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.
Seahawks? Overrated? You're on crack. Easily one of the top teams in the NFL this year.
ReplyDeleteA top team, but not playoff worthy. The offense really isn't that good, the defense does it all. I think they need more balance, because it's happened a couple of times this season where the defense had a little bit of an off game and the offense didn't do enough to make up. Wouldn't surprise me if that's the reason they lose out.
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