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NFL postseason: Predicting the 2017 playoff picture and Super Bowl winner

By Peter Panacy

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 09: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers congratulates Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers after the game on December 9, 2012 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. San Diego won the game 34-24. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 09: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers congratulates Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers after the game on December 9, 2012 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. San Diego won the game 34-24. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Divisional Round Predictions

With the Wild Card round now in the books, it’s time to set up the NFL divisional round for each conference.

And there should be some pretty exciting matchups to watch here.

AFC

  • Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
  • Los Angeles Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC

  • New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles
  • Seattle Seahawks @ Minnesota Vikings

AFC Divisional Round Predictions

After some early worries about their defense, the Patriots haven’t allowed more than 17 points in a game since way back in Week 4 against the Panthers. Meanwhile, the Ravens offense is terrible and won’t be able to match what quarterback Tom Brady and Co. will do.

New England moves on to the AFC Conference championship round.

Meanwhile, the Chargers and Steelers could be a bit more difficult to predict. After all, L.A.’s pass rush is legit, while quarterback Philip Rivers is playing phenomenally well. But with the Chargers allowing an average of 4.8 yards per carry on the ground — second worst in the NFL — expect Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell to have a huge game.

There’s your difference, as the Steelers advance to yet another showdown with the Pats.

NFC Divisional Round Predictions

If you like offense in your NFL games, watching the Eagles and Saints should be something pretty crazy.

But this game will be decided by defense, and Philly has the edge there. The Eagles own the third-best yardage defense in the NFL, while the Saints come in at No. 12.

It might be close at first, but Philadelphia pulls away in the second half.

Speaking of defense, the Vikings and Seahawks should be a dandy. But with a banged-up secondary, Seattle is going to have a tough time matching a dogged effort from quarterback Case Keenum and Co. That alone won’t be enough to win the game, but Minnesota’s elite-level defense makes life very tough for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his shoddy offensive line.

Consider this game a grudge match for what happened between these two teams in the 2016 Wild Card round two seasons ago.