NFL regular season review and playoff predictions

The NFL season is now over. Let's take a look at what my predictions were and how I did. I will also preview the NFL playoffs and tell you what is going to happen.

AFC East                                                    AFC North                                  
Predicted                 Actual                          Predicted             Actual                      
Patriots                    Patriots                        Bengals                Bengals              
Jets                          Jets                              Ravens                Steelers              
Bills                         Dolphins                       Browns               Ravens              
Dolphins                  Bills                              Steelers               Browns


AFC South                                                 AFC West
Predicted               Actual                           Predicted              Actual
Colts                     Colts                             Broncos                Broncos
Texans                  Titans                            Raiders                  Chiefs
Titans                    Jaguars                         Chargers                Chargers      
Jaguars                  Texans                          Chiefs                    Raiders

Wildcards          
Predicted      Actual
Ravens         Chiefs
Browns        Chargers

The AFC East was definitely the easiest of these divisions to guess. Even with Tom Brady getting older and maybe not as good, there was no way they were going to lose out this year. However, Rex Ryan somehow took a not so skilled Jets team to an 8-8 season, say what you want about Ryan, but considering what that team has for talent, I think it was a good season. I think most people expected the Bengals to take the AFC North, they're definitely an up and coming team, and I think they will be a team to watch for quite awhile. I expected the Ravens to be better than they were, despite a late season push, they came up just short of the playoffs. I expected the AFC North to be a lot tougher and had Ravens and Browns as wildcards. Each season the Browns show promise of maybe what they could be eventually but never get over the hump and actually become a good team. No one really expected the Texans to be as bad as they were, and thanks to them there was really no other competition for the Colts and they put together a really good season. I think the Colts are one of the most underrated teams in the league and I think they will be in the Superbowl. What I thought would be the weakest division in the AFC was actually the strongest. Not many people saw the Chargers making the playoffs, and the Chiefs were up in the air at best. Alex Smith and Andy Reid worked nicely together to finish second to the very dominant Broncos. Philip Rivers looked like his old self and led the Chargers to a wild card, and well the Raiders are still the Raiders

NFC East                                                      NFC North
Predicted                Actual                              Predicted               Actual
Redskins                 Eagles                              Packers                 Packers
Giants                     Cowboys                          Bears                    Bears
Cowboys                Giants                               Lions                     Lions
Eagles                     Redskins                           Vikings                 Vikings

NFC South                                                     NFC West
Predicted               Actual                                Predicted              Actual
Falcons                  Panthers                             49ers                   Seahawks
Saints                     Saints                                 Seahawks            49ers
Panthers                Falcons                               Cardinals              Cardinals
Buccaneers           Buccaneers                          Rams                    Rams

Wildcards            
Predicted              Actual
Giants                   Saints
Seahawks             49ers

In the East, I expected a lot more from the Redskins. However, they came up with just three wins and led to the firing of head coach Mike Shanahan. After missing the playoffs yet again, I wouldn't be surprised if the second place team the Cowboys do the same. The Eagles put together a solid season and took what was a surprisingly weak division. The clinch Packers beat the Bears yet again to advance in the NFC North, I expected more competition out of the lions this year, but they just can't seem to do it. Both them and the Vikings have also fired their head coaches. My superbowl pick (The Falcons) fell flat in the South which opened the door for the Panthers and the Saints. The NFC West is easily the toughest division in the NFL. the Cardinals went 10-6 and missed the playoffs and it has sparked a great 49ers/Seahawks rivalry.

Playoff predictions
Lets start in the AFC. First there's the Chargers playing the Bengals. This is a very interesting match up. Cincinnati hasn't really done much in the playoffs the last couple years, and Phillip Rivers has shown himself to still be able to get it done. However, I don't think you can discount the Bengals completely either they have a fairly solid defense, and I'm not ready to completely throw out Andy Dalton as a bad playoff QB. I'm taking the Bengals.

Next up is the Chiefs and Colts. Despite what Andy Reid, Alex Smith, and Jamaal Charles have done for this team I'm not convinced. I think the Colts are a lot better of a team than what they get credit for. I take the Colts.

This circumstance would mean we have a Bengals and Patriots game in Gilette stadium. I do think the Patriots are starting to fade as a team, but are they fading enough to lose to the Bengals? No way Tom Brady is still too good, and Bill Bellicheck is still a good coach. Patriots win.

The other game would then be Broncos/Colts. Well you know by now I like the Colts this season. They already beat the Broncos once (which is a win I called) and I'll say it again, they are a much better team than what they get credit for. Colts win.

By now, you probably know what happens, I pick the Colts to beat the Patriots and go to the Superbowl. Well, I picked the Colts to be in the Superbowl from the start of the season, so yes that is what I am calling. I do think that this is their season and that they will at least be in the Superbowl.

Now for the NFC playoff picture. The Saints as a wildcard seems a bit weird. They have Philadelphia first round. I know Philadelphia has been good, but I'm not sold. I think the Saints take that game fairly easily.

The Packers advanced on a huge game winning play with seconds left against the Bears, however, they are in tough against the 49ers. The Packers defense hasn't really been there against the run this year and that could cost them. This is a tough one, and I never pick against the Packers, but I do think the 49ers could be too much for them and take it. I'll take 49ers.

This would mean a Saints and Seahawks match up. The Seahawks are easily the most over rated team in the NFL. They aren't as good as their record. However, their defense is tremendous and I do think that it will stop the Saints. If they do have problems it will be on offense. If that offense doesn't have that defense behind it, this is easily a team barely above .500. However, I'll take the Seahawks.

This means the Panthers and 49ers is the other game. I don't really think this is the Panthers' year and I don't see them doing much. I'll take the 49ers.

Now we go to a great rivalry. 49ers and the Seahawks. As I said, Seahawks are overrated, but they are at home. However, 49ers bounced back from a big loss to them and have won against them. The 49ers offense is better and I believe their defense is close to as good. Despite being in Seattle I'll take the 49ers.


This sets up San Fransisco going to the Superbowl for the second straight year. Except against Indianapolis this time. I really do think this is a big year for the Colts and Andrew Luck. I think on paper the 49ers do have a better team than the Colts. However, the Colts did beat San Fransisco earlier in the season, so I think the Colts somehow pull it off and win. I take the Colts and for the 49ers to lose in two straight SuberBowls.

MLB HOF

Who will be in the Hall of Fame for the MLB this year? Let's take a look at the ballot.
Moises Alou (1st yr)
Jeff Bagwell (4th yr)
Armando Benitez (1st yr)
Craig Biggio (2nd yr)
Barry Bonds (2nd yr)
Sean Casey (1st yr)
Roger Clemens (2nd yr)
Ray Durham (1st yr)
Eric Gagne (1st yr)
Luis Gonzalez (1st yr)
Tom Glavine (1st yr)
Jacque Jones (1st yr)
Todd Jones (1st yr)
Jeff Kent (1st yr)
Paul Lo Duca (1st yr)
Greg Maddux (1st yr)
Don Mattingly (14th yr)
Fred McGriff (5th yr)
Mark Mcgwire (8th yr)
Jack Morris (15th yr)
Mike Mussina (1st yr)
Hideo Nomo (8th yr)
Rafael Palmeiro (4th yr)
Mike Piazza (2nd yr)
Tim Raines (7th yr)
Kenny Rogers (1st yr)
Curt Schilling (2nd yr)
Richie Sexson (1st yr)
Lee Smith (12th yr)
J.T. Snow (1st yr)
Sammy Sosa (2nd yr)
Frank Thomas (1st yr)
Mike Timlin (1st yr)
Allan Trammell (13th yr)
Larry Walker (4th yr)

First things first. Last season, the HOF voters showed they want no part of people who have done steroids in the Hall of Fame. That very quickly eliminates seven names, unless the voters change their minds this year. I do think some PED users will be in the Hall eventually, but I don't think this is the year. The names we can remove from the ballot then are: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Jeff Bagwell, Mike Piazza, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Rafael Palmeiro.

Which then makes the ballot look like this.
Moises Alou (1st yr)
Armando Benitez (1st yr)
Craig Biggio (2nd yr)
Sean Casey (1st yr)
Ray Durham (1st yr)
Eric Gagne (1st yr)
Luis Gonzalez (1st yr)
Tom Glavine (1st yr)
Jacque Jones (1st yr)
Todd Jones (1st yr)
Jeff Kent (1st yr)
Paul Lo Duca (1st yr)
Greg Maddux (1st yr)
Don Mattingly (14th yr)
Fred McGriff (5th yr))
Jack Morris (15th yr)
Mike Mussina (1st yr)
Hideo Nomo (8th yr)
Tim Raines (7th yr)
Kenny Rogers (1st yr)
Curt Schilling (2nd yr)
Richie Sexson (1st yr)
Lee Smith (12th yr)
J.T. Snow (1st yr)
Frank Thomas (1st yr)
Mike Timlin (1st yr)
Allan Trammell (13th yr)
Larry Walker (4th yr)

There are then a bunch of names we can also quickly eliminate for not having the numbers. Don't get me wrong, these guys all had great careers and put up really good numbers, but the MLB HOF is extremely difficult to get into, and in a lot of cases really good numbers isn't enough. The players I removed as I said all had really good numbers, but there's a lot of guys who put up numbers similar to that, you need something really special to be in the hall.

This is what the ballot looks like once those names are removed

Craig Biggio (2nd yr)
Luis Gonzalez (1st yr)
Tom Glavine (1st yr)
Jeff Kent (1st yr)
Greg Maddux (1st yr)
Don Mattingly (14th yr)
Fred McGriff (5th yr)
Jack Morris (15th yr)
Mike Mussina (1st yr)
Tim Raines (7th yr)
Curt Schilling (2nd yr)
Lee Smith (12th yr)
Frank Thomas (1st yr)
Mike Timlin (1st yr)
Allan Trammell (13th yr)

These are all guys who have the numbers to get into the HOF, however each voter is only allowed ten votes; so I'm going to take off five names and give who my ten guys are.
Craig Biggio (2nd yr)
Luis Gonzalez (1st yr)
Tom Glavine (1st yr)
Jeff Kent (1st yr)
Greg Maddux (1st yr)
Fred McGriff (5th yr)
Tim Raines (7th yr)
Curt Schilling (2nd yr)
Frank Thomas (1st yr)
Allan Trammell (13th yr)

The names I eliminated, I would expect some of them will make it eventually, but I don't think this is the year.

This is who my ten votes would be for, but of course other voters might vote for other people, and some will vote for the PED users I eliminated right away, taking away votes from these ten. I will now narrow this down to what I think will be the MLB Hall of Fame class of 2014.

Craig Biggio

Tom Glavine

Greg Maddux

Curt Schilling

Frank Thomas

Think I'm wrong? Think you can do better? Tell me what you think the Hall of Fame class will look like.