2012-2013 NFL Playoff Preview

It is difficult to believe that the NFL season is already over. It feels like it just began four weeks ago. It also seems that, once again, the only topic that brings me back to my blog is sports. (There's more politics waiting in the wings) I didn't even have a chance to do my traditional pre-season predictions! But here's how I would have done:

AFC:
East: Prediction: New England. Actual: New England. No surprises there.
West: Prediction: Denver. Actual: Denver. When Manning joins your team, how can anyone bet against you?
North: Prediction: Pittsburgh. Actual: Baltimore. The Ravens would have done it to me again, coming out on top when I picked the Steelers.
South: Prediction: Houston. Actual: Houston. Really no other options here.
Wild Card: Predictions: Baltimore and San Diego. Actual: Cincinnati and Indianapolis

NFC:
East: Prediction: Dallas. Actual: Washington (would have correctly predicted that the Super Bowl Champions would NOT make it back to the playoffs.)
West: Prediction: San Fransisco. Actual: San Fransisco. Seattle was a surprise, wouldn't have seen any competition here.
North: Prediction: Detroit. Actual: Green Bay. I know. Detroit. I get it.
South: Prediction: New Orleans. Actual: Atlanta.
Wild Card: Prediction: Green Bay and Washington. Actual: Seattle and Minnesota.

Without further ado. JMO's Playoff Predictions

AFC
Wild Card Round:
Colts at Ravens
To be honest, I'm not really confident about any of the games this week. The underdogs have some great match-ups, but the favorites could easily walk into the next round. I'm going to pick the Colts in this one. I just don't think Flaco has what it takes to overcome the Colts.
Winner: Colts

Bengals at Texans
A rematch of last year's wild card game. Houston came out on top last time and, despite their recent losing streak, they'll emerge victorious this time too.
Winner: Texans

Divisional Round:
Houston at Patriots
We've seen this game already this year. And a win over the Bengals won't be enough to lift the confidence of the Texans enough to elevate them over New England. Brady is hard to beat with his passing game, he's nearly undefeatable with a powerful running game, like they've had this year. It won't be as lop sided as it was during the regular season, but the Texans will be heading home from Foxboro.
Winner: Patriots

Colts at Broncos
Payton vs his replacement. And the Master will triumph over the learner. Denver easily wins over the Colts.
Winner: Broncos

Championship Round:
Patriots at Broncos
Historically, the Patriots haven't done well against the Broncos. They knocked the Patriots out of the playoffs on a famous pick six that was fumbled out of the end zone, but called out on the 1. Historically, Payton doesn't do well against the Patriots. Which trend will continue? Belichick is in Manning's head.
Winner: Patriots

NFC
Wild Card Round:
Vikings at Packers
This game is so difficult to predict. AP ran for over 200 yards against the Pack last week, but it was in Minnesota. AR (Rodgers) didn't look like himself. I don't think both of these will happen again, even though I'm rooting for the Vikings.
Winner: Packers

Seahawks at Redskins
Another great match-up. Here are two teams that are mirror images of each other. Rookie QBs, Run first, stop the run teams. The Redskins run game and run D are both better than Seattle's. Despite their record braking scoring run, Seattle loses.
Winner: Redskins

Divisional Round:
Packers at 49ers
The 49ers surprised a lot of people with the amount of success they had this year, particularly with their new QB. This game will depend on which Aaron Rodgers shows up. I think that the less-than-stellar version flies into Candlestick park and the Packers pack it up and head home.
Winner: 49ers

Redskins at Falcons
Bad news for the #1 seed. Ignoring the fact that they achieved their first seed by facing the fewest teams that finished the season by heading to the playoffs, they aren't really that good. And the Redskins are on a roll. The #1 seed loses.
Winner: Redskins

Championship Round:
Redskins at 49ers
Another battle of someone inexperienced QBs. The difference? The 49ers have been here before. Their experience (particularly in returning punts) elevates them over the Cinderella-Skins.
Winner: 49ers

Super Bowl
49ers vs Patriots
The Patriots played all three of the teams they met in the playoffs in the regular season. and they should have defeated all three of them. The unfortunate scenario for the 49ers this time is that the ball won't be covered in ice. With the Patriots keeping possession of the ball, Brady achieves his fourth Super Bowl victory. And Wes Welker is awarded Super Bowl MVP, effectively erasing the criticism he received last year.
Winner: Patriots

There you have it. So now it's likely that the Super Bowl will be a battle of Rookies with RGIII going against Andrew Luck because I predicted something other than that. Feel free to provide your predictions. What a great time of year!