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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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FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 22: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with Antonio Brown #84 after a touchdown by DeAngelo Williams #34 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 22: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with Antonio Brown #84 after a touchdown by DeAngelo Williams #34 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Conference Championship Predictions

Sometimes, the conference championship games are more entertaining than the Super Bowl. And that might be the case again as we wrap up the 2017 NFL season.

Here are the predicted matchups:

  • Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots
  • Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles

AFC Conference Championship

Ah, yes. A rematch of the 2017 AFC Conference championship game.

Based off history, there’s no way the Steelers win this game. Pittsburgh is 1-4 against New England in postseason play, with the last win coming back in 1998. Simply put, Pats head coach Bill Belichick has the Steelers’ number.

And while the Steelers offense has been frustrating at times, there is a way they pull off a would-be upset.

New England’s defense has improved notably since early this season, but it’s still allowing a whopping 5.1 yards per rush attempt — worst in the NFL.

Here’s the game plan for Pittsburgh — run Le’Veon Bell, control the clock and keep Tom Brady and Co. off the field.

To make things interesting, that’s our prediction why the Steelers make it to Super Bowl LII (what, you expected us to go with the Patriots just because?).

LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

NFC Conference Championship

It’s crazy to think someone like quarterback Case Keenum would make it this far, but he and the Vikings have certainly earned it.

Going against the Eagles, though, is a different kind of challenge.

Both teams are eerily similar in a lot of ways. Just check out some offensive and defensive comparisons:

  • Offensive Yards per Play — Eagles: 5.7, Vikings: 5.6
  • Average Yards Against per Play — Eagles: 4.9, Vikings: 4.8

The pipe dream here would be to have the Vikings play at home, at U.S. Bank Stadium, in Super Bowl LII. Funny, as we haven’t even mentioned that up to this point.

But this is the kind of game where home-field advantage plays a major role. While not as touted, largely because it sits behind a prolific offense, the Eagles defense is nearly as good as that of Minnesota.

At home, and with a hostile crowd backing it, Philadelphia matches the Vikings’ own defensive intensity.

The Eagles get to the Super Bowl.