7 bold predictions for the NFL playoffs
With the NFL postseason upon us, theScore's football editors each make an outlandish prediction about what will transpire over the next month.
2 wild-card teams meet in Atlanta
The NFL's calling card is its unmatched parity, but of late, the postseason has been dominated by the league's top seeds. Not since the fourth-seeded Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 season has a team without a bye appeared in the Super Bowl. Moreover, of the last 10 teams to make the big game, nine were No. 1 seeds. That will all change this postseason. With the strongest group of fifth- and sixth-seeded teams in recent memory, the Super Bowl will be contested between two wild-card entrants. - Jack Browne
Mahomes doesn't throw a TD pass, Chiefs bounced early
The regular-season leader in touchdown passes with 50 will be bounced from the playoffs before he can register one in the postseason. What worked so well during the year will be stymied by opposing defenses in the playoffs. Once again, the Kansas City Chiefs will make an early postseason exit, bringing a premature end to Patrick Mahomes' extraordinary sophomore season. - Michael McClymont
Single-game playoff points record falls
The Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals combined for an eye-popping 96 points in a wild-card game nine years ago, establishing the NFL playoff record that will be broken within the next month thanks to the presence of a host of elite offensive units. And you just know the Chiefs' defense is salivating at the idea of making playoff history! - Alex Chippin
Bears don't allow a TD en route to Super Bowl
The Chicago Bears' top-ranked scoring defense will elevate its game to another level in the postseason. Khalil Mack and the swarming front seven will terrorize Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles and then proceed to shut down the Los Angeles Rams once again, making Todd Gurley and Co. look ordinary for the second time this season. In the NFC title game, Chicago will completely neutralize Mike Thomas, Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, and the rest of the New Orleans Saints. This unit is better than the legendary 1985 team and will make its mark on history. - Arun Srinivasan
Cohen makes single-game TD history
With all eyes on the Bears' stout defense, it'll be Tarik Cohen who steps up for a flat Mitchell Trubisky in the postseason and provides Chicago with an offensive surge. Matt Nagy will get even more creative with his play-calling and manufacture touches for his best offensive player, leading to Cohen becoming the first player since 1976 to record a touchdown on the ground, in the air, and on a punt return in one game. - Karan Gill
Joe Flacco throws multiple TDs to save Ravens
Lamar Jackson grabbed control of the starting job by leading the Ravens to a 6-1 record and the AFC North title, but through a combination of creativity and desperation, head coach John Harbaugh will come good on a summer claim that he wanted to find ways to get both quarterbacks involved. Down big against the Chargers, the veteran Flacco will be called upon to help an all-but-abandoned passing attack, and his first scores since Week 8 will spark a Ravens comeback. - Esten McLaren
Seahawks blunder at 1-yard line again
Look away, Seahawks fans. Seattle will ride a hot running game, stout defense, and a dynamic Russell Wilson all the way to the Super Bowl. But against the New England Patriots yet again, Pete Carroll will be left with a decision similar to that of Super Bowl 49 - on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line to win the game. Outthinking themselves and giving us all deja vu, Brian Schottenheimer will call a pass play instead of a run, and Wilson's throw will be intercepted to end the game, giving Tom Brady his sixth Lombardi Trophy. - Mike Alessandrini