7 bold predictions for the NFL playoffs
With the NFL postseason upon us, each football editor at theScore made an outlandish prediction about what will transpire over the next month. Each prediction is unrelated to the others.
Mahomes retakes the throne
The regular season belonged to Lamar Jackson, but Patrick Mahomes will prove he remains the best quarterback in the league with a string of historic playoff performances. The all-time mark for touchdown passes in a single postseason stands at 11 (owned by Joe Flacco, Joe Montana, and Kurt Warner). Mahomes will add the record to his already eye-popping young resume. - Jack Browne
Kittle ends dream season with Super Bowl MVP
2019 was a year to remember for the San Francisco 49ers and tight end George Kittle, but the beginning of 2020 will be even better. Kittle's third campaign was arguably the best we've seen in recent years at his position and he'll be in prime position to step up on the game's biggest stage. A tight end has never won Super Bowl MVP, but the 26-year-old has broken many trends since entering the league. The No. 1 seed will return to glory on Kittle's back. - Mike Alessandrini
Patriots go 1-and-done
New England has gone to eight straight AFC championships, but these Patriots don't have the same offensive firepower those teams had. The defending champions are about to realize that defense and special teams can only take a team so far in this era of offensive football. - Alex Chippin
PI challenge delivers win for Saints
After being derided by fans and pundits for its uneven implementation of the new pass interference challenge rule, the NFL's officiating department will be celebrated in New Orleans when a key late-game challenge lands in the Saints' favor. - David P. Woods
Eagles upset Seahawks
The Eagles and Cowboys had been ridiculed all year for a division race it appeared no one wanted to win. Philly will now match up against the depleted Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round. With home-field advantage and the injuries to the Seahawks' backfield and offensive line, the Eagles overcome their own ailments to earn the upset. - Michael McClymont
Road team wins every wild-card game
Home-field advantage won't mean much early in this year's postseason. Every visitor will emerge with a victory on Wild Card Weekend, marking just the second time in NFL history every home team lost in a four-game playoff round. The only other occurrence was in the wild-card round that followed the 2015 season. Some results will be less surprising than others, like the Eagles losing to the Seahawks and the Texans dropping their home game against the Bills, but upsets from the Titans and Vikings will shock football fans and make this a clean sweep. - Dan Wilkins
Thomas breaks playoff receptions record
The all-time record for receptions in a single playoff game is 15, held by Darren Sproles and James White. Following a magical regular season in which Michael Thomas broke the NFL single-season record for catches, expect him to shatter Sproles' and White's mark as Drew Brees and the Saints lean on the wideout heavily in the postseason. - Caio Miari