NFL Playoff Predictions

Week 17 of the 2009 NFL season hasn't finished yet, so we won't know who will be in the playoffs until Sunday.

These predictions are based on what I think will happen this Sunday.

Houston beats New England, Miami beats the Steelers, Minnesota beats New York Giants, Phily beats Dallas, Denver beats Kansas, Baltimore beats Oakland ,Green Bay beats Arizona and finally Cincinnati beats New York Jets.

This would put the seedings like this:

AFC
1. Indianapolis Colts
2. San Diego Chargers
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. New England Patriots
5. Baltimore Ravens
6. Denver Broncos

NFC
1. New Orleans Saints
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Arizona Cardinals
5. Green Bay Packers
6. Dallas Cowboys

AFC Wildcard - # 6 Denver Broncos @ #3 Cincinnati Bengals

This game will be a week 1 rematch where the Brandon Stokley miracle happened. Denver was down 7-6 with 30 seconds remaining on their side of the field.

Orton threw the ball to Marshall, it got tipped and Stokley came down with it and went 87 yards to seal away the 12-7 win.

This game will probably be as close as the last one with great defense being involved. Carson Palmer hasn't necessarily been lighting it up on fire and Denver has a great pass defense.

The Bengals' defense is fourth in the league that can defend the pass and run.

Expect this game to be won on a field goal with no time left on the clock.

Prediction: Denver 23 Cincinnati 20

NFC Wildcard - #6 Dallas Cowboys @ #3 Minnesota Vikings

Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings have been in a bit of a slump by losing three out of their last four games since starting the season 12-1.

Many people were expecting a first round bye and maybe the could of caught up to the Saints and get home field advantage.

Not anymore. They might not even get a bye seeing as Phily only needs a win to get it. And since the Vikings are in the 3rd seed right now I'm assuming they won.

Dallas on the other hand has made every one forget about their December woes by handing New Orleans their first loss and beating the Redskins the next week 17-0.

They could still win the division next week and possibly the #2 seed but I don't see it happening.

I envision another year where the Cowboys don't win a playoff game. They will get beat physically and Tony Romo will not know what happened.

Prediction: Dallas 17 - Minnesota 31

AFC Wildcard - #5 Baltimore Ravens @ #4 New England Patriots

This is a rematch of week 4 where the Patriots played at home against Baltimore and won 27-21.

New England have been dominant at home all year long with a perfect 8-0 record. And since they have this game at home I'm predicting they're gonna come away with a win.

It will be a hard fought game but I see captain clutch Brady marching down field near the end of the game to win with a field goal.

Baltimore's weakness is in the pass defense and that is New England's strength. New England will probably not try to run that much because they don't have any stellar backs to go against Ray Lewis and their ferocious run defense.

Prediction: Baltimore 21 - New England 24

NFC Wildcard - # 5 Green Bay Packers @ #4 Arizona Cardinals

A week 17 rematch where I predicted Green Bay to win and since it's in Arizona again, I see the same result happening.

Aaron Rodgers has shown Green Bay fans that they can move on without Favre and he will show them again against Arizona in the playoffs.

Arizona will not be another Cinderella story this year as people are aware that they are actually pretty good and the Packers will be ready for it.

Even if the Packers O line hasn't been able to keep Rodgers up, he has still been putting up stellar numbers and I see him being the reason they win the game.

Prediction: Green Bay 28 - Arizona 17

AFC Divisional - #6 Denver Broncos @ #1 Indianapolis Colts

Another rematch in the playoffs, where it was the first game Manning threw three interceptions and won the game. The Broncos out played them but lost the game.

I see Denver winning. Before you call me a crazy Broncos fan please read on.

It has been shown in the past that when Indy rests their starters they usually have a first game exit.

The one year they won the Super Bowl they had to play all the way to week 17 to get into the post season and play the wild card weekend also. They had the rhythm and momentum going with them.

However with these Colts, their last meaningful game was against the Broncos three weeks ago. They rested their starters last week and have lost their rhythm. Their first playoff game won't be for another two weeks.

Denver on the other hand will have momentum from the wild card game and last time they were in Indy they almost won. Why not win this time?

Prediction: Denver 24 - Indianapolis 21

NFC Divisional - # 5 Green Bay Packers @ #1 New Orleans Saints

The Saints are in a downward spiral after losing two in a row to the Cowboys and the lowly Bucs after starting the season 13-0.

The Packers will be coming off back to back wins over Arizona into New Orleans.

I think the Packers can beat the Saints at home especially if they lose week 17. They are just not the same and with the bye they will lose more rhythm. The bye tends to do more harm than good.

Statistics show the first place team doesn't usually reach the Superbowl and in these predictions i have both first place teams knocked out in the divisional round.

The Packers will go out to an early lead but Brees and the Saints will come back and force the game into overtime where whoever gets the coin toss wins. And I'm predicting the Packers to do so.

Prediction: Green Bay 20 - New Orleans 17 OT

AFC Divisional - #4 New England Patriots @ #2 San Diego Chargers

San Diego will roll into the playoffs with 11 straight wins and kill the Patriots.

New England plays horribly on the road and the Chargers have been playing the best football out of any team right now.

Rivers will start the game with a long TD pass and put the game away early. With two very tall receivers and Antonio Gates, Rivers can just throw it up there and they usually come down with it.

Brady will not be able to orchestra a comeback because the deficit will be too much.

Even though the Charger defense isn't that good, their offense is amazing. San Diego will be sprinting into the AFC championship.

Prediction: New England 27 - San Diego 34

NFC Divisional - #3 Minnesota Vikings @ #2 Philadelphia Eagles

Phily has won 5 straight games, it would be 6 including week 17 but I can't say anything because it hasn't happened yet.

Minnesota would be leaving the comfort of their dome and going out to Pennsylvania where there will probably be snow.

The Eagles have a really high flying offense with one of the best play makers in Desean Jackson.

Since Westbrook's absence many players have emerged and now Westbrook is back and playing pretty well.

Adrian Peterson will probably fumble this game which will help the Eagles win the game. I don't think they'll win off the fumble but it will cost Minnesota the chance to comeback.

Prediction: Minnesota 20 - Eagles 27

AFC Championship - #6 Denver Broncos @ #2 San Diego Chargers

Yes this probably looks like a dream to you, but it is a big possibility.

I think Denver's season will be over though. Yes, they beat San Diego on the road but they were on to their slow start they have every year.

The Chargers have also beaten Denver at home 32-3 which is a pretty embarrasing loss for the Broncos.

They will look to redeem themselves, but San Diego will squeeze out a win.

It will be strength vs. strength: Denver pass defense vs. San Diego pass offense.

Nonetheless it will be an entertaining game.

Prediction: Denver 17 - San Diego 24

NFC Championship - #5 Green Bay Packers @ #2 Philadelphia Eagles

Another year, another NFC Championship appearance for the Eagles. Mcnabb and Andy Reid have been to five of them only winning one.

Well here comes win number two.

This will be another exciting NFC Championship involving the Packers like the one we saw in '07 which will likely come down to the wire.

David Akers, one of the better kickers in the league, will boot a field goal to win the game for Phily and to their second Super Bowl appearance of the decade.

Prediction: Green Bay 17 - Philadelphia 20

Super Bowl XLIV - Philidelphia Eagles vs San Diego Chargers

Super bowl XLIV - Chargers vs. Eagles

This will be one of the most offensive Super bowls in history with both of these offenses being in the top of the NFL for scoring points.

It will probably be a very exciting Super Bowl to watch because both of these teams enjoy doing the long pass play.

As much as it pains me to say it the Chargers will end up winning their first Lombardi Trophy while the Eagles will have come so close to getting their first.

Prediction: San Diego 38 - Philadelphia 35