2016 NFL Playoffs Championship Round

NFL Playoffs Championship Round

AFC Championship

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

What a treat for the fans to get another Manning-Brady Bowl in the playoffs! Unlike previous games, the quarterbacks are at what seems to be way different stages. Manning looks like this will be his last run at a ring, while Brady played like the MVP. Will Manning use everything in the tank and propel his team to the Super Bowl much like Ray Lewis did in his last season, when he went out on top and beat the Patriots in Foxborough? Or will Tom and the Patriots end Manning's career by avenging their loss in Denver from earlier this season? I'm going with the latter. After some extensive research (Patriots record when playing team twice) and I can't completely confirm this is true, but it looks like: in the Brady-Belichick era, they have only lost twice to teams they lost to in the regular season when playing that team again in the playoffs, which does not including divisional foes, where they played 3 times in a season. Those 2 teams were the 2005 Broncos, led by Jake Plummer, who were 13-3 and the #2 seed, and the other team was the 2006 Indianapolis Colts, who won the Super Bowl. In my opinion those are some pretty good teams to lose to twice in a season and on the road, as well as that Manning was in the prime of his career while Brady and the Patriots were slightly inferior to both teams. These sound like excuses, but those are the facts. Just like in 2001, when the St. Louis Rams beat the Patriots during the regular season by a TD, the Patriots got their revenge in the Super Bowl. Same will happen on Sunday. And just like last year, the Patriots lost their last game of the season, finished 12-4, and then went on to win the Super Bowl. Like last year, both teams finished 12-4, but the seeding was switched around, Denver was the #2 seed and New England was the #1 seed.

Reasons why the Patriots will lose:
1) Brady is 2-6 in Denver in his career, beating Danny Kanell and Tim Tebow. 2) Denver's defense is if not the best defense in the NFL. 3) Peyton Manning is going to play like the Manning he used to be rather than the broken self he is right now. 4) The Patriots have no run game and Denver will be able to get to Brady forcing him to turn it over or get sacked.

All the reason are valid, but I think the Patriots have more reason why they will win rather than lose.

1) Brady is 11-5 against Manning in his career. Yes, Brady lost to Manning last time in Denver during the AFC Championship, but that Manning was much better and healthy. 2) The Patriots have their 2 star receivers back and somewhat healthy, Gronkowski and Edelman. These 2 alone make a huge difference. 3) New England's defense is very good this year, finishing 10th in points allowed. 4) Denver's offense is not good and has not been playing well. This is the game that having a stagnant offense will kill them and end Manning's career. 5) Like I said earlier, the Patriots rarely lose twice to a team in the same season. 6) Chris Harris is banged-up and won't be able to play as well as he normally does. 7) Never bet against Tom Brady.

My gut is telling me that the Patriots will be up and the game will come down to a potential Peyton Manning game winning drive except he isn't going to score and his run will end. Patriots win this one by 4, 27-23.

NFC Championship

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers

This is the match-up everybody wanted to see and now we're getting it. 2 teams, not a lot of people picked to go to the Super Bowl before the season are now the 2 best teams representing the NFC. The Panthers are having one of the best season's in NFL history and the Cardinals are having one of their best season's in franchise history. To me, this game is really up in the air to who wins. I can see it going either way. Arizona has a crazy offense and fast defense while Carolina can dominate on the ground, force turnovers, and last but not least are led by the most likely MVP, Cam Newton. Unlike the Patriots, I think most fans of game really like both franchises and like most of the players on both teams. Cam is a fan favorite and everybody is wondering how he will do in the biggest game of his career. It's the same for Palmer as well, because he has always struggled in the playoffs and has never made it this far. The cool thing about this QB match-up is that both are Heisman winners and former #1 draft picks.

After watching last week's games, I would have to say the edge goes to Cam. To get out to a 31-0 start against the defending NFC champions was totally unexpected and showed everyone that the Panthers are ready to win the Super Bowl. Yes, they did not score in the 2nd half and nearly let Seattle comeback and steal the game, but the Panthers are if not the best team in the NFL and know how to win games in every situation.

I'm sending the Panthers to the Super Bowl to play the Patriots. Carolina wins 30-27.

Super Bowl 50

New England Patriots vs Carolina Panthers

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2016 NFL Playoffs Divisional Round Preview

2016 NFL Playoffs Divisional Round Preview

Last weekend, I correctly picked all the road teams to win. It wasn't surprising, but 2 of games were nail-biters. From Cincinnati self-imploding to Minnesota's kicker Blair Walsh missing a 27-yard game-winning field goal, it was a good start to the NFL Playoffs. Although I predicted the first round right, I am going to make some changes from my original playoff predictions, starting with the Steelers vs Broncos game.

AFC Playoffs

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

In my original prediction I had the Steelers beating the Broncos because the Steelers were coming in hot to the playoffs, while the Broncos were not. The Steelers had also beaten the Broncos just about a month ago, but that game was at Pittsburgh. A few things have changed since then and that is why I am changing my original prediction of Pittsburgh winning. My biggest reason why I am changing my prediction is because of the health of the Steelers two best players: Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger. Brown suffered a concussion and has been ruled out for the game and Roethlisberger has an AC sprain, which will definitely limit his throwing ability. If both were healthy and DeAngelo Williams was healthy, I think I would have stayed with the Steelers, but when your best offensive players are injured, the Steelers stand almost no chance against one, if not the best defense in the NFL. Aside from that, the Broncos will be fired up due to the return of Manning and this possibly being his last ride in the playoffs. Denver wins by 10, 27-17.

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots

This will be the first game to be played in this weekend's line up of games and could turn out to be a great game. The Chiefs are coming in as the hottest team in the NFL, winning 11 straight now after their demolishing of Houston. Like the Steelers, the Chiefs have some serious injuries to important players. Their best pass rusher Justin Houston was injured in the Houston game, which will certainly limit his production even against a beat up New England offensive line. On offense, star WR Jeremy Maclin has a high ankle sprain and will be a game time decision. Ankle sprains, cutting, and running don't go together well, so Maclin will be limited. Tamba Hali is also dealing with a thumb injury. With all the injuries KC will be dealing with I don't think they will be able to beat the Patriots even though Patriots have some stars coming off injuries as well and Tom Brady taking some pretty big hits in their season finale against Miami. Regardless of the Gronk weird injury and practice statuses, I think the Patriots are kind of trolling the Chiefs as they are known to do and won't have a problem beating them. I'm taking the Patriots by 11, 27-16.

NFC Playoffs

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals

The way the Packers played last week and how Arizona got killed by Seattle, I think there is a very good chance of an upset. I think people are over-looking the Packers and think Arizona is way better. I don't see it that way. I see a team (AZ), which just got their butts whooped at home by a team in their own division. Some people may say that AZ had nothing to play for and played the game safe. I would disagree. How many people do you know that go easy on their arch rival and biggest threat? NOBODY. Seattle wanted revenge for Arizona beating them in their house earlier in the season. Back to the Green Bay match up... if the Packers can play like they played against Washington, Green Bay will be in this until the end of the game. My gut is telling me to take the upset, but I think Arizona will put together a nice defensive plan to get after Aaron Rodgers like they did last time he was there. Arizona wins by a FG. 27-24. The only reason I want Green Bay to win is so I can possibly get my pre-season prediction right that they would win the Super Bowl this year.

Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers

At the beginning of the season did anybody think Carolina would be in this position and have this good of a season? NO. 15-1 is very impressive. Like any great team, they found a way to win in almost every game. Some wins, might not have been pretty, but it's winning that matters at the end of the day. This is the game everyone will be watching. In my mind, it's easily the best game of the weekend. Will the defending NFC champs finally get knocked down and a new team be crowned or will Seattle show their playoff magic and knock down the 15-1 #1 seed Panthers. The Seahawks are being pushed to their absolute limits. From being a FG away from their season being over to now having to travel across the country to play the best team in the NFL. Besides Atlanta, Seattle was the last team to beat Carolina, ending Carolina's playoff run last year. Carolina got their revenge when they beat them in Seattle this season. I am going to go against my original prediction and say the Seahawks pull off the upset. With Marshawn Lynch back, they gain an extra spark of energy. They might even go back to the Super Bowl and have a rematch with Patriots or Broncos. I think they are that good and their defense is unbelievable. Yes, Carolina went 15-1, but I really can't see them winning on Sunday against the defending NFC champs. I think Seattle will psyche out the Panthers and beat them, Seattle by 4, and the game probably ending in a spectacular defensive play by Seattle's defense. Cam will still get the MVP award, but i think his run is over for this season. Seattle wins 27-23. I could be completely wrong about Carolina, but I think the experience of Seattle is so valuable that they will know how to win this game.

Seattle vs Carolina Predictions

With my above predictions my new playoff bracket would like this:

AFC Championship
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

NFC Championship
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

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2016 NFL Playoff Wild Card Preview

2016 NFL Playoffs Wild Card Preview

AFC Playoffs

Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans

The way the Chiefs have been playing, this game should easily be won by the Chiefs. Houston has been playing well too, after starting 1-4, they won their next 8/11, winning the miserable AFC South division. This is also a week 1 rematch that the Chiefs won by a TD. Unfortunately for the Texans, they have serious QB issues and that is going to hurt them in this game against a really good KC defense. The Chiefs are the hottest team in the NFL and I wouldn't be surprised one bit if they play for the AFC Championship in two weeks. I'm going with the Chiefs over the Texans, 23-17.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

I think this will be the best game of the weekend. Division rivals that split their season series where the road team won each occasion. With the Bengals past history, I think people are counting them out too fast. This Bengals team was one of the best defensive and offensive teams in the league before Dalton got hurt. Pending if Andy Dalton plays or not, I think the Bengals will keep it extremely close even with AJ McCarron as the starting QB, but I'm going to have to go with the Steelers even without DeAngelo Williams, 27-24.

NFC Playoffs

Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings

I think too many people think the Seahawks are going to steam roll through the playoffs based on their last few games and demolishing of the Cardinals. The Vikings are no easy beat. Don't think they have forgotten about the beat down Seattle game them just over a month ago in their own house. The Vikings are tough and want revenge. I think this game is going to be way closer than what people are saying and what Vegas has them at (5.5). I think this game will be won by a FG by either team. I am picking against the Vikings only because of the inexperience of the Vikings, but I think it will be a great game with a lot of down hill running. Seattle by a FG, 26-23.

Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins

As the week has gone on, the line started at (-2) favoring the Redskins, to now a pick em' game. I thought it was crazy to have the Redskins as the favorites even with the recent play of both teams. Rodgers might have been in a slump the last few games of the season, but he is a different QB in the playoffs. Kirk Cousins has really improved as well as the season went on, earning the Player of the month award, which he deserved. Like Tom Brady, I would never bet against Rodgers in a game worth a lot. I'm taking the Packers by 4, 24-20.

AFC Playoffs
1. Denver Broncos
2. New England Patriots
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Houston Texans
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC Playoffs
1. Carolina Panthers
2. Arizona Cardinals
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Washington Redskins
5. Green Bay Packers
6. Seattle Seahawks

AFC Playoffs Divisional Round
1. Denver Broncos vs Pittsburgh Steelers
2. New England Patriots vs Kansas City Chiefs

NFC Playoffs Divisional Round
1. Carolina Panthers vs Seattle Seahawks
2. Arizona Cardinals vs Green Bay Packers

AFC Championship
New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC Championship
Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals

Super Bowl 50
New England Patriots vs Carolina Panthers

Super Bowl Champions
New England Patriots



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