Training camps are beginning to kick off across the NFL.
What does this mean?
It is time to predict the 14 playoff teams.
Check here for the June edition of these predictions. Check here for the May edition of these predictions. Check here for the April edition of these predictions. Check here for the March edition of these predictions. Check here for the February edition of these predictions.
AFC East
| New England Patriots | 9-7 Y (+1) |
| New York Jets | 4-12 (+0) |
| Buffalo Bills | 9-7 X (+0) |
| Miami Dolphins | 5-11 (+0) |
AFC North
| Baltimore Ravens | 12-4 Y (+0) |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 12-4 X (+2) |
| Cleveland Browns | 8-8 (-1) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 4-12 (-1) |
AFC South
| Indianapolis Colts | 8-8 (+0) |
| Tennessee Titans | 9-7 Y (+0) |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2-14 (+0) |
| Houston Texans | 8-8 (+1) |
AFC West
| Kansas City Chiefs | 12-4 * (-1) |
| Denver Broncos | 9-7 X (+0) |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7-9 (+0) |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 6-10 (-1) |
NFC East
| Philadelphia Eagles | 10-6 Y (+0) |
| Dallas Cowboys | 10-6 (+0) |
| Washington Football Team | 5-11 (-2) |
| New York Giants | 3-13 (+0) |
NFC North
| Chicago Bears | 8-8 (+0) |
| Minnesota Vikings | 9-7 (-1) |
| Green Bay Packers | 10-6 Y (+1) |
| Detroit Lions | 7-9 (-1) |
NFC South
| Atlanta Falcons | 5-11 (+1) |
| Carolina Panthers | 5-11 (-1) |
| New Orleans Saints | 12-4 * (+1) |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 10-6 X (-1) |
NFC West
| Los Angeles Rams | 10-6 X (+2) |
| Seattle Seahawks | 11-5 X (+1) |
| San Francisco 49ers | 12-4 * (+0) |
| Arizona Cardinals | 5-11 (+0) |
Key
* – Home Field Advantage
Y – Division Winner
X – Wild Card
Tiebreakers:
AFC East: The Patriots had a better record within the division than the Bills had.
AFC North: The Ravens had the superior strength of victory.
AFC No. 1: The Chiefs beat the Ravens head-to-head.
AFC No. 3: The Patriots had the superior record against common opponents.
AFC No. 6: The Broncos beat the Bills head-to-head.
NFC East: The Eagles had a better record within the division than the Cowboys had.
NFC No. 1: The Saints beat the 49ers head-to-head.
NFC No. 3: The Packers beat the Eagles head-to-head.
NFC No. 6: The Rams beat the Buccaneers and Cowboys head-to-head.
NFC No. 7: The Buccaneers had the superior strength of victory.
Playoff Predictions
Wild Card Round
AFC
No. 2 Ravens over No. 7 Bills
No. 6 Broncos over No. 3 Patriots
No. 5 Steelers over No. 4 Titans
NFC
No. 2 49ers over No. 7 Buccaneers
No. 6 Rams over No. 3 Packers
No. 5 Seahawks over No. 4 Eagles
Divisional Round
AFC
No. 1 Chiefs over No. 6 Broncos
No. 2 Ravens over No. 5 Steelers
NFC
No. 5 Seahawks over No. 2 49ers
No. 1 Saints over No. 6 Rams
Conference Championships
AFC
No. 1 Chiefs over No. 2 Ravens
NFC
No. 1 Saints over No. 5 Seahawks
Super Bowl
The Chiefs defeat the Saints in Super Bowl LV.
Extra Thoughts
The Steelers and Rams were the most improved teams in the last month (in terms of increased win tallies). Neither team made any noticeable changes to the personnel, but the lack of preseason games likely aids the teams that are returning many players. For the most part, the Steelers and Rams stayed together with continuity among their stars, the quarterbacks, and head coaches.
Washington was the only team to drop multiple games. A 7-9 season was likely too ambitious, and a two-game drop is simply a market correction. They should have a good defense, but the jury is still out on whether Dwayne Haskins is the future of Washington football.
Yet again, the Chiefs win the Super Bowl. If the prediction comes true, the Chiefs will join a select fraternity of back-to-back Super Bowl champions.
The numbers will certainly fluctuate throughout the offseason, so be sure to tune in for the August edition of the playoff predictions.
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