NFL Playoffs Predictions and Matchups: My picks last week

AFC

Seedings:

1. New England Patriots

2. Denver Broncos

3. Pittsburg Steelers

4. Indianapolis Colts

5. Cincinnati Bengals

6. Baltimore Ravens

Matchups:

Byes: Patriots, Broncos

Wildcard No.1 – Ravens at Steelers

The last time these two teams played? Ravens got stomped on. I do expect the Ravens to play much better given the circumstances.  Flacco did not look good two weeks ago versus the Texans and did a little better this past week. But this will be the playoffs and they are going to be on the road. It’ll come down to the running games. Justin Forsett or La’Veon Bell.  In this matchup, the Ravens have the better Run D. But if there’s anything to bet on, it’s Big Ben in the playoffs. The game will be close. The team that can contain the run will win. I like the home team in this.

20 – 27 Steelers

Wildcard No.2 – Bengals at Colts

27-0. The Bengals looked lifeless. Their run game didn’t work neither did Andy Dalton who misfired on 20 completions (18 of 38). Their defensive also gave up 500 total yards of offense. But that was over two months ago. I’d expect a much better game this time around. Is this a game where Andy Dalton finally steps up to the plate? Or will Andrew Luck steal the show on wildcard weekend and blow these guys out? I like Luck’s chances.

28 – 38 Colts

NFC

Seedings:

1. Seattle Seahawks

2. Green Bay Packers

3. Dallas Cowboys

4. Carolina Panthers

5. Arizona Cardinals

6. Detroit Lions

Matchups:

Byes: Seahawks, Packers

Wildcard No.1 – Lions at Cowboys

We likely won’t be seeing Ndamakung Suh in this game, that’s for sure. However, it is a playoff game and I expect it to be an exciting matchup because it is being played indoors as opposed to Lambeau Field in Green Bay. With these two offenses, being indoors will probably mean a high scoring affair. This will probably be the most exciting match in this year’s wildcard round. Remember a few years ago when the Packers met up with the Cardinals in an epic 51-45 Wildcard shootout in OT? I have a feeling this might be that kind of game.

31 – 42 Cowboys

Wildcard No.2 – Cardinals at Panthers

The Carolina are legitimate contenders albeit the sub .500 record to win this game and possibly more. Jonathan Stewart looks fresh after coming back from an injury midseason and now so does Cam Newton. The Panthers are 4-0 in December and in those four games they’ve allowed just a mere 11 points per game.  Cardinals on the other hand are entering the playoffs on a two game losing streak and losers of 4 out of 6. They are down to their 4th string quarterback and their offense looks lack luster averaging only 12 points in these last six games.

16 – 24 Panthers

NFL FINAL FOUR

AFC:

Steelers at Broncos

24 – 20 Steelers

Colts at Patriots

21 – 28 Patriots

NFC:

Cowboys at Packers

14 – 24 Packers

Panthers at Seahawks

16 – 20 Seahawks

Conference Championships

AFC:

Steelers at Patriots

NFC:

Packers at Seahawks