StonesJournal

AJ Stone and Mark Ceddia team up once again to try and better themselves after going 3/6 in round one (better winning percentage than the Panthers). What teams will advance? Whose season has run its course?

Written By: AJ Stone & Mark Ceddia

Seahawks Over 49ers:

The Seahawks have entered the 2026 NFL playoffs in a new realm of existence, as the big dog on campus. Seattle held a record of 14-3 and had its best cumulative defense since the infamous ‘Legion of Boom.’ Seattle is banking on the likes of Sam Darnold, but that’s gotten them this far, so why not that much farther? Their nearly impenetrable defense is headlined by All-Pro Nickel Devon Witherspoon, who’s looking to continue his regular-season dominance under the bright lights of playoff football. The Seahawks also have an elite duo in the backfield between Kenneth Walker and the young and blossoming Zach Charbonnet. A dynamic pairing to aid their offense when the passing game dwindles. However, the real talk of the town in Seattle has been Offensive Player of the Year favorite Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The wide receiver’s regular season almost had him looking invisible to opposing defenses, and he shows no signs of slowing down. The 49ers won round one with elite coaching decisions and the big play. Seattle negates the big play and is now matched up against a much better-coached team. In addition to the more challenging matchup, tight end George Kittle suffered a season-ending injury in round one that will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the playoffs. Brock Purdy and the 49ers have a gameplan, they execute well, and they should provide a challenging matchup in Seattle. That being said, expect the bird to win this time around.

Bears Over Rams:

The Bears and Rams both escaped round one by the skin of their teeth in one-score victories. LA almost dropped its first game to a Carolina team that went 8-9, and Chicago won due to Green Bay’s shortcomings in the clutch. In terms of round two, I’m expecting the Bears to live and learn and the Rams to come off hard-headed. Caleb Williams’ excellent performance in round one (24/48, 361 yds, 2 TD, 2 INTs) is enough to sway me Chi-Town’s way. The utter dominance by tight end Coleson Loveland opened new doors for other options like Rome Odunze and DJ Moore. Los Angeles will have to figure out a way to cover about four weapons that could prove fatal if left unchecked. The Bears’ offensive line had a really underrated performance in round one, and if they give their QB time to cook, he’s Gordan Ramsey. On the other hand, the Rams’ O-Line constantly had QB Matthew Stafford under pressure, which led to multiple forced turnovers. The Bears’ D-Line is much more equipped than the Panthers. Can the Rams protect their MVP in round two against much better competition? I don’t think so. Unless Stafford can continuously connect with Puca Nakua, someone needs to step up, or LA will be sent packing.

Broncos Over Bills:

Buffalo escaped round one on the heels of a pivotal fourth-quarter interception thrown by Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence while driving down the field. To be fair, his receiver batted the ball into the air, making it an easy pick and all but ending the game. The Bills won! But now they have to do it again, and this time, against a much more complete team. Outside of the inexperience from young QB Bo Nix, the Broncos are built for the big moment and may have what it takes to cancel ‘The Josh Allen Show’ we all tuned in to during round one. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II has his sights set dead-red on every ball that goes up in the air. The Bills’ offense is going to need to be immensely coordinated to avoid the dominance of Surtain II. Cortland Sutton (WR) and Bo Nix look to thread the needle against a Bills’ defense that performed well above expectations in round one. The Bills’ one-star show may not be so entertaining the second time around against the formidable Denver Broncos.

Patriots Over Texans:

The Patriots did what they needed to do against the Chargers. The offense lagged slightly, but the defense CAME TO PLAY. Corner Christian Gonzalez and friends had Los Angeles QB Justin Herbert in a prison simulator. Jailed to his own backfield and watching one incompletion after another. The monster that is the Pats’ defense now matches up against Houston. The Texans beat up on a lowly Steelers team that had little to no chance from the get-go. It can really diminish a team’s momentum to come off a blowout in a playoff atmosphere. How will the Texans fare against a Patriots team that will be looking to keep points off the board and win low-scoring affairs? Houston also benefited from two defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter of round one that made the score look much more out of touch than it really was. Additionally, Houston’s best weapon on offense, Nico Collins (WR), is currently in concussion protocol and is in danger of missing round two. The Texan defense managed four sacks in round one and played exceptionally well, but will now face off against not only a better O-Line but also a younger and more agile QB. They say everything’s bigger in Texas. Does that mean we’re in for a blowout loss?