Final Playoff Predictions


We are now three quarters of the way through the NFL regular season. Time for the final playoff predictions. Below I have my Mid-Season predictions with a summary of where I went wrong a few weeks ago followed by my revised predictions based on time with ESPN's playoff machine!

Mid-Season Playoff Predictions:
NFC Playoff Predictions:
West Champ - Arizona Cardinals. They're a good team, but a flawed team.
North Champ - Green Bay Packers. They'll right the ship a bit, but they aren't as good as they appeared.
South Champ - Carolina Panthers. All they do is win.
East Champ - New York Giants. A flawed team, but the best of a mediocre bunch.
Wild Card - Minnesota Vikings. They are challenging the Packers and could make a playoff run.
Wild Card - Seattle Seahawks. This is a bit of a reach, but I think they get it turned around enough to make the playoffs. It's more that I don't believe in the Rams or the Falcons.

Round One: Cardinals over Seahawks; Vikings over Giants
Round Two: Packers over Cardinals; Panthers over Vikings
NFC Championship: Packers over Panthers

AFC Playoff Predictions:
West Champ - Denver Broncos. The Broncos have a great defense and enough to win the division.
North Champ - Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are for real this year. At least in the regular season.
South Champ - Indianapolis Colts. The Colts will probably win, but 7-9 might do it.
East Champ - New England Patriots. Never doubt Belichick and Brady.
Wild Card - New York Jets. The Jets aren't great, but I think they get in.
Wild Card - Buffalo Bills. Another flawed team, but I think they get in. This is more about thinking the Steelers are too injured and the Raiders are too green.

Round One: Broncos over Bills; Jets over Colts
Round Two: Broncos over Bengals; Patriots over Jets
AFC Championship: Patriots over Broncos

Super Bowl: Patriots over Packers

Where I Went Wrong:
* I had too much faith in the Colts. I thought they'd get it figured out, but now I'm thinking the Texans might sneak in there as the Colts continue to flail.
* Too much belief in the Buffalo Bills. The Bills looked strong at mid-season, now they're fading away. 
* Not enough faith in the Cardinals and Panthers. Or maybe too much faith in the Packers. The Packers and Patriots have shown their flaws, and that could be key in the playoffs.

Final Playoff Predictions
NFC Playoff Predictions:
West Champ - Arizona Cardinals. They are 11-2 and a strong bet for a first round bye.
North Champ - Green Bay Packers. The Packers, I think, still edge out the Vikings
South Champ - Carolina Panthers. They will be the top seed in the NFC.
East Champ - New York Giants. It's tempting to go with any of the four teams here, but based on schedule, I think the Giants make it at 7-9.
Wild Card - Seattle Seahawks. They won't catch the Cardinals, but the Seahawks might enter the playoffs as the hottest team.
Wild Card - Minnesota Vikings. This isn't so much a vote of confidence for the Vikings as a vote against the Falcons and Buccaneers. I think the Vikings do enough to sneak in.

Round One: Seahawks over Giants; Packers over Vikings
Round Two: Panthers over Seahawks; Cardinals over Packers
NFC Championship: Cardinals over Panthers

AFC Playoff Predictions:
West Champ - Denver Broncos. The Broncos will be a top seed in the playoffs again.
North Champ - Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals might be for real this season.
South Champ - Houston Texans. It's not a great division, but I think the Texans make it in.
East Champ - New England Patriots. A lead pipe lock at this point.
Wild Card - New York Jets. The Jets aren't fancy, but they're solid and I think they get in.
Wild Card - Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are hot, and I think they hold off the Pittsburgh Steelers for the final Wild Card slot.

Round One: Jets over Texans; Patriots over Chiefs
Round Two: Patriots over Bengals; Broncos over Jets
AFC Championship: Broncos over Patriots

Super Bowl: Broncos over Panthers. (Call me a sucker, but I believe)

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