Predicting the entire 2022 NFL Playoffs: 1990s rematch in store

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 20: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers and Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs embrace after the game at SoFi Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

AFC Divisional Round

Los Angeles Chargers (5) at Kansas City Chiefs (1)

The Los Angeles Chargers have to figure out how to consistently beat the Kansas City Chiefs if they want to make a run at either the AFC West title or in the playoffs. Here, they again face their rivals as the No. 5 seed hits the road to play the Chiefs.

Kansas City still has enough firepower to cause teams headaches and while the Chargers keep it close, the home team wins it in the end.

Prediction: Kansas City 26, Los Angeles 23

Cincinnati Bengals (3) at Buffalo Bills (2)

This game will be a very emotional one. A re-match of the Week 17 contest that never happened in the record books. That was when Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and players were so (understandably) shocked by seeing him need CPR that the game was called off.

Hamlin continues to show progress and has been cheering his team on. Now, they go out there and finish this one for No. 3, and secure a win to head to the AFC Championship Game.

Prediction: Buffalo 33, Cincinnati 27

NFC Divisional Round

Dallas Cowboys (5) at Philadelphia (1)

After a bye week, the Philadelphia Eagles will be rested and ready to face their biggest rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. They split the season series but each won when the other was without their starting quarterback.

That means this is the first showdown between Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts this year. The teams are close but quarterbacks matter a lot in the NFL playoffs and Dallas has the better one. The edge goes to America’s Team as they upset the No. 1 seed.

Prediction: Dallas 33, Philadelphia 24

San Francisco 49ers (3) at Minnesota Vikings (2)

Minnesota’s offense has been fantastic this season but they did get shut down by Philly and Dallas losing 24-7 and 40-3 respectively. As good as those defenses are, the 49ers are even better. They keep the Vikings from scoring too much and Brock Purdy does just enough to get his team to the NFC Championship Game.

Prediction: San Francisco 21, Minnesota 17

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