Serby’s crystal ball, which predicted in the preseason that the Chiefs would beat the Lions in the 2025 Super Bowl, is flashing red flags.
And there’s a new matchup in New Orleans as the NFL Wild Card Playoffs begin this weekend.
wild card round
texans charger
Great matchup in the trenches: Rashawn Slater and Joe Alto vs. Daniel Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Justin Herbert is hotter than CJ Stroud, who was sacked 52 times, and Jim Harbaugh will be coaching this game with an enthusiasm unknown to humanity.
Chargers 27, Texans 24
ravens steelers
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry (who had 162 rushing yards last time out against a reeling visitor) will keep Russell Wilson (watch out for Michael Pierce in coverage lol) and George Pickens will be off the field for extended periods of time, which will be an advantage for Mike Tomlin. Jackson is 2-4 in the postseason and looking to win his first Super Bowl.
Ravens 31, Steelers 16
Broncos vs. Bills
Sean Payton is a dangerous guy, and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph could give Josh Allen a hard time with the league’s best pass rush — watch out for Nick Bonitto. Allen committed three turnovers in a late home loss last season. Good luck pitching to CB Patrick Surtain. Bo Nix makes his playoff debut against Bills Mafia. Sean McDermott is full of praise for his rookie quarterback.
Bills 24, Broncos 22
packers vs eagles
Philadelphia waits with bated breath for an update on Jalen Hurts (concussion). He returned to practice on Wednesday. He may be rusty, but the Pack defense has allowed an average of 73 yards rushing over the past three games. However, CB Jaire Alexander is a big loss. Jordan Love (elbow) beat the Cowboys as a wild-card road underdog last year, but he won’t have WR Christian Watson (knee) to match up against defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s top-rated defense.
Battle of the Joe Sean All-Stars — Packers hawk Xavier McKinney vs. 2,000-yard man Saquon Barkley. Meet Josh Jacobs, Jalen Carter and Zach Baun. John Mara appears and trolls Barkley by pretending to be asleep right behind the Eagles’ bench. The Packers can’t remember the championship game they lost to Norm Van Brocklin at Franklin Field in 1960 under Vince Lombardi.
Eagles 24, Packers 20
buccaneers commander
The Jaden Daniels Experience makes its playoff debut. Scary Terry McLaurin is even scarier now that safety Jordan Whitehead is gone. When Todd Bowles steps off the bus, his eyes will light up. Baker Mayfield vs. Mike Evans will be a problem if nemesis Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is limited, and emerging rookie WR Jalen McMillan is a threat against either Benjamin St. Juste or Michael Davis. It will be. Rookie running back Bucky Irving has played well against the 30th-ranked run defense and has 37 receptions.
Bucks 34, Commanders 27
vikings vs rams
Kevin O’Connell vs. Sean McVay is a matchup of two beautiful offensive minds. Sam Darnold was sick Sunday night against the Lions, but he can still target Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Brian Flores’ blitz won’t surprise Matthew Stafford, so watch out for Puka Nacua. But Andrew Van Ginkel is always lurking as a pick-six threat. The Rams won the regular season game in Week 8, 30-20.
Vikings 27, Rams 24
division round
chiefs chargers
It’s not easy to beat a division rival three times in one season (17-10 and 19-17), but the defending champions have won 16 straight one-score games, and Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are close to a three-peat. I’m dreaming. Taylor Swift won’t approve of Derwin James body slamming Travis Kelce in 2022.
Chiefs 23, Chargers 20
vikings vs lions
Aaron Glenn will try to show Darnold the ghost again. His depleted defense will be happily embraced by the deafening Ford Field crowd. The pressure is on the Lions, but coach Dan Campbell won’t stop trying on fourth down with running back David Montgomery (knee) and additions Jahmil Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Ben Johnson and Jared Goff (2 interceptions in 308 postseason attempts) vs. Brian Flores and the blitz.
Lions 34, Vikings 27
Ravens at Bills
Lamar vs. Josh. Derrick Henry doesn’t let the weather bother him. Zach Orr has the best rushing defense in the NFL. Justin Tucker is right again. Can Tyler Bass be trusted in the playoffs?
Ravens 27, Bills 23
eagles buccaneers
Irving forced missed tackles and averaged 5.4 yards per rush. Kicker Chase McLaughlin was 22-for-22 in the top 50. Vita Vea and Lavonte David have stepped up the run defense recently. This time it’s Joe Schon sitting behind the Eagles’ bench and pretending to be asleep. While Bowles focuses on containing Saquon, Hurts targets and exploits AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith against the secondary.
Eagles 30, Bucks 22
AFC Championship Game
Ravens vs. Chiefs
Lamar Jackson waited a year to avenge his 17-10 home loss to Patrick Mahomes in last year’s AFC Championship. Jackson didn’t have Henry last time. Last time, Travis Kelce had the upper hand. Kyle Hamilton won’t let that happen this time. There will be no three-peat. Lamar Jackson is going to New Orleans.
Ravens 27, Chiefs 24
NFC Championship Game
eagles vs lions
Saquon is now 60 minutes away from the Super Bowl. This time Mara, Shane, and Brian Daboll pretend to be sleeping behind the Eagles’ bench. LBs Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell will play against Sam Huff and Saquon Jim Brown. Dan Campbell goes for it every time on fourth down. Goff handles the blitz. Gibbs is better than Saquon. A team and a town aiming for their first Super Bowl appearance. Campbell is carried off the field by Barry Sanders and Megatron.
Lions 27, Eagles 23
2025 super bowl
Ravens vs. Lions
Aidan Hutchinson (broken leg) defies all expectations and makes a comeback with an emotional cameo. It was a Super Bowl of revenge for Goff, who defeated Bill Belichick 13-3 in LIII. Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell involve Henry in a game of bully ball and force Jackson to duel Goff in a shootout. As time expired, Jake Bates kicked the winning field goal. Motown is title town.
Lions 34, Ravens 31
