What does your NFL Playoff bracket look like? For those who don’t care as much about the NFL, think of this as a warm-up to March.
With obvious added interest for most of us in this year’s playoffs and the fact that there is no clear favorite to win, this seems like a good time to have a little NFL Bracketology. Not to mention, in quite a few matchups (mostly in the AFC) the winner doesn’t seem too obvious. So what’re your picks?
Mine:
NFC - Eagles will put up a fight but get beat by the Vikings. Cardinals will get rolled by the Falcons. Giants and Panthers win their respective games by about 2 touchdowns each, then the rematch. Panthers/Giants II is close but Panthers takem. They are who we think they are.
AFC - This whole conference is kinda hard to pick for me. I don’t usually pay as much attention to the AFC, but also the teams are just more evenly matched/unpredictable. I have little doubt the Colts beat the Chargers. I think the Dolphins are overrated and will lose a close one at home to the Ravens. The Titans beat the Ravens pretty well. If the Titans are still missing some of their more important players it could be close but I still think the Titans take it. Colts beat the Steelers in a close one. The Colts vs. the Titans will be the best game of the AFC side I expect. Colts could win but I think the Titans will have most of their players back and the Colts will be warn down. Home field helps too.
Superbowl XLIII - Panthers vs. Titans. Close, good game. Panthers just have too much for the Titans, but the Titans could win if the Panthers make mistakes like they have on numerous occasions. We’ll see.
[QUOTE=49or bust;373102]When I said overrated I was referring to their seed, not people’s perception of them.[/QUOTE]
They won their division, a division that had 3 playoff contenders at the end of the year. NE was 11-5 this season and didn’t make the postseason which is ridiculous. They earned their spot. It’s not like they went 8-8.
They won their division, a division that had 3 playoff contenders at the end of the year. NE was 11-5 this season and didn't make the postseason which is ridiculous. They earned their spot. It's not like they went 8-8.
They also played the AFC West and NFC West, the two worst divisions in the NFL, they split with the other 2 teams that were going for the division. They had one of the easiest schedules in the NFL, hence the perception.
[QUOTE=EE9er;373182]They also played the AFC West and NFC West, the two worst divisions in the NFL, they split with the other 2 teams that were going for the division. They had one of the easiest schedules in the NFL, hence the perception.[/QUOTE]
You’re right, they had some easy games. But they still won 11 games. They were one play away from being 12-4. They won a competitive division.
If that had been the Patriots or the Jets, I doubt anyone would have said that they were overrated. It’s just funny. I don’t think they are winning a superbowl, but they earned their seeding.
The AFC is tough. I think it could be anyone except the Dolphins, not that they are bad, but I wouldn’t bet on any team beating the Ravens and Steelers in back-to-back weeks. I like the Steelers to make it out, if they get Tennessee again they are going to be pissed off after the last game and run through them. I would love to see a Ravens/Steelers AFC Championship game.
I think the NFC isn’t quite as tough. I can’t really see Arizona or Atlanta winning the 2nd round game. I also don’t think the Vikings will do much. Giants, Panthers and Eagles could all make it. I’m looking forward to Giants/Eagles in round 2, I’ll take the winner of that game to go to the Super Bowl (I’ll say it’s going to be the Eagles).
In the Super Bowl I’ll take the Steelers over the Eagles.
I think the Colts are playing the best ball in the AFC right now and will make it to the Super Bowl. NFC is a toss-up between 3 teams but I think Carolina is the most balanced team.
If that matchup happens, I just don’t think the Panthers can keep up with Manning the way he is playing right now.
The Chargers haven’t lost in a month. They’re playing really good football. The Colts have a longer winning streak, but at this point I would take the Chargers offense over the Colts in a shootout, the Chargers have been unbelievable the past two weeks. LT finally looks like himself, and going against a weak Colts D he should have a huge day.
Colts are one-dimensional on offense, not that it matters, but they haven’t had an impressive win in a while. They let the Browns, Lions and Jags keep the games way too close. The Chargers needed to get insanely lucky to beat KC a few weeks ago, but before that they lost 3 consecutive games to playoff teams by a total of 10 points. And that was before they really started clicking.
8-8 is irrelevant…they lost 4 games in the final minute versus good teams (Carolina, Indy, Denver and Pittsburgh) by a combined 7 points. Those are all games they could have / should have won. It shows they can play with anyone. In addition, Rivers had the best season statistically of any QB (Manning will be MVP though and deserves it), so strong QB play can lead a team to the SB. I worry about their pass defense, but they are hot right now…Oh and Norv Turner worries me haha.
[QUOTE=Powerbait;373291]Just sayin, I don’t think the Chargers are really going to win it all.
I would go with the Steelers, Colts or Titans before the Chargers.[/QUOTE]
I think it’s going to be one of the defensive teams this year. I could see Baltimore making it out if Flacco plays halfway decent. I just don’t see the Colts winning @ San Diego in a shootout and then going on the road to beat the Titans/Steelers and then probably going on the road to beat the other. Really tough road there.
