Thread: NFL 09/10 Playoff Predictions

Pretty simple: I'm bored and am going to draw up my list of the playoff teams as of right now. Feel free to post any commentary/your own list.

NFC
#1 New Orleans - First round bye.
Strong on almost every level except for run defense, but their incredible offense can get them up so high that opposing teams can't run against them. I don't think they'll stay undefeated, but after next Monday night against New England they have a real shot - the rest of their schedule is weak.

#2 Minnesota -First round bye.
Honestly looking like the most balanced team in the NFL - strong Passing and Running Game, amazing rush defense and a good pass rush. The only question is weather Favre can keep playing strong throughout the end of the season. The Vikes have a chance to pass up the Saints if the Saints screw up in the next few weeks. Actually, outside of the Saints, Vikings, and Arizona, no one in the NFC actually looks like they want to win.

#3 Arizona - Divisional title.
Honestly one of the easiest divisions to win (I would know being a niner fan) the emergence of a solid running game is a good sign, the question is weather Arizona's defense can play solid throughout the playoffs like last year is the question. I'm not sure if they should be ahead of Dallas/ the winner of the NFC east, but they have at least 3 sure wins in the future with Detroit, St. Louis, and the Niners. I'm sure they can pull at least one or two more against Green Bay/Tennessee/Minnesota.

#4 Dallas - Divisional title.
Dallas' near win against the Redskins and loss to Green Bay scares me, but the Giants and Eagles wins this week haven't convinced me that they can pass up Dallas. When they are playing well, Dallas has one of the best teams in the league, but their inconsistent play hurts them every year, especially in the playoffs.

The NFC wild card picture in painful to predict - no team can actually win enough to put them in to consideration. Green Bay, The Giants, and the Eagles all are at 6-4, but I can't really decide which is better. Green bay has a slightly easier schedule, but their loss against Tampa scares me, while their win at Dallas just confuses me. Random prediction: Green Bay and Giants, with the Eagles missing out.

AFC
#1 Colts - First Round bye
Being 10-0 automatically puts them here, the lack of run game and spotty defense is scary. If they can keep riding the arm of Manning they'll be fine - the only problem I see with the Colts is that they are completely dependent on Manning - if he is having a good day then the Colts have a good day, if he isn't they they aren't.

#2 Patriots - First Round bye
Cincy's loss at Oakland put the Pats up here, hopefully the loss is simply a one-time issue when they are unprepared for a bad team and get surprised, but New England had been proven to be better down the stretch, while Cincy remains an unknown.

#3 Chargers - Division title
Really hitting their stride here, with a soft schedule left they should easily take the division, and they have proven to be a threat in the playoffs. Let's see if they can finally win the big game.

#4 The Bengals - Division title
Lets hope that loss to the Raiders was just a one-time fluke. Otherwise there are problems ahead in their future - luckily every other team in the division lost on Sunday as well. Remarkably balanced team when playing well, with a good passing attack and run game and invigorated defense.

Wild card situation: The Steelers loss to the Chiefs shows just how weak they are with Polamalu out, but I still think they will make it. The ravens, dolphins, and Broncos are all in the running for the wildcard, but the Broncos are falling hard and Baltimore just can't win. Houston greatly hurt their chances with the loss today. For the second spot I'm going to go out on a limb and guess Miami. Don't hold me to it - it's just a feeling at this point.

NFC:
#1: New Orleans
#2: Minnesota
#3: Arizona
#4: Philly
#5: Dallas
#6: New York Giants

I think Philly will just edge out the Cowboys, I saw 3 games i think both will win, also the reason i don't think the Packers will make it.

AFC:
#1: Indy
#2: New England
#3: San Diego
#4: Cinci
#5: Pittsburgh
#6: Jacksonville

I see SD having the easier set of games and thus beating out Cinci for the 3rd spot, Jacksonville is my #6 as they haven't been the greatest but they have some winnable games left.

For the hell of it how i think it may play out

WILDCARD:
Jacksonville @ San Diego
I see this game being a battle of Passing offenses, as both teams have been fairly good at limited big games from RBs. I think Rivers and the Charger WR core is better then what Jacksonville has. I'm going for the #3 seed Chargers to advance.

Pittsburgh @ Cinci
This is a tougher match-up in my mind, two very good run defenses pitted against each other. On the pass D Pittsburgh is better, but i'm going to make a gut pick and say Cinci takes this game. I just don't have enough faith in the Pitt offense to pull it off.

NYG @ Arizona
Another re-match ugh. This one again though is like the Pitt/Cinci game for me, While NYG would seem to have the defense to stop the Cardinals, i just don't trust the Giants Offense as much as i do the Cardinals offense. With Eli probably having to throw, i gotta chalk this to a Cardinal win.

Dallas @ Philly
No upsets in my picks, Dallas is hit and miss and Romo will have to step up for them to win it. Simple prediction for is if Romo handles the pressure of the game, Dallas win. However i have to put my money on Philly.


DIVISIONAL
Arizona @ Minnesota
Is it stupid? yes, will i probably be wrong? yes. But fuck it, i'm going to gamble on an Arizona win. why? Good question, call it a blind stab in the dark basically or maybe just my hopes but i'll take the Cardinals

Philly @ NO
I have to give the Saints the nod in this match-up, it won't be easy but i think they have the talent to win it.

Cinci @ Indy
Cinci D=Good against run, decent against Pass. Can you guess where i'm going with this? Indy takes this one.

SD @ NE
Hmm as much as i want the Chargers to win, i won't go for two upsets, and say New England gets the win.


CONFERENCE
Arizona @ NO
Despite Arizona's good road record so far, NO should be too much for them. I'll take the Saints

NE @ Indy
Re-Match. Should be close again but meh, i want to Saints/Colts, even if i SHOULD hate the Colts. I'll Take Indy in a close one.

SUPER BOWL
NO vs. Indy
Rock if this happens, i should get some presents or shit from you, but i'm saying Saints win it all this year.


Yea, i got kind of lazy at the end. I'll be amazed if i get this right, but its still fun.

Originally Posted by Red_Lizard2

NFC:
#1: New Orleans
#2: Minnesota
#3: Arizona
#4: Philly
#5: Dallas
#6: New York Giants

I think Philly will just edge out the Cowboys, I saw 3 games i think both will win, also the reason i don't think the Packers will make it.

AFC:
#1: Indy
#2: New England
#3: San Diego
#4: Cinci
#5: Pittsburgh
#6: Jacksonville

I see SD having the easier set of games and thus beating out Cinci for the 3rd spot, Jacksonville is my #6 as they haven't been the greatest but they have some winnable games left.

For the hell of it how i think it may play out

WILDCARD:
Jacksonville @ San Diego
I see this game being a battle of Passing offenses, as both teams have been fairly good at limited big games from RBs. I think Rivers and the Charger WR core is better then what Jacksonville has. I'm going for the #3 seed Chargers to advance.

Pittsburgh @ Cinci
This is a tougher match-up in my mind, two very good run defenses pitted against each other. On the pass D Pittsburgh is better, but i'm going to make a gut pick and say Cinci takes this game. I just don't have enough faith in the Pitt offense to pull it off.

NYG @ Arizona
Another re-match ugh. This one again though is like the Pitt/Cinci game for me, While NYG would seem to have the defense to stop the Cardinals, i just don't trust the Giants Offense as much as i do the Cardinals offense. With Eli probably having to throw, i gotta chalk this to a Cardinal win.

Dallas @ Philly
No upsets in my picks, Dallas is hit and miss and Romo will have to step up for them to win it. Simple prediction for is if Romo handles the pressure of the game, Dallas win. However i have to put my money on Philly.


DIVISIONAL
Arizona @ Minnesota
Is it stupid? yes, will i probably be wrong? yes. But fuck it, i'm going to gamble on an Arizona win. why? Good question, call it a blind stab in the dark basically or maybe just my hopes but i'll take the Cardinals

Philly @ NO
I have to give the Saints the nod in this match-up, it won't be easy but i think they have the talent to win it.

Cinci @ Indy
Cinci D=Good against run, decent against Pass. Can you guess where i'm going with this? Indy takes this one.

SD @ NE
Hmm as much as i want the Chargers to win, i won't go for two upsets, and say New England gets the win.


CONFERENCE
Arizona @ NO
Despite Arizona's good road record so far, NO should be too much for them. I'll take the Saints

NE @ Indy
Re-Match. Should be close again but meh, i want to Saints/Colts, even if i SHOULD hate the Colts. I'll Take Indy in a close one.

SUPER BOWL
NO vs. Indy
Rock if this happens, i should get some presents or shit from you, but i'm saying Saints win it all this year.


Yea, i got kind of lazy at the end. I'll be amazed if i get this right, but its still fun.

I agree with this 100 percent, except it will be Minnesota and Indianapolis in Superbowl. Either way, there isnt a team in the NFL right now that can beat the colts. Just can't happen.

Im still not understanding how the cowboys lost to the packers, that shits got me stumped for 2 weeks now

You're right rock - it seems that no team in the NFC actually wants to win besides NO and Minnesota (possibly Arizona) - the rest of the whole conference is playing like a pile of shit.

Iron - Dallas in infamous for being the most inconsistent team in the league. That's how they can play great some weeks and horrible others, and in the playoffs it shows more then ever.