We simulated the entire 2020 NFL season: Scores and storylines for all 269 games

By Seth Walder

Sorry, NFL fans. We’re about to spoil the 2020 season.

Each preseason, we run 20,000 simulations of the entire slate with ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), our projection system. A lot goes into it, including expected starting quarterback, past performance, returning starters and projected win totals. The culmination is a strength rating for all 32 teams that helps us predict outcomes.

But today, only one of those sims matters: No. 3,869. We played out that single result across every game, giving us tight division races, QB controversies, breakouts and of course a Super Bowl LV champion. We also baked in NFL analyst Mike Clay’s player projections to give us stat leaders throughout the season.

Some creative license went into the storylines, and yes, this is just one of the 20,000 outcomes we found. But the season will ultimately happen only one way, and this is the one we chose to explore. Let’s dive into Week 1.

Football is back, and it’s off to a wild start. Can anyone take down the defending champion Chiefs? How will Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski fit in the Tampa Bay offense? Will the Ravens or perhaps even the Bills challenge out of the AFC?

Week 1 Scores

Chiefs vs. Texans	35–7
Falcons vs. Seahawks	26–6
Ravens vs. Browns	24–10
Bills vs. Jets	28–7
Raiders @ Panthers	23–13
Bengals vs. Chargers	26–17
Lions vs. Bears	17–16
Colts @ Jaguars	34–7
Rams vs. Cowboys	17–10
Vikings vs. Packers	16–8
Patriots vs. Dolphins	37–35
Saints vs. Buccaneers	30–13
49ers vs. Cardinals	31–29
Eagles @ Washington	27–20
Broncos vs. Titans	23–20
Steelers @ Giants	41–17

Patrick Mahomes picks up where he left off, with a 35-7 dismantling of the Texans — including three touchdown passes — on national television to open the season. The message is clear: The Chiefs aren’t going anywhere.

Week 2 Scores

Browns vs. Bengals	16–10
Cardinals vs. Washington	29–26
Giants @ Bears	23–20
Cowboys vs. Falcons	24–19
Packers vs. Lions	38–3
Texans vs. Ravens	33–20
Vikings @ Colts	24–10
Chiefs @ Chargers	34–13
Bills @ Dolphins	17–10
49ers @ Jets	59–28
Eagles vs. Rams	26–10
Steelers vs. Broncos	27–24
Seahawks vs. Patriots	31–25
Buccaneers vs. Panthers	37–35
Titans vs. Jaguars	27–19
Saints @ Raiders	45–24

Jimmy Garoppolo throws four touchdown passes — including the first of rookie Brandon Aiyuk’s young career — as the 49ers run circles around the Jets’ defense and win 59-28. The Niners could be trouble this season.

Week 3 Scores

Jaguars vs. Dolphins	28–9
Lions @ Cardinals	16–15
Falcons vs. Bears	35–14
Bills vs. Rams	34–20
Browns vs. Washington	14–6
Broncos vs. Buccaneers	20–17
Jets @ Colts	34–15
Chargers vs. Panthers	22–16
Vikings vs. Titans	48–21
Raiders @ Patriots	31–24
Packers @ Saints	23–13
49ers @ Giants	30–20
Eagles vs. Bengals	32–27
Steelers vs. Texans	33–20
Cowboys @ Seahawks	21–12
Chiefs @ Ravens	27–24

After getting blown out by the Saints in Week 1 and narrowly beating the rebuilding Panthers in Week 2, the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers are beaten by Drew Lock’s Broncos 20-17. Is this Tampa Bay team really ready to make the leap into contention? Concern is creeping in.

Week 4 Scores

Jets vs. Broncos	19–14
Panthers vs. Cardinals	18–17
Bears vs. Colts	20–16
Bengals vs. Jaguars	18–17
Cowboys vs. Browns	20–19
Lions vs. Saints	30–15
Vikings @ Texans	30–10
Chiefs vs. Patriots	38–28
Rams vs. Giants	38–13
Bills @ Raiders	26–24
Seahawks @ Dolphins	48–23
Eagles @ 49ers	42–7
Buccaneers vs. Chargers	27–16
Steelers @ Titans	31–21
Ravens @ Washington	27–7
Packers vs. Falcons	34–31

The Eagles’ statement win over San Francisco has everyone talking, but the Vikings are also quietly 4-0 after a 30-10 toppling of the Texans. Minnesota has 118 points through four games even without Stefon Diggs running routes.

What we saw in Weeks 1–4

Big Week 1 debuts: Behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, Philip Rivers gets his first W as a Colt. And while Tom Brady couldn’t best the Saints, his replacement in New England — Cam Newton — survives an iffy Pats defensive showing to defeat the Dolphins. But perhaps the most unlikely debut winner is April’s top draft pick. Joe Burrow leads the Bengals to a 26-17 win over the Chargers. Not a bad start.

Chiefs are here to stay: The unofficial Game of the Year comes down to the wire. Patrick Mahomes finds Travis Kelce for the fourth-quarter go-ahead TD on Monday Night Football in Week 3, as K.C. beats Baltimore 27-24. A week later, the Chiefs handle the Patriots 38-28.

A new AFC East: Josh Allen is already clicking with Stefon Diggs. The Bills cruised past the Jets, Dolphins, Rams and Raiders while outscoring them 105-61. Is it Buffalo’s turn to take the division?

Steelers are back: Having Ben Roethlisberger back goes a long way. His arm — and a great Pittsburgh defense — has the Steelers at 4-0.

Top Performers, Weeks 1–4

Tom Brady, TB 1,223 Passing YDS

Miles Sanders, PHI 317 Rushing YDS

Michael Thomas, NO 351 Receiving YDS

As teams in the AFC South scramble just to get to .500 (all four teams tied at 1-3), the NFC North features a battle of elite squads. Coming out of Week 4, the Vikings remain undefeated, while the Packers and Lions are both 3-1. A big Minnesota-Green Bay matchup looms in Week 8.

Week 5 Scores

Bears vs. Buccaneers	26–16
Falcons vs. Panthers	16–10
Ravens vs. Bengals	49–23
Colts @ Browns	27–20
Cowboys vs. Giants	30–15
Texans vs. Jaguars	28–21
Chiefs vs. Raiders	35–7
Patriots vs. Broncos	27–24
Cardinals @ Jets	27–20
Steelers vs. Eagles	15–10
49ers vs. Dolphins	51–17
Vikings @ Seahawks	24–17
Titans vs. Bills	40–11
Rams @ Washington	27–10
Saints vs. Chargers	30–10

It’s already Tua Time in Miami, as the Dolphins turn to their top draft pick in Week 5. Tagovailoa throws for more than 300 yards, but the 49ers’ offense rolls to a 51-17 win. Meanwhile, another rook is on deck, as Chargers coach Anthony Lynn decides to pivot from Tyrod Taylor to Justin Herbert following the team’s fourth loss in five games.

Week 6 Scores

Bills vs. Chiefs	25–13
Panthers vs. Bears	28–0
Broncos vs. Dolphins	31–6
Colts vs. Bengals	30–27
Jaguars vs. Lions	34–21
Jets @ Chargers	26–10
Falcons @ Vikings	17–3
Washington @ Giants	31–3
Eagles vs. Ravens	20–10
Steelers vs. Browns	27–10
Rams @ 49ers	23–16
Packers @ Buccaneers	14–7
Titans vs. Texans	37–14
Cardinals @ Cowboys	27–10

One week after taking down the then-undefeated Eagles, the Steelers now become the last undefeated team. The Bills take down the 5-0 Chiefs, and the Falcons upset the 5-0 Vikings, leaving Pittsburgh — which took care of business with a 27-10 win over a floundering Browns team — as the only team left with a zero in the loss column.

Week 7 Scores

Giants @ Eagles	30–28
Seahawks @ Cardinals	16–14
Falcons vs. Lions	40–20
Ravens vs. Steelers	30–10
Bengals vs. Browns	26–17
Chiefs @ Broncos	27–6
Texans vs. Packers	34–14
Buccaneers @ Raiders	41–7
Dolphins vs. Chargers	20–3
49ers @ Patriots	29–17
Saints vs. Panthers	20–12
Bills @ Jets	23–21
Washington vs. Cowboys	26–23
Rams vs. Bears	38–20

The Buccaneers’ offense finally gets on the same page, blowing out the Raiders in a 41-7 win. Tom Brady spreads it around in the end zone, hitting Rob Gronkowski, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin with a touchdown apiece.

Week 8 Scores

Falcons @ Panthers	20–14
Bills vs. Patriots	25–20
Saints @ Bears	26–23
Bengals vs. Titans	44–41
Raiders @ Browns	26–10
Lions vs. Colts	31–6
Packers vs. Vikings	27–24
Jets @ Chiefs	22–17
Chargers vs. Jaguars	19–9
Rams @ Dolphins	42–21
Eagles vs. Cowboys	30–14
Seahawks vs. 49ers	37–0
Buccaneers @ Giants	27–9

Following a rousing 44-41 victory over the Titans that included four touchdown passes from Joe Burrow, the Bengals sit at .500 halfway through the season. Are they arriving ahead of schedule? Can the rookie keep it up?

What we saw in Weeks 5–8

New division leaders? The Saints and 49ers were the NFC favorites, but neither lead their respective divisions. The 6-2 Falcons hum atop the NFC South, as Atlanta is fourth in both points scored and points allowed. And the Rams’ renewed offensive touch has them on top in the NFC West.

Panic in Foxborough? The Cam Newton experiment isn’t working out as intended, as the Patriots fall to 2-5. The last time coach Bill Belichick started a season that poorly: 2000, his first season with the Pats. To add insult to injury, the fifth loss comes at the hands of Josh Allen and the 7-1 Bills, who have completely taken control of the AFC East.

An Eagles hiccup: At 5-1, the Eagles might have already been looking past their Week 7 meeting with the one-win Giants. And it shows. Daniel Jones throws for 234 yards and Saquon Barkley finds the end zone in a 30-28 Giants win. But the Eagles bounce back in Week 8, decisively defeating the Cowboys 30-14 and taking a two-game lead in the NFC East.

Tied atop the NFC North: In another huge divisional Week 8 showdown, Aaron Rodgers leads a narrow Packers victory over the Vikings at Lambeau Field to draw even with Minnesota at 5-2 in the NFC North. The Lions lurk right behind at 4-3.

Top Performers, Weeks 5–8

Dak Prescott, DAL 1,234 Passing YDS

Christian McCaffrey, CAR 298 Rushing YDS

Amari Cooper, DAL 295 Receiving YDS

AFC Standings

North	W	L	T
Steelers	6	1	0
Ravens	4	3	0
Bengals	4	4	0
Browns	2	6	0

South	W	L	T
Colts	3	4	0
Texans	3	4	0
Titans	3	4	0
Jaguars	2	5	0

East	W	L	T
Bills	7	1	0
Jets	4	4	0
Patriots	2	5	0
Dolphins	1	7	0

West	W	L	T
Chiefs	6	2	0
Broncos	3	4	0
Raiders	3	4	0
Chargers	2	6	0

NFC Standings

North	W	L	T
Packers	5	2	0
Vikings	5	2	0
Lions	4	3	0
Bears	2	6	0

South	W	L	T
Falcons	6	2	0
Saints	5	2	0
Buccaneers	4	4	0
Panthers	2	6	0

East	W	L	T
Eagles	6	2	0
Cowboys	4	4	0
Giants	2	6	0
Washington	2	5	0

West	W	L	T
Rams	6	2	0
49ers	5	3	0
Seahawks	4	3	0
Cardinals	3	4	0

A chess match is developing in the NFC West between the 6-2 Rams and 5-3 49ers, while the 6-2 Falcons are trying to hold off the 5-3 Saints and 4-4 Buccaneers in the NFC South. But what about the lack of a race in the AFC North, where Ben Roethlisberger’s Steelers still have only one loss entering Week 9? What is going on with the 4-3 Ravens?

Week 9 Scores

49ers vs. Packers	34–7
Cardinals vs. Dolphins	26–24
Broncos @ Falcons	23–0
Seahawks @ Bills	28–24
Steelers @ Cowboys	13–10
Ravens @ Colts	41–16
Texans @ Jaguars	34–31
Chiefs vs. Panthers	41–20
Chargers vs. Raiders	33–28
Lions @ Vikings	31–24
Saints @ Buccaneers	34–30
Bears @ Titans	26–10
Giants @ Washington	34–23
Patriots @ Jets	37–34

With a 34-31 win over the Jaguars, the Texans have a .500 record and are in first place in the AFC South. Houston, you’re the best of the worst! At least for now.

Week 10 Scores

Titans vs. Colts	21–20
Bills @ Cardinals	28–17
Buccaneers @ Panthers	38–14
Browns vs. Texans	24–17
Washington @ Lions	18–12
Packers vs. Jaguars	34–17
Rams vs. Seahawks	35–32
Raiders vs. Broncos	25–16
Dolphins vs. Jets	24–16
Ravens @ Patriots	23–20
Saints vs. 49ers	34–14
Giants vs. Eagles	19–13
Steelers vs. Bengals	27–23
Vikings @ Bears	26–23

In a 34-14 win over San Francisco, Saints QB Drew Brees connects on 21 of 30 pass attempts, including two touchdowns, while Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray each add a score on the ground. New Orleans takes back the division lead from Atlanta.

Week 11 Scores

Cardinals @ Seahawks	24–17
Titans @ Ravens	20–7
Lions at Panthers	27–27
Eagles @ Browns	30–7
Chargers @ Broncos	22–13
Texans vs. Patriots	23–20
Colts vs. Packers	19–16
Steelers @ Jaguars	37–23
Chiefs @ Raiders	27–13
Cowboys @ Vikings	45–12
Falcons @ Saints	29–16
Washington vs. Bengals	19–13
Rams @ Buccaneers	24–21

A tie in Carolina? That’s right. The Panthers and Lions end in a 27-all draw. As a result, Detroit remains a half-game behind in the NFC North, while Carolina’s chances to earn the No. 1 draft pick in 2021 take a hit.

Week 12 Scores

Cowboys vs. Washington	24–14
Lions vs. Texans	23–19
Ravens @ Steelers	33–14
Falcons vs. Raiders	31–17
Chargers @ Bills	34–6
Bengals vs. Giants	28–9
Broncos vs. Saints	31–24
Bears @ Packers	20–16
Colts vs. Titans	31–19
Browns @ Jaguars	14–13
49ers @ Rams	40–32
Vikings vs. Panthers	16–6
Patriots vs. Cardinals	27–16
Dolphins @ Jets	23–20
Buccaneers vs. Chiefs	35–31
Seahawks @ Eagles	17–9

It has become clear that the Tampa Bay offense can overpower just about anyone on the right day. And this was the right day: Tom Brady throws for 291 yards and three scores against the Chiefs, besting Patrick Mahomes.

What we saw in Weeks 9–12

NFC West clash: Coach Sean McVay’s Rams narrowly edged the Seahawks and Buccaneers in Weeks 10 and 11, but the Niners aren’t going anywhere. San Francisco’s 40-32 win over L.A. in Week 12 keeps it a one-game race out west.

New season, same Cleveland: With a 2-6 record and the NFL’s fewest points scored coming out of the Week 9 bye, Kevin Stefanski makes a bold move and sits Baker Mayfield for Case Keenum. Even if Keenum offers a boost, it’s looking gloomy in Cleveland again.

QB moves for Lawrence: Both the Panthers and Jaguars, each with just two wins, turn to their backup quarterbacks. Matt Rhule benches Teddy Bridgewater in favor of former XFL star P.J. Walker, while Doug Marrone calls on Jake Luton with Gardner Minshew struggling. But the QB each team really wants is the prize of the 2021 draft class, Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence.

Bills’ AFC East runaway: Buffalo (8-3) appears destined to win its first AFC East title since 1995, as the Patriots and Jets sit tied for second (4-7). In New England, Bill Belichick gives the offense to Jarrett Stidham to mix things up.

Top Performers, Weeks 9–12

Tom Brady, TB 1,162 Passing YDS

Derrick Henry, TEN 307 Rushing YDS

Michael Thomas, NO 349 Receiving YDS

It’s the final stretch, and playoff spots are up for grabs. Can Russell Wilson get his Seahawks back in the NFC West picture? Who will cross the line first in the ultratight NFC North? And which 5-6 AFC South team will be just good enough to play in January?

Week 13 Scores

Ravens vs. Cowboys	31–17
Cardinals vs. Rams	28–14
Saints @ Falcons	28–17
Bears vs. Lions	17–13
Eagles @ Packers	26–16
Texans vs. Colts	20–17
Chiefs vs. Broncos	23–17
Chargers vs. Patriots	30–21
Bengals @ Dolphins	18–12
Jaguars @ Vikings	37–24
Jets vs. Raiders	24–13
Steelers vs. Washington	38–10
Seahawks vs. Giants	28–7
Browns @ Titans	21–13
49ers vs. Bills	27–24

With seven catches and a touchdown, receiver Michael Thomas helps New Orleans to a 28-17 win over the Falcons, giving the Saints a share of the division lead. Both teams sit at 8-4, while the Buccaneers linger behind at 6-6.

Week 14 Scores

Rams vs. Patriots	19–12
Steelers @ Bills	35–31
Broncos @ Panthers	23–10
Texans @ Bears	16–3
Cowboys @ Bengals	29–24
Lions vs. Packers	23–20
Titans @ Jaguars	34–31
Falcons @ Chargers	33–30
Colts @ Raiders	37–16
Chiefs @ Dolphins	30–17
Giants vs. Cardinals	25–21
Eagles vs. Saints	23–10
49ers vs. Washington	42–17
Seahawks vs. Jets	27–17
Buccaneers vs. Vikings	29–23
Ravens @ Browns	41–16

We got two division clinches! The 8-5 Bills fall in Week 14 to Pittsburgh, but losses from the Pats and Jets give them the AFC East. And in the AFC West, the 10-3 Chiefs repeat as champs. Kansas City steamrolled through its division, as no other team is even at .500.

Week 15 Scores

Chargers @ Raiders	24–20
Cardinals vs. Eagles	20–16
Buccaneers @ Falcons	30–24
Ravens vs. Jaguars	24–10
Cowboys vs. 49ers	31–17
Bills @ Broncos	19–17
Packers vs. Panthers	48–3
Colts vs. Texans	20–17
Rams vs. Jets	22–7
Dolphins vs. Patriots	21–19
Vikings vs. Bears	17–6
Saints vs. Chiefs	23–17
Giants vs. Browns	27–20
Titans vs. Lions	16–10
Seahawks @ Washington	27–20
Bengals vs. Steelers	23–20

Seattle is on a four-game win streak and is perhaps back in the NFC West mix. Russell Wilson totals 238 passing yards in this week’s matchup with Washington and throws two more TDs to give him seven during the winning streak.

Week 16 Scores

Vikings @ Saints	27–10
49ers @ Cardinals	41–16
Ravens vs. Giants	38–10
Cowboys vs. Eagles	17–10
Buccaneers @ Lions	27–9
Titans @ Packers	28–17
Texans vs. Bengals	38–35
Bears @ Jaguars	28–6
Chiefs vs. Falcons	24–10
Broncos @ Chargers	22–13
Raiders vs. Dolphins	40–20
Browns @ Jets	27–11
Steelers vs. Colts	22–20
Rams @ Seahawks	30–27
Panthers @ Washington	35–32
Bills @ Patriots	22–17

Dallas is hot. The 9-6 Cowboys have won four in a row, including this week’s 17-10 victory over the Eagles. Ezekiel Elliott rumbles for 81 yards and a score, helping the Cowboys level up with Philly in the NFC East.

Week 17 Scores

Bills vs. Dolphins	16–6
Saints @ Panthers	37–3
Bears vs. Packers	25–16
Browns vs. Steelers	23–10
Ravens @ Bengals	37–3
Broncos vs. Raiders	16–13
Vikings @ Lions	48–25
Texans vs. Titans	27–20
Colts vs. Jaguars	9–7
Chargers @ Chiefs	35–28
Cardinals @ Rams	27–3
Patriots vs. Jets	28–7
Giants vs. Cowboys	20–13
Eagles vs. Washington	34–17
49ers vs. Seahawks	19–13
Buccaneers vs. Falcons	55–31

The NFC South was deadlocked in a three-way tie entering Week 17, but the Saints win the division at 10-6 when they beat Carolina 37-3. The Bucs, meanwhile, end the Falcons’ season with a huge 55-31 win in the final matchup. Tom Brady’s four-TD outing puts Tampa Bay in a wild-card spot.

What we saw in Weeks 13–17

NFC North revolving door: The Lions leap atop the division in Week 14, beating Green Bay 23-20, but it’s short-lived. The Vikings regain the lead on Dalvin Cook’s 72 rushing yards in a Week 15 win over Chicago and clinch with a 27-10 win over New Orleans a week later.

Down to the wire: Coming out of Week 15, the Texans, Titans and Colts are tied at 7-7 in the AFC South, and wins by Houston and Tennessee in Week 16 set up a winner-take-all matchup in Week 17. Derrick Henry has 89 total yards and a score, but it’s not enough. Deshaun Watson throws for 244 yards and a pair of scores in a 27-20 win.

Byes up for grabs: Out of nowhere, Baltimore takes the AFC’s No. 1 seed from Pittsburgh and Kansas City in Week 17 behind Lamar Jackson’s three total scores in a win over Cincinnati. And despite the Rams being up a game entering the final week in the NFC, San Francisco’s tiebreaker and win over the Seahawks combines with the Rams’ 27-3 implosion against the Cardinals to allow the Niners to sit out wild-card weekend.

Lawrence to Jacksonville? The Jaguars earned the No. 1 pick with a 3-13 record, edging out the 3-12-1 Panthers. Trevor Lawrence looks to be headed to Florida.

Top Performers in 2020

Tom Brady, TB 4,615 Passing YDS

Derrick Henry, TEN 1,316 Rushing YDS

Michael Thomas, NO 1,373 Receiving YDS

AFC Final Standings

North	W	L	T
Ravens	12	4	0
Steelers	12	4	0
Bengals	7	9	0
Browns	7	9	0

South	W	L	T
Texans	9	7	0
Colts	8	8	0
Titans	8	8	0
Jaguars	3	13	0

East	W	L	T
Bills	11	5	0
Jets	5	11	0
Patriots	5	11	0
Dolphins	4	12	0

West	W	L	T
Chiefs	11	5	0
Chargers	8	8	0
Broncos	8	8	0
Raiders	5	11	0

Blue Circle: Made the playoffs
Black Square: No. 1 draft pick

NFC Final Standings

North	W	L	T
Vikings	10	6	0
Lions	7	8	1
Bears	7	9	0
Packers	7	9	0

South	W	L	T
Saints	10	6	0
Buccaneers	10	6	0
Falcons	9	7	0
Panthers	3	12	1

East	W	L	T
Eagles	10	6	0
Cowboys	9	7	0
Giants	7	9	0
Washington	4	12	0

West	W	L	T
49ers	11	5	0
Rams	11	5	0
Seahawks	9	7	0
Cardinals	8	8	0

Blue Circle: Made the playoffs

The expanded postseason gives us 14 teams contending. The field includes the top seven offenses — led by Baltimore (459 points) and San Francisco (457) — and four of the top five defenses — topped by Baltimore and Philadelphia (each with 256 points against). Could the Ravens take the AFC crown from Kansas City? Will Tom Brady win No. 7? Can Buffalo or Minnesota finally win the big game?

Wild-Card Round Scores

Bills vs. Chargers	30–10
Chiefs vs. Colts	19–9
Texans vs. Steelers	31–24
Cowboys @ Eagles	16–10
Buccaneers @ Vikings	10–9
Saints vs. Rams	23–10

The 9-7 Texans stun the 12-win Steelers, as Bill O’Brien answers his critics. New Orleans gets playoff revenge: a decisive 23-10 win over the Rams featuring seven catches from Michael Thomas. And Dak Prescott’s 271 passing yards help Dallas defeat Philadelphia.

Divisional Round Scores

Ravens vs. Texans	19–9
Chiefs @ Bills	27–7
Cowboys @ 49ers	39–26
Buccaneers @ Saints	38–26

Tom Brady is headed to the NFC Championship Game after a 264-yard, 3-TD win over the Saints, the Niners are gone after the Cowboys dropped 39 on their defense and Patrick Mahomes dismisses the Bills with a 27-7 blowout.

Championship Round Scores

Chiefs @ Ravens	17–14
Cowboys @ Buccaneers	26–14

Down goes Brady! A 330-passing-yard day from Brady wasn’t enough to top the efficiency of the Dallas passing attack. In the AFC, the Ravens held Patrick Mahomes’ offense to 10 points in three and a half quarters. But a late drive leads to a Mecole Hardman game-winning touchdown.

We got a Lamar Jackson-Patrick Mahomes playoff showdown, and it didn’t disappoint. But Jackson will need to wait another year to reach the Super Bowl, as Andy Reid is piecing together quite a run in Kansas City early in Mahomes’ career. And while we won’t see Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski win it all in a non-Pats uniform, you have to tip your cap to the impressive run out of a wild-card spot from Dallas. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy gets reputation rehabilitation after a sour ending in Green Bay, and Dak Prescott’s bet on himself is going to pay out … huge.

Chiefs 42, Cowboys 17 It’s a repeat! The Chiefs blow out the Cowboys in a lopsided Super Bowl, and it’s time to talk full-on dynasty in Kansas City. Mahomes drops four touchdowns and, to no one’s surprise, wins Super Bowl MVP again. The Cowboys’ offense sputters out in the end, and Ezekiel Elliott is held under 50 rushing yards after Dallas falls behind quickly. Andy Reid, once thought of as a coach who couldn’t win the big one, has secured his place as one of the greats in NFL history.