Are You Ready for Some (2016 NFL Playoff) Football?
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. But after the tree is tossed and the lights are packed away, I always feel a bit down. That is, until I think about the NFL playoffs! The Wildcard Weekend contests begin this Saturday and culminate in Super Bowl 50.
2016 NFL playoff bracket. Photo: sportingnews.com
My St. Louis Rams didn’t make the playoffs for the 11th consecutive year. Hopefully they’ll end their playoff drought next season. They have a great defense and a phenomenal running back in rookie Todd Gurley (who’s a Rookie-of-the-year nominee). All they need is a healthy O-line and a better-than-average QB.
Despite the Rams sitting on the sidelines, I still love the playoffs because football is my favorite sport. Plus we get to see the top players display their God given talents. Is there anything more exciting in all of sports than to watch a QB air out a 60-yard bomb to a receiver? I don’t think so Tim!
How Week 17 affected the playoffs
Let’s look at a few Week 17 games that impacted the playoff picture:
Jets lose, Steelers win: With Baltimore’s upset victory over Pittsburgh in Week 16, the Jets could grab a Wildcard spot with a win over the Bills in Week 17. However, Buffalo eked out the win, so Pittsburgh took the #6 spot. Personally I was happy about this because I’m eager to watch the Big Ben/ Antonio Brown show. Here’s a video of how Brown can decimate a defense. Wasn’t that an incredible somersault at the end of the play?
Steelers Antonio Brown’s somersault after TD. Video: NFL.com
Patriots lose, Broncos win: With NE’s loss and Denver’s win, the Bronco’s sealed the #1 AFC seed, while the Patriot’s slipped to #2. This gives Denver home field advantage, plus they play the lower seed in the Divisional round. The big question for Denver is who they will start at QB. Peyton Manning has playoff experience, but his performance has been lackluster, especially when facing New England. I think Denver should start Brock Osweiler.
Packers lose to the Vikings: Minnesota secured the NFC North divisional title by defeating Green Bay. This allows the Vikes to play at home vs Seattle (#6 seed), while the Packs have to hit the road to play the Redskins (#4 seed). This outcome actually favors Green bay because Seattle is very hot right now.
Wildcard weekend spreads and predictions:
Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) at Houston Texans, 40
Houston has won three games in a row, while KC has won an amazing ten straight. This is special, particularly since they started 1-5. Despite the Texans having home field advantage, and two great players in J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins, I pick the Chiefs to win their 11th straight game.
Seattle Seahawks (-5) at Minnesota Vikings, 39.5
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson finished the regular season as the NFL leader in carries (327) and rushing yards (1,485). However, Minnesota is too one-dimensional. Seattle keyed on this in Week 13 when they dominated the Vikings 38-7. Not to mention that Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is on fire. Seattle will take this game.
Green Bay Packers (-1) at Washington Redskins, 45
Redskins Kirk Cousins is one of the hottest QB’s, especially at home where he is 6-2. He’s also won four games in a row with three of them being on the road. With an over/ under of 46, this game could be a shootout between Cousins and Rodgers. Despite Rodgers’ playoff experience, he’s struggled the last few months. In the end, I’ll take Washington.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at Cincinnati Bengals, 45.5
Cincinnati’s QB Andy Dalton’s status for Saturday’s matchup is unknown. Ironically, Dalton broke the thumb on his throwing hand during a Dec. 13 home game against the Steelers- they won 33-20. Even if Dalton starts, Pittsburgh’s tough defense, combined with the aforementioned Roethlisberger/ Brown duo (plus many other weapons) will be too much for the Bengals.
Super Bowl 50 prediction
Looking ahead to the Super Bowl, I’m going out on a limb. I’m choosing the Steelers over the Panthers 31- 24. Pittsburgh would have to win three consecutive road games to get there. Only six wild card teams have won the Super Bowl since the addition of the wild card game in 1978. But the Steelers were one of them-they won the prize in 2005. And guess who was at the helm? Ben Roethlisberger.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger vs Browns. Photo: From Wikimedia Commons
I’d love to hear from you about this post as well as your playoff/ Super Bowl predictions. Please comment below!