The Way Too Early NFL Playoff Predictions
by Host Alex Strizak
You all know how I feel about the injury problem in the NFL... And that injury problem is what makes it so hard to predict what will happen in the playoffs, let alone Week 1 of the Regular Season...
For example, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are a playoff-caliber team. Aaron Rodgers in sweatpants means the Packers are no where near a playoff team in a tough NFC.
So, with everything we know up to this point, here are my playoff teams and their projected seed:
NFC
1. Los Angeles Rams (bye)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (bye)
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Carolina Panthers
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Green Bay Packers
AFC
1. New England Patriots (bye)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (bye)
3. Houston Texans
4. Los Angeles Chargers
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Baltimore Ravens
Round 1
I think Aaron Rodgers stays healthy and puts up MVP numbers. DeVonte Adams becomes a true #1 receiver and in a tough NFC North division the Packers find a way to the postseason.
Unfortunately for them, they'll run into the fearsome roster of the Vikings. This Vikings team has improved their defense and their offense which was already impressive. Kirk Cousins should be the man of the town when they take home this playoff victory.
Vikings 27 - Packers 17
The Saints are good and there's no doubting that. Drew Brees is aging beautifully and has his best supporting running back since LaDanian Tomlinson and many people think the Saints can win this division.
Many people think the Falcons can win this division. I'm going to take none of the above and say the combo of Cam Newton and Norv Turner is one of beauty. This combination will lead to plenty of success this season and help them squeak out a division title. HOWEVER, when it comes to playoff time I think the Saints are too loaded and have way too much potential to explode for points in this game. In a weird twist, I see the division winner going home.
Saints 34 - Panthers 24
I think Lamar Jackson takes the job and runs with it. Even if he doesn't, this Ravens defense is good enough to carry them especially in an AFC that seems to be lower in competition than it has been previously.
They'll run into the buzz-saw that is the Houston Texans. Deshaun Watson is electrifying and their defense should be back healthy and better than ever. You'll learn real quick how much I believe in this team just from the fact I have them winning the division over Jacksonville.
Texans 34 - Ravens 14
Texans 34 - Ravens 14
Speaking of Jacksonville, here they are at the 5th seed. They brought this on themselves not going out and getting Bridgewater who is not only a potential franchise quarterback, but he immediately helps this team become a Super Bowl contender. They're one Bortles mistake away from their season being over.
Luckily for them, the Bortles mistake won't cost them against a much improved Chargers line up. The Chargers look good, but I'm not totally sold on them making a playoff run just yet, especially if they have to play this Jacksonville defense. Andddd knowing the Chargers they'll have a game-winning field goal chance at the end of this game...
Jaguars 16 - Chargers 14
Round 2
The match up we all want to see... Well at least I know I want to see this... Carson Wentz against Kirk Cousins would be such a great game for the NFL and its fans. The returning champs are a solid team and with their star QB and LT back should still be considered quite a threat for another title. However, a healthy Dalvin Cook takes care of business. 'Skol, Vikings!
Vikings 20 - Eagles 17
Vikings 20 - Eagles 17
#5 New Orleans Saints vs. #1 Los Angeles Rams
These match up just shows how much better the NFC really is compared to the AFC. All four of these NFC teams I could easily see being Super Bowl champs... Unfortunately for the Saints, I see the Rams as the more likely candidates.
They were already stacked and now they add a very good DT in Suh and two Prow Bowl corners? This Rams team looks to be the real deal...
Rams 27 - Saints 14
#3 Houston Texans vs. #2 Pittsburgh Steelers
I actually like Houston to take another win here. The Steelers are stacked on offense (even if Bell doesn't play, LOL!) but their defense doesn't look the same since Shazier had that heartbreaking injury.
Texans 24 - Steelers 17
#5 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. #1 New England Patriots
Here were go again... And again I think Brady gets it done against this defense some how. I'm done picking against this team no matter what the circumstances are. They find a way to win and that's something that seems like it will always be a part a New England.
Patriots 17 - Jaguars 7
AFC Championship
#3 Houston Texans vs. #1 New England Patriots
What a match up for Bill O'Brien! I could see this game literally going either way. I'm going to take history's side on this one.
Patriots 30 - Texans 24
NFC Championship
#3 Minnesota Vikings vs. #1 Los Angeles Rams
A game for the ages. So much good offense and so much good defense on both sides of the ball. Cousins, Cook, Diggs, Thielen vs. Donald, Suh, Peters, Talib. Goff, Gurley, Cooks, Kupp vs. Griffen, Kendricks, Smith, Rhodes. If these two teams don't beat each other up too much, there's a good chance that this really would be the Super Bowl... Sean McVay has my vote... Rams edge it out...
Rams 20 - Vikings 14
Super Bowl
#1 New England Patriots vs. #1 Los Angeles Rams
You can say all you want about the Patriots lacking talent and Brady being too old because that's all you said last year, too... And they made the Super Bowl... The problem is it looks like the Rams are either an immovable object or an unstoppable force!... Maybe both?... Their Super Bowl win melts all the hearts of fans in Los Angeles, makes even less Charger fans in LA (if that's even possible) and makes a lot of really nice people in St. Louis hurt a little bit... Sorry, LA did have them first...
Rams 24 - Patriots 17
They were already stacked and now they add a very good DT in Suh and two Prow Bowl corners? This Rams team looks to be the real deal...
Rams 27 - Saints 14
I actually like Houston to take another win here. The Steelers are stacked on offense (even if Bell doesn't play, LOL!) but their defense doesn't look the same since Shazier had that heartbreaking injury.
Texans 24 - Steelers 17
Here were go again... And again I think Brady gets it done against this defense some how. I'm done picking against this team no matter what the circumstances are. They find a way to win and that's something that seems like it will always be a part a New England.
Patriots 17 - Jaguars 7
AFC Championship
What a match up for Bill O'Brien! I could see this game literally going either way. I'm going to take history's side on this one.
Patriots 30 - Texans 24
NFC Championship
A game for the ages. So much good offense and so much good defense on both sides of the ball. Cousins, Cook, Diggs, Thielen vs. Donald, Suh, Peters, Talib. Goff, Gurley, Cooks, Kupp vs. Griffen, Kendricks, Smith, Rhodes. If these two teams don't beat each other up too much, there's a good chance that this really would be the Super Bowl... Sean McVay has my vote... Rams edge it out...
Rams 20 - Vikings 14
Super Bowl
You can say all you want about the Patriots lacking talent and Brady being too old because that's all you said last year, too... And they made the Super Bowl... The problem is it looks like the Rams are either an immovable object or an unstoppable force!... Maybe both?... Their Super Bowl win melts all the hearts of fans in Los Angeles, makes even less Charger fans in LA (if that's even possible) and makes a lot of really nice people in St. Louis hurt a little bit... Sorry, LA did have them first...
Rams 24 - Patriots 17
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