The 2022-2023 NFL playoffs kick off with Super Wild Card Weekend, splashing six games from Saturday through Monday.
The Game Day’s NFL staff put together their favorite football postseason picks, including sleeper teams, breakout players, AFC and NFC winners, and their favorite pre-Super Bowl NFL futures bet. (We’ll of course have more coverage of Super Bowl 57 as we had into The Big Game.)
Read on for TGD writers’ NFL playoff predictions.
NFL Playoff Predictions: Staff Picks
| NFL Playoffs | AFC Sleeper | NFC Sleeper | AFC Breakout | NFC Breakout | AFC Winner | NFC Winner | Top Futures Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Ammirante | Jaguars | Cowboys | Kadarius Toney | K.J. Osborn | Bills | Eagles | Eagles: Win NFC (+175) |
| John Arlia | Chargers | Buccaneers | James Cook | Rachaad White | Bills | 49ers | Bills over 49ers in SB57 (+1200) |
| Anthony Cervino | Jaguars | Cowboys | Evan Engram | Daniel Jones | Bengals | Cowboys | Bengals vs Cowboys in SB57 (+1600) |
| Garrett Chorpenning | Jaguars | Seahawks | Isaiah McKenzie | Ray-Ray McCloud | Bills | 49ers | JAC: Win AFC (+2200) |
| Kevin Davis | Chargers | Cowboys | Jerick McKinnon | Kenneth Walker | Chiefs | Eagles | Eagles: Win Super Bowl (+550) |
| Scott Engel | Chargers | Cowboys | James Cook | Isaiah Hodgins | Bengals | Eagles | Bengals: Win AFC ( +420) |
| Lance Patton | Chargers | Buccaneers | Isiah Pacheco | Brandon Aiyuk | Bengals | 49ers | Bucs: Win NFC (+1100) |
| Pat Pickens | Chargers | Cowboys | Josh Palmer | Samson Ekubam | Bills | 49ers | Chargers: Win AFC (+1100) |
| Matt Williams | Chargers | Cowboys | Josh Palmer | Dalton Schultz | Bills | 49ers | Cowboys: Win NFC (+550) |
Before reading more on our NFL postseason picks, take a peek at our top NFL playoff futures odds. Compare our favorite sportsbooks to find the best NFL futures prices.
Best NFL Playoffs Futures Bets
Read our writers’ NFL pick of the day for postseason betting:
Eagles: Win NFC (+175) at Caesars Sportsbook
The Eagles have been the best team in the NFC from start to finish. They have a first-round bye along with home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
The 49ers are their biggest threat, but they have Brock Purdy at quarterback. While the rookie has played well, he’s still highly unproven. We’re getting good value on the number-one seed at +175 odds. - Frank Ammirante
Bengals: Win AFC (+420) at Caesars Sportsbook
It is widely assumed that either the Chiefs or Bills will win the AFC title, but the Bengals are the defending conference champs and know how to get the job done. Josh Allen is not quite playing his best and Cincinnati is second in the AFC in turnover differential. - Scott Engel
Eagles: Win Super Bowl 57 (+550) at Caesars Sportsbook
Fly like an eagle and fly to the bank with the Eagles winning the conference. They only need to win two games, and they were the best team in the conference during the regular season. They’re sort of a bargain among Super Bowl odds, too, which I’m happy to grab. (Don’t miss Kevin’s NFL Playoffs Simulation, too, for more on the Eagles’ chances.) - Kevin Davis
Cowboys: Win NFC (+550) at BetMGM Sportsbook
The Cowboys have a balanced attack on offense and playmakers on defense (2nd in sacks, 1st in forced turnovers). It seems that no one is giving Dallas an honest chance, but that is a mistake. - Matt Williams
Bills defeat 49ers in SB57 (+1200) at Caesars Sportsbook
Call it chalky all you want, but I’m convinced that the Bills get their fairytale finish to a tumultuous season at the expense of the 49ers, who enter the NFC playoffs on the best recent form of any team. - John Arlia
Chargers: Win AFC (+1200) at BetMGM Sportsbook
The Chargers have fought injuries and coaching incompetence for much of this year. I would’ve put the Niners here, but I’ll talk about the Bolts: a talented, trendy Super Bowl pick in the preseason that now doesn’t have any expectations. - Pat Pickens
Jaguars: Win AFC (+2200) at BetMGM Sportsbook
Jacksonville is making its first trip to the postseason since 2017, and with a SB-winning coach in Doug Pederson, they have all the leadership they’ll need to potentially pull off a run at the AFC title. - Garrett Chorpenning
Bengals vs Cowboys in SB57 (+2800) at BetMGM Sportsbook
I love the value on the Bengals vs. Cowboys exact teams to reach the Super Bowl NFL Future at BetMGM. 28/1 odds on teams with clear paths to the big game — yes, please. (Find more top Bengals odds.) - Anthony Cervino
AFC Playoff Sleeper Team Prediction
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers went 5-2 down the stretch, with Justin Herbert completing over 70% of his passes. LA has a team of stud performers capable of shining in the postseason, such as Herbert, Keenan Allen, and Austin Ekeler, along with a defense that is finally healthy headlined by Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Derwin James. This is a SCARY five-seed. - Matt Williams
The Chargers are just as talented as anyone in the AFC, but the recent history of beating themselves in big games weighs heavy on bettors minds. However, the matchup with Jacksonville in the Wild Card is favorable, Justin Herbert has his full battery of playmakers, and the defense is talented enough to make waves. This team can beat anyone if they play to their full potential, especially since they’re finally healthy after dealing with key injuries all season long. - Lance Patton
Jacksonville Jaguars
Nobody thinks the Jaguars are for real, but there is common ground between the 2022 Bengals. A Super Bowl-winning head coach, a second-year quarterback in the midst of a leap, and an underrated defense. The Jags are dangerous. - Anthony Cervino
NFC Playoff Sleeper Team Prediction
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas as the sleeper team in the NFC. They get regularly mocked because of their playoff failures since the mid-90s. But Mike McCarthy has done an underrated job as head coach, and the Cowboys have difference-makers on both sides of the ball. - Scott Engel
AFC Playoff Breakout Player Prediction
Jerick McKinnon, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
He might be 5’9 and 30 years old, and a backup running back in a pass-heavy offense, but I am convinced that McKinnon will have a two-plus-touchdown game in the playoffs. Over his last six outings, McKinnon has scored at least 1 touchdown over his last six games, and in half of those games, he has had two.
Watch for him to repeat previous playoff heroics with this KC backfield that trusts him to pass-block for their air-first offense. - Kevin Davis
Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Toney is the Chiefs’ secret weapon who could be unleashed in the postseason. He’s an explosive and elusive player who may emerge as their most dangerous wideout.
The former Giant comes into the playoffs following two of his best games as a Chief, combining for 115 total yards and a touchdown. - Frank Ammirante
NFC Playoff Breakout Player Prediction
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady loves his pass-catching running backs, especially in the playoffs, so don’t be surprised if the ASU product finishes his rookie season with a flourish. Plus, “Playoff Lenny” should have a relatively short leash. - John Arlia
AFC Conference Champion Pick
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have been elite on both sides of the ball all season long, and following their heartbreaking exit from last year’s playoffs, they’ll be determined to come back stronger and win it all. - Garrett Chorpenning
NFC Conference Champion Pick
San Francisco 49ers
I love the 49ers out of the NFC. The Eagles may have the bye, but San Francisco is tough and loaded with playoff experience. The Niners should also be hungry after blowing the NFC Championship Game a year ago. - Pat Pickens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s a long shot at (+1100) for a reason, but Tampa’s offensive line has been littered with injuries all season – they’re getting healthy with the return of Tristan Wirfs and potentially Ryan Jensen. The defense is talented and experienced enough to anchor this team, plus betting on Tom Brady in the playoffs has been a profitable endeavor for the last two decades. - Lance Patton
