AFC Divisional-Round Playoff Predictions

Pittsburgh Steelers over the San Diego Chargers

I don't like doing this because when it comes to predicting the NFL playoffs I go by which team is hottest. It's also worth mentioning the last 3 SB winners have come from wildcard weekend. This is going to be a great game no matter what. The Chargers are hot right now without question. But, with an injured LT things become questionable. Darren Sproles carried the work load and did a magnificent job of it against the Colts, but it will be another challenge entirely to do it against the Steelers and the leagues best defense. The weather looks to be in the high teens and snowing, playing into the Steelers favor. The Chargers will make it a game no doubt. But I think the Steelers are just the better team, and will (hopefully) play like such but I'm not overly confident.

Steelers-17, Chargers-13

Baltimore Ravens over the Tennessee Titans

The Ravens are red hot right now and Joe Flacco's got me thinking about the year when the Steelers won the Super Bowl with Roethlisberger at the helm as a rookie. I feel like the extra time off hurts the Titans here too especially how hot the Ravens are right now. The Ravens have the D to shut down the run and make Collins beat them with the pass. Kerry Collins might be old but if forced to he can still beat teams....just not the Ravens. Flacco is plenty good enough to take advantage of the field position given to him by his D and gets some help along the way. I forsee a very defensive game.

Ravens-10 Titans-6

Chargers Take First Step to Turning Their Season Around

After starting this season as a trendy pick to take on the Cowboys in this year's superbowl the Chargers have come out and surprised everybody! They've kind of stunk! They find themselves 3-5 and in 2nd place in the AFC West. This team is WAAAAY too good to be 3-5 (especially with the way that Rivers has been playing lately).

So they flipped the first panic switch by firing D-Coordinated Ted Cottrell and replacing him with Ron Rivera. In my opinion this was the right move. I've always thought Rivera did a great job in Chicago and he has the tools to do great in San Diego now. I've never been a fan of Norv Turner and if it was up to me the second step would be to elevate Rivera to head coach, bumping Norv down to the offensive coordinator position. But let's not hold our breath on that one. Besides, the Chargers offense is certainly not the problem. Philip Rivers has emerged as one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL, and he's playing without LaDainian Tomlinson at full speed for most of the season.

This was the right move in my opinion giving the way this team's defense has been playing this year. I think this team still has a shot to turn it around and make the playoffs given their talent on both sides of the ball and their lousy division.

What do you think about this move? Will the Chargers still make their predicted Superbowl run?

2008 NFL Preview - AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers (11-5 in 2007)

The last we left the Norv Turner led San Diego Chargers, they were flailing away haplessly against the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. The game was best remembered for the heroic actions of QB Phillip Rivers playing on one leg and Superstar RB LaDanian Tomlinson on the bench and not heroically playing on one leg.

A look at this year's team shows very little has changed from last year. They are still a strong contender with a douchey QB and a bad coach. A lot of this teams success depends on the health of their stars. Everything I've read says Rivers is doing well but I have my doubts that he'll be able to be as effective as he was at the end of last season. LDT also has questions hanging over his head. How is his knee with all the mileage he put on it and is he tough enough to carry the load when it counts? Maybe trading Turner was a bad idea! Antonio Gates foot issues were also a big loss for them at the end of last season. If he is healthy, he changes the dynamic of the offense. If he is hurt forget it. A full season with Chris Chambers along with a healthy Gates give the Chargers a legit passing game. With all that said this team is head and shoulders above the rest of the division and possibly the most all-around talented team in the NFL....the 2nd easiest schedule in the league doesn't hurt either!

They started 1-3 last year and still managed to win the division by 4 games. In any other division I'd have more concerns but I think the Bolts are fine in the AFC West this year.

Predicted Finish: 12-4

2. Denver Broncos (7-9 in 2007)

The Bronco's were retooling last year and have a good young nucleus back for this season. Cutler knows that he's diabetic now, and knows how to deal with it. You would think he would have a better year. Psychotic WR Brandon Marshall is suspended 3 games but I think should still put up good numbers this season, but obviously the team would fair better with him for the whole year. The problem is that the run defense collapsed overnight. Denver went from 12th against the run in 2006 to 30th in 2007. The Broncos really haven’t done anything to fix that problem. In a division with Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, and Darren McFadden, that is a risky proposition. All the teams in this division would love nothing more than to stay committed to the running game.

I think the Broncos will compete with the Browns and Titans for the final playoff spot. I think Cutler, Marshall, and Young will all have nice years. I also think the Broncos have too many issues with their running game. I look for the Broncos to better their 2007 record, but miss the playoffs by a game to the Browns. The Browns’ defense is nothing to write home about, but their offense is a lot more explosive.

Predicted Finish: 8-8

3. Oakland Raiders (4-12 in 2007)

Things are getting better for Oakland. They are getting a young nucleus of players on offense and are starting to bring some talent in on defense. The Raiders and Jets were the most active teams in free agency and fans are going to be excited that a winning season is near.
They still have a few problems. San Diego has a young nucleus in place and is not ready to surrender the division to Oakland. Denver also has a young nucleus on offense and while they have their own troubles on defense, they have better receivers, offensive line, and secondary. It is going to be hard for the Raiders to break through that in 2008.

The Raiders have a few pieces to the puzzle on both offense and defense and I think you can expect to see it take shape a little more. The hardest thing to find is the quarterback. The Chiefs don’t look like they have found their quarterback, which is worse than the Raiders who are still determining if they have found theirs. As it stands right now, though, they will play teams competitively, probably win some games against the likes of Baltimore, Kansas City, Miami, NY Jets, Buffalo, Atlanta. They're on the upswing!

Predicted Finish: 6-10

4. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12 in 2007)

I thought the Chiefs had a great draft. In my opinion, it was the best in the NFL. That said, I also maintain the Colts and Patriots could have had the best draft in the NFL had they traded Brady or Manning. The only reason the Chiefs had the best draft is they traded their best player in Jared Allen. While that may turn out to be a great move for the future, it doesn’t necessarily translate into winning a lot of games the following year.

The Chiefs just don’t have a lot of good things going for them now. They used to have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. They don’t anymore! Johnson used to be the second best back in football. He is barely a top 10 back right now. Croyle and Huard are below average quarterbacks. The defense is rebuilding. This is a team in transition.

I look for Gonzalez and Bowe to have good seasons. I think Johnson will have a rebound year (1,000 to 1,100 yards and 7-9 touchdowns). However, what gains they make on offense are going to be offset by a rebuilding defense that lost its best player. This is a 3-win team in my opinion. However, the lack of strength in their division and their relatively easy schedule should get them to five wins.

Predicted Finish: 5-11

2007 AFC Predictions

With the NFL Season only two days away, it seems proper to do some predictions.

East
1. Patriots
Definitely the most talented team and best coached team in NFL. The WR corps will be very solid after adding Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, and Wes Walker. Now that Corey Dillon is gone, I believe Laurence Maroney will be one of the top rushers in the AFC and should get plenty of carries and yards if he can stay healthy. The Defense is one of the best in the league which includes the best defensive front along with new addition at LB in Roosevelt Colvin.

2. Jets
The Jets are primed to show everyone that last year was no fluke. The Jets have plenty of question marks. Who knows who the starting QB will be by the end of the season. Chad Pennington is just too inconsistent, I see Kelly Clemens starting not before long. Thomas Jones was a great off-season pickup, it seems Jets' RBs always accumulate a ton of yards so Jones should put up some good numbers if he stays healthy. The defense is mediocre and young and will have a hard time stopping the run.

3. Bills
I still think the Bills are another year away from contending for the top spot. The offense should produce and be able to put up some impressive numbers; J.P. Losman looks like a true QB, Lee Evans is a great WR, and Marshawn Lynch will be a great back with his strength and speed. The defense will be holding them back after losing Nate Clements, London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes

4. Dolphins
The Dolphins have too many issues. Trent Green? Come on now. That alone speaks for itself...

North
1. Bengals
I truly think this is the Bengals' year to win the north. The offense is no doubt one of the best in the league with Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J.Houshmandzadeh, and Rudi Johnson leading the way. I think the defense will be very productive this year, the line is very underrated and the LBs and secondary are loaded with play makers who can create some turnovers and get some big stops.

2. Ravens
The Defense is stellar, including the best secondary in the NFL and will keep them in every game. But the offense seems to be stagnant at times. McNair is old and other than Willis McGahee they lack big play makers on offense.

3. Steelers
The offense will be great with Ben Roethlisberger, Willie Parker, and Hines Ward. I think the Steelers can bounce back but Mike Tomlin won't center the offense around Parker, which is a huge mistake.

4. Browns
It's going to be a long season for the Browns. They have QB problems, not to mention a semi-tough schedule. Brady Quinn will be starting not before too long.

South
1. Colts
The Super Bowl champs will contend for another title. We all know the offense is great and will be able to put up loads and loads of points, but the defense still needs to improve. I think Anthony Gonzalez will be a great No. 3 WR and Joseph Addai is one of the premier backs in the league. Addai's role will expand and should put up some impressive numbers.

2. Jaguars
The Jags definitely have a solid defense but I dont know how far David Garrard is capable of taking this team. Maurice Jones-Drew is a solid back but they need the WRs to step up.

3. Titans
Vince Young is a good QB but still needs to find some kind of rhythm in the NFL. The offense doesn't have any other big-time threats. Give the Titans one or 2 more years.

4. Texans
Do I really even need to explain?

West
1. Chargers
The offense is splendid and guess what? Norv Turner said Ladainian Tomlinson will be even more involved in the offense, even though it seemed he was involved in about 90% of their plays last season. The defense will continue to be one of the best in the NFL.

2. Broncos
Denver will be improved from last season, I see Travis Henry rushing for over 1,500 yards. Jay Cutler will be more comfortable behind center and Javon Walker will have one of his best seasons yet.

3. Chiefs
The offense has plenty of holes to fill and will be worse than mediocre. The defense is pretty talented but won't be enough to get them above 5 wins.

4. Raiders
Still have plenty of problems on the offense but the defense is very promising and should help them win a few games. I am still baffled by the recent signing of Daunte Culpepper.

AFC Title Game Prediction:
New England over Cincinnati