AFC
1. New England Patriots 14-2
The Patriots have won 8 straight games and are the favorite to win it all.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers 12-4
The Steelers have a nasty defense, and the offense isn't too shabby either. They definitely have a chance to win it.
3. Indianapolis Colts 10-6
The Colts do have Peyton Manning, but they have been struggling mightily of late. They've been banged up all year, and while both running backs have returned, the losses of Dallas Clark and Austin Collie might be too to overcome. The defense hasn't been very good, and I think they go out in the first round.
4. Kansas City Chiefs 10-6
It's great to see Kansas City in the playoffs. They looked like they might blow it for a minute, but the injury to Antonio Gates of San Diego assured the Chiefs of a spot. They feature the league's best rushing attack, but I expect them to lose in the first round to the playoff-tested Ravens.
5. Baltimore Ravens 12-4
The Ravens have been just squeaking by for the past few weeks, but they've won 4 in a row. Baltimore is a little banged up, but they have great players on both sides of the ball and are definitely a threat to win the title if things fall the right way.
6. New York Jets 11-5
The Jets talk a big game, and they sometimes back it up. Their defense is definitely one of the league's best, but QB Mark Sanchez is a big liability. They will need him to play great and avoid making big mistakes if they hope to win the Super Bowl.
AFC Predictions
Wildcard Round
Jets over Colts
Ravens over Chiefs
Divisional Round
Steelers over Ravens
AFC Championship
PATRIOTS over STEELERS
The Patriots have just been too dominant this season, and I can't justify picking anyone else to make the Super Bowl from the AFC.
NFC
1. Atlanta Falcons 13-3
The Falcons were the beneficiary of a relatively easy schedule this season. No doubt they are a good team, but they aren't particularly great in any category and I don't expect to see them win a title just yet. Nearly every game they had this year was close, and I just think they will drop one before they reach the Super Bowl.
2. Chicago Bears 11-5
The Bears also capitalized on an easy schedule this season, as they lost to most of the good teams they played. They have a great run defense, but have been very mediocre in most aspects of the game. I look for them to lose their first game, unless they somehow get to play the Seahawks.
3. Philadelphia Eagles 10-6
This team is extremely dangerous. They've struggled the past few weeks, but if everyone is healthy and they can put everything together, you could definitely see the Eagles in the Super Bowl. I'm thinking they might be a year away.
4. Seattle Seahawks 7-9
The Seahawks are just lucky to be here. Someone had to win the pathetic NFC West, and Seattle got it done by beating the St. Louis Rams in the final game of the season. They do have a home game, but I fully expect them to get blown out by the defending champion Saints.
5. New Orleans Saints 11-5
The Saints won it all last year and are a threat to get back to the Super Bowl again. As long as Drew Brees is out there, New Orleans will have a great chance to win any game they play. However, the losses of RB's Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory for the season will have a large impact, and the Saints will need a huge contribution from Reggie Bush if they hope to repeat.
6. Green Bay Packers 10-6
The Packers have a solid D and one of the league's best quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers. I picked the Packers to reach the Super Bowl before the season began, but after they lost Ryan Grant for the season almost immediately it looked like they weren't going to recover. Well here they are, sneaking in to the playoffs as a very scary 6 seed, with as good a chance to make it to the Super Bowl as anyone else in the NFC. They have a very difficult first round matchup in Philadelphia, but if they get by that one I think they can get there.
NFC Predictions
Wildcard Round
Saints over Seahawks
Packers over Eagles
Divisional Round
Saints over Bears
NFC Championship
SAINTS over PACKERS
In a matchup of both wild card teams, I'm going with the defending-champion Saints, mainly because they will be the home team. I think these teams are very evenly matched, and if the Packers were the home team I would have gone with them.
SUPER BOWL
PATRIOTS over Saints
The Patriots have been hands-down the best team in the NFL for the 2nd half of the season, and I think they continue their winning ways and win yet another Super Bowl in a tight game against the Saints. New England has the league's best coach, the clutchest quarterback, and a hodgepodge group of no-namers who get the job done. Great showing by New Orleans to get back to the Super Bowl for the 2nd consecutive year, but injuries in the running game catch up to them and cause them to fall just short of a repeat. Tom Brady wins a 4th championship, and 3rd Super Bowl MVP award.
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| Tom Brady, another Super Bowl MVP |
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