NFL Playoff Predictions

Here are my predictions for the entire NFL Playoffs.


AFC

Wildcard:

San Diego Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans:
Prediction: Chargers win, 27-10
Why?: Despite a beginning of the season struggle, the Chargers have been dominant throughout the season including ending on a 6 game winning streak. The Titans on the other have had some trouble down the stretch. The dominant defense and the running game of LT should have no trouble rolling over the Titans in the first round.


Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:
Prediction: Jaguars win, 30-21
Why?: The last time these two teams met, the Jaguars pulled away with a victory in a relatively close game. I expect a similar showing although I feel the Jaguars have become an even stronger team with the dominance of Fred Taylor in the running game. The Steelers are pretty much the same team, not showing any improvements, which will result in a first round loss for them.


2nd round:

New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:
Prediction: Jaguars win, 30-27 OT
Why?: I'm the only person on the planet giving the Patriots a loss in their first playoff game, but I see it coming. The Patriots have been anything but impressive in their second half wins (minus the Steelers) and will get a surprise loss to the surging Jags in OT.


Indianapolis Colts vs. San Diego Chargers:
Prediction: Colts win, 17-14
Why?: The last time these two teams faced off, the Chargers won in a battle. The Colts have been improving on all levels since that game and are now healthier especially with Marvin Harrison returning. It'll be another close one due to the Chargers defense, but Peyton will be clutch enough to carry this team to the championship.


Championship:

Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:
Prediction: Jaguars win, 24-21 OT
Why?: Another battle decided in OT and the Jaguars will take it again. I'm aware that the Jaguars lost both games against the Colts this year, but the Jaguars, as stated earlier, are the best they've been all season and will result in a shootout to the end. It will be a big day for Fred Taylor in terms of the running game and I expect Garrard to be his usual flawless self. Jaguars will be the surprise team heading into the Super Bowl.


NFC

Wild Card:

Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Redskins:
Prediction: Redskins win, 20-17
Why?: The Redskins, winners of 3 in a row, will carry their red hot streak through the first round of the playoffs. Collins will continue to impress and Portis and the running game will be too much for the Seahawks to handle. Hasselback will continue to attempt their dominant passing game performance, but it won't be enough to stop the Redskins from an upset victory.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants:
Prediction Giants win, 24-20
Why?: The Giants are 7-1 in road games and are coming off one of their most impressive offensive performances all season against the Pats. Eli will throw an interception obviously, but it will only be one. The combination of Jacobs and Bradshaw in the running game will be too much for the Buccs dominant defense to handle and Jeff Garcia will have his first loss against the G-Men in the playoffs.


2nd Round:

Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins:
Prediction: Cowboys win, 31-21
Why?: The Cowboys might have lost the last time around against the Redskins, but they'll bounce back. T.O. will be in the game this time unlike their last appearance which is a huge deal and the Redskins defense won't be able to contain Romo and his Cowboys.


Green Bay Packers vs. New York Giants:
Prediction: Packers win, 24-13
Why?: The last time these two met, the Packers destroyed the Giants. Not much else will change. Brett Favre is used to this kind of playoff pressure whereas Eli isn't. Eli will have a bad game, Favre will have a good one and the Packers will coast to the championship game.


Championship:

Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers:
Prediction: Cowboys win, 28-14
Why?: Once again, the Cowboys will dominate the Packers. Brett Favre won't play badly, but he won't be able to compete against the dominant Cowboys offense. The #1 seed will face-off in the Super Bowl against the number #5 Jaguars.


Super Bowl:

Dallas Cowboys vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:
Prediction: Cowboys win, 21-14
Why?: I hate the Cowboys, but I am picking them for the Super Bowl champions. It will be a battle of the passing game of the Cowboys vs the Jaguars' running game. Romo will have one of his more clutch games and Fred Taylor will be held in check more than the Jaguars would expect. This of course is dependent on whether or not Jessica Simpson comes to the game..

Leave the Giants alone!

The Giants might be the most ridiculed team in the NFL this year. Even more so than the 0-13 Dolphins. People have gone as far as saying they are the worst 9-4 team in football history. It's absolutely absurd and I'll explain why.


Yes I'm a Giants fan by the way.

First, the reason that the Giants get a lot of crap is solely due to the inconsistency of QB Eli Manning. He can lead the team to some great games, but in others he looks like he has never held a football in his life. People have been only focusing on his subpar performances and never the fact that he manages to have great 4th quarters to produce a come from behind win. This is exactly what happened against the Jets, Eagles, Bears, and Redskins. I'm not saying he's a top 5 QB and he probably isn't a top 10 one either, but people are talking about him like he's on the same level as Alex Smith or even John Beck. I understand he looks like Peyton's retarded brother (see pic above) and that Cooper could probably beat him in a fight(Click Here to find out who he is), but that doesn't make him a bad QB. When you look at his numbers he's easily ranked between the 10-15 spot for QBs.


So that means the Giants should be the 10th-15th best team in the NFL right? Wrong. The QB plays a vital role on a team, but it isn't the whole package. Brady is great, but there is no way the Pats would be 13-0 without Randy Moss. Brandon Jacobs (even though he's been injured for almost half of the season) has been exceeding expectations in filling the shoes of Tiki Barber. He's put up some great numbers and when he's out, Derrick Ward has been great as well. These guys are overlooked because none of them have played in every game this season so their total yards aren't sky high.


Then you have the most vital part of the team. The defense. Look at the defense now compared to the first two games of the season. This to me is the reason why they are 9-4. Osi and Strahan have been exceptional and the Giants defense is able to contain decent offenses of the Lions and the Eagles (twice) to under 20 points.


Then lastly there is Tynes. He started out the season horribly, but now has been the most clutch player on the team. Field goals seem to be the deciding factor in a lot of games this year (not just for the Giants) and Tynes has been hitting all of them. Combine his kicking with the defense, Eli's great 4th quarter performances, and the RB situation, and you have an average 9-4 team. Not the worst one in history and not even below average.


How come the Bears didn't get this much crap last season? They were 13-3 with Rex Grossman as their QB! Yes their defense was better than the Giants, but Rex was arguably a substantially worse QB then Eli. Yet nobody questioned it.


As for the whole "look at their schedule" thing. I understand that they beat some easy teams in their scheudle, but they DOMINATED the Falcons, 49ers, and the Jets. If they were such a bad team you would expect some close match ups (you can argue the Dolphins game, but look at the weather conditions and they had to travel to London). Their 4 losses came to better teams. The Cowboys beat them twice who are easily the second best team in the NFL. The Packers beat them once who are the second best team in the NFC and then you have the Vikings who are the hottest team in football right now trampeling over the Giants, Lions, and 49ers in their past 3 games. Speaking of the Lions, the Giants were responsible for the Lions first home loss. Just thought I'd throw that in there.


Playoff wise, I'm not expecting them to make the Super Bowl, but to call them an automatic first out is ridiculous. They can beat the Buccs (who they will probably face). They'll probably get knocked out by the Packers, but so would the majority of the teams in the NFL.


So the Giants face the Redskins, Bills, and Pats to close out the season. My prediction? A 24-10 win at home against the Redskins, a 16-13 win on the road against the Bills, and a 31-17 loss to the Pats at home which equals an 11-5 record. Then they'll be known as the worst 11-5 team of all time.