So there you have it. The NFL regular season is in the books and the playoff picture is firmly set. I'll be predicting the outcome of the playoffs as they stand later in the post. However, before the gridiron grind began I made some predictions regarding this final outcome, let's see how I did:
NFC East (Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Redskins)
(Prediction: Dallas Actual: Philly)
Well, I both nailed and blew this division. I said it would be the most hotly contested division in the NFC, and it was with three of the four teams with a shot at first place in the second half of the year and three of these teams making the playoffs. However, I thought that the Eagles would crash into last place (especially after McNabb went down.) Who would've thought that Garcia would carry his team into first?! And had Dallas put some effort into fighting Detroit, they'd've been in first, so I was not right, but I was close. Half Credit. (Mudflaps and Apu, however, can both bear witness that before the season I predicted an 8-8 season from the Giants. Slam dunk on that one!)
NFC West (Seahawks, 49ers, Rams, Cardinals)
(Prediction: Seattle Actual: Seattle)
First, I'd like to personally thank the 49ers for making sure that the Denver Bronco frauds did not make it into the playoffs. They didn't deserve the victory vs New England last year and I'm happy that they won't be at the ball this year. I could pat myself on the back for calling this one correctly all around, but it's such an easy division.
NFC North (Bears, Packers, Lions, Vikings)
(Prediction: Chicago Actual: Chicago)
Ooo, look, another tough call made in this division. I think the only thing that surprised me with this group was that Farve didn't break a hip this year. (And the Packers still had a chance at the playoffs late in the year.) But that's the NFC for you. Much weaker than the AFC so more folks have a chance at the big dance.
NFC South (Saints, Panthers, Falcons, Buccaneers)
(Prediction: Carolina Actual: New Orleans)
Well, this division proved harder to call than I thought. The double barrel running game of McAllister and Bush did rocket the Saints to victory. In fact, it got them to a first round bye and a home playoff game! So I got this one quite wrong.
NFC Wild Card
Predictions: Tampa Bay & Washington, Actual: Dallas & New York
So, 1 point for every correctly predicted playoff team and 1/2 point for wild card team from the predicted division (for a possible 7 points) 3 out of six for the playoff teams (Chicago, Dallas, Seattle) plus the 1/2 credit for 1 wild card division (NFC East) and the 8-8 finish of the Giants. 4 out of 7 for the NFC. On to the AFC (I don't think I faired much better.)
AFC East (Patriots, Jets, Dolphins, Bills)
(Prediction: New England Actual: New England)
I thought this was an easy division to call. However, SI (Sports Illustrated) predicted that the Dolphins would win this division and the Patriots would be a wild card team. I disagreed and am happy to say that I was correct. New England did indeed win this division in a manner that was never in question. A wild card team did come from the East. It was not the Dolphins, rather it was the Jets.
AFC West (Chargers, Chiefs, Broncos, Raiders)
(Prediction: San Diego Actual: San Diego)
For this division I acurately predicted that the Broncos would not be back (again, thank you 49ers), that the Chiefs need a defense, that the Raiders would not finish any higher than 3rd (they were in last) and that the Chargers would dash into the playoffs on the back of LT's record setting year. Thank you, good night!
AFC North (Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Browns)
(Prediction:Cincinnati Actual: Baltimore)
Wow, so I really missed the mark on this division. What happened to the Bengals? And the Steelers? Not even a chance to repeat as they completely missed the playoffs! The Ravens with their power D snuck up and hog tied this division. They will be tough to beat in the post season.
AFC South (Texans, Jaguars, Colts, Titans)
(Prediction: Indianapolis Actual: Indianapolis)
No big surprises here. With one exception: for the first time in 10 games Indy lost to Houston! Just a sign of how far Indy will get in the playoffs: not very. Welcome to Marino-World, Mr. Manning. Here's the difference between he and you: He actually played in a Super Bowl.
AFC Wild Card
Predictions: Miami & Pittsburgh Actual: New York & Kansas City
Same scoring as before. 3 out of 6 for the division winners. 1 half point for the wild card team from the East. 3.5 out of 7 for a total of 7.5 out of 14. Just over 50% isn't so bad. (Better than SI, at least my Super Bowl match-up is still possible.)
So here's the playoff picture now and my predictions
Round 1:
NFC
Dallas @ Philly
Dallas wins this game because it's not in Dallas.
Giants @ Seattle
Seattle takes this game. The Giants have been falling apart and this game won't be any different. Besides, what is an 8-8 team doing in the playoffs?
AFC
Jets @ New England
New England has been struggling at home this year, but this is the playoffs. Brady is 10-1 in the playoffs and the game he lost he lost to the zebras. New England wins easily.
Kansas City @ Indy
Indy will run over KC giving the Manning band wagoners more fuel for their "Manning is the greatest" crap. To bad he loses the next week.
Second Round
NFC
Dallas @ Chicago
Sorry, Romo, your year ends here. Chicago's offense may be lacking, but you don't have enough D to stop them. TO will drop 3 passes for you and you'll go home.
Seattle @ New Orleans
No repeat visit for you Shawn. Your team can't stop Brees, Bush and McAllister. The Saints are headed to the Conference Championship.
AFC
Indy @ Baltimore
Mr. Manning, allow me to introduce you to something called Defense. You may have heard, it wins championships. You don't have one. Baltimore does. Sorry, you journey ends here.
New England @ San Diego
If LT were the only weapon that San Diego had, I'd give the Patriots more of a shot. They did stop Marshal Faulk and Kurt Warner in their first Super Bowl, but the Chargers have Gates, Caldwell, Rivers, LT... The other side of this coin is that D wins Championships, and the Patriots have a better D than the Chargers. If this turns into a scoring fest the Patriots win. My inclination is to pick the Chargers, but as this will be a hard fought game I believe the Patriots will emerge victorious. (Really, I'm flipping a coin here... and trying not to be a homer... The other hard part about this is that if the Patriots win, they are going to the Super Bowl because they can beat Baltimore, However, if the Chargers win it's Baltimore who will represent the AFC...) Ok, my final answer is: New England (How can I pick against a 10-1 QB/Coach Combo?) So, no, there will be no Rivers/Brees San Diego/New Orleans Super Bowl.
Conference Championships
NFC
New Orleans @ Chicago
The weather will probably not play a factor here. The Saints are primarily a rushing team, I don't think the cold gets to them. Chicago has a crazy D, but not enough of an offense to win this game. Watch for New Orleans to win a nail biter.
AFC
New England @ Baltimore
Baltimore had the D, but not enough offense. They would have to score twice on defense to win this game. I don't think they can do it. Brady leads his team to yet another Super Bowl game.
Super Bowl
It's not the one the networks wanted. No Bears/Pats rematch. No Rivers vs Brees show down. No Manning going for his first crown. Nope, it's
New England vs New Orleans
The rookie's nerves get to him and he fumbles a few times. Brady leads yet another march down field to win the game. And it's a Dynasty for sure now.
(Of course, if San Diego defeats New England, then it's Baltimore vs New Orleans and the story book ending is acheived. New Orleans wins the Super Bowl the year after Katrina hits.
There you have it. The JMO playoff predictions. Let's see if I can get better than 50% this time!
Thanks for reading, feel free to offer your winners and losers in the comments.
7 comments:
I vouch for the 8-8 NYG prediction. Now will Charlie leave Notre Dame and coach the G-men?
No one, I repeat, no one, is going to beat the Saints in their dome this year. On the road, is another matter...They are talented, but they are young, inexperienced and their defense can be very good one game and very bad the next. The Eagles are playing very well...but I don't know if the Eagles would end up hosting the Saints or not.
I fear LT, one dynamic player can make such a difference in a single elimination game. He is unbelievable, comparisons to Gale Sayers, Barry Sanders and Walter Payton are not exagerrated.
Could we get a post on why Shawn Merriman should not be going to the Pro Bowl or be eligible for Defensive Player of the Year (should be Jason Taylor)? or maybe why is it that the media wants to throw Bonds (and baseball players) under a bus, but send Merriman to Honolulu?
who have the Ravens played? TB, Oak, Cle 2x, SD (a legit win), Cin 2x, Ten, Atl, Pitt 2x, and Buffalo. Wow, SD looks like the only legit team they played this season and they beat them by only 3 points. Their defense is tough, but against QB's like Bruce Gradkowski, Aaron Brooks, Charlie Frye, Philip Rivers, Carson (he wasn't himself), rookie Vince Young, Michael Vick, Ben (I got hit by a car)-burger, and JP Loserman they better have the best D in the league. I like Tom's chances against these yahoos.
also why does Matt Millen still have a job? You know, if Oakland takes Brady Quinn #1 as expected, another great WR will be available when Detroit is ready to pick--Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson.
one more reason why the Pats will win the division again next year...brilliant personnel moves by their division rivals: Saban may go to Alabama, and the Bills announced that they are sticking with JP Loserman. Pennington's arm is hanging on by a thread. I'll give him credit for this season though...I didn't expect him to start 16 games. However, I don't think he will do it two years in a row and thus the Pats coast to another division title next season.
And now that Marc has made this prediction, it is certain not to come to pass.
As is usual, Marc always picks either the Red Sox or the Pats to do exceptionally well. And whenever he does, they do just the opposite.
Marc . . . quit predicting Boston teams to be the victor.
Marc, I also noticed the trend in you picking/predicting Boston & New England teams to be victorious...and not so subtly I might add.
DAAAA BEARS! I'm ready to dust off my Super Bowl Shuffle record from '86 when they went on to trounce the Patriots! Hahahaha...
Ok, catch me up, what's your beef against Manning? He's a UT alum so everyone around here loves him. I'm clueless. What gives?
Ok, the NE/SD game was the absolute hardest to pick, but you tell me which you'd put your money on: a team that is 10-1 in the playoffs with a vet at QB and tons of playoff experience in the D, or a team that is relying on a 2nd year RB with zilcho playoff experience, a 1st year starting QB and a team that hasn't been to the big game since the early 90s. So is it homerism, or is it just good football analysis?
Oh, and Lynn-nore, here's your answer: I get so annoyed at players who complain that their team doesn't do what's necessary to win a championship when they aren't doing their part. Peyton demanded to be the highest paid QB in the league, yet is upset that his team can't afford a good defense. Take a pay cut (see the honorable Mr. Brady) or quit your whining.
Second, he (and his brother) break the rules of football countless times every game. It is against the rules for the QB to go under center and then pull his hands out without the ball. Peyton does this at least 20 times per game to audible (or fake audible). It's a false start and it's never called. Drives me crazy.
Many people call him the greatest, but you can't be the greatest till you've won it all. Marino is always mentioned among the best, but dispite his records, Montana, Aikman, Starr, are all in the running for the best ever. why? Because they won when it counted.
Post a Comment