The Serby Crystal Ball that in preseason predicted Chiefs over Lions in Super Bowl 2025 has been blinking danger signals.
And as the NFL wild-card playoffs begin this weekend, we will therefore have a new matchup in New Orleans:
Wild-card round
Chargers at Texans
Fantastic matchup in the trenches: Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt versus Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Justin Herbert comes in H๏τter than C.J. Stroud, who has been sacked 52 times, and Jim Harbaugh will be coaching this one with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.
Chargers 27, Texans 24
Steelers at Ravens
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry — 162 rushing yards for him last time against the reeling visitors — will keep Russell Wilson — beware Michael Pierce in coverage LOL — and George Pickens off the field for long stretches, which will be doing Mike Tomlin a favor. Jackson is 2-4 in the postseason and on a mission to win his first Super Bowl.
Ravens 31, Steelers 16
Broncos at Bills
Sean Payton is a dangerous man, and DC Vance Joseph could harᴀss Josh Allen with the league’s best pᴀss rush — beware Nik Bonitto. Allen committed three turnovers in a last-second loss at home last season. Good luck throwing on CB Patrick Surtain. Bo Nix makes his playoff debut against the Bills Mafia. Sean McDermott feasts on rookie quarterbacks.
Bills 24, Broncos 22
Packers at Eagles
Philly holds its breath for Jalen Hurts (concussion) updates. He returned to practice on Wednesday. He might be rusty, and the Pack defense has allowed a 73-yard rushing average over the last three games. But CB Jaire Alexander is a big loss. Jordan Love (elbow) beat the Cowboys as a wild-card road underdog last year, although he won’t have WR Christian Watson (knee) against DC Vic Fangio’s top-rated defense. Battle of the Joe Schoen All-Stars — Packers ballhawk Xavier McKinney versus 2,000-yard Man Saquon Barkley. Josh Jacobs, meet Jalen Carter and Zack Baun. John Mara shows up and trolls Barkley by pretending to fall asleep directly behind Eagles bench. Packers cannot remember 1960 championship game loss under Vince Lombardi to Norm Van Brocklin at Franklin Field.
Eagles 24, Packers 20
Commanders at Buccaneers
The Jayden Daniels Experience makes its playoff debut. Scary Terry McLaurin is scarier with safety Jordan Whitehead out. Todd Bowles will be blitzing when he gets off the bus. Baker Mayfield-to-Mike Evans will be a problem if nemesis Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is limited, and emerging rookie WR Jalen McMillan will be a threat against either Benjamin St-Juste or Michael Davis. Rookie RB Bucky Irving will thrive against 30th-ranked run defense and has 37 receptions, too.
Bucs 34, Commanders 27
Vikings at Rams
Kevin O’Connell versus Sean McVay is meeting of two beautiful offensive minds. Sam Darnold sagged on Sunday night against the Lions, but still gets to target Justin Jefferson and Rafael Addison. Brian Flores’ blitz won’t faze Matthew Stafford, so beware Puka Nacua. But Andrew Van Ginkel is always lurking as a Pick Six menace. Rams won regular-season game.
Vikings 27, Rams 24
Divisional Round
Chargers at Chiefs
It isn’t easy beating a division rival three times (17-10 and 19-17) in one season but the defending champs have won 16 straight one-score games and Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are dreaming of a three-peat. Taylor Swift won’t approve if Derwin James reprises his 2022 body slam of Travis Kelce.
Chiefs 23, Chargers 20
Vikings at Lions
Aaron Glenn will try to make Darnold see ghosts again. His depleted defense will be willed on by a deafening Ford Field crowd. Pressure is on Lions but Dan Campbell won’t stop going for it on fourth down with David Montgomery (knee) back and Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Ben Johnson and Jared Goff (two INTs in 308 postseason attempts) versus Brian Flores and the blitz.
Lions 34, Vikings 27
Ravens at Bills
Lamar versus Josh. Weather won’t bother Derrick Henry. Zach Orr boasts the best rushing defense in the NFL. Justin Tucker is right again. Can Tyler Bᴀss be trusted in the playoffs?
Ravens 27, Bills 23
Buccaneers at Eagles
Irving has forced missed tackles and averaged 5.4 yards per rush. Kicker Chase McLaughlin is 22-for-22 inside the 50. Vita Vea and Lavonte David have shored up the run defense lately. This time it is Joe Schoen who sits behind the Eagles bench and pretends to fall asleep. With Bowles committed to containing Saquon, Hurts counters by exploiting the secondary with targeting A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Eagles 30, Bucs 22
AFC Championship game
Ravens at Chiefs
Lamar Jackson waited a year to avenge last year’s 17-10 AFC Championship loss at home to Patrick Mahomes. Jackson didn’t have Henry last time. Travis Kelce dominated last time. Kyle Hamilton doesn’t let it happen this time. No three-peat. Lamar Jackson goes to New Orleans.
Ravens 27, Chiefs 24
NFC Championship game
Eagles at Lions
Saquon is now 60 minutes from the Super Bowl. This time it is Mara and Schoen and Brian Daboll situated behind the Eagles bench pretending to fall asleep. LBs Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell play Sam Huff to Saquon’s Jim Brown. Dan Campbell goes for it every time on fourth down. Goff handles the blitz. Gibbs outshines Saquon. A team and a town on a mission to reach their first Super Bowl. Dan Campbell is carried off the field by Barry Sanders and Megatron.
Lions 27, Eagles 23
Super Bowl 2025
Ravens vs. Lions
Aidan Hutchinson (broken leg) makes an emotional cameo comeback against all odds. A redemption Super Bowl for Goff after getting schooled 13-3 by Bill Belichick in LIII. Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell engage Henry in a game of Bullyball to force Jackson to duel Goff in a shootout. Jake Bates kicks the game-winning FG as time expires. Motown is тιтletown.
Lions 34, Ravens 31
