'08-'09 NFL Playoff Predictions

The Steelers having this game at home will be a huge advantage, although they lost at home playoff game last year to the Jags. The Colts actually seem to do worse in the playoffs at home in recent years, having lost there in the divisional round in both 2005 and 2007.

The key is going to be which team can establish the running game and which quarterback will make the fewest mistakes. I would expect a very tough game going down to the wire with the Colts winning it at the end.

Score: Indianapolis Colts 28–Pittsburgh Steelers 24

NFC Wild Card Round

New York Giants (9-7) at New Orleans Saints (10-6)

The NY Giants will begin their title defense in the Big Easy. The Saints will look to win their first playoff game since they made the run to the NFC Championship Game in 2006.

I think the NY Giants will try to do the same things they did last postseason. They will try to run the ball, put pressure on the quarterback, and avoid the big turnover. I think the difference will be that the Saints have just enough firepower on offense to make up for the deficiencies they have on defense.

The Giants lost a lot of defenders this offseason, most notably future Hall of Famer Michael Strahan. Shockey gets his revenge against the Giants as the Saints win a close one.

Score: New Orleans Saints 27–New York Giants 21

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7)

I would also expect this to be a lopsided game. The Cardinals will be making their first playoff appearance since Jake Plummer led the Cardinals to the Divisional Round back in 1998.

While they are able to pass the ball, the Eagles have set up well to stop the pass with Asante Samuel, Brown, and Lito Shepherd. The Cardinals have no answer for Brian Westbrook, and Donovan McNabb will play a good game as well. Eagles win big.

Score: Philadelphia Eagles 38–Arizona Cardinals 20

AFC Divisional Round

Indianapolis Colts (12-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (13-3)

If this matchup came to life, what a treat this would be. The physical smash-mouth style of the Jaguars collides with the high-scoring air attack of the Colts. Divisional matchups in the playoffs are always intriguing.

The Jaguars usually play the Colts tough, and I would expect that the Jaguars could run the ball effectively against the smaller front of the Colts. The difference for the Jags is that, with the addition of Harvey and Graves, they will be able to put enough extra pressure on Manning to win a close game in Jacksonville.

Score: Jacksonville Jaguars 24–Indianapolis Colts 21

San Diego Chargers (12-4) at New England Patriots (13-3)

We’ve seen this matchup each of the last two years. Is this the year the Chargers can finally beat New England in the playoffs? I think the Chargers would have had a great chance to beat the Patriots last year had Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, and Philip Rivers all been healthy.

They put enough pressure on Tom Brady to disrupt the passing game, but just weren’t able to convert in the red zone on offense. Settling for four field goals in a playoff game is a recipe for disaster.

The Patriots are rebuilding their defense this season. Patriot fans will say that Brady never loses home playoff games, but then again, he never lost Super Bowls until last season. Still, I think the Patriots will find a way to do what they do best, win a close playoff game in the fourth quarter.

Score: New England Patriots 28–San Diego Chargers 21

NFC Divisional Round

New Orleans Saints (10-6) at Dallas Cowboys (12-4)

The Dallas Cowboys will have waited a year to atone for their home playoff loss to the New York Giants in 2007. This will be a good opponent for the Cowboys. A defense that Romo can look to put up some numbers against and build some confidence.

Both offenses will be able to move the ball. The Cowboys don’t have a perfect defense, but they will be able to make enough plays with their solid pass rush to stop Brees and the Saints. I look for the Cowboys to win a high-scoring game.

Score: Dallas Cowboys 42-New Orleans Saints 28

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) at Minnesota Vikings (11-5)

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