Let's get right to our predictions (using the current standings):
AFC
- New England Patriots
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Denver Broncos
- Indianapolis Colts
- Kansas Chiefs
- Houston Texans
- Carolina Panthers
- Arizona Cardinals
- Minnesota Vikings
- Washington Redskins
- Green Bay Packers
- Seattle Seahawks
AFC Wild Card Round
1.Denver Broncos vs Houston Texans
Brock Osweiler had a big win against Brady, proving how effective he can be should Peyton Manning be hurt. The Texans also had a good game, granted they had an easy match up, but still performed well. Denver boasts the best passing defense in the league, proving themselves against Tom Brady and the Patriots' elite passing attack. The Texans rely on the passing attack for a majority of their yardage, so the Broncos show a clear advantage here. The Broncos are a top 10 run defense, while the Texans are a bottom 5 rushing offense, so the Texans should find a hard time getting anything going. The Broncos' running back C.J. Anderson proved himself by having a decent game and putting the Patriots away with a huge touchdown in overtime, and Osweiler stepped in to take charge of the passing attack in the absence of Peyton Manning. The Broncos easily win here.
Final: Broncos 31, Texans 21
2.Indianapolis Colts vs Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City's running backs are playing very well, as Spencer Ware had a big day against the Bills, and Alex Smith had a good game against the Bills. The Chiefs are on a 5 game win streak, and their offense is rolling right now. Meanwhile, the Colts are a bottom 10 defense in the league, giving up nearly 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards a game. However, the Colts are finding success with backup quarterback Matt Hasselback, who hasn't lost a game this season. The Colts are averaging nearly 250 yards through the air and 100 on the ground every game. So these two offenses are playing well, meaning the key to this game is defense. The Colts are a bottom 10 defense, while the Chiefs are a top 10 defense on the run. Matt Hasselback is undefeated, and Luck is averaging two touchdowns a game at home. Yes, Luck has thrown interceptions, but the Chiefs have only gotten 3 interceptions this whole season. Luck or Hasselback, the Colts win here.
Final: Colts 27, Chiefs 21
NFC Wild Card Round
1.Minnesota Vikings vs Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are back in the playoff picture, and they're here for good. Russell Wilson threw 5 touchdowns against a struggling Steelers defense to get the win. Even if Minnesota is a top 10 passing defense, the Seahawks have the best rushing attack in the league. Rawls or Lynch or Jackson, their running game is strong, and the Vikings are giving up 110 yards on the ground every game. The Vikings' passing game will be shut down, as the Seahawks boast one of the best passing defenses in the league, and the Vikings are one of the worst offenses over the air. The Vikings' only weapon is Adrian Peterson, who destroyed the Falcons, a good rushing defense. Peterson will carry the load for the Vikings, but it won't be enough as the Seahawks are playing well on both sides of the ball. 12th man or no 12th man, the Seahawks win.
Final: Seahawks 38, Vikings 31
2.Washington Redskins vs Green Bay Packers
The Redskins have a losing record, and they're in the playoffs. It just goes to show how bad the NFC East is. But anyways, the Packers are 1-4 in the past 5 weeks, and the only game they won out of those 5, was a game where Eddie Lacy had over 20 carries. Aaron Rodgers has only thrown one interception on the road this whole year, but the Packers are in the bottom 10 of the league in passing yards, while the Redskins are in the top 10 in not allowing passing yards on defense. Kirk Cousins has thrown 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions at home this season, and the Packers are giving up 250 yards a game over the air. The Redskins have only lost once at home all season, which was also the beginning of the season and the only home game where Cousins threw an interception. The Packers must heavily rely on Eddie Lacy, who can do a lot for them, considering this Redskins' defense is one of the worst in the league on the ground. This game will be close, but I'm calling the upset and the Redskins win.
Final: Redskins 17, Packers 13
Final: Patriots 28, Colts 21
2.Washington Redskins vs Green Bay Packers
The Redskins have a losing record, and they're in the playoffs. It just goes to show how bad the NFC East is. But anyways, the Packers are 1-4 in the past 5 weeks, and the only game they won out of those 5, was a game where Eddie Lacy had over 20 carries. Aaron Rodgers has only thrown one interception on the road this whole year, but the Packers are in the bottom 10 of the league in passing yards, while the Redskins are in the top 10 in not allowing passing yards on defense. Kirk Cousins has thrown 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions at home this season, and the Packers are giving up 250 yards a game over the air. The Redskins have only lost once at home all season, which was also the beginning of the season and the only home game where Cousins threw an interception. The Packers must heavily rely on Eddie Lacy, who can do a lot for them, considering this Redskins' defense is one of the worst in the league on the ground. This game will be close, but I'm calling the upset and the Redskins win.
Final: Redskins 17, Packers 13
AFC Divisional Round
1.Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals
This Bengals' offense led by the Dalton is rolling, especially over the air. The Bengals won't be able to get anything going on the ground against this Broncos' defense which is elite at stopping the run, not even allowing 90 yards a game. The Broncos have also limited teams to less than 200 yards over the air. They held Tom Brady, the best quarterback in the league, to 280 yards, and they won. The Bengals' defense isn't a horrible one either, but the Broncos are elite. Osweiler came in for Manning and took down the Patriots. The Broncos' running backs are finally stepping up, with C.J. Anderson scoring that game winning touchdown at the end. Osweiler has proven that he can take the reigns to the Broncos' offense and lead them to a win, defeating a Patriots defense that isn't much worse than the Bengals' defense. In the Bengals' two losses on the season, they lost to Houston and Arizona, two of the top 10 passing defenses in the league. Imagine how the Broncos' defense will play. I'm taking the Broncos and their elite defense and potent offense.
Final: Broncos 28, Bengals 17
2.New England Patriots vs Indianapolis Colts
The Patriots were handed their first loss of the season. This was against an elite Broncos' defense. They held Tom Brady to less than 300 yards, which isn't the best, but against Tom Brady, isn't too bad. The Patriots offense is seemingly unstoppable over the air, no matter who he was to catch his passes. The Colts are also a bottom 10 passing defense, giving up 20 touchdowns on the season. Brady will pick apart their defense. Matt Hasselback is undefeated this season, but so were the Patriots. The Colts' offense is a decent one over the air, and should be able to get things going against a mediocre Patriots defense. The Patriots are still undefeated at Foxborough, and I don't see that changing, especially playing this Colts defense.Final: Patriots 28, Colts 21
NFC Divisional Round
1.Carolina Panthers vs Seattle Seahawks
The Panthers are the only undefeated team in the NFL. The Panthers aren't an elite passing offense, and the Seahawks are a pretty good passing defense. Both of these games will be played on the ground, with the Panthers and the Seahawks both rushing for over 130 yards per game. However, both of these run defenses are allowing less than 100 yards a game. The Panthers previously played the Seahawks this year and won, at Seattle. The Panthers' defense has 18 interceptions, 4 returned for touchdowns, 14 forced fumbles, with 1 returned for a touchdown. The Panthers are undefeatable. If the Seahawks couldn't beat them at Seattle, there's no way they can win at Carolina.
Final: Panthers 13, Seahawks 6
2.Washington Redskins vs Arizona Cardinals
Kirk Cousins is a pretty good quarterback, but the Cardinals are a strong team. Cousins has thrown 8 interceptions in 5 away games this season, and the Cardinals have 14 interceptions on the season. Carson Palmer has scored a touchdown in every game this season. Carson Palmer is averaging a Quarterback Rating of 108 in home games this season. The Redskins' defense is mediocre, while the Cardinals offense is explosive. The Cardinals are playing well, and their pass and run offense are both in the top 10 in the league. Kirk Cousins has exceeded expectations, but he hasn't faced much of a challenge yet, and the Cardinals are on a 5-game win streak, and this time, Cousins will not pull off the upset.
Final: Cardinals 31, Redskins 14
AFC Championship
1.New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are an elite defense. There's no doubt about that. The Patriots are an elite offense. No doubt about that either. The Patriots will not be able to get anything going on the ground, and they'll have to rely on their passing game. The Patriots are plagued by injury, with most of Brady's wide receivers out. Amendola and Edelman will probably be back by January, but the Broncos' defense is holding quarterbacks to less than 200 yards a game, a very high level. The Patriots' offense will be shut down by the Broncos' defense. Osweiler showed how effective he can be against a Patriots defense which is giving up 250 yards a game. C.J. Anderson has shown potential, and he had a breakout game beating the Patriots, in my opinion. If C.J. Anderson had more carries, his production could increase largely. Defense wins championships, and the Broncos are one hell of a defense.
Final: Broncos 24, Patriots 12
NFC Championship
1.Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals
Carson Palmer had an average game against a 49ers defense, which isn't an elite defense. The Panthers' defense is elite and will stop Carson Palmer. Their defense has 18 interceptions this season, and Palmer has thrown 9 interceptions this whole season. I said this about the Patriots and I was wrong, but the Panthers will finish their undefeated season. The Panthers have 5 defensive touchdowns, which is unbelievable. Cam Newton has 6 rushing touchdowns this season, more than some running backs. The Panthers' defense is unstoppable, with their rushing offense with more than 140 yards per game. The Cardinals are good, but the Panthers are great.
Final: Panthers 24, Cardinals 21
Super Bowl
1.Denver Broncos vs Carolina Panthers
This is a battle of elite defenses. The Broncos have an elite defense, allowing less than 90 rushing yards a game. The Panthers have 140 yards a game on the ground, so this match up will be even. The Panthers passing offense isn't the best, and the Broncos' passing defense is elite, so the Panthers will find a hard time scoring in general. I've repeated this several times, but the Panthers have 18 interceptions. Without Manning, Osweiler will have to play this Panthers' defense. Osweiler has a hot hand going into this game, but when was the last time we saw a quarterback pick up mid-season and take his team to the Super Bowl? Colin Kaepernick! Osweiler is a decent quarterback, but "decent" doesn't win Super Bowls. His quarterback rating is pretty good for someone coming in mid-season and beating the Patriots, but the Patriots aren't a defense with 4 interceptions returned for touchdowns. As for the run defense, the Panthers also allow less than 90 rushing yards a game, and the Broncos aren't too good on the run either. Even if Manning comes back, he won't be effective. He threw 17 interceptions before he got injured, almost as many interceptions as the Panthers have on the season! The Panthers have 20 more total yards per game on offense, 6 more rushing touchdowns total, almost 600 more yards on the ground total, and 8 more passing touchdowns total this season. The Panthers are unstoppable.
Final: Panthers 27, Broncos 17
No comments:
Post a Comment