his leadership, I think we will see the Bengals head to the Super Bowl for back-to-back visits. Bengals 31 - Chiefs 28

Eagles vs 49ers

I know that the Eagles were undefeated for a long time, and the 49ers are working with a 3rd string quarterback. The 49ers offense was really pretty unimpressive in their victory against the Cowboys, while Philadelphia flattened the Giants by a 31-point margin. Sorry San Francisco, but based on the little I've been following, the Eagles look like a deserving favorite. Eagles 24 - 49ers 20

Super Bowl

So assuming my first two predictions are right, we'll see the Bengals facing down the Eagles in the 57th edition of the Super Bowl. This one should be close, and any injuries in either conference championship game could throw things off significantly. But I think the Bengals are prepared to make the big plays in the big moments this year, and finish the work that they started last year. Bengals 27 - Eagles 23

While we're here...

The real question is: When will the Browns finally win the Super Bowl? Their last championship (not a Super Bowl) was in 1964. They finally got a taste of the playoffs in the 2020-2021 season, but are now facing some serious struggles once again. Cleveland, as always, wants to know: When will the Browns finally figure it out?

I'm sad to say that I don't think this is the team to do it. Deshaun Watson is understandably unpopular, and a liability to the team's culture. Whatever his football talents, I don't think it will be enough to make up for his off-field issues. Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam have time and time again proven themselves incompetent in turning the franchise around. Coach Kevin Stefanski has yet to earn the city's trust, with one strong season out of three. Players like Myles Garrett and Nick Chubb are the bright spots for the Browns right now, but unfortunately that pair is not enough to elevate the entire team.

In reality, I think the Browns are going to need to work through a few more years of failure at worst, and mediocrity at best. To me, the key will be the Haslam family relinquishing the reigns, or at least making a major shift in their approach. They seem incapable of making wise coaching and quarterbacking decisions, and because of this, the franchise's culture remains negative, with low expectations abounding.

Give Watson 2-3 years to keep the hype alive until they finally get rid of him. Then another 3 years for the owners to try something new, and watch it fail, too. Then we finally get a new owner maybe 5 years from now. Give them 3-4 years to rebuild the team. That brings us nine years out. I'm predicting the Browns' first Super Bowl victory in the '31-'32 season. You heard it here first!