Hey there! So usually I’ll start off these kind of things with something like, “After a long season of football, we’ve finally made it to the playoffs!!” You know, something nerdy like that. However, this article’s gonna be a little different. If you read some of my earlier articles on here, or even some on my previous self created blog “The World of the AB” , then you might know how much I love giving predictions, and trying to predict the future. Perfect timing for stuff like that, seeing as the 2025 NFL playoffs kicks off in only a few hours. So in this article I’ll be predicting every game for the Wild Card round. Ok, enough chit-chat, let’s get to it.
AFC –
#5 Kansas City Chiefs @ #4 Houston Texans :
First things first – One thing that kind of irks me is the fact the Houston Texans are even in the playoffs. As much as I hate the New York Jets, they deserve a spot more than the Texans do. I don’t think every division should have it’s own winner. Why are we rewarding the Texans for being the best team in a division with the Indianapolis Colts, who didn’t have their franchise star for most of the year, the Jacksonville Jaguars, who now have a well respected offense, but still lack a bold defense, and the Tennessee Titans, who have a date with another early draft pick. I won’t even get into the fact that Houston only edged Indianapolis by a game. Anyways, the point is, the Houston Texans have home field advantage and a chance to win the Super Bowl, when they probably shouldn’t even be in the playoffs. Kudos to them for being the best of the worst in that division, but take a look at the bold sentence, and you’ll see that won’t matter so much. I’m picking Kansas City . Ok, now that my “no more division winners” rant is over, let me congratulate the other team in this contest. Even without their offensive juggernaut, running back, Jamaal Charles , the Kansas City Chiefs found a way to win 10 straight games , and reach the playoffs.
Why KC wins – After looking at the match ups for Wild Card weekend, it seems that all of the Away teams are the far more attractive. Prime example right here. In one corner you have the red hot Chiefs who show no signs of slowing down, and in the other corner you have the Texans who… well, they’re the Texans. Sure Houston has a great defense, but KC has a great defense as well, and a phenomenal offense to tag along.
Bottomline – Yes Houston has some talent, especially Studly WR, DeAndre Hopkins , who has had a fantastic season, but it won’t be nearly enough for the streaking Chiefs. KC wins this one by a score of 24-20. And just to be clear, I’m certainly not a “Houston Texans hater”, I just don’t think they’re all that good to be in the ‘great teams” discussion.
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers @ #3 Cincinnati Bengals :
First things first – I think I speak for every NFL fan in the world when I say I wanted to see if Andy Dalton could finally take the Bengals somewhere besides the first round. He was putting MVP type numbers, until a fatal injury crashed his regular season, and backup quarterback AJ MaCcarron stepped in. Many have hypothesized that it’ll be the next ‘Bledsoe-Brady’ transition, and MaCcarron will take Cincy to a Super Bowl and eventually win it. Not buying it. Pittsburgh might be one of the best wild card teams we’ve seen in a while, and I think they’re gonna have a fun day against Cincinnati. With Big Ben being close to full form again, and the three headed receiving monster of Antonio Brown , Martavius Bryant, and Markus Wheaton , they have one of the best offenses in football, and that should get them a long way.
Why Pittsburgh wins – See above, “three headed monster.” As good as Cincy’s defense is, those wide receivers should all put up big numbers in this matchup. Bold prediction, Antonio Brown, Martavius Bryant, and Markus Wheaton all score a TD and hit 300 receiving yards combined. With DeAngelo Williams sidelined for this game, it’s a prediction I seriously expect to happen. Ben Roethlisberger ‘s probably gonna throw the ball 40-50 times this week.
Bottomline – If Andy Dalton was fully healthy, and was the starter, I honestly think they might’ve done something big this postseason, but who knows. Pittsburgh’s offense is too good to be eliminated this early. I’ll take them winning 34-17 .
NFC –
#5 Green Bay Packers @ #4 Washington Redskins :
First things first – Ok, here’s one game in which I actually think the Home team takes a Dub. Washington hasn’t been hotter and they’re led by Quarterback.. Kirk Cousins ? Still sounds strange to me, but yep Kirk Cousins is the real deal! In the last 4 weeks Washington’s scored at least 30 points a game, and Cousin’s thrown 11 touchdowns. Meanwhile the Green Bay Packers have lost two of their last three, Aaron Rodgers has thrown only 3 touchdowns in 3 weeks, along with that 3 interceptions. Not great numbers for the Pack.
Why Washington wins – One team’s hot, and at home, one team’s cold, playing on the road. It feels strange, but I’m taking Kirk Cousins over Aaron Rodgers . Not even just at quarterback, I think overall Washington’s a much better team right now, and with the help from their crowd on Sunday they could win this one…easily. At the beginning of the season I predicted Green Bay to go to the Super Bowl, but now I see no chance in that.
Bottomline – Expect Cousins to have a multiple touchdown performance, along with like 200 yards thrown in. Again, Washington’s hot, Green Bay’s not. As good as Aaron Rodgers is, he’s been on a major slump lately, and it’s bad timing with Kirk Cousins performing so well. Washington wins, 31-23 .
#6 Seattle Seahawks @ #3 Minnesota Vikings :
First things first – It’s been quite the roller coaster season for Seattle. First they sucked, then they were kind good, then they sucked again, now they’re one of the hottest teams left in it. Go figure. As for Minnesota, they’ve surprised a lot of people this season with how well they’ve played. I didn’t even think they’d make the Playoffs in the beginning of the season, let alone get the third seed. Both team’s playing great at the moment. I have to take Seattle though.
Why Seattle wins – They’ve been one of the best Playoff teams for the past two years, and I expect that to continue that this season. No way they get out in the Wild Card Round. The running game causes for a spot of awareness with Marshawn Lynch inactive, but I expect them to be fine.
Bottomline – Russell Wilson ‘s good. Doug Baldwin ‘s proven to be good. “Legion of Boom”, also good. Give me Seattle by a score of 27-17 .
A.B’S WILD CARD WINNERS :
What the playoffs will look like after this week, according to my predictions :
AFC –
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers vs #1 Denver Broncos
#5 Kansas City Chiefs vs #2 New England Patriots
NFC –
#6 Seattle Seahawks vs #1 Carolina Panthers
#4 Washington Redskins vs #2 Arizona Cardinals
Thanks for reading, enjoy the 2025 playoffs everyone!