It’s that time of the year when all the so-called
national experts and football pundits take their shot at predicting the field
of NFL playoff teams for the upcoming season. It’s a pretty mixed bag, with
most of the ”predictions sure to go wrong” as ESPN’s Mike & Mike have
labeled it. That’s pretty much the case here.
So with all the know-it-alls giving it a shot here in the
last few days of the pre-season, I thought I’d throw my hat into the ring. I
spend a lot of brainpower thinking about it anyway, so I just as well share it
with the sporting world and make a jerk out of myself like everybody else. Here goes …
*Division winners
~Wildcard teams
AFC North – Baltimore*,
Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati
The Ravens finally ride their offense to the
post-season as Flacco blossoms.
AFC South –
Houston,* Tennessee, Jacksonville, Indianapolis
Texans are too
talented to not take advantage of a weak division.
AFC East – New
England*, Buffalo~, NY Jets, Miami
New England reloads
on D finally. Buffalo takes a step forward.
AFC West – Kansas
City,* Denver~, San Diego, Oakland
The Chiefs ACL crew
returns with a vengeance. Peyton leads Broncos to a wildcard.
AFC playoff teams
– Baltimore, Buffalo, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, New England
NFC North –
Green Bay*, Chicago~, Detroit, Minnesota
Packers repeat at division champs, but the Bears are much
improved.
NFC South – Atlanta*,
Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay
The Falcons finally put it all together. The Saints are
distracted. Carolina continues to climb.
NFC East –
Philadelphia*, Dallas~, NY Giants, Washington
Can the Eagles play finally equal its talent? It all
hinges on Vick’s health.
NFC West – San
Francisco*, Seattle, Arizona, St. Louis
Harbaugh and gang fall back to the pack slightly, but
still manhandle a weak division.
NFC playoff teams
– Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Green Bay, Philadelphia, San Francisco
Super Bowl
prediction: Baltimore v Chicago
The Ravens offense
and defense put it all together in 2012, thanks to the arm of Flacco and Ray
Rice’s all-around play. The D isn’t bad, either. Ray Lewis goes out on top.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come on … give
it a shot. Who do you think will be the surprise and potential flop teams this
season?
Until next time, thanks for reading.
Steve
