The NFL regular season is now over, and the margin for error has disappeared for the league’s best teams. The playoffs have delivered multiple thrillers in just the first round alone, with great games between the Rams and Panthers, Bills and Jaguars, and others. The playoffs are just getting started, and there’s more to come as the road to the Super Bowl continues.
With last year’s Super Bowl Champion and Runner-Up already eliminated from playoff contention, the window for a brand new champion is open, and the opportunity is anyone’s for the taking. With it looking like it can go anybody’s way, students around Liberty gave their opinion on how they believe things will turn out. When asked about the conference championships, one student, Junior Jordan Meza, states, “For the NFC Championship, I’ll say 49ers vs Bears, and for the AFC, I’m going to say Bills vs Patriots.” Another Student, Jamario Schemepepper, shares his prediction, “I have the Bears winning the Super Bowl, they’re an all-around great team on offense and defense, and their coach, Ben Johnson, is a really great coach.” he also adds, “I think Caleb Williams, our quarterback, will be the Super Bowl MVP. He’s been making great plays throughout the playoffs, and when it’s time to show up, he shows up when it matters.”
Beyond predictions, students also shared what they think about the teams in the playoffs. Some teams this year have missed an opportunity to make a deep playoff run. The Green Bay Packers, for example, lost their game on the road after leading 21-3 over the Chicago Bears. Another team that has disappointed is the Los Angeles Chargers, who managed only 3 points in their loss against the New England Patriots. Liberty Football coach, Mr. Morocco states, “For me, probably Buffalo Bills. That’s probably why their coach got fired, being as good as they’ve been over the years, and not winning the Super Bowl, he unfortunately lost his job over that.”
Thanks to the current playoff format, division winners got a higher seeding position in the playoffs above other teams despite having a worse record, and even making the playoffs over teams that have a better record, but missed out due to having better teams in the division. Students gave their opinion on whether this format should be changed or not.
“As a football coach, I think you should get something for winning your division, but as a casual fan, I don’t like that when a division winner is 8-8, and they get a home field game over a team that’s like 12-4. I guess it just depends on your perspective.” – Coach Morococo
As the NFL playoffs continue, expectations by the fans will continue to increase. With just a few teams left any mistakes made can be the difference between going to the Super Bowl or going home. With Super Bowl Sunday coming closer fans will be left with immense joy or utter disappointment.
