The AFC playoff picture may seem to be a simple snapshot to some, as the 13-3 Tennessee Titan and 12-4 Pittsburgh Steeler fans would like to lead you to believe, but the most dangerous teams in the AFC playoffs do not possess the best records.
The 11-5 Baltimore Ravens are a very scary and intimidating foe, and I see them having little trouble traveling to 11-5 Miami and ruining the Dolphins' Super Bowl dreams. I am NOT taking anything away from the Dolphins' wonderful accomplishments this year. The Ravens are just a very physical defensive unit that can put up some points, and unlike previous years, they have an offense that can move the ball and score also.
Baltimore Ravens 29, Miami Dolphins 21
The 12-4 Indianapolis Colts are once again going to be in for a surprise from 8-8 San Diego, which seems to have now found its running game and has the NFL's top rated quarterback at the helm.
Let's not forget that San Diego has basically owned this series in recent years with the exception of a close game (three points) earlier this year. The Chargers seem to come to life when Peyton Manning is around, be it knocking the Colts from the undefeated ranks or just out of playoff competition altogether.
San Diego Chargers 37, Indianapolis Colts 35
The 11-5 Baltimore Ravens have not only the necessary talent on offense and defense, but also the best shot of all the AFC's invitees to knock off the 13-3 Tennessee Titans in their own backyard. The Ravens defense will out-physical and intimidate the Titan offensive unit, and on offense the Raven running attack will dominate the Titan defensive front, exposing a weakness in these Titans very few teams can.
The Titans play great against the finesse teams, but when it's smashmouth football time, Tennessee folds like a bad poker hand. Baltimore throws the knockout punch in this matchup.
Baltimore Ravens 21, Tennessee Titans 17
The 8-8 San Diego Chargers will travel to 12-4 Pittsburgh on quite a roll. Not even the wind and snow will help cool these Chargers off at this point. Knowing they could very well have stomped these Steelers in Pittsburgh earlier this year, if not for blown opportunities and blown calls, the 11-10 Pittsburgh victory could have been a very different story. This time, it is.
Phillip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, and Darren Sproles and teammates light up the boards.
San Diego Chargers 36, Pittsburgh Steelers 24
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
San Diego Chargers 31, Baltimore Ravens 30
Why, you say? Jet lag for Baltimore... :(
14 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
j d 6 months ago
Hey dude, what are you thinking? I'm in no way saying the Titans will win the Super Bowl. In fact, I agree that the Ravens could very well end up in Tennessee in 2 weeks and get a victory. But to say that the Titans fold when they play smash-mouth football is just plain wrong. They're a smash-mouth team. This season they beat the Steelers, Vikings, Bears, and, watch this, the Ravens.
And don't give me the crap about them only beating the Ravens because of a bad call by the refs. True, the call was beneficial to the Titans and a borderline one at best but it was on 3rd down so they would have had another shot to extend drive anyway even if they hadn't gotten the call and they did drive 60+ yards on the Ravens AFTER that call. So don't tell me the Titans fold when playing smash-mouth teams.
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j d 6 months ago
Hey dude, what are you thinking? I'm in no way saying the Titans will win the Super Bowl. In fact, I agree that the Ravens could very well end up in Tennessee in 2 weeks and get a victory. But to say that the Titans fold when they play smash-mouth football is just plain wrong. They're a smash-mouth team. This season they beat the Steelers, Vikings, Bears, and, watch this, the Ravens.
And don't give me the crap about them only beating the Ravens because of a bad call by the refs. True, the call was beneficial to the Titans and a borderline one at best but it was on 3rd down so they would have had another shot to extend drive anyway even if they hadn't gotten the call and they did drive 60+ yards on the Ravens AFTER that call. So don't tell me the Titans fold when playing smash-mouth teams.
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Mike Meadows 6 months ago
LOL i hope your right
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todd stier 6 months ago
J,
Im not taking anything away from the Titans accomplishments, but the only smash-mouthed team you have up there on your list aside from the Ravens that got SERIOUSLY CHEESED by Tennessee, is Pittsburgh... which is suffering some hard-core offensive problems. But good luck with Baltimore J, I wouldnt wish that team upon ANYBODY as brutal as they are playing right now.
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Henry Gula 6 months ago
Even if San Diego beats the Colts, they already got manhandled by the Steelers once this year, and as long as Ben Roethlisberger's playing, that's going to happen again. Whatever happens, it's highly unlikely that the Chargers go to the super bowl this year. Last year was the chance, but the Patriots beat them. Hey anything can happen though, I just don't think it will.
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todd stier 6 months ago
Manhandled? 11-10? When they didnt have a running game? Hey, anything can happen...
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Mike Meadows 6 months ago
If rivers wouldnt have thrown a pick at the 20 yrd line b4 the half they woulda won 13 to pry 8 cause the steeler woulda had to go for the td on 4th and goal on the7
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todd stier 6 months ago
lol... I know, Ol Henry says they got "manhandled" tho... lol
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todd stier 6 months ago
SO FAR... RIGHT ON DA MONEY BABY!! :)
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thomas moreland 6 months ago
who did you have in atlata arizona? i didn t see a pick anywhere? philly/minnesota too? don t say you havn t missed a pick yet when your not picking all the playoffs, or are you just going with baltimre and san diego. i have them both to lose this weekend. carolina beats arizona and the giants win at home. no one has out picked me this season. 157-92-1 nfl mikee
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todd stier 6 months ago
Yes I did pick Arizona and Philly, And Im pickin Philly again, Carolina, San Diego and Baltimore... Good luck on your picks, may the best man win! :)
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todd stier 5 months ago
Well, unfortunately Thomas, the only team I REALLY WANTED to win, (my beloved San Diego Chargers) lost! We both are 2-2... :( But we have a local news station here in San Diego that gives away free box seats to the person that has the best picks, and your record is freakin' unbelievable dude!! Keep in touch, so next year you can help a poor brudda out man! I came close a couple of times, but your record would OWN them tix man!! Keep in touch!
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thomas moreland 6 months ago
san diego is a long shot!!! baltimore has a chance so does philly carolina s a lock! good luck too! i think im 3-1. this week we shall see
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thomas moreland 5 months ago
well that was rough this weekend still 4-4 for the playoffs overall 168-95-1 for the season pitts arizons next week i like the steelers to go to the superbowl and win # 6. arizona s chancy but i should not have abandoned them this week what a shocker! follow my picks all season i will do point spreads for all games,,, seperate from just winners..... put me on as my fan and i send you all articles give me an e mail address if possible it s easier e mailing notification of articles than posting everyone! thanks good luck thomas
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