Headed into the NFL playoffs, and I'm looking at the seedings to try to figure out what I think is going to happen.
I've already spent plenty of time explaining how flawed I think this year's Pats team is.
Yet they have a bye and have been a much better team at home. Will they make the AFC Championship once again?
AFC
6 vs 3 -- I think Indianapolis is the better team here, and I expect them to beat a crappy Houston team.
5 vs 4 -- LAC wins. In my mind the Chargers are the best team in the AFC despite their seeding.
That sets up:
6 vs 1 -- KC wins this battle of two offensive teams with gunslinger QBs.
5 vs 2 -- Pats are a better team at home, but I think the Chargers are the better team by a good margin. Just more dangerous with a younger QB. I think LAC wins this one.
5 vs 1 -- Balanced LAC team w/ the veteran QB vs the offensive KC team w/ a young gunslinger and veteran HC. I just can't imagine Andy Reid not finding a way to mess this up. I pick LAC.
NFC
6 vs 3 -- Philly has the SB mystique, but the Bears are a better team. Their defense will be too much for Foles.
5 vs 4 -- Seattle is the better, more playoff tested team. Better HC, better QB, better defense. They'll win.
3 vs 2 -- The Rams offense is almost as great as the Bears defense. Neither team has a great QB. I think the Bears could win this, but I think home field and a great running game will give the Rams the edge.
5 vs 1 -- Saints are at home and a better team than Seattle, I think. Much more potent offense and a solid defense. Saints win.
2 vs 1 -- This is a rematch from a game in November of this season that the Saints won 45-35. I think the Rams win this time.
That would make the Super Bowl -- Rams vs Chargers. An All-LA Super Bowl!
I mean, who knows. In a single elimination tournament anything can happen, it's not that crazy for any team to get hot for four straight.
I'd love to see Phillip Rivers win a SB before the end of his career. He's had a lot of painful years playing for the Chargers, a team with more than a fair share of bad luck.
It wouldn't shock me if the Bears make it to the SB and win by simply making every game ugly and dominating with defense the way the Broncos did a few years ago.
The Saints have home field for the NFC playoffs and Brees has been good. With that said, their offense is not quite on the same level as the Rams, and their defense is solid but not a game-breaking unit like the Bears.
If I had to put money on a team, I think I'd put it on the Rams. Best NFC team by DVOA. Elite offense and a decent defense with some dangerous playmakers.