2025 NFL playoff predictions: Experts pick who will win AFC, NFC championship games
The NFL playoff bracket has narrowed from 14 teams competing to four fighting to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.
The Kansas City Chiefs' attempt to make NFL history by winning three consecutive Super Bowls remains intact but the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen will aim to topple the dynasty in the AFC championship at Arrowhead.
Meanwhile, the upstart Washington Commanders will face the Philadelphia Eagles in a battle between NFC East rivals in the NFC championship. Will the Eagles soar to New Orleans next month or can the Commanders continue their surprise run?
Before the NFC and AFC title games begin, the Paste BN Sports staff sits at the table and provides predictions and picks for which teams will win and represent the AFC and NFC at Super Bowl 59 next month.
NFL playoff predictions: Picks to win AFC, NFC championship games
AFC winner, NFC winner
Jacob Camenker, NFL writer: Chiefs AFC | Eagles NFC
We're living in an era where entertainment companies are constantly churning out sequels for which nobody asked. Why should we expect anything different ahead of Super Bowl 59?
The Chiefs and Eagles just met in Super Bowl 57. The game was tightly contested and exciting, coming down to a controversial holding penalty against Philadelphia and a field goal made by Harrison Butker with just seconds remaining to give Kansas City a 38-35 victory. It will be hard for a Super Bowl 59 rematch to live up to that high-scoring battle, as the Chiefs and Eagles are more defensive-minded squads now, so it could be a lower-scoring slog.
Still, Philadelphia and Kansas City have the advantages in their matchups. The Eagles split their season series with the Commanders, but they lost Jalen Hurts early in their second meeting and couldn't score in the red-zone with Kenny Pickett. Hurts may not be 100% because of his knee injury, but as long as he plays, that will open things up more for the Eagles.
Philadelphia is also one of the few teams that has limited Jayden Daniels and forced three of his nine interceptions this season. As such, don't be surprised if the strong Eagles defense is the unit that finally slows down Washington's high-flying offense.
The Chiefs vs. Bills game is more of a coin flip, but this is a movie we've seen before. Kansas City is 3-0 against Buffalo in the playoffs during the Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen era, and it feels like the weakest unit in this game will be the Bills defense, which isn't great against the run and may not have Christian Benford (concussion) at cornerback. Allen has played at an MVP level and could finally get the Bills over the hump, but it's hard to justify picking against Andy Reid and Mahomes as they go for a record ninth consecutive playoff win.
Those hoping for something different in the Super Bowl can feel free to boo me if this matchup becomes a reality, but Kansas City and Philadelphia are favorites in their respective matchups for a reason.
AFC winner, NFC winner
Nick Brinkerhoff, NFL writer: Chiefs AFC | Commanders NFC
Look, it's been a rough go of things for yours truly recently. Instead of hiding from it, let's own it. The fellas were all-in on the chalky outcomes, forcing me to spice things up in one conference. Turns out, I was right. The Lions were knocked out and the Eagles were close to suffering the same fate. We'll take the moral victory.
In the AFC, we're sticking with the Chiefs. They're 3-0 with Patrick Mahomes against Josh Allen in the playoffs and there's no reason to believe that ends here. The Bills survived thanks to a drop from Mark Andrews, otherwise they were headed towards another potential meltdown. This week, they won't even have the home crowd. It's back to the house of horrors in Kansas City and the home side is showing no signs of losing the magic.
Whatever higher power is on their side, I'm not going against that. The Chiefs will three-peat, which the script will reveal in due time.
On the NFC side, I'm still not a believer in the Eagles and that all comes down to the quarterback. Jalen Hurts is dealing with a knee injury and Philadelphia was flirting with disaster until Mother Nature saved them from the Rams. The Packers never presented a threat and L.A. spent the afternoon thawing out. Washington comes in as a battle-tested group that isn't afraid of anyone.
Jayden Daniels has done the impossible all season. From the Hail Mary to multiple late-game comebacks, what can't this guy do? He might as well become the first rookie quarterback to start a Super Bowl too. It feels eerily similar to another LSU quarterback's run from a few years ago. Joe Burrow ring a bell? Washington's offense can put them in the big game. Kansas City's magic probably knocks them out of it. Either way, we'll have the David vs. Goliath narrative for two weeks.
AFC winner, NFC winner
Jack McKessy, NFL writer: Bills AFC | Commanders NFC
It feels like 1991 (1992?)!
Thirty-three years ago, these two teams met in the Super Bowl, and I think there's a real chance we'll get a rematch of Super Bowl 26 this year.
Loyal readers may recall that I picked the Chiefs to win the AFC when the playoffs began and the Lions to win the NFC, thinking that the chalky options would be the right ones. Detroit has already doomed me to incorrect-ness, and the more I think about the Bills, the more I think they have a real shot in Kansas City.
I'm taking the Commanders in the NFC thanks to the performance they put together last weekend. If Washington can keep playing like they did in Detroit on Saturday night, there's no stopping them. I also have concerns about the Eagles' offense going into Sunday. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is banged up with a knee issue after already being largely ineffective as a passer in these playoffs. And though Saquon Barkley has better career numbers against the Commanders than against any other team, Washington proved on Saturday that a big day from a running back doesn't mean anything if its offense keeps putting up points.
And I'm pivoting to the Bills in the AFC. Quarterback Josh Allen has been so. Freaking. Good. this year, and he's playing with the ultimate chip on his shoulder in Sunday evening's clash with the Chiefs. On paper, Buffalo's roster is better than Kansas City's. There are so many useful weapons in the Bills' offense, and I expect Allen to take full advantage of that.
AFC winner, NFC winner
Tom Viera, NFL writer/editor: Bills AFC | Eagles NFC
What a difference a couple of weeks make. Each of my colleagues has had to use a mulligan on their AFC and NFC winners. As the lone man standing from our initial Super Bowl picks, I needed a sentence to gloat. I originally predicted the Chiefs' offensive struggles would surface against Allen and the Bills in the AFC title game. Allen will ultimately be the best player on the field through the playoffs and why the Chiefs fail to make history.
Credit to Patrick Mahomes who has the Chiefs in their seventh consecutive AFC championship game. He has had Kansas City in this position every season since becoming the starting quarterback, which is an incredible feat. However, this is Allen's time. Buffalo's offense finished second in DVOA, according to FTN. The Bills‘ offensive line surrendered only four sacks this season, the fewest in the NFL. No other team allowed fewer than eight. The Chiefs offense struggled to score touchdowns this season, finishing 22nd in red zone efficiency. Buffalo will get over the hump this Sunday.
In the NFC, the Eagles finished the regular season with the fewest yards allowed per game (278.4) and were the second-best scoring defense (17.8 PPG). I've continuously stated that the biggest move of the offseason was the Eagles' signing of Saquon Barkley. The former No. 2 overall pick has been the best player in the NFL and showed again last weekend against the Rams. The Eagles' offensive line has managed to get Barkley the most rushing yards before contact (3.8) per game.
The Commanders have been a pleasant surprise but they allowed a league-high 2.02 yards before contact per carry, the third-most yards per rush and the eighth-highest explosive run rate. The Eagles will control the tempo behind Barkley, who ran for 150 and 146 yards against Washington in their regular-season meetings. Philadelphia returns to the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons.