NFL Predictions #1: Thanksgiving Day Edition

We are in the second half of the season, and its Thanksgiving time, which means our first playoff predictions of the season!

Let's get right to it (using the current standings):

AFC

1. New England Patriots
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. Denver Broncos
4. Indianapolis Colts
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Kansas City Chiefs

NFC   

1. Carolina Panthers
2. Arizona Cardinals
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. New York Giants
5. Green Bay Packers
6. Atlanta Falcons

AFC Wild Card Round 

1.Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs

An AFC West match up here, but it won't be a thriller. With the Broncos in the bottom 10 offense in rushing yards in the league, and the Chiefs a top 10 defense in allowing rushing yards, the Broncos will rely heavily on the passing game. The Chiefs will find a hard time with the Broncos boasting the best pass defense in the league and a top 10 run defense in the league. With the Denver pass offense and the Chiefs pass defense both being average, this game will come down to defense. And in that battle, Denver wins. If Peyton Manning can establish a strong pass attack early, the Broncos get an easy win. If not, I think their defense will be strong enough to shut down the Chiefs.

 Final: Broncos 24, Chiefs 10

2.Indianapolis Colts vs Pittsburgh Steelers

These teams are both average, but the Steelers have a slight advantage. With the Colts defense giving up nearly 300 passing yards a game, and Antonio Brown averaging over 100 yards every game, the Steelers can win. This game's outcome really depends on Ben Roethlisberger's condition. But with Roethlisberger playing now, the Steelers have a big advantage in their passing game. Also, DeAngelo Williams is averaging over 100 yards every game he has 20 or more carries, and the Colts are giving up over 100 yards a game on the run. Even if the Colts offense gets rolling, the Steelers are a top 10 run defense. The key to this game will be a ferocious passing attack on both sides, but the Steelers have a key advantage on the ground.

Final: Steelers 31, Colts 24

NFC Wild Card Round

1.Minnesota Vikings vs Atlanta Falcons

The Vikings' best player on offense is Adrian Peterson, and the Falcons are giving up the least rushing yards per game in the league. With Devonta Freeman, who is the outspoken MVP of my fantasy team, playing like he is, scoring touchdowns on several red zone opportunities, being faced with a Vikings defense which has only given up 5 rushing touchdowns this season, this match up is even. The Falcons are a top 10 passing offense, but the Vikings are a top 10 passing defense. The match up is very even, but Matt Ryan has one playoff win in his career, which is still one more than Teddy Bridgewater. This game can go either way, based on if Julio Jones can have a huge game, or if Adrian Peterson can have a huge game. But right now, I'm taking the Vikings to beat the Falcons, just because Adrian Peterson is averaging nearly 100 yards and a touchdown in every home game this season, and because Devonta Freeman hasn't scored a touchdown in the past 4 weeks.

Final: Vikings 24, Falcons 21

2.New York Giants vs Green Bay Packers

The Packers are a hot passing offense, and the Giants are a very poor passing defense. The Packers are scoring many touchdowns every game over the air, and the Giants are giving these touchdowns up. Aaron Rodgers has only thrown one interception on the road this season, and he's thrown 10 touchdowns in contrast. Eli is a clutch postseason performer who's having a lot of success with throwing the ball to Odell Beckham, playing an average Packers defense which, however, is averaging an interception every game. The key to this game is the Packers run game, one of the top 10 running offenses in the game. Eddie Lacy is averaging almost 100 yards every game he's gotten 15 or more carries, and if the Packers utilize him enough, this will be a good win for them.

Final: Packers 28, Giants 21

AFC Divisional Round 

1.Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals' hot start has come to an end, and may not prevail in this match up against arguably the best defense in the league. With Brock Osweiler stepping in, and Manning struggling, and Andy Dalton averaging 2 touchdowns every home game, the Bengals may have a slight edge in this game. The Bengals can win this game with the Broncos having to rely heavily on the pass, and the Bengals defense having 11 interceptions throughout the season, I think Andy Dalton sneaks by to advance to the AFC Championship.

Final: Bengals 21, Broncos 13

2.New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers

The Patriots are undefeated. They have the best passing attack in the league, a huge advantage over the Steelers' below average pass defense. The Steelers' rushing attack will also be stopped by the Patriots. The Patriots are just too good right now, and I think they're too much for a young defense and an offense led by an injury prone Ben Roethlisberger to handle right now.

Final: Patriots 31, Steelers 17

NFC Divisional Round

1.Carolina Panthers vs Minnesota Vikings
Look, the Panthers are undefeated. Their defense leads the league with 18 interceptions. Their defense is also the second best team when it comes to sacks, with 33 total. Their defense is in the top 10 in allowing passing touchdowns, and also in allowing passing yards. Their run defense is also the second best when it comes to allow rushing yards. The Vikings will find a hard time getting anything going on offense, and on defense, they are one of the better defenses in the league, but Cam Newton is averaging 250 yards and 3 touchdowns every home game. The Panthers are in the conversation for the best team in the NFL right now, and they haven't shown many signs of slowing down.
Final: Panthers 38, Vikings 17

2.Arizona Cardinals vs Green Bay Packers
The Packers were having some offensive troubles, but now that Eddie Lacy is back, they're looking great. The Cardinals defense is in the top 10 in allowing passing yards and in the top 5 in the league in interceptions. However, Rodgers only has one interception in all of his road games combined this season, and in contrast, he has 10 touchdowns. The Cardinals defense against the Packers offense will be a tough match up for both sides, but the Cardinals pass offense will be strong. Carson Palmer is averaging 300 passing yards and 2 touchdowns in every home game this season, and hasn't shown many signs of slowing down. The Packers' run defense is also giving up nearly a touchdown and 100 yards every game. Chris Johnson can use this to be a key player for the Cardinals. The Packers will find a hard time getting the offense going, and the Cardinals have a strong offense right now.
Final: Cardinals 28, Packers 20

AFC Championship

1.New England Patriots vs Cincinnati Bengals

The Patriots are undefeated, as mentioned. Their offense is rolling with or without Julian Edelman, and Brady has found a way to win every single game. He's averaging 300 yards and 3 touchdowns every home game this season. Brady doesn't lose. The young Andy Dalton can carry his team to so many wins. Both of these teams will have to rely on their passing attacks, since both have mediocre run games. The Bengals are giving up around 250 yards and a touchdown a game to quarterbacks this season. However, the Patriots are also giving up very similar stats. The key to this game is Tom Brady. He's a winner. Four Super Bowl wins and 3 Super Bowl MVPs. He's not going to lose to the Red Rifle. He's going to complete his undefeated season.

Final: Patriots 27, Bengals 21

NFC Championship

1.Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals

Like I said earlier, Cam Newton at home is unstoppable. 250 yards and 3 touchdowns every home game. Granted, the Cardinals have a good defense, but Cam Newton is just better. Even if Cam Newton has a bad day, his defense is unbelievable. They're averaging nearly 2 interceptions every game, and Palmer is averaging an interception in every road game this season. The Panthers are just better than the Cardinals at offense, at defense, and at special teams. Young Cam Newton is taking his team to the Super Bowl this season.

Final: Panthers 24, Cardinals 13

Super Bowl

1.New England Patriots vs Carolina Panthers

What did you expect? The Giants to get here by some miracle? Not this time. The two undefeated teams will clash each other in the Super Bowl.

Cam Newton's pass offense against the Patriots defense? Newton will dominate. The Patriots are in the bottom half of the league when it comes to giving up passing yards, while Newton will capitalize off of that. Newton will use his advantage here to help the Panthers gain some point.

Tom Brady's pass offense against the Panthers defense? The Panthers will dominate. Arguably the best defense in the league, the Panthers will hold Brady to as little as possible.

The Panthers are better on paper, but there's one thing about the Patriots.

Brady has only lost to one quarterback in the Super Bowl: Eli Manning. Brady will use his Super Bowl experience and his clutch skills to lead his team to the win. The Patriots are a clutch team, from Brady to Malcolm Butler, they find a way to show up big time. 

But then again, the Panthers aren't the Seahawks and will know better than to pass it inside the 10 yard line. Cam Newton is a dual threat quarterback, his defense is playing amazingly, and you know what?

Defense wins championships.

Final: Panthers 31, Patriots 24