This has been a great and very intriguing year for the NFL. Despite the many injuries, teams have had so many incredible surprises showcasing their perseverance and ability to continue winning even with star players on the bench. Teams that struggled last year are now on top, and teams that once were the best have started to crumble and fall. So here is my continued and updated prediction for who will win the Super Bowl for the 2023-2024 season.
The Second/Divisional Round
AFC:
The Houston Texans (4) vs The Baltimore Ravens (1) Predicted Winner: The Baltimore Ravens
The Texans won over the Browns by a significant amount of points, 45-15, confirming my predictions from the previous week. Quarterback CJ Stroud had a great game and threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Houston’s own Devin Singletary and Nico Collins both had a touchdown. Stroud will continue to have his eyes on both players when under pressure in the pocket from Raven’s blitz. The Texan’s defense played its part and was able to have back-to-back pix 6s. If this Texans team works together, there’s a good chance they will overcome the well-rounded Ravens. It won’t be easy, however, as the Ravens are the number 1 seed in the AFC for a reason. The Raven’s defense has many elite players, like Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, Patrick Queen, and Justin Madubike, all nominated for this year’s Pro Bowl. Their lead tackler is Roquan Smith, who has 158 tackles, and their 24-year-old player, Geno Stone, led the team with seven interceptions. On offense, the Ravens quarterback, Lamar Jackson, another 2024 Pro Bowl nominee, will have to lead this team to victory by being efficient with his pass-and-run game. Jackson had 3,678 pass yards and 821 rushing yards. Jackson will have help from his 2024 Pro Bowl nominee, Center Tyler Linerbaum, and his rookie receiver Zay Flowers, who has been excellent with a team-leading 858 yards. With the alarming number of Pro Bowl and star players, I feel this Ravens team is too dominant to lose. However, don’t count out CJ Stroud and the Texans, who I predict will keep this game close and lose by less than two touchdowns.
The Kansas City Chiefs (3) vs. The Buffalo Bills (2) Predicted Winner: The Buffalo Bills
Whenever the Chiefs play the Bills, expect a great matchup. Chiefs’ star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Bills’ star quarterback Josh Allen are leading the charge for their teams. Both QBs are crafty, experienced, and have rockets for arms. I expect this game to be a high-scoring shootout. In their wildcard games, I successfully predicted both of these teams to win their games. Kansas City won against the Miami Dolphins 26-7, and Buffalo beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-17. The last time they met in the playoffs, the Chiefs were able to knock off the Buffalo Bills. Mahomes and his star tight end, Travis Kelce, received Pro Bowl nominations this year and are expected to be in sync for this big game. Running back Isaiah Pacheco had 935 yards rushing yards this year and has a remarkable ability to run hard and break low tackles. I think the Bills should win this game, as they want it more. The Chiefs have won three Superbowls out of five appearances, two of which have come in 2020 and last year.
On the other hand, the Bills had four Super Bowl appearances and have yet to win the big game. The Bills, James Cook had 1,122 yards and received a Pro Bowl nomination this season. Linebacker Terrel Bernard was able to rack up 143 tackles and two interceptions this season. He will be a crucial player in this game as he will be forced to try to stop the Chiefs’ run-and-pass game. Because of how well Buffalo played at the end of the season and their will to win, they will win this game by no more than a field goal.
NFC:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4) vs The Detroit Lions (3) Predicted Winner: The Detroit Lions
The Bucs were able to trample last year’s Super Bowl team, the Eagles lLike I successfully predicted). Baker Mayfield showed how much he has improved by throwing for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Although Baker did a great job, the Bucs’ defense shined, as they held Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia to only nine points, with a final score of 32-9 win. During the game, Baker did a great job sharing the ball with his teammates, and the rest of the team held up their end of the bargain while breaking multiple tackles. The Lions, though, have players that have lots of experience and will make big plays. Goff will also have to watch out as his star receiver Amon Ra St. Brown has to go up against Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jamel Dean, who was shutting down AJ Brown in their game against Philadelphia in the wild-card round. St. Brown went off for 110 receiving yards during the Lions’ wildcard game vs. the Rams. That game also went well for Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, who contributed as Montgomery led the team in rushing yards, and Gibbs scored a touchdown. Even though both teams played well in their last games, I don’t foresee them traveling much farther. I feel that either of these teams could run away with the game, but I think this game will be close with a touchdown or field goal ending possibly the Buccaneers season.
The San Francisco 49ers (1) vs The Green Bay Packers (7) Predicted Winner: The San Francisco 49ers
While the 49ers enjoyed their bye week as the number 1 seed, the Green Bay Packers dominated the Dallas Cowboys. The Packers were able to get two interceptions and were locking down the Cowboys in the first half. I will enjoy watching the young quarterback battle between Brock Purdy and Jordan Love. Also, Purdy and star receiver Deebo Samuel will have their work cut out against cornerback Jaire Alexander, who picked off Dak Prescott in the wildcard round. What I like about the Packers is that they have lots of depth and players you may not know but could go off for a big game. However, San Francisco has been one of the most dominant teams this year. Their quarterback, Brock Purdy, was able to snag a Pro Bowl nod this year because of how well he has adapted to his new role. Purdy was the last pick in his draft class, but now he leads a Super Bowl-contending team. Purdy’s story is fantastic, and the fact that he preserved it despite being a last option is awe-inspiring. Purdy has many other teammates who have helped him become a great quarterback and team. Most star players on his team also received Pro Bowl nominations: Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, George Kittle, Javon Hargrave, Fred Warner, and Charvarius Ward are veteran players who have paved the way for this great team. If the 49ers get hot, this game could turn ugly fast, but the Packers are skilled and will only lose by 10 points or more.
