Josh Frey’s 2025 NFL Playoff Predictions
Week 1 of the 2025 NFL regular season has arrived.
As the new year begins, it’s time to make some predictions as to how it will end by predicting the full playoff bracket for this season during the NFL playoffs. To see how we got here, check out the full NFL standings predictions below.
AFC East predictions
NFC East predictions
AFC North predictions
NFC North predictions
AFC South predictions
NFC South predictions
AFC West predictions
NFC West predictions
NFL Playoff Predictions: Wild Card Round
First, let’s take a look at the teams who will be in the field based on the NFL standings predictions, again, which can all be found above.
In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens get the No. 1 seed and a bye in the Wild Card round, giving us these matchups:
- #2 Buffalo Bills vs. #7 Denver Broncos
- #3 Kansas City Chiefs vs. #6 Cincinnati Bengals
- #4 Houston Texas vs. #5 Los Angeles Chargers
Buffalo Bills over Denver Broncos
It’s a rematch of last year’s Wild Card. Ultimately, the Bills are going to go as far as their defense allows them to. Denver’s offense should be an efficient unit again in 2025, but Bo Nix struggled against the Bills last time, and it likely happens again.
Kansas City Chiefs over Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati’s struggles on defense and their offensive line have limited their ceiling over the past couple years, and these are two things that the Chiefs should feast on in this Wild Card matchup. Kansas City moves on.
Los Angeles Chargers over Houston Texans
A big year could be in store for the Los Angeles Chargers, particularly if their offensive line can open up running lanes for Omarion Hampton, and Justin Herbert plays like the elite quarterback that he has been over the past couple years. It’s a road win for the Chargers in Houston.
For the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers get the No. 1 seed, meaning these are the Wild Card matchups:
- #2 Philadelphia Eagles vs. #7 Los Angeles Rams
- #3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. #6 Minnesota Vikings
- #4 Green Bay Packers vs. #5 Detroit Lions
Philadelphia Eagles over Los Angeles Rams
Both of these teams have plenty of playoff experience, but who knows what Matthew Stafford’s health will look like by the end of the year. A young Eagles team trying to repeat as Super Bowl champions takes this matchup.
Minnesota Vikings over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Vikings won’t be able to replicate their 14-3 record that they enjoyed last season, but as long as their key pieces stay healthy, they are better built for playoff success in 2025. They have an improved interior offensive line, and their new defensive line should put plenty of pressure on Baker Mayfield. Vikings win on the road.
Green Bay Packers over Detroit Lions
The Lions are set to take a step back this year after losing both Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn on their coaching staff, and their offensive line might not be as good in 2025. With Micah Parsons on Green Bay’s defense, Jared Goff will be under duress throughout this game.
NFL Playoff Predictions: Divisional Round
Baltimore Ravens over Los Angeles Chargers
The Baltimore Ravens are going to be a very difficult team to knock out this year with strength in the trenches and Derrick Henry still manning their backfield. It also doesn’t hurt to have an MVP quarterback. Baltimore moves to the AFC Championship Game.
Buffalo Bills over Kansas City Chiefs
It’s time for Josh Allen to get the monkey off his back. Kansas City has been his nemesis for years, but this feels like Buffalo’s season to finally get it done.
San Francisco 49ers over Minnesota Vikings
The 49ers always bounce back after a bad season, and as long as key players like Christian McCaffrey can stay healthy, the same should be true for 2025. J.J. McCarthy will have a tough time with this defense on the road, and the 49ers move on.
Green Bay Packers over Philadelphia Eagles
It can’t be overstated how much the acquisition of Parsons means for this Packers defense. They will be able to get after the quarterback like few teams in the NFL, and they have a strong linebacker crew to keep Jalen Hurts in check. Josh Jacobs is one of the few running backs in the NFL that can also counteract the fact that Saquon Barkley is on the other side of the field.
NFL Playoff Predictions: Conference Championships
Buffalo Bills over Baltimore Ravens
It’s a matchup we’ve seen before in the playoffs, and Josh Allen has outperformed Lamar Jackson both times. It’s no different this time around as Buffalo makes its first Super Bowl since the 1993 season.
San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers
Kyle Shanahan has owned the Green Bay Packers when it comes to the playoffs, and nothing changes here. Ricky Pearsall will take a step forward to replace Deebo Samuel this year, and the 49ers head back to the big game.
Super Bowl LX
Buffalo Bills over San Francisco 49ers
Josh Allen follows up his MVP season in 2024 by delivering the city of Buffalo with its first Super Bowl championship, cementing himself as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL.
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