NFL Playoff Predictions

(Also posted late.  So sue me.)

by Patrick and Pete

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND

Patrick: 

Green Bay (1) vs. New Orleans (3)

The NFL would love this.  September 8th opener comes down to a rematch in January for the right to go to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.  It is SO difficult to get back to the Super Bowl after winning it the year before.  This game would pit the last 2 Champs against each other on the most hallowed grounds in the NFL.  Dom Capers will outscheme Gregg Williams, and Mike McCarthy will let A-Rodg do his thing.  Charles Woodson and/or Nick Collings will make a couple huge picks, and BJ Raji and the defense will dirsupt the Saints game plan... nothing against Sean Payton and Drew Brees, but they are going to come up short vs. the class of the NFC.

New England Patriots (3) vs. Indianapolis Colts (4)

The great rivalry of the 00s will come to a head in 2012 as Tom Brady & Bill Belicheck will host Peyton Manning and the Colts for the right to play in INDY for the NFL Championship.  Peyton Manning will have struggled though a difficult season marred by personal injury and the usual adversity that goes along with an NFL team.  Tom Brady and his offense will be clicking on all cylinders, and this January the defense will be another year more experienced and will make enough plays to give the Pats a victory and on to the Super Bowl.

Pete: 

Tampa Bay (6) @ Green Bay (1)

I am all in on the Buccaneers hype.  I know the world is expecting them to regress, but they haven’t changed much in the way of their roster.  Josh Freeman might be the ‘mobile’ quarterback that everyone had hoped Vince Young to be, and if Tampa can manage to figure out how to run outside the tackles they will test a Green Bay defense that has more holes than they’re willing to admit (and that can’t be covered by Clay Matthews’s hair).  Tampa shocks the world and wins in Lambeau 38-35.

Tennessee Titans (5) @ New York Jets (1)

I know it seems sacrilege to have two Wild Card teams rolling into championship weekend but I’m all in on the Titans.  The effects of the Chris Johnson holdout will only show for the first two or three games as he gets back into game shape and the Titans take advantage of a late season schedule filled with teams whose fates are already determined to clinch the first wildcard spot.

On the other hand, the Jets roll.  After throttling New England and the eminently handsome and awesome Tom Brady and his great hair twice the Jets stumble only once (Week 15 @ Philadelphia) on their way to a remarkable 15-1 season.  Despite the Titans’ remarkable run, the defense of the Jets, girth of Rex Ryan, newfound dedication of Plaxico Burress, and Mark Sanchez’s ability to not lose the game for his team[1] are too much for the young Titans who are forced to go to Jake Locker late in the game when Matt Hasselbeck’s back gives out one final time.  Jets hold on 22-17.

Super Bowl

Pete: 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC) @ New York Jets (AFC)

Line NYJ -10   O/U 41

The Jets go into Indianapolis as 10-point favorites, a line that polarizes the nation moreso than Team Edward/Team Jacob.  (Edward, duh.)  The last three teams to be favored in a Super Bowl by 10 points or more (’98 Packers -11, ’02 Rams -14, ’08 Patriots -12) have not only failed to cover but also lost the game outright.  Not this time.  The Jets defense scores once, gives Mark Sanchez and Super Bowl MVP Plaxico Burress (7 rec, 198 yds) phenomenal field position all game, and the Jets win.  However, thanks to a last second bomb by Josh Freeman the Buccaneers score a touchdown that results in a push(!!)[2] and Vegas promptly melts into oblivion.  Even in his moment of triumph Rex Ryan manages to ruin somebody’s party.  New York Jets 27, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17.

Patrick:

Green Bay (NFC) vs. New England (AFC)

This would be a historic, epic Super Bowl.  A rematch of the 1996 game featuring star QBs Favre & Bledsoe and coaches Holmgren & Parcells.  All four men have had outstanding careers, but times have changed.  Mike McCarthy will have an opportunity to put himself in legendary status along with QB Aaron Rodges.  Bill Belichick is a man on a mission, along with Tom Brady as the core of this team.  The Packers want to be the team of the ‘10s.  New England was team of the ‘00s.  Who will be the future of the NFL?  I guess we’ll find out Feb. 5th.

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[1] I’m looking at you Alex Smith.  And Brett Favre.

[2] What?  The world’s ending next December anyway.  Might as well have some crazy shit happen wherever I can, right?  You should be more startled by the fact that I will end up on the Jumbotron of the Super Bowl when then-girlfriend Emma Watson is caught feeding me popcorn.