The 2014-2015 NFL regular season is done, which means it is time for the playoffs to start. Wild-card weekend starts tomorrow, with Arizona taking on Carolina and Baltimore facing Pittsburgh. In this article, I'll give my predictions for the post-season, complete with Super Bowl MVP pick. Let me start with my predictions at the beginning of the season: I picked Seattle to beat Denver again, with Russell Wilson to win MVP. I correctly picked eight of the 12 teams to make the post-season, whatever that's worth. Let's get started.
Wild-Card Weekend:
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys- Thanks to Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, and Dez Bryant, the Cowboys offense has been fantastic this year. Their defense (projected to be among the worst in the NFL at the beginning of the season) has been surprisingly good. The Lions also have a great offense (thanks to guys like Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, and Matthew Stafford), and their defense is to-notch. New coach Jim Caldwell has done a great job of keeping this team together and focused.
This game will probably come down to the Lion's run defense against the Cowboys' run game. Ndamkong Suh will be playing on Sunday, which means Detroit does have a shot at slowing down Murray and Joseph Randle. Even if that happens however, Dallas still has its passing game. Remember, no QB had a higher QBR this season than Romo this season, and look for him to prove why on Sunday. The Lions' secondary has improved since last year, but it's still not an elite unit.
Pick: Dallas Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers: The Panthers sneak into the play-offs after winning the disappointing NFC South with a losing record. The Cardinals meanwhile, are on a bit of a downward streak. Just a few weeks ago, they were on top of the NFC. Now, they're the fifth seed in the playoffs.
The Cardinals have a great defense, but the fact that they're playing with their third-string QB (Ryan Lindley) really hurts them. Lindley has yet to prove he can effectively run Arizona's offense, which is quite dangerous (especially with weapons like Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and John Brown). The Panthers meanwhile, have a good offense and good defense (headed up by last-year's Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly). The Cards will put up a fight, but it won't be enough.
Pick: Carolina Panthers
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers: These division rivals (the AFC North, arguably the best division in the league) have had one of the biggest rivalries in the game over the last number of years. These two teams split their regular season meetings this year, with the Steelers winning the most recent one.
The Steelers are without their Pro-Bowl back Le'Veon Bell, so replacement Ben Tate (who they signed this week) will have to do. The Big Ben/AB combination has been lethal this season, and it should continue in the post-season. The Ravens are hot (their Week 17 win secured them a playoff spot), but they just can't match up to Pittsburgh.
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts: The Bengals travel to Indy to take on the Colts, who won the AFC South (arguably the worst division in the NFL). The Bengals are 0-4 in the playoffs with Andy Dalton at the helm, and the fact that he got paid this summer probably won't change things. The Colts meanwhile, are lead by Andrew Luck, who plays well in big games. Neither one of these teams are really hot, so the winner will get some much needed momentum.
Based on those two things alone (and the fact that the Colts blew out the Bengals in October), I'm picking Indy. The Colts defense will probably be able to force some turnovers from Dalton, who threw 17 picks this season. This is a tough pick, but I'm going with the Colts.
Pick: Indianapolis Colts
Divisional Round:
Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers; Seattle didn't get off to a great start at the beginning of the season, but they have rebounded quite nicely, especially after parting ways with troubled WR Percy Harvin. The fact that the 'Hawks have home-field advantage definitely helps as well.
The Panthers just don't have what it takes to beat Seattle. Their passing game is no match for the Legion of Boom and their defense will find it hard to contain Beast Mode. This should be an easy win for Pete Carroll and Seattle.
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys: This could be one of the best games of the playoffs, as these are two great teams. The Packers are hot after beating the Lions in Week 17 to win the NFC North and secure a first-round bye.
Aaron Rodgers had a great season and his offensive line (featuring guys like Josh Sitton and Bryan Bulaga) is arguably the best in the entire NFL. The 'Boys defensive front line will have a hard time going up against this, so look for the Packers' offense to shine.
Pick: Green Bay Packers
New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts: Like the Seahawks, the Patriots struggled at the beginning of the season but rebounded very nicely. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick worked their magic yet again this year and are looking to win their fourth Super Bowl together.
Like with the Seahawks and Panthers, the Colts just don't match up to the Pats. Without Ahmad Bradshaw (who was injured in Week 12), the Colts' run game is pretty much neutralized and the Colts' defense isn't good enough to stop Touchdown Tommy.
Pick: New England Patriots
Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Last year's first seed, the Broncos are once again in possession of a first-round bye. They still have one of the best offenses in the league (arguably better, since tackle Ryan Clady is back) and their defense (featuring the likes of Elvis Dumervil, Von Miller, and Aqib Talib) is markedly better since last year.
Bell should be back for this game, so the Steelers offense will be running on full-throttle. An upset is very possible, but the Broncos should be able to hang on for the win. The Steelers defense is not as formidable as it used to be, so Peyton Manning and the offense should be able to rack up the scoreboard.
Pick: Denver Broncos
Conference Championship:
Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers: These are the two best teams in the NFC, so it's only fitting that they should meet for the NFC title. They met in the first game of the season, which Seattle handily won. This time though, the result could be different.
I'm going with the upset here. The Packers have a good enough offense to survive the LOB and the Seahawks don't have a good enough passing game to match up with the Packers secondary. Of course, Seattle could prove me wrong and dominate, but an upset is certainly possible.
Pick: Green Bay Packers
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos: Like with the Pack and Seahawks, these are the two best teams in the AFC, so they should meet for the AFC title. Both of these teams are going to give everything they had, so this will be a good one.
I predict that the Denver secondary will shut the Pats' passing game down (with the obvious exception of Rob Gronkowski). The Pats' defense meanwhile, will struggle to shut down Manning and his receivers.
Pick: Denver Broncos
Super Bowl:
Green Bay and Denver will undoubtedly be a big game. These are two excellent teams with great coaches and two of the best quarterbacks in recent years. The press and fans will certainly be buzzing about this one.
Denver will no doubt have some extra fire, as they will want to prove all of their doubters from last year wrong. I think it is that extra fire that will push them over the edge, and give them a little extra oomph.
Pick: Denver Broncos MVP: Peyton Manning
Thanks for reading, enjoy the playoffs everyone.
Wild-Card Weekend:
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys- Thanks to Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, and Dez Bryant, the Cowboys offense has been fantastic this year. Their defense (projected to be among the worst in the NFL at the beginning of the season) has been surprisingly good. The Lions also have a great offense (thanks to guys like Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, and Matthew Stafford), and their defense is to-notch. New coach Jim Caldwell has done a great job of keeping this team together and focused.
This game will probably come down to the Lion's run defense against the Cowboys' run game. Ndamkong Suh will be playing on Sunday, which means Detroit does have a shot at slowing down Murray and Joseph Randle. Even if that happens however, Dallas still has its passing game. Remember, no QB had a higher QBR this season than Romo this season, and look for him to prove why on Sunday. The Lions' secondary has improved since last year, but it's still not an elite unit.
Pick: Dallas Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers: The Panthers sneak into the play-offs after winning the disappointing NFC South with a losing record. The Cardinals meanwhile, are on a bit of a downward streak. Just a few weeks ago, they were on top of the NFC. Now, they're the fifth seed in the playoffs.
The Cardinals have a great defense, but the fact that they're playing with their third-string QB (Ryan Lindley) really hurts them. Lindley has yet to prove he can effectively run Arizona's offense, which is quite dangerous (especially with weapons like Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and John Brown). The Panthers meanwhile, have a good offense and good defense (headed up by last-year's Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly). The Cards will put up a fight, but it won't be enough.
Pick: Carolina Panthers
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers: These division rivals (the AFC North, arguably the best division in the league) have had one of the biggest rivalries in the game over the last number of years. These two teams split their regular season meetings this year, with the Steelers winning the most recent one.
The Steelers are without their Pro-Bowl back Le'Veon Bell, so replacement Ben Tate (who they signed this week) will have to do. The Big Ben/AB combination has been lethal this season, and it should continue in the post-season. The Ravens are hot (their Week 17 win secured them a playoff spot), but they just can't match up to Pittsburgh.
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts: The Bengals travel to Indy to take on the Colts, who won the AFC South (arguably the worst division in the NFL). The Bengals are 0-4 in the playoffs with Andy Dalton at the helm, and the fact that he got paid this summer probably won't change things. The Colts meanwhile, are lead by Andrew Luck, who plays well in big games. Neither one of these teams are really hot, so the winner will get some much needed momentum.
Based on those two things alone (and the fact that the Colts blew out the Bengals in October), I'm picking Indy. The Colts defense will probably be able to force some turnovers from Dalton, who threw 17 picks this season. This is a tough pick, but I'm going with the Colts.
Pick: Indianapolis Colts
Divisional Round:
Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers; Seattle didn't get off to a great start at the beginning of the season, but they have rebounded quite nicely, especially after parting ways with troubled WR Percy Harvin. The fact that the 'Hawks have home-field advantage definitely helps as well.
The Panthers just don't have what it takes to beat Seattle. Their passing game is no match for the Legion of Boom and their defense will find it hard to contain Beast Mode. This should be an easy win for Pete Carroll and Seattle.
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys: This could be one of the best games of the playoffs, as these are two great teams. The Packers are hot after beating the Lions in Week 17 to win the NFC North and secure a first-round bye.
Aaron Rodgers had a great season and his offensive line (featuring guys like Josh Sitton and Bryan Bulaga) is arguably the best in the entire NFL. The 'Boys defensive front line will have a hard time going up against this, so look for the Packers' offense to shine.
Pick: Green Bay Packers
New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts: Like the Seahawks, the Patriots struggled at the beginning of the season but rebounded very nicely. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick worked their magic yet again this year and are looking to win their fourth Super Bowl together.
Like with the Seahawks and Panthers, the Colts just don't match up to the Pats. Without Ahmad Bradshaw (who was injured in Week 12), the Colts' run game is pretty much neutralized and the Colts' defense isn't good enough to stop Touchdown Tommy.
Pick: New England Patriots
Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Last year's first seed, the Broncos are once again in possession of a first-round bye. They still have one of the best offenses in the league (arguably better, since tackle Ryan Clady is back) and their defense (featuring the likes of Elvis Dumervil, Von Miller, and Aqib Talib) is markedly better since last year.
Bell should be back for this game, so the Steelers offense will be running on full-throttle. An upset is very possible, but the Broncos should be able to hang on for the win. The Steelers defense is not as formidable as it used to be, so Peyton Manning and the offense should be able to rack up the scoreboard.
Pick: Denver Broncos
Conference Championship:
Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers: These are the two best teams in the NFC, so it's only fitting that they should meet for the NFC title. They met in the first game of the season, which Seattle handily won. This time though, the result could be different.
I'm going with the upset here. The Packers have a good enough offense to survive the LOB and the Seahawks don't have a good enough passing game to match up with the Packers secondary. Of course, Seattle could prove me wrong and dominate, but an upset is certainly possible.
Pick: Green Bay Packers
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos: Like with the Pack and Seahawks, these are the two best teams in the AFC, so they should meet for the AFC title. Both of these teams are going to give everything they had, so this will be a good one.
I predict that the Denver secondary will shut the Pats' passing game down (with the obvious exception of Rob Gronkowski). The Pats' defense meanwhile, will struggle to shut down Manning and his receivers.
Pick: Denver Broncos
Super Bowl:
Green Bay and Denver will undoubtedly be a big game. These are two excellent teams with great coaches and two of the best quarterbacks in recent years. The press and fans will certainly be buzzing about this one.
Denver will no doubt have some extra fire, as they will want to prove all of their doubters from last year wrong. I think it is that extra fire that will push them over the edge, and give them a little extra oomph.
Pick: Denver Broncos MVP: Peyton Manning
Thanks for reading, enjoy the playoffs everyone.
