I think we've advance far enough into the season that we have an idea of what the postseason will be like:
AFC
1. Colts (14-2)- Peyton Manning is too good this year.
2. Ravens (12-4)- Think they'll bounce back from two (very close) losses.
3. Jets (11-5)- Defence can still win games
4. Broncos (11-5)- Broncos very surprising, but they have a tough stretch coming up.
5. Patriots (11-5)- I'll never bet against Brady or Belicheck backed up against a wall.
6. Bengals (10-6)- Very tight matchup against Bengals, Chargers and Steelers, but Bengals are very complete.
Wildcard:
@
Line: 3.5 Jets
Both playoff surprises by the majority of public, and more people will be on the Jets side due to playing at home, Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez being Coach of the Year/Rookie of the Year canidites and a better looking defence. However, Palmer, Benson and Ochocinco have gotten it done this season, and the defence is still underrated (even with Hall, Rivers, Malauga, Otom and Peko), so Bengals win here. 20-16 Bengals
@
Line: 3 Broncos
The majority will be on the Broncos side considering they defeated the Pats earlier in the year and won as a surprising division champions with having fought off a brutal mid-season schedule, and Brady having a bad history against the Broncos and McDaniels knowing about the Pats offensive schemes, but Pats pull it off with backs to wall. 24-20 Pats.
Divisional Round: @
Line: 6.5 Colts
Colts have been eliminated by the Chargers for past two seasons (but both in very close games, and two losses Manning shouldn't be blamed for). Not facing them will give them momentum. Plus, Bengals aren't a 3-4 defence, which Manning has struggled against. However, this is a close one, and will give the NFL as a team to fear in 2010, and actually have a lead until late in the game (I'm guessing 20-16 lead with two minutes remaining, and maybe a lucky call to help the Colts win). 23-20 Colts @
Line: 2.5 Patriots
The public will be all over the Patriots, given that they have tons of playoff experience, already beat the Ravens, they play in a bigger market, they have Tom Brady and Bill Belicheck and that they'll already be talking about their previews for the Colts/Pats AFC Conference Championship. However, emotions play a huge part in NFL, and the Ravens will be the underdogs and will be fired up for this game and will want revenge for their early season loss, and the Pats will already being looking at the Colts. 27-20 Ravens
AFC Championship @
Line: 4 Colts
We all know of Mannings struggles against 3-4 defences, but the Ravens have been suspect against the pass so far this year. Manning should be league MVP in a very historical (if not record breaking) season, and he has the potential to torch this Ravens defence. 31-21 Colts.
NFC:
1. Giants (14-2)- They have the talent to defeat the leagues best.
2. Saints (13-3)- Defence has improved, and it'll show on the field.
3. Vikings (11-5)- Favre will have a meltdown, again.
4. Seahawks (10-6)- If Hasselbeck stays healthy. IF!
5. Eagles (12-4)- I'd never count the Eagles out. Last year and 2006 as proof.
6. Bears (10-6)- Cutler has bounced back remarkably from the Packers debalacation.
NFC Wildcard @
Line: 6 Vikings
Bears aren't a great team vs the pass. However, I easily see Favre having a meltdown late in the season costing them a 1st week bye, and them almost coughing up the division lead. Even after the 49ers game, I'm not a Favre believer just yet, and I see him blowing a lead here. 16-13 Bears @
Line: 7.5 Eagles
If Hasselbeck stays healthy, Seahawks win the division. If he doesn't 49ers win it and Seahawks finish 3rd. Thats how valuable Hasselbeck is to this organization. However, Eagles are way too talented and McNabb/Reid, have had too much early playoff success to not win. 34-20 Eagles
NFC Divisional
@
Line: 4 Giants
I can't see the Bears winning this game. The Giants defence is way more dominant than the Bears defence, and the Bears are weak to the pass, which they may not need that much since they already have Jacobs and Bradshaw. 30-10 Giants @
Line: 7 Saints
A very, very hard game to call. The Saints have Brees, a good defence and a vastly improved running game, but the Eagles have a great defence, and McNabb and Reid always play well with their backs to the wall. However, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Eagles favoured: they have much more playoff experience, only one less win in the season, and play in a much larger market. Kolb played instead of McNabb in week 2, so it's hard to imagine the Eagles seeking as much revenge as they should be for that loss. 27-24 Saints.
@
Line: Giants 1.5
I hate taking all four bye week winners, but I think that they're all too good, and phychology is on their sides too in their games. Like I said before, the Giants win in the regular season, are favourites going into this game. I'm not sure about you, but if I was an NFL football player, I'd rather be an underdog in a big game like this rather than a favourite. Saints get revenge over the Week 6 loss and win here. 27-23 Saints. @
Line: Colts 2.5
On a random note, I hate the fact that the Pro Bowl is before the Super Bowl, and for the Super Bowl players who play in the Pro Bowl, it may be a huge distraction. I'd refuse to play in the Pro Bowl here if I was in the Super Bowl, and I think it should be moved back to after the Super Bowl.
Anyways, this Super Bowl has the makings to be an epic one, with two legendary QBs who have spots waiting for them in Canton when their careers end, with improved running games, great receivers, and enough defence to make it a hard game to read. I am actually tempted to pick the Saints to win this game, given that they're the Underdog, their defence is very surprising, is very aggresive, #1 seeds have struggled recently in the postseason and right now, I'd take Thomas, Bell and Bush over Addai and Brown. However, the Colts have Super Bowl experience, and Manning could be coming off one of the greatest seasons ever by a QB, he has a ring and would love another, is playing against a 4-3 defence and is more than motivated to make the public STFU about his poor postseason performances. Should the Colts win, I can see them being the #1 team of the decade. 33-30 Colts.
Log in to comment