2012 Conference Championship Predictions

AFC

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

Sunday, Jan. 22 – 2:00 p.m. CT

Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA)

Baltimore linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs engineer an impressive effort to stymie the New England’s terrific tight end tandem (of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez). No matter, Tom Brady uses his trusty safety valve, Wes Welker, instead. Welker nabs 9 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown as Brady’s mighty Patriots offense continues to soar. New England tops the Ravens for its tenth straight win and a ticket to Super Bowl XLVI. Patriots win, 30-24

NFC

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers

Sunday, Jan. 22 – 5:30 p.m. CT

Candlestick Park (San Francisco, CA)

San Francisco’s magical ride ends today. After a spectacular victory last week against New Orleans, Jim Harbaugh’s hard-hitting crew cannot halt the Giants. Eli Manning continues his torrid play and New York’s vaunted pass rush harasses Alex Smith into disarray. Manning throws for 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Giants advance to the Super Bowl. Giants win, 24-17.

** New York’s win also sets up a rematch of the 2008 title game, where Eli’s Giants wrecked the Patriots’ push at perfection.

2012 NFL Wild Card Round Predictions

NFC

Wild Card Round

SAINTS over lions

Everyone who’s expecting a high-scoring affair will not be disappointed. The Saints are 8-0 at home this season. Drew Brees has thrown for 2,624 yards and 29 touchdowns (to six interceptions) at a 72.0 % completion rate at the Superdome. Oh yeah, and the Saints have scored 41.1 points per game there this year. Needless to say, there’s something special brewing in the Bayou … Sorry, Lions. You’ve had a nice run but the roar ends here. Saints win, 37-27.

GIANTS over falcons

For wide receivers in the NFC, there’s Megatron (Detroit Pro Bowler Calvin Johnson) and there’s … Victor Cruz?! Johnson is having a mammoth year for the Lions, but guess who’s not far behind. Cruz, an undrafted rookie out of Massachusetts, caught 82 passes for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Only Johnson yielded a higher yardage total than Cruz. Also, only Johnson had more 40-plus yard receptions (10) than Cruz (9). Lined up opposite Hakeem Nicks (76 receptions, 1,192 rec yards and 7 TDs), Eli Manning’s new favorite weapon has made New York a premiere passing offense … Atlanta has a nice passing attack of it’s own – QB Matt Ryan (4,177 pass yards, 29 TDs), WRs Roddy White (100 recs, 8 TDs) and Julio Jones (959 rec yards, 8 TDs), as well as a fine running back (Michael Turner – 1,340 rush yards, 11 TDs). But the Giants pass rush, featuring Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck, will provide New York the advantage in this one. Giants win, 27-24.

AFC

Wild Card Round

steel over BRONCOS

A hobbled Ben Roethlisberger is better than a healthy Tim Tebow. And having the league’s top defense in both points (14.2 ppg) and yards (271.8 ypg) allowed doesn’t hurt Pittsburgh’s chances as well. Roethlisberger manages to throw for 200 yards and a touchdown. But it’s back-up running back Issac Redman who takes the leading role in this game … Denver’s only shot in this game is if Tebow stays pick-free and keeps the game close down the stretch. Neither one happens. The Steelers D picks Tebow twice and Redman paces Pittsburgh’s offense with career highs in carries and yardage. Steelers win, 24-6.

bengals over TEXANS

It’s an exciting time for the players and fans of both these teams. Houston makes its first playoff appearance, ever. Cincinnati rebounds from a 4-12 season to make it to the postseason for only its third time since 1990. Both teams have stout defenses. Both have decent offenses with rookie quarterbacks. But Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton is better than Houston’s T.J. Yates. … On defense, the Bengals shutdown Yates and contain Houston’s dynamic running duo of Arian Foster and Ben Tate. On offense, Dalton works his chemistry with Bengals rookie WR A.J. Green, connecting with him for a clutch fourth-quarter touchdown to give his team the edge. Bengals win, 20-17.

NFL 2012 Playoff Predictions

NFC

Seeds: (1) Green Bay Packers (2) San Francisco 49ers (3) New Orleans Saints

(4) New York Giants (5) Atlanta Falcons (6) Detroit Lions

Wild Card Round

SAINTS over lions

GIANTS over falcons

Divisional Round

saints over NINERS

PACK over giants

NFC Championship

saints over PACK

AFC

Seeds: (1) New England Patriots (2) Baltimore Ravens (3) Houston Texans

(4) Denver Broncos (5) Pittsburgh Steelers (6) Cincinnati Bengals

Wild Card Round

steel over BRONCOS

bengals over TEXANS

Divisional Round

PATS over bengals

RAVENS over steel

AFC Championship

PATS over ravens

Super Bowl XLVI

Saints over Patriots

NFL Week 17 Predictions

SUNDAY (EARLY GAMES)

VIKES 24, bears 17

Jared Allen is a man on a mission. The Vikings' fiery defensive end is determined to dominate against the Bears today for two key reasons – a shot at the all-time NFL single-season sack record and the prevention of his team tying Minnesota’s franchise-worst 3-13 record. Allen anchors the defense and Percy Harvin has a big day on offense and special teams as the Vikes prevail at home.

lions 27, PACK 23

These past two weeks Matthew Stafford has passed for a combined 764 yards and 7 touchdowns with zero interceptions. The Detroit QB continues his hot play at Lambeau today as the Lions defeat Green Bay.

niners 24, RAMS 3

San Francisco’s stock continues to rise as St. Louis’ continues to plummet. The Niners roll past the Rams and into the playoffs as the NFC’s No. 2 seed.

Jets 21, FINS 14

Coming off a pair of disappointing losses, the Jets still have playoff hope. Reggie Bush has rushed for more than 500 yards in Miami’s last four games. With Bush out with a knee injury today, his team will sorely miss him. The Dolphins’ loss is New York’s gain as the Jets get the win in South Beach.

PATS 27, bills 17

Tom Brady leads New England to a three-touchdown lead at halftime as the Patriots cruise past Buffalo to claim home field advantage in the AFC playoffs.

SAINTS 34, panthers 27

Drew Brees continues his MVP-worthy season today against Carolina. The Saints quarterback tacks on another 300 yards to his single-season NFL record passing total and New Orleans defeats Cam Newton’s Panthers in an offensive showdown in the Bayou.

EAGLES 30, skins 17

Philadelphia gives its fans an appetizing preview for next season as the Eagles blow by the Redskins to end its season on a high note with four straight wins.

JAGS 20, colts 16

In an otherwise disappointing season in Jacksonville, Maurice Jones-Drew carries home the NFL rushing crown today as the Jags top the Colts at home.

TEXANS 17, titans 14

In preparation for its first playoff appearance, Houston’s defense picks off Matt Hasselbeck and stymies Chris Johnson to end its regular season with a win.

SUNDAY (LATE GAMES)

FALCONS 38, bucs 17

The bumbling Buccaneers end its despicable season on a 10-game losing streak as the team is crushed by its division foe Falcons in Atlanta today.

BENGALS 20, ravens 17 (in OT)

In a nip-and-tuck defensive battle at Cincinnati, the Bengals secure a playoff spot by edging Baltimore in overtime.

steel 16, BROWNS 6

The Browns finish their season with a spirited effort at home today. But Pittsburgh’s defense is just too strong for Cleveland’s feeble offense to overcome. The Steelers get the win and nail down the AFC’s No. 2 seed.

chiefs 21, BRONCOS 17

Kyle Orton returns to Denver today and capitalizes on his chance to exact revenge on his former team. Orton’s Chiefs beat the Broncos, dampening its division foe’s playoff hopes.

chargers 24, RAIDERS 20

San Diego bounces back from a disappointing effort in Detroit last week as the Chargers defeat the Raiders in Oakland today.

Hawks 23, CARDS 20

Similar teams square off in Arizona this afternoon as the Seahawks face the Cardinals. Both teams had been hot down the stretch, but both teams were officially knocked out of playoff contention last week. In an evenly matched game, I’m giving the edge to Marshawn Lynch and the Hawks.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

GIANTS 34, boys 30

It should be an exciting NFL regular season finale in New York tonight, where the Giants face the Cowboys. In this installment of a heated division rivalry, the winner goes to the playoffs and the loser goes home. The Outcome? Eli Manning outduels Tony Romo as the Giants discard Dallas and earn the NFC East crown.

NFL Week 16 Predictions

SATURDAY (Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve) (EARLY GAMES)

vikes 27, SKINS 24

With the Colts’ improbable win Thursday night, there will assuredly be some Vikings fans out there who hope Minnesota loses its last two games with hopes of drafting Andrew Luck this spring. However, the coaches and the players have too much pride to not to play hard. Adrian Peterson has a monster game and the Purple get a long overdue win today.

BILLS 23, broncos 20

Speaking of wins far past due, how about those Bills? Buffalo overcomes Tebow’s late-game magic and get its first win since Oct. 30 today.

BENGALS 20, cards 16

Former Fordham Rams quarterback John Skelton leads his Cardinals into Cincinnati today on a four-game winning streak. But the Bengals are playing for a playoff bid and TCU alum Andy Dalton is poised to defend his home turf, leading Cincy in accomplishing a crucial victory.

jags 24, TITANS 20

Maurice Jones-Drew rumbles through Tennessee’s defense today, as the Jaguars upset the Titans in Nashville.

raiders 23, CHIEFS 20 (in OT)

Last week’s impressive upset victory over the Packers have suddenly given the Chiefs hope for a playoff birth. What? Chiefs? Playoffs? Oakland quickly dashes this hope, as Michael Bush rushes for 100 yards and leads his Raiders past its division rival in K.C.

PATS 34, fins 17

Tom Brady carries his fire from last week’s win at Denver onto his home field today. New England dumps the Dolphins with ease.

giants 27, JETS 23

It’s the Battle of the Big Apple today at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the New York Giants take on the New York Jets. With both teams fighting for playoff berths, it should be a no holes barred fight to the finish. In the end, Eli Manning redeems himself for his three-pick performance last week and leads his Giants to victory.

STEEL 17, rams 6

It’s a snooze fest in Pittsburgh today, where the Charlie Batch-led Steelers take on the Kellen Clemens-led Rams. Batch against a sub-par St. Louis defense is a better matchup than Clemens against a Pittsburgh defense ranked No. 1 against the pass. The Steelers overcome Big Ben’s absence, pick up the win and improve to 11-4.

PANTHERS 30, bucs 20

What happened to the 4-2 Tampa Bay team that beat the Saints on Oct. 16? Egad! They’ve lost eight games and have become a huge disappointment. Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers have won three of its past four games and surpassed the Bucs in the standings. The NFC south foes meet today in Charlotte, where Cam Newton continues his spectacular rookie season and Carolina tops Tampa by ten.

RAVENS 23, browns 10

The Browns defense proves to be no challenge for Ray Rice. The Ravens running back racks up a combined 160 rushing/receiving yards today, as Baltimore crushes Cleveland and completes its regular season home schedule a perfect 8-0.

SATURDAY (LATE GAMES)

chargers 31, LIONS 27

The resurgent Chargers continue its strong late-season play in Detroit today. San Diego contains Calvin Johnson, defeats the Lions for its fourth straight win and keep its improbable run at the playoffs alive.

BOYS 34, eagles 30

With the return of QB Michael Vick, the Eagles have suddenly become an exciting team once again. Philadelphia has destroyed its past two opponents by a combined 71-29 score and become relevant in the playoff picture again. At 8-6, Tony Romo and the Cowboys face a lot of pressure to defeat their NFC East foe at home this afternoon. Pressure can either make a team panic or give them energy to feed off of. Today, Romo is able to use the pressure to his benefit, as Dallas defeats Vick and the Eagles in an offensive showdown at Jerry World.

HAWKS 16, niners 13

An opposing team finally scores a rushing touchdown against San Francisco, as Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch carries the pigskin past the pie line today and the Seahawks upset the Niners.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (Dec. 25 – Christmas Day)

PACK 34, bears 10

Green Bay is an angry team after Kansas City ruined its perfect season last week. The Packers take out this frustration against the Bears tomorrow night and deliver their rivals some Christmas coal. Aaron Rodgers returns to precision form, passing for 300-plus yards as the Pack wins big.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

SAINTS 38, falcons 28

Drew Brees is on fire right now. Tomorrow night, the Saints QB torches the Falcons in a shootout and New Orleans rolls on to its seventh straight win.

NFL Week 15 Predictions

SUNDAY (NOON GAMES)

SAINTS 38, vikes 24

Drew Brees passes for 500 yards and seven touchdowns. Okay, maybe that’s a little steep. Let’s go with 400 yards and five touchdowns. The Saints punish the Purple.

BILLS 27, fins 17

Buffalo mercifully puts an end to its miserable six game skid. Ryan Fitzpatrick gets it together and hooks up with Stevie Johnson for a pair of touchdowns as the Bills top the Fins at home.

hawks 17, BEARS 10

Marshawn Lynch continues his dominant play. Lynch pounds the rock against the Bears in pacing Seattle past Chicago.

COLTS 20, titans 17 (in OT)

It’s hard to believe a team goes from 10-6 to 0-16 by losing just one player, even if that player is Peyton Manning. Somehow, someway, the Colts get it done today.

pack 27, CHIEFS 10

There will not be a 0-16 team this season, but there very likely will be a 16-0 team. The Cheese trump the Chiefs in K.C.

GIANTS 34, skins 24

Eli Manning flirts with his second consecutive 400-yard passing game today, as the Giants stomp the Redskins in New York.

TEXANS 23, panthers 17

The Texans’ defense and running game control the clock against Cam Newton and the Panthers at home today. Houston continues to overcome its key injuries and remarkably wins its eighth consecutive game.

SUNDAY (LATE GAMES)

lions 31, RAIDERS 23

Amazingly, the pass defense-challenged Vikings held Detroit WR Calvin Johnson in check last week. Not so much today. Matthew Stafford connects with his star receiver for a pair of scores as the Lions trounce the Raiders in Oakland.

pats 27, BRONCOS 17

How long can the Tebowing, Tebow Train, Tebow Time, Miracle Man, Divine Intervention – call it what you may – continue?! If Denver can neutralize New England and keep this game close, Tebow and the Broncos could very well win its seventh straight game. But that’s a pretty big if. Brady and Belichick prevail as the Pats win by ten.

EAGLES 20, jets 16

New York comes into Philadelphia today hoping to nail down a playoff spot. But Rex’s Crew doesn’t get it done. Michael Vick leads a revived Eagles attack and Philly entertains its suffering home fans with the win.

CARDS 24, browns 6

Cleveland has been stumbling and bumbling. Arizona has been very strong. Browns QB Seneca Wallace throws a pair of picks. Cardinals CB/PR rookie phenom Patrick Peterson touches pay dirt yet again. Arizona wins big.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

CHARGERS 23, ravens 20 (in OT)

In an entertaining, back-and-forth, nail-biter, San Diego survives Baltimore in overtime to keep its playoff hopes afloat.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

steel 17, NINERS 10

Surprise, surprise, Ben Roethlisberger plods through the pain and heroically leads his Steelers past the Niners in San Fran.