Football Predictions, and Other Conformities to the Norm

So...heh.

Well, to start off...I didn't exactly Watch a lot of pro football this year. I got a bit distracted part-way through the season and started doing a lot more theatre, etc. Nevertheless, here are my predictions for the NFL postseason. Some of you nonexistent readers may ask why I presume so, to make predictions without knowing what I'm talking about. To you, imaginaria, I say this: LOOK AT THE NAME OF MY BLOG!

Anyway...

Here's a nice bracket for you. I will now break down said bracket, going weekend by weekend.

(Everyone always starts with the AFC, maybe because they've been more successful recently. I'm going to start with the NFC, because it's more interesting to me.)


Wild Card Round

The National Football Conference

Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) at Dallas Cowboys (11-5), Saturday, January 9, 8 pm ET

Philadelphia 21, Dallas 17--The Eagles prove that the shutout was a hiccup, nothing more, but Dallas nearly rallies to win it.

Green Bay Packers (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (10-6), Sunday, January 10, 4.40 pm ET

Green Bay 28, Arizona 10--The Packers continue to peak at the right time; Woodson's injury doesn't slow him, and Arizona's streaky offense looks lost.

The American Football Conference

New York Jets (9-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (10-6), Saturday, January 9, 4.30 pm ET

New York 21, Cincinnati 13--New York surprises the Bengals for the second time in two weeks and ends their dubious Cinderella story.

Baltimore Ravens (9-7) at New England Patriots (10-6), Sunday, January 10, 1 pm ET

New England 24, Baltimore 14--Wes Welker's injury slows the Patriots, but it doesn't stop them. Baltimore plays from behind the entire game.


Divisional Round

The National Football Conference

Philadelphia Eagles (12-5) at New Orleans Saints (13-3), Saturday, January 16

New Orleans 31, Philadelphia 28--New Orleans struggles defensively, but Philadelphia's rally is the one that falls short this time.

Green Bay Packers (12-5) at Minnesota Vikings (12-4), Sunday, January 17

Green Bay 23, Minnesota 21--In a rivalry that only seems to get hotter as time passes, Green Bay avenges two regular-season losses in dramatic fashion, with a field goal as time expires.

The American Football Conference

New York Jets (10-7) at San Diego Chargers (13-3), Saturday, January 16

San Diego 31, New York 7--In the first true blowout of the playoffs, San Diego runs roughshod over the outclassed Jets, dominating on both sides of the ball.

New England Patriots (11-6) at Indianapolis Colts (14-2), Sunday, January 17

Indianapolis 24, New England 20--Indianapolis plays from ahead for most of the game, but the Colts' weakness against the run keeps New England in the game.


Championship Round

The National Football Conference Championship

Green Bay Packers (13-5) at New Orleans Saints (14-3), Sunday, January 24

New Orleans 21, Green Bay 16--New Orleans finally clicks again, and Green Bay's offense can't get it together. Green Bay has to settle for field goals on three trips inside the red zone, and their offensive line can't protect Rodgers. New Orleans' offense overpowers Woodson and the Packer defense, and reminds everyone why the Saints started 13-0.

The American Football Conference Championship

San Diego Chargers (14-3) at Indianapolis Colts (15-2), Sunday, January 24

San Diego 34, Indianapolis 28--San Diego continues its hot streak, winning its 13th straight and surprising the Colts. The two worst rushing teams in the league combine for a pass-happy score-fest, but San Diego scores last in a back-and-forth affair with little defensive ability displayed.


Super Bowl XLIV

San Diego Chargers (15-3) vs. New Orleans Saints (15-3), Sunday, February 7

San Diego 38, New Orleans 21--The score is deceptive; this is San Diego's game all the way. The Chargers continue their hot streak and decimate an off-balance Saints defense. New Orleans scores twice in the 4th quarter, but it's too little, too late, as San Diego wins their first Super Bowl.

So...there it is. We'll see how terribly wrong I end up being...

Long live predictions!