Each week, news and injuries can change the complexion of playoff games, but as much as I would like to change these predictions as those events unfold, this is the only time I'll post about it. Here we go:
NFC Wild Card games:
#3 New Orleans Saints vs. #6 Detroit Lions: Saints look better on both sides of the ball recently, even though Stafford just put up 520 yards passing. Lions are just glad to be there, and the Saints expect the Super Bowl. Winner: Saints
#4 New York Giants vs. #5 Atlanta Falcons: Both teams finished strong, but the Giants have always had the winning playoff formula in a fierce pass rush and strong running game. Eli Manning can also give them big plays when needed. Winner: Giants
AFC Wild Card games:
#3 Houston Texans vs. #6 Cincinnati Bengals: Two rookie quarterbacks collide and while the Bengals' Andy Dalton might be better, the NFL-best rushing attack of the Texans will pound the Bengals D, who just gave up big rushing yards in their last game of the season. Winner: Texans
#4 Denver Broncos vs. #5 Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers almost ended up as the #1 team in the AFC, and the Broncos lost to the Kansas City Chiefs to finish the season. Broncos offense looks to be in shambles, and the Steelers D is still one of the best in the league. Winner: Steelers
NFC Divisional Round:
#1 Green Bay Packers vs. #4 New York Giants: Green Bay's defense looked weak against the Lions in Week 17, but they're the best at making turnovers happen. The Giants offense can be very turnover-prone, so I think the Packers D makes enough plays to win. Winner: Packers
#2 San Francisco 49ers vs. #3 New Orleans Saints: The 49ers defense is scary good, but so is Drew Brees. The Saints defense can be great at times, but so can Alex Smith. I like the Saints here because of two words: Darren Sproles. Winner: Saints
AFC Divisional Round:
#1 New England Patriots vs. #5 Pittsburgh Steelers: Here's a test of the whole "defense wins championships" philosophy. The Patriots don't really have a defense, and the Steelers are built around their defense. I think that the Patriots' lack of defense finally catches up to them. Winner: Steelers
#2 Baltimore Ravens vs. #3 Houston Texans: Another team built around their defense, the Ravens defense has had another solid year, led by their stud linebacker Terrell Suggs. Houston's offensive line is one of the best in the league, but the Ravens are gonna force the rookie QB to beat them. He won't. Winner: Ravens
Conference Championship games:
NFC - #1 Green Bay Packers vs. #3 New Orleans Saints: These two teams played in the first game of the season, and I said back then that the loser of the game will go on to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. The Saints lost in that first game, but I think that their defense is better than Green Bay's. Winner: Saints
AFC - #2 Baltimore Ravens vs. #5 Pittsburgh Steelers: This is going to be a hard-nosed, bruising type of game. The Ravens won both regular season matchups, but after the last matchup, the Ravens put up a stinker against the Seahawks. The Steelers' only loss since then was to the 49ers, and that was with a clearly hurt Ben Roethlisberger. I don't wanna pick the Steelers again, but it's the only thing that makes sense to me. Winner: Steelers
Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: This is a hard pick for me. My gut tells me the Saints, but my brain tells me the Steelers. Look particularly at the teams they each lost to: the Steelers lost to the Ravens (twice), Texans, and 49ers; the Saints lost to the Packers... Buccaneers, and Rams. However, the playoffs are a different beast, which is why both teams avenged regular season losses to get here. You never know what can happen, which is why I gotta go with my gut. The Saints will bring the magic with them to Indianapolis.
Super Bowl Champion: New Orleans Saints
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