This is a very short post. Like I said yesterday, I don't have that much to talk about as far as the NFL is concerned. I like to let the season get underway before I begin to rant.
AFC Preview
AFC East
1. New York Jets (12-4)
2. Miami Dolphins (10-6)
3. New England Patriots (10-6)
4. Buffalo Bills (4-12)
Why They'll Win: They aren't as good as they think they are, and this isn't a division where they will just run away with the lead. However, the Jets did a nice job in the offseason, and having Darrelle Revis back in time for the regular season will help the already solid defense. With all their new components, plus a fiery coach, the Jets are just better than Miami and New England. It's the passing of the torch from New England to New York, because the Jets may have a hold on this division for years to come.
AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)
2. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-9)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-13)
Why They'll Win: Most people aren't ready to put the Bengals at number one in this division. The Ochocinco and T.O. combination could be a powder keg, and Baltimore is the class of the AFC in some people's eyes. I think that Cincinnati is capable not only of keeping their two receivers happy, but of beating Baltimore twice this season. Carson Palmer is still better than Joe Flacco, and I think that will ultimately be the difference when these teams meet each other this season.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts (13-3)
2. Houston Texans (9-7)
3. Tennessee Titans (8-8)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
Why They'll Win: I routinely feel bad for the Houston Texans, because for as good as they are, they always have to deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Pay no attention to the Colts 0-4 preseason record, because they will still be pretty darn good. Unless Houston has their best season in franchise history, or Vince Young and Tennessee surprise again, the Colts will win this division yet again, and by a sizable margin considering the talent in this division.
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos (10-6)
2. Oakland Raiders (9-7)
3. San Diego Chargers (7-9)
4. Kansas City Chiefs (3-13)
Why They'll Win: I think that this is one of the weakest divisions, but also one of the toughest to predict, in the entire NFL. Denver is either going to be pretty good, or pretty bad. Oakland is the chic pick for many people, but I'm not ready to hop on Oakland's bandwagon yet, because I'm skeptical that quarterback Jason Campbell can really lead them to a division title. San Diego's balloon was almost entirely deflated this past offseason, and I only expect problems out West from them. Kansas City just isn't there. Since someone has to stumble into the number one spot in the AFC West, I think the Broncos are most likely to do so. Josh McDaniels will not be on the hot seat; at least, not this year.
Playoffs
Wild Card
Baltimore (Wild Card) vs. Denver Broncos
Winner: Baltimore
Miami (Wild Card) vs. Cincinnati
Winner: Miami
Divisional
Baltimore vs. Indianapolis
Winner: Indianapolis
Miami vs. New York
Winner: New York
Conference Championship
New York vs. Indianapolis
Winner: Indianapolis
Okay, now that you've seen my predictions, you know that my conference champions are the Green Bay Packers and the Indianapolis Colts. I'm sure that you all have differing opinions, so I'd like to hear them. Before you sound off in the comments section or on the Around The Corn Sports Blog Facebook fan page, here is my prediction for Super Bowl XLV.
Super Bowl XLV
Green Bay Packers (NFC Champions) vs. Indianapolis Colts (AFC Champions)
Winner: Green Bay Packers
- K. Becks
Showing posts with label afc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label afc. Show all posts
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Wild Card Weekend
I had meant to post an entry yesterday to review the National Championship game and give a look back at some of my favorite games of the bowl season. However, due to the fact that the NFL Wildcard games start today, I'm going to have to put that on hold. As for the National Championship, I'm not saying anything that people haven't already said; it was a decent game, but we're left wondering "what if?"
Since the wildcard games start today, I've decided to give my picks for the games. Each week I'll make new picks as we work our way down to two teams. This year's matchups are particularly interesting, especially since many of these teams played each other just last week.
AFC Wildcard
New York vs. Cincinnati
I don't think that Cincinnati should be extremely concerned about last week's performance (other than the fact that they couldn't catch the ball). Carson Palmer needs to have a solid game against the tough Jets passing defense for Cincinnati to win. If he can do that, and Cincinnati can make Jets QB Mark Sanchez look like a nervous rookie in his first playoff appearance, then they will play another week.
Final Score: 24-17 Cincinnati
Baltimore vs. New England
The Patriots are pretty banged up heading into this one. Without wideout Wes Welker (say that one 5 times fast), guys such as Julian Edelman are going to have to step up big time. If the Ravens want to win this one, then RB Willis McGahee is going to need to gouge the Patriot defense much like he did last week against Oakland. The Patriots are 8-0 at home this season, and are also a perfect 7-0 at Gillette Stadium in the playoffs, but I think that the Ravens have the ability to win a close one. This game could be the most interesting of the wildcard weekend.
Final Score: 20-14 Baltimore
NFC Wildcard
Philadelphia vs. Dallas
This is probably the most anticipated matchup of the weekend. We will finally get to see if Tony Romo and Wade Phillips can win in the playoffs. Philadelphia has yet to beat Dallas this season, and trying to do that in Dallas will be no easy task. Time is running out for Donovan McNabb to get his Super Bowl ring, so he is going to need to play much better than he did last week if he wants to keep his season alive. Making Tony Romo revert to his previous late season play will be key for the Philly defense, and I think that they are capable of doing that.
Final Score: 35-33 Philadelphia
Green Bay vs. Arizona
This is my favorite game this weekend. I really don't want to see either team lose, because both have major upsides that are capable of taking them to the Super Bowl. Green Bay is one of the hottest teams in football right now, and QB Aaron Rodgers has been making people in Green Bay say "Brett who?" Arizona faces a tall task in stopping Rodgers, and I just don't see them doing it well enough. This game should be closer than last week's, but the "W" will go to the same team.
Final Score: 34-24 Packers
Like my picks? Think I have no idea what I'm talking about? I'd love to hear your comments. Shoot me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com or post a comment under this entry, and I'll try my best to get back to you in a timely manner. Thanks everyone.
- K. Becks
Since the wildcard games start today, I've decided to give my picks for the games. Each week I'll make new picks as we work our way down to two teams. This year's matchups are particularly interesting, especially since many of these teams played each other just last week.
AFC Wildcard
New York vs. Cincinnati
I don't think that Cincinnati should be extremely concerned about last week's performance (other than the fact that they couldn't catch the ball). Carson Palmer needs to have a solid game against the tough Jets passing defense for Cincinnati to win. If he can do that, and Cincinnati can make Jets QB Mark Sanchez look like a nervous rookie in his first playoff appearance, then they will play another week.
Final Score: 24-17 Cincinnati
Baltimore vs. New England
The Patriots are pretty banged up heading into this one. Without wideout Wes Welker (say that one 5 times fast), guys such as Julian Edelman are going to have to step up big time. If the Ravens want to win this one, then RB Willis McGahee is going to need to gouge the Patriot defense much like he did last week against Oakland. The Patriots are 8-0 at home this season, and are also a perfect 7-0 at Gillette Stadium in the playoffs, but I think that the Ravens have the ability to win a close one. This game could be the most interesting of the wildcard weekend.
Final Score: 20-14 Baltimore
NFC Wildcard
Philadelphia vs. Dallas
This is probably the most anticipated matchup of the weekend. We will finally get to see if Tony Romo and Wade Phillips can win in the playoffs. Philadelphia has yet to beat Dallas this season, and trying to do that in Dallas will be no easy task. Time is running out for Donovan McNabb to get his Super Bowl ring, so he is going to need to play much better than he did last week if he wants to keep his season alive. Making Tony Romo revert to his previous late season play will be key for the Philly defense, and I think that they are capable of doing that.
Final Score: 35-33 Philadelphia
Green Bay vs. Arizona
This is my favorite game this weekend. I really don't want to see either team lose, because both have major upsides that are capable of taking them to the Super Bowl. Green Bay is one of the hottest teams in football right now, and QB Aaron Rodgers has been making people in Green Bay say "Brett who?" Arizona faces a tall task in stopping Rodgers, and I just don't see them doing it well enough. This game should be closer than last week's, but the "W" will go to the same team.
Final Score: 34-24 Packers
Like my picks? Think I have no idea what I'm talking about? I'd love to hear your comments. Shoot me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com or post a comment under this entry, and I'll try my best to get back to you in a timely manner. Thanks everyone.
- K. Becks
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