FanNation - The Republic of Sport

sry for the early screw up

Gu3???s NFL Playoff Predictions

         Many people think that the Super Bowl is already a lock with New England representing the AFC and either Dallas or Green Bay representing the NFC. I, however, see it differently.

Ok, let's start with the AFC Game 1: 3 Seed San Diego Chargers vs. 6 Seed Cleveland Browns/Tennessee Titans

      This is the only pending game in the AFC. The Browns are in with a Titans loss and the Titans are in with a Titans win. The Chargers have finally found their rhythm. They were not playing Chargers football early but they battled throughout the season and won the division. The defense of the Titans is lead by one player and one player only, Albert Haynesworth. That will not be enough for the Titans to stop the LT. The Cleveland Browns have really been playing great this year but they may not be able to stop the Steelers. They will even struggle to get into the playoffs with Indianapolis potentially resting Peyton, Wayne, Harrison, and Addai vs. the Titans.

My prediction is that the game is Chargers vs. Titans.

Chargers win easily 38-14

Game 2: Seed 4 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seed 5 Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars do have the better record but they don???t necessarily have the better team. Jacksonville Jaguars have an underrated team. They have an explosive run game with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones Drew. Their passing game is lead by David Garrard who has very good stats but they cannot depend on the pass. The Steelers??? run game was lost as an effect of Willie Parker???s season ending injury. They have to go to the pass which should be enough to beat this run stop defense.

My prediction is that the Pittsburgh passing game defiantly beats the run stop Jaguars

Steelers win 42-17

Game 3: Seed 1 New England Patriots vs. Seed 4 Pittsburgh Steelers

The perfect Patriots will look to continue being perfect against the Steelers. The Steelers are coming off a blowout win vs. the Jaguars and are looking to be the dark horse. But there is one problem. There is no Willie Parker. That is bad. You cannot beat the Pats by primarily passing. The Ravens/Pats game was almost won by the Ravens??? run game. Ben Roethlisberger will have to face off vs. Asante Samuel and Randall Gay. He is going to have a hard time. On the other side you have a good Steelers D vs. a perfect Patriots O.

I say the Pat???s go to 17-0 and beat the pass heavy Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pats win 38-19

Game 4: Seed 2 Indianapolis Colts vs. Seed 3 San Diego Chargers

Another great game just like the last. Peyton Manning must find a way to avoid Cromartie. Joseph Addai must not run into Shawne Merriman. The Colts O-line must provide time for Manning, open holes for Addai, and overall stop Merriman. The Colts have a very good O-line but Merriman also is very good. On the other side, you have the best player in the NFL in LT running, passing, and catching the ball. The Colts are without Dwight Freeney which could be a problem in stopping LT.

I say this is a very close game but the Chargers prevail with their unbelievable run game and their good pass defense.

Chargers win 24-21

AFC Conference Game: Seed 1 Patriots vs. Seed 3 Chargers

What a game this will be. The 17-0 New England Patriots who have escaped some games facing a red hot San Diego Chargers team. If you can recall the game that the Patriots most narrowly escaped all season. When the New England Patriots faced the Baltimore Ravens they thought it was a cupcake game with the Ravens struggling for a win. They were wrong. They Ravens set an example for the whole league as to how to beat the perfect Patriots. The Ravens??? Willis McGahee showed how to break down the defense. A team that wants to beat the Patriots must run the ball down their throat. Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle showed the NFL another example. They showed that if you cover Brady???s receivers and contain Randy Moss you can force them to go to their less effective run game. And lastly, Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs, Kelly Gregg, and Haloti Ngata showed the league that if you pressure Brady and his receivers are nicely covered, he can???t do much. If the Ravens had a better offense, they would have won that game. So, let???s review. In order to beat the Pats you must: Run effectively, cover his receivers, and pressure Brady. The Chargers have THE best running back in the NFL. They have a top defense lead by one of the best pass rushers in Shawne Merriman. They have the best CB in the AFC this year in Cromartie. Hmmm. Sounds like a recipe for an upset.

Chargers D prevail and LT leads the Chargers to his first Super Bowl. The Patriots wish they could have gotten a loss out of the way early. It is going to happen.

Chargers win 41-35

I will do NFC later