NFL Playoff Predictions

NFC

Let’s start with the inferior conference, playing for the right to lose in the Super Bowl…

Giants at Cowboys

The Giants have a superior pass rush, passable linebackers and no secondary, defense-wise. Offensively, they have several running backs that all run in different styles and a good run-blocking, and Eli Manning, whose inconsistency is reaching legendary status (and is quite overblown, but that comes with playing in New York). The Cowboys have a defense that either makes big plays or gives them up, and an offense that can be explosive, but really needs T.O. to be any good. So really, the two most important players in this game are Eli Manning and T.O. If Eli Manning plays like he did last week, the Giants have a shot. If T.O. plays, the Cowboys should win regardless. Prediction: Cowboys 31, Giants 24

Seahawks at Packers

Mike Holmgren may be coaching his final season, and wouldn’t it be so appropriate for it to end in the same place where he made a name for himself? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Nostalgia is overrated. Both teams have good defenses that make plays and don’t give many plays up, neither team has much of a running game and both offenses rely heavily on their passing attacks. If this game were being played in a dome, you could be looking at an interesting game. As it is, at Lambeau Field, this game will probably be a defensive struggle. Brett Favre likes to throw the ball into coverage, but Shaun Alexander is seemingly incapable of running. I’ll take Ryan Grant (who would have said that before this season?). Prediction: Packers 13, Seahawks 10

AFC

These two games will decide who plays in the REAL Super Bowl (The AFC Conference Title Game)…

Chargers at Colts

The Titans were a very good team. Still, I would feel a lot better about the Chargers is they could, I don’t know, score some points in the first half? You can afford to not score against the Titans; the Colts have a much better defense (the stingiest in terms of points allowed) and an even better offense (you know, that guy Peyton Manning is kind of good. I think I saw him on a few commercials…). People will point to the last time they played. Let me put it like this: Peyton Manning threw 6 interceptions and The Greatest Clutch Kicker Ever missed two field goals, including a 29-yard game winner. Oh yeah, they only lost by two points. I don’t buy that the Chargers are for real and Norv Turner still can’t coach. Tony Dungy, on the other hand, can coach. And Peyton Manning is the best offensive coordinator in the game. The Colts are the only team capable of beating the Patriots. Prediction: Colts 35, Chargers 21

Jaguars at Patriots

I really don’t like the Patriots. Tom Brady may be the luckiest man in the entirety of human history (except for maybe Bill Gates), and seeing the Patriots lose after going 16-0 in the regular season would make me laugh. Unfortunately, the Patriots don’t lose in the playoffs, Bill Belichick is 13-3 in the postseason and Tom Brady is 12-2. Maybe in a severe snowstorm the Jaguars have a chance; unfortunately, the weather should be decent, and that severely decreases the Jaguar’s chances. To make it simple, if the game is on the line, who would you rather have: Tom Brady or David Garrard? The Patriots will stack the box against the Jaguars and dare Garrard to beat them, and in his first playoff game and against a smart, experienced, team that feasts on mistakes and makes few mistakes of their own, I don’t see Garrard as having a chance. The Jaguars don’t play well from behind, and the Patriots will seek to stop their running game and get quick points on the board, forcing David Garrard to put the ball in the air. Prediction: Patriots 38, Jaguars 21