Let's make some playoff predictions

In the interest of honesty, I must be very clear... My NFL predictions this year were very bad. I picked the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl, and they aren't even in the playoffs. I also picked Bon Jovi to play halftime, and now we know that Justin Timberlake will be the halftime act instead, so my track record isn't great. With that in mind, let's look at what the playoffs have to offer.

Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs are a dynamic offensive threat, which seems ill at odds with the perception of the Chiefs for so long. The Titans were the team I expected to win the AFC South, but that was largely because I thought they were in a very soft conference, not because they were especially talented. The Chiefs seem like the better team, because of their playmakers. The Titans have a better quarterback, but the Chiefs are just better. Pick: Chiefs

Atlanta Falcons @ Los Angeles Rams - Yes, the Rams have been stellar all year, but the fact is, they are sending 2nd year quarterback in a 2nd year stadium and a first year coach into the playoffs against the defending NFC champion. The Falcons aren't substantially worse than they were last year, but the AFC South was much stronger this year than last. I think they are battle tested enough to get through a game in Los Angeles. Pick: Falcons

Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars - What world are we living in that these two teams are both in the playoffs? Against each other? What?!  And during the season, the Bills traded one of their best defenders to the Jaguars. And the Bills decided one week, while they were in the throes of a playoff race, they decided to replace their quarterback in one of the greatest catastrophes in recent NFL history. The Jaguars have been so bad for so long it seems incredible that they are this good, but in fact, it's not smoke and mirrors, and finally, the breaks have gone their way. There is NO WAY the Bills should win this game, or even be in the playoffs. Obviously... Pick: Bills

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints - These are two good teams in what should be the highlight of the weekend. More than any other game of the weekend, I think it's a toss up. The Saints are a better offense, while the Panthers are a better defense. Two playoff tested quarterbacks, and two playoff tested teams. In this season in which nothing makes sense, the Panthers traded their best receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, to the.... to the BILLS. What?! Ugh, I'm just picking the home team. PICK: Saints

That brings us to the Divisional matchups.
Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles - For all the successes that the Eagles have had this year, they haven't been the same since Carson Wentz was injured. The Falcons are 7-3 after a 3 game losing streak early in the year. They are in a good spot, the Eagles are not. Pick: Falcons

Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots - The Patriots have a long history of getting gifted some terrific matchups in the playoffs. They will not lose to the Bills in January. Unless, of course, they are so stunned that the Bills are in the Divisional round of the Playoffs and don't come to play. Which isn't happening. Pick: Patriots

Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers - Definitely more than in the NFC, the AFC seems to have a severe break between the top two teams in the playoffs and the bottom 4. All that said, if there is a team that can beat the Steelers in this round, its the Kansas City Chiefs, with their big playmakers could put enough points on the board to put a scare into Pittsburgh. A scare, yes, but I think they don't have the necessary killer instinct. Pick: Steelers.

New Orleans Saints @ Minnesota Vikings - Here it is, the big game for local fans. The Vikings have their situation, after so many issues, figured out. Case Keenum can throw, he has a lot of options, and their running game is still a valid option despite Dalvin Cook's injury. Their defense is dominant, and the game is being played at home against a team they've already defeated. Pick: Vikings

So, who will play in the Super Bowl?

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots - The Patriots were bold enough to trade Jimmy "undefeated in the NFL" Garaoppolo, so they must feel like they have something with quarterback Tom Brady. I just feel like the Patriots are in a late Renaissance, and Brady, Belichick and the rest of the squad are out to prove that they aren't ever going to get too old to keep winning.  They did this last year, and they always seem able to beat the Steelers. Pick: Patriots

Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings - The Cowboys and Bills are the only teams to play each other in consecutive Super Bowls, and I don't think we are going to see that happen again this year. The Vikings have a long history of completely blowing it in important games, and will be acutely aware of their history when they are facing the Falcons in the Championship. The good news is that the difference between this Vikings-Falcons NFC championship is that this time, the Vikings are going to be way better than Atlanta. Pick: Vikings

Super Bowl:

New England Patriots @ Minnesota Vikings - The ting about the Vikings of 2017 is that they just don't ever seem to rattle. They've stepped up to the plate in every test this season, from playing strong teams to losing their best players to injury, but they just keep on pounding. The Patriots have only lost to one team in the Super Bowl (twice, but still) and don't often waver in the face of adversity, like playing a road game in the Super Bowl. What does it come down to? What would be the most annoying thing? Usually, it's another Patriots victory, but as someone who lived in Chicago White Sox territory in 2005, I can tell you it's insufferable to live among fans of a championship team when you are not a fan of said team. The Vikings winning the Super Bowl would be so annoying. Pick: Vikings.