JACKSONVILLE — The NFL playoffs are here, and the brackets are busted before kickoff. CBS Sports Senior Insider Pete Prisco just dropped his postseason predictions, and he didn’t just pick a winner—he threw a Hail Mary. Prisco is backing the Jacksonville Jaguars to hoist their first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
Most analysts play it safe with the Chiefs or 49ers. Prisco went the other way. He sees a Jaguars squad that is peaking at the perfect moment, led by a scorching Trevor Lawrence. In his bracket reveal on CBS Sports HQ, Prisco outlined a path where Jacksonville dominates the AFC, eventually toppling the Philadelphia Eagles in the big game.
“Nobody in the league right now is playing better quarterback than Trevor Lawrence,” Prisco argued, shutting down skepticism about the Jags’ small-market status.
This isn’t just a hunch. Prisco points to the Jaguars’ offensive explosion down the stretch. While the Buffalo Bills struggle with defensive injuries and zone coverage mismatches—issues Prisco noted will doom them in the Wildcard round—Jacksonville is firing on all cylinders.
Before the confetti falls in February, the road starts this weekend. Here is how the CBS crew sees the opening round playing out:
“If you said [Jaguars winning it all] before the season, people would think you were nuts. It’s not crazy. It’s actually happening.” — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports Senior Insider
“I think the Rams win… but this game is going to be a lot closer than people think.” — Leger Douzable on Rams vs. Panthers
If Prisco’s script flips reality, we are looking at a seismic shift in the AFC hierarchy. A Jaguars run would validate the massive investment in Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson. For the Eagles, a return to the Super Bowl proves their roster construction is bulletproof, even if they fall short against the “Team of Destiny” from Duval.
The betting markets reacted instantly. While the Patriots (14-3) and their rookie sensation Drake Maye remain favorites, money is trickling in on Jacksonville. The “Homer” label Prisco jokingly accepted might just turn into “Prophet” come February.
