Sure, there is never a guarantee in the NFL, but we're going to get bold here and take a look at a few teams that have some victories coming their way in the first round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs. We've seen both conferences get a bit wacky this year, as both top seeds from the 2024 playoffs, the Chiefs and Lions, are totally out of the playoffs.
In fact, the teams combined for 15 wins this year. Those teams won a combined 30 regular season games in 2024. This year more than in previous years, the parity feels like it's at an all-time high, and that's honestly great for the NFL. The current Wild Card schedule this weekend is filled with some interesting matchups.
And we tried our best to predict a few teams that are guaranteed to win this weekend. Let's get into those teams here.
These teams are guaranteed to win in the Wild Card Round
Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Buffalo Bills) - Sunday, January 11th, 1:00 PM ET
The Jacksonville Jaguars might be viewed differently if they had a different logo, as it doesn't seem like this team is totally being looked at as a legitimate contender in the playoffs. For years before 2025, the Jags were either totally dysfunctional or nothing more than a 'good' team. What we've seen in 2025 is the roster hit their potential, as we've seen just how great this team can be with the right coaching staff.
In fact, this is what Trevor Lawrence has done over the last six games:
1,749 total yards
19 total touchdowns
1 interception
113.2 passer rating
The Jaguars have won each of these games. Lawrence has taken over games, and it's not like this team doesn't also have a top-10 defense. Jacksonville can hurt you in a multitude of ways, and the Buffalo Bills come to town having fielded one of the more average rosters in the Josh Allen era.
While this is the first time Josh Allen wouldn't have to go through Patrick Mahomes in the NFL playoffs, the Jaguars are every bit of a juggernaut.
Prediction: Jaguars win 30-24
Philadelphia Eagles (vs. San Francisco 49ers) - Sunday, January 11th, 4:30 PM ET
The San Francisco 49ers had a great year given the insane circumstances. This team was again among the most injured in the NFL and lost guys like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa to season-ending injuries.
Quarterback Brock Purdy missed a good bit of time this year as well, but the Niners did control their destiny heading into Week 18. They couldn't get past the Seattle Seahawks and now have a date with the Philadelphia Eagles. And while Philly hasn't been great this year, this team is experienced in the playoffs and are getting some elite play from the defense.
Kyle Shanahan also doesn't have a great history going up against Vic Fangio-led defenses, and this is one of those games where the Niners are simply going to get overwhelmed at some point. Kyle Shanahan is a masterful offensive mind, but there comes a time where the players not being good enough ends up ending their chances.
Prediction: Eagles win 28-17
Houston Texans (@ Pittsburgh Steelers) - Monday, January 12th, 8:15 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Steelers were about to be sitting on the couch and not in the playoffs, but a Tyler Loop missed field goal gives them a home playoff game against the defensive juggernaut Houston Texans. Houston went 12-2 over their final 14 games after a brutal 0-3 start, and the one thing this team can do well is create havoc on defense.
The issue with Pittsburgh is that this team doesn't do anything particularly well, and that's a death sentence in the playoffs. Houston's pass rush will be able to get to Aaron Rodgers, and the offense should be able to do enough, as in CJ Stroud's four career playoff games, he's averaged 244 passing yards and has a 100.5 passer rating.
The way Pittsburgh got into the playoffs was fun, but the playoff push is going to be short-lived with a low-scoring Houston victory.