As the NFL season comes to a close, the playoffs are fast approaching with exciting teams battling it out to be the 58th Super Bowl champion. 

The first week will be the wild card round, consisting of 6 teams in each conference fighting to move on to the divisional round. In this round, the three best teams of each conference (that didn’t win their division) will have a shot to advance by battling the second, third, and fourth-ranked division winners; the best teams in each conference are awarded a bye week, meaning that they don’t play and automatically advance. Then, the three teams who won in the wildcard round and the top team in the conference play to advance to the championship round, and eventually Superbowl LVIII.

Teams that have championship aspirations are all loaded with superstar talent. From quarterbacks who put their team on their back to defensive players commanding attention like no other, teams have to have that player whom they can rely on to win games. To truly understand their impact, let’s take a look at the favorites to win awards at the end of the season.

Award Predictions:

MVP: Brock Purdy (49ers)

Mr. Irrelevant. From the last pick in the draft in 2022 to leading the 49ers to the top seed in the NFC West, he has been an inspirational underdog story in the NFL. With the talent around him, he has been able to carry the load of being a consistent quarterback for the 49ers exceptionally well and has taken care of the ball well for most of the season. Although he has had some mishaps here and there, such as when he threw 4 interceptions against the Ravens, and he has been consistent enough to win the award, although Lamar Jackson did lead the Ravens to a win over the 49ers and may take the award.

OPOY: Tyreek Hill (Ravens)

Nicknamed “The Cheetah,” he definitely lives up to it. Hill is terrifying for defenses all across the league with his lightning-fast routes which practically nobody can cover. He logged a league-leading 1799 receiving yards, almost breaking the 1964-yard league record that Calvin Johnson set. He was on track to be the first player in NFL history to cross 2000 yards but sadly missed a game holding him back from the accomplishment. 

DPOY: Myles Garrett (Browns)

Garrett is a defensive powerhouse. From sacks to forced fumbles and his pass-rushing ability, Garrett emerges as the DPOY favorite. He demands increased attention, being double-teamed on 30% of passing downs, and still is able to convert. Through double teams, he has a league-high 27.5% pass rush win rate (how many times he got through his blockers in under 2.5 seconds) exemplifying his dominance on the field. 

DROY: Jalen Carter (Eagles)

Jalen Carter has had a dominant rookie year. He has a great ability to stop the run and rush the passer, filling his role as a defensive tackle perfectly. He has led defensive rookies in odds to win the award all year, taking a significant hit at the end but still remaining the leading candidate at -150 odds. 

OROY: C. J. Stroud (Texans)

As the Houston Texans’ quarterback, Stroud has shown his versatility on the field this season. His passing ability, combined with his impressive run game, puts him as one of the favorites to win the award. He has won 3 AFC Offensive Rookie of the Week awards, solidifying his place in the race for OROY.

Playoff Predictions:

NFC Championship: 49ers vs Cowboys

The 49ers and Cowboys, both sitting at 12-5, have had a stunning season thus far. As far as predictions go, it’s hard to say which one of these powerhouses will come out on top. Purdy’s underdog story has most definitely caught the attention of millions, as he put the Niners on his back this season. But how well will he be able to fight against the much more experienced Dak Prescott and his team of raging Cowboys? The winner of this matchup is sure to both excite and let down thousands of fans in the crowd, and will be one to remember.  

AFC Championship: Ravens vs Bills

The Ravens, led by Lamar Jackson, are favorites to win the AFC and proceed to the Super Bowl. With multiple dominant defensive pieces, such as Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton, alongside an MVP candidate in Jackson, they have all the pieces to win the divisional round and move on to the AFC Championship. The Bills also boast an impressive 11-6 record. Behind their star quarterback Josh Allen, they also have favorable odds to make the AFC Championship game. 

Super Bowl Prediction:

Super Bowl: 49ers vs Ravens

With two star quarterbacks and extremely impressive players surrounding them, these two teams make the best case to be in the Super Bowl come February. Brock Purdy’s lack of experience may be something to watch for as the stakes continue to rise, but players around him, including MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey, will definitely make his job easier. Additionally, Brock Purdy is no stranger to the odds being stacked against him, as he was the last pick in the 2022 draft and is a front-runner for MVP this season. On the Ravens side, they have MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and talented receivers around him. They also have a stellar defense with little to no flaws for the 49ers to take advantage of. Still, the 49ers, powered by a quarterback who was overlooked and an offensive player of the year candidate in Christian McCaffrey, are our pick to win the Super Bowl. These are two extremely balanced teams, and it will truly come down to which team is the grittier one.