The 2015-2016 NFL regular season is over and it sure was an exciting one. But it's now time for the playoffs, which will undoubtedly even be more exciting. In this article, we'll break down each game and pick a winner. Let's get started.
NFC Wildcard Round:
#6 Seattle Seahawks at #3 Minnesota Vikings- The Seahawks are red-hot after their big win over Arizona in Week 17. The Vikings are also hot after beating Green Bay in Week 17 to clinch the NFC North. Unfortunately, the Vikings just don't match up to Seattle. The 'Hawks secondary will create trouble for Teddy Bridgewater, Pick: Seattle
#5 Green Bay Packers at #4 Washington Redskins- The 'Skins are doing a lot better than the Pack right now, and that could be the difference in this match. Overall, the Packers are a better team with more talent, but Washington is simply better playing football right now. Aaron Rodgers is in a terrible slump while Kirk Cousins is having the best year of his career. Pick: Washington
AFC Wildcard Round:
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers at #3 Cincinnati Bengals- Cincy is notorious for going one-and-done in the playoffs, and it looks like that trend will continue this year. The Bengals will be without their starting QB Andy Dalton, who was an MVP candidate earlier in the season. In his place will be AJ MCarron, who's made three starts his entire career. The Steelers meanwhile, feature an elite aerial offense comprised of stars like Antonio Brown, Ben Roethlisberger, and Martavis Bryant. Pick: Pittsburgh
#5 Kansas City Chiefs at #4 Houston Texans- Both of these teams have elite defenses, but the edge here goes to the Chiefs. Alex Smith and Andy Reid have playoff experience, while Brian Hoyer and Bill O'Brien do not. When you add on the fact that Kansas has won their last ten games, a KC win looks certain. Pick: Kansas City
NFC Divisional Round:
#6 Seattle Seahawks at #1 Carolina Panthers- It looks as if Marshawn Lynch will not be back in time for the playoffs, and that's really going to hurt the Seahawks. They don't have anyone else on their roster that can run through that stout Carolina D. Meanwhile, Carolina is flying high and absolutely loaded with talent like Cam Newton, Mike Tolbert, and Josh Norman. Pick: Carolina
#4 Washington at #2 Arizona Cardinals- Realistically, Washington doesn't have a chance here. A defense featuring guys like Calais Campbell will most likely shut down the 'Skins offense. Expect Carson Palmer, David Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and the rest of Arizona's offense to do big things in this one. Pick: Arizona
AFC Divisional Round:
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers at #1 Denver Broncos- Peyton Manning will be starting for the Broncos, but it's not known exactly how healthy he is. The Steelers meanwhile, are hopeful DeAngelo Williams (who was great for them this season) will be back for this round. If he is, expect the Steelers to pull off an upset. Pick: Pittsburgh
#5 Kansas City Chiefs at #2 New England Patriots- As mentioned before, the Chiefs are one of the hottest teams in the league and have one of the best defenses in the league (thanks to guys like Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey, and Eric Berry). While I wouldn't be surprised by an upset, the Patriots are still the favorites here. Their defense has been playing well all season and Tom Brady had a great season. Pick: New England
NFC Championship:
#2 Arizona Cardinals at #1 Carolina Panthers- The Panthers had the best record in all of football this season, but that run should end here. They just don't have that playoff experience while the Cardinals are chock-full of veterans like Palmer and Fitzgerald. Pick: Arizona
AFC Championship:
#5 Pittsburgh Steelers at #2 New England Patriots- The Patriots have had trouble staying healthy this season, but receivers Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman should be available for this game. That could tip the scales in what will otherwise be a very close game. Pick: New England
Super Bowl:
New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals- Despite Brady having a great season, he has been stopped on occasion (like against the Jets in Week 17). The Cards' defense is good enough to stifle the Pats' offense (especially their running game). The MVP will go to the probable regular-season MVP runner-up, Palmer. Pick: Arizona Cardinals (Carson Palmer)
Agree with these predictions? Comment and let me know.
NFC Wildcard Round:
#6 Seattle Seahawks at #3 Minnesota Vikings- The Seahawks are red-hot after their big win over Arizona in Week 17. The Vikings are also hot after beating Green Bay in Week 17 to clinch the NFC North. Unfortunately, the Vikings just don't match up to Seattle. The 'Hawks secondary will create trouble for Teddy Bridgewater, Pick: Seattle
#5 Green Bay Packers at #4 Washington Redskins- The 'Skins are doing a lot better than the Pack right now, and that could be the difference in this match. Overall, the Packers are a better team with more talent, but Washington is simply better playing football right now. Aaron Rodgers is in a terrible slump while Kirk Cousins is having the best year of his career. Pick: Washington
AFC Wildcard Round:
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers at #3 Cincinnati Bengals- Cincy is notorious for going one-and-done in the playoffs, and it looks like that trend will continue this year. The Bengals will be without their starting QB Andy Dalton, who was an MVP candidate earlier in the season. In his place will be AJ MCarron, who's made three starts his entire career. The Steelers meanwhile, feature an elite aerial offense comprised of stars like Antonio Brown, Ben Roethlisberger, and Martavis Bryant. Pick: Pittsburgh
#5 Kansas City Chiefs at #4 Houston Texans- Both of these teams have elite defenses, but the edge here goes to the Chiefs. Alex Smith and Andy Reid have playoff experience, while Brian Hoyer and Bill O'Brien do not. When you add on the fact that Kansas has won their last ten games, a KC win looks certain. Pick: Kansas City
NFC Divisional Round:
#6 Seattle Seahawks at #1 Carolina Panthers- It looks as if Marshawn Lynch will not be back in time for the playoffs, and that's really going to hurt the Seahawks. They don't have anyone else on their roster that can run through that stout Carolina D. Meanwhile, Carolina is flying high and absolutely loaded with talent like Cam Newton, Mike Tolbert, and Josh Norman. Pick: Carolina
#4 Washington at #2 Arizona Cardinals- Realistically, Washington doesn't have a chance here. A defense featuring guys like Calais Campbell will most likely shut down the 'Skins offense. Expect Carson Palmer, David Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and the rest of Arizona's offense to do big things in this one. Pick: Arizona
AFC Divisional Round:
#6 Pittsburgh Steelers at #1 Denver Broncos- Peyton Manning will be starting for the Broncos, but it's not known exactly how healthy he is. The Steelers meanwhile, are hopeful DeAngelo Williams (who was great for them this season) will be back for this round. If he is, expect the Steelers to pull off an upset. Pick: Pittsburgh
#5 Kansas City Chiefs at #2 New England Patriots- As mentioned before, the Chiefs are one of the hottest teams in the league and have one of the best defenses in the league (thanks to guys like Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey, and Eric Berry). While I wouldn't be surprised by an upset, the Patriots are still the favorites here. Their defense has been playing well all season and Tom Brady had a great season. Pick: New England
NFC Championship:
#2 Arizona Cardinals at #1 Carolina Panthers- The Panthers had the best record in all of football this season, but that run should end here. They just don't have that playoff experience while the Cardinals are chock-full of veterans like Palmer and Fitzgerald. Pick: Arizona
AFC Championship:
#5 Pittsburgh Steelers at #2 New England Patriots- The Patriots have had trouble staying healthy this season, but receivers Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman should be available for this game. That could tip the scales in what will otherwise be a very close game. Pick: New England
Super Bowl:
New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals- Despite Brady having a great season, he has been stopped on occasion (like against the Jets in Week 17). The Cards' defense is good enough to stifle the Pats' offense (especially their running game). The MVP will go to the probable regular-season MVP runner-up, Palmer. Pick: Arizona Cardinals (Carson Palmer)
Agree with these predictions? Comment and let me know.
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