Retired_Member_001
12-06-2007, 03:49 PM
Playoff predictions: AFC
With the NFL playoffs around the corner, it would be an appropriate time to predict who will and who will not make the playoffs.
It is the all important question for the teams in the hunt, teams like the Vikings, the Titans, The Bills, ect all face the playoff question. Teams like the Patriots and the Cowboys do not face the playoff question though as they have already, or are on the brink of clinching their division.
AFC
1. New England Patriots, 15-1 (AFC East Winners). – There is nothing to say about the Patriots as they have already clinched their division. The Patriots will lose their only game of the season to the Steelers. The Patriots are obvious favourites for the Super Bowl. The only way to beat them is if you can run on them and if you are able to stop their offense every so often, the Steelers have the best chance to beat them because they are the best defense in the league and are one of the better run offenses.
2. Indianapolis Colts, 13-3 (AFC South Winners). – The Indianapolis Colts have missed key players for a lot of this season. The Colts offense has managed to click despite the high injury toll, but with guys like Marvin Harrison coming back, the Colts are once again a force to be reckoned with. If the Indianapolis Colts defense keeps up the great work, the Colts have the ability to go far, again.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers, 13-3 (AFC North Winners). – The Pittsburgh Steelers are the best defense in the NFL. They also run the ball very effectively. Going 13-3 and winning four consecutive games against difficult teams may seem a long shot, but no one should put it over this team. This will be a team who catches a winning streak during the regular season and then carries that winning streak into the post season. Under the guidance of Mike Tomlin and company, it will be hard for teams to beat a fearless Steeler ream.
4. San Diego Chargers, 11-5 (AFC West Winners). – They may have a horrible head coach and a Quarterback who chokes in big pressure situations, but the San Diego Chargers are back. They have sorted out the problems they had earlier in the season. The Chargers will get the run game started and keep it churning out big yards for the rest of the season which will help them achieve 11-5. The Chargers problems will come in big pressure situations where they need to throw the ball, this is where Quarterbacks NEED to be good and this is where their Quarterback isn’t good. The Chargers will need to keep Philip Rivers passing to a minimum in the playoffs. Obviously the Chargers defense will have to stay solid and give their offense good field position.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars, 11-5 (AFC South Runner-Up) – Ball control, ball control and even more ball control. If a team can play good defense and run the ball on offense effectively, they will win games. The Jaguars are going to have to make sure they do not give up big passing yards because they are sure to stop the run. The Jaguars just have to keep doing what they have been doing and they will have a chance to go surprisingly far in the playoffs.
6. Cleveland Browns, 10-6 (AFC North Runner-Up) – The Cleveland Browns beat out the Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills for the final playoff spot. The Browns finally have a breakout year and they finally have a great offense. With key offensive players like Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr never having playoff experience, it is doubtful that the Browns will put up a big fight against the better teams. Still the Browns are a good team, well deserving of a playoff spot. The Browns can run or throw the ball well and that makes a good offense. The Cleveland Browns problems come on the defensive side of the ball; poor defense all together will bite them in the back side.
AFC Teams who just miss out:
Tennessee Titans (9-7). The Tennessee Titans are going to fade for the last few games of the season. Their defense is showing obvious signs of wear and the defense is key for them. The Titans will just fall short.
Buffalo Bills (8-8). The Buffalo Bills will have a season better than they expected and will come back and look to improve next season.
AFC Teams who didn’t do as well as they had hoped (Previously good teams who had failed this season):Denver Broncos (6-10), Kansas City (6-10), Baltimore Ravens (5-10).
With the NFL playoffs around the corner, it would be an appropriate time to predict who will and who will not make the playoffs.
It is the all important question for the teams in the hunt, teams like the Vikings, the Titans, The Bills, ect all face the playoff question. Teams like the Patriots and the Cowboys do not face the playoff question though as they have already, or are on the brink of clinching their division.
AFC
1. New England Patriots, 15-1 (AFC East Winners). – There is nothing to say about the Patriots as they have already clinched their division. The Patriots will lose their only game of the season to the Steelers. The Patriots are obvious favourites for the Super Bowl. The only way to beat them is if you can run on them and if you are able to stop their offense every so often, the Steelers have the best chance to beat them because they are the best defense in the league and are one of the better run offenses.
2. Indianapolis Colts, 13-3 (AFC South Winners). – The Indianapolis Colts have missed key players for a lot of this season. The Colts offense has managed to click despite the high injury toll, but with guys like Marvin Harrison coming back, the Colts are once again a force to be reckoned with. If the Indianapolis Colts defense keeps up the great work, the Colts have the ability to go far, again.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers, 13-3 (AFC North Winners). – The Pittsburgh Steelers are the best defense in the NFL. They also run the ball very effectively. Going 13-3 and winning four consecutive games against difficult teams may seem a long shot, but no one should put it over this team. This will be a team who catches a winning streak during the regular season and then carries that winning streak into the post season. Under the guidance of Mike Tomlin and company, it will be hard for teams to beat a fearless Steeler ream.
4. San Diego Chargers, 11-5 (AFC West Winners). – They may have a horrible head coach and a Quarterback who chokes in big pressure situations, but the San Diego Chargers are back. They have sorted out the problems they had earlier in the season. The Chargers will get the run game started and keep it churning out big yards for the rest of the season which will help them achieve 11-5. The Chargers problems will come in big pressure situations where they need to throw the ball, this is where Quarterbacks NEED to be good and this is where their Quarterback isn’t good. The Chargers will need to keep Philip Rivers passing to a minimum in the playoffs. Obviously the Chargers defense will have to stay solid and give their offense good field position.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars, 11-5 (AFC South Runner-Up) – Ball control, ball control and even more ball control. If a team can play good defense and run the ball on offense effectively, they will win games. The Jaguars are going to have to make sure they do not give up big passing yards because they are sure to stop the run. The Jaguars just have to keep doing what they have been doing and they will have a chance to go surprisingly far in the playoffs.
6. Cleveland Browns, 10-6 (AFC North Runner-Up) – The Cleveland Browns beat out the Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills for the final playoff spot. The Browns finally have a breakout year and they finally have a great offense. With key offensive players like Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr never having playoff experience, it is doubtful that the Browns will put up a big fight against the better teams. Still the Browns are a good team, well deserving of a playoff spot. The Browns can run or throw the ball well and that makes a good offense. The Cleveland Browns problems come on the defensive side of the ball; poor defense all together will bite them in the back side.
AFC Teams who just miss out:
Tennessee Titans (9-7). The Tennessee Titans are going to fade for the last few games of the season. Their defense is showing obvious signs of wear and the defense is key for them. The Titans will just fall short.
Buffalo Bills (8-8). The Buffalo Bills will have a season better than they expected and will come back and look to improve next season.
AFC Teams who didn’t do as well as they had hoped (Previously good teams who had failed this season):Denver Broncos (6-10), Kansas City (6-10), Baltimore Ravens (5-10).