2018 NFL Playoffs Predictions: Cowboys are back and other surprises

Who do you think will make the 2018 NFL Playoffs? Its easy to predict chalk and often the smart move, but that’s boring. Our predictions are bold(ish) and the Dallas Cowboys are back baby!

Earlier in the offseason, we attempted to nail down the best bets around the NFL. This included best picks for division winners, monitoring over/under win totals, and the smartest Super Bowl matchups to count on. But outside of odds and value, there is something to be said for naming the outcome you feel the best about.

With that, here are the final 2018 NFL playoff prediction before the season gets underway. Both Todd Salem and Dan Salem make their picks in the AFC, followed by the NFC. Then you scrutinize the them in the comments section below. Don’t be shy!

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate the 2018 NFL Playoffs in today’s NFL Sports Debate.

AFC Playoff Predictions:

Todd Salem:

AFC East – New England Patriots
AFC North – Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South – Houston Texans
AFC West – Denver Broncos

The Patriots and Steelers feel like the safest teams in the conference. Not only should they be good, but their divisional peers might not be. Houston and Denver play in much tougher divisions. The Texans, though, feel like the team with the highest ceiling, and I just can’t bring myself to pick that Jaguars offense over what Houston is capable of.

With the Broncos, they just feel steady and reliable for the first time in a couple years. The offense should be exceedingly competent, and the defense is potentially elite. Denver also had one of the worst set of special teams in the league last year. A jump in that, mostly thanks to the signing of Marquette King and positive regression for Brandon McManus, could push this squad over the top.

AFC Wild Cards – Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs

The Chargers are a pretty balanced team, though health has been a concern. Their main point of worry is on the sideline. But a history of questionable coaching decisions and bad losses (through multiple establishments) won’t hold good talent down forever, especially if they find something as simple as a league-average kicker.

Kansas City’s only real question is behind center. Those are two huge issues respectively, which is why neither wins their division. But I don’t love the depth of the AFC outside of this stacked West division. And the talent around Pat Mahomes in KC is hard to argue with.

Dan Salem:

AFC East – New England Patriots
AFC North – Baltimore Ravens
AFC South – Jacksonville Jaguars
AFC West – Los Angeles Chargers

New England is practically a given, meaning the rest of the conference is kind of up in the air. I look towards consistency on offense and great defense for the remainder of my division winners. Baltimore got very close to the playoffs last year and their division feels wide open. Lamar Jackson helps push them over the top. Jacksonville’s defense is enough to win them the South, while the Chargers offense helps them rise to the top of a crowded West division.

AFC Wild Cards – Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans

A cluster of teams will be competing for the final AFC Wildcard spot, because Pittsburgh is a step ahead of everyone else. They fall a game behind the Ravens for the division, but are easily ahead in the wildcard race. Houston gets the extra victory it needs to secure the final playoff spot and stay in front of Denver, Kansas City, and Tennessee. I love their balance on offense and defense. It’s enough to vault them into the 2018 NFL Playoffs.

NFC Playoff Predictions:

Todd Salem:

NFC East – Philadelphia Eagles
NFC North – Minnesota Vikings
NFC South – Atlanta Falcons
NFC West – Los Angeles Rams

With the exception of the Falcons, these division winners feel awfully chalky. Who is going to fall short? Philly, Minnesota, and Los Angeles are endlessly talented from top to bottom. As for the Falcons, my belief in them is more a slight disbelief in their divisional counterparts. I don’t like New Orleans or Carolina as much as many. And even from a down year, the Falcons are coming off 10 wins and a playoff berth.

NFC Wild Cards – Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers

A healthy Aaron Rodgers is worth a playoff berth. The team around him isn’t supreme, but everyone outside of the top three teams in this conference has major flaws. Finding a third wide receiver won’t even be that crucial for this offense thanks to the depth at running back and tight end. They will have to mix and match more than usual, but they also have Rodgers.

To a much lesser extent, I feel the same way about the Carolina offense. A heavy running game, with three quality backs, a running quarterback, and whatever Curtis Samuel can be, can make up for a lack of playmaking wide receivers. And on the opposite side, this could once again be the best defense in the conference. There is no chance of that being true with someone like New Orleans or even Seattle.

Dan Salem:

NFC East – Philadelphia Eagles
NFC North – Minnesota Vikings
NFC South – Carolina Panthers
NFC West – Los Angeles Rams

Chalk it is across much of the NFC, because the top teams have not lost a thing from last season. Defense rules the day in every division, but that’s not to discount each team’s dynamic offense. The Eagles, Vikings, and Rams are going to be forces to reckon with once again. Carolina emerges from the South this season, on the back of its defense. It will come down to the very end of the year, but the Panthers get it done.

NFC Wild Cards – Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers

This might be the most contentious wildcard yet, as every team in the running would easily win a spot in the other conference. Atlanta, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, and San Francisco all feel like viable candidates to secure a spot. Ultimately Aaron Rodgers wins out and gets the Packers into the playoffs. I also love the Cowboys, on the back of Dak Prescott and their strong running game. Its going to be a fight to the finish, with two traditional powerhouses winning wild card berths.

There you have it, your 2018 NFL Playoffs predictions! Now rip them apart, sick the dogs on them, and let us know who you think will make the playoffs. Did your favorite team make the cut? Everyone is currently alive!