Former Virginia Tech defensive lineman Wilfried Pene, now declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, has shared his predictions for the 2025 NFL Playoffs. Pene’s picks were posted on NFL France’s social media.
In a move that surprised few, Pene has chosen the Detroit Lions to claim their first Super Bowl title. The Lions, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the best record in the NFL, finished the regular season with 15 wins out of 17 games. Pene’s predicted path for the Lions includes victories over the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings, the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles, and the Chiefs.
Pene didn’t pick any major upsets but did foresee some surprises based on team seeds. He expects the No. 5 seed Vikings to defeat the No. 4 Rams, and the No. 5 Chargers to overcome the No. 4 Texans.
This year’s NFL Playoffs feature significant gaps in strength between the higher seeds and those barely making the cut. The Lions are the clear favorite in the NFC, while teams like the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers face tough first-round challenges.
For the Eagles-Packers Wild Card matchup, Pene picked the Eagles to advance to the NFC Championship. Despite Jalen Hurts dealing with a concussion, and assuming Jordan Love stays healthy for the Packers, they could have a shot to upset the Eagles. Green Bay has a strong, healthy roster, and Love’s potential performance could make a difference, though their youth might work against them.
The Commanders-Buccaneers game is another difficult pick. Rookie Jayden Daniels set multiple records in 2024, including the highest completion percentage by a rookie QB, the most rushing yards, and the most passing touchdowns in crucial moments. However, the Buccaneers also have a standout rookie in Bucky Irving, who has excelled after taking over the backfield role. The Bucs have an impressive playoff resume, with wins over the Commanders, an upset over the Lions, and dominant victories over teams like the Eagles and Chargers. Pene wouldn’t be surprised if the Buccaneers make a deep playoff run.
Leave a Reply