2011 NFL Predictions for Playoffs and Super Bowl

Break out a fresh can of WD-40, the WhatIfSports.com NFL simulation engine is back for the 2011 season. Prepare for a weekly buffet of simulation predictions, fantasy projections and power rankings.

Thanks, in part, to the NFL lockout, our season-long previews, simulated standings, and fantasy projections are a little late in hitting the web. We do apologize to any fantasy owners and hardcore NFL fans for the inconvenience this delay may have caused.

As always, all of our simulated NFL content is based on the statistical DNA of the league's 32 teams. The simulation process takes into account: Team depth charts, injuries, passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, turnovers, rush defense, pass defense, offensive philosophy (pass versus rush) and minutiae your brain can't handle at this time.

Using our NFL simulation engine, we have "played" the entire 2011 NFL playoffs. The rosters and depth charts used were up-to-date and accurate as of August 29th, 2011.

NFL Wild Card Simulations
Matchup	Win%	Avg Score
New York Jets	56	22
@ Indianapolis Colts	44	20
Kansas City Chiefs	49	25
@ San Diego Chargers	51	26
Atlanta Falcons	68	23
@ St. Louis Rams	32	17
Philadelphia Eagles	47	20
@ Green Bay Packers	53	21

In the AFC, Rex Ryan’s Jets proved yet again they have no issues playing on the road, as Peyton Manning and the Colts see a repeat of last season’s early exit with a 22-20 loss to New York. Gang Green’s stout secondary and unflappable rushing attack paved the way for entry in the second round.

Out west, the combo of Matt Cassel and Jamaal Charles was not enough to thwart the aerial awesomeness of Phillip Rivers and company as the Chargers defended their home turf by squeaking out a hard-fought victory over rival Kansas City by a count of 26-25.

For all their offseason roster adjustments, the Eagles went quietly into the playoff night, losing in Lambeau to the defending champions 21-20. Try as they might, a revamped Philly defense could not keep the explosive attack of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense off the scoreboard.

Also securing a W in the Wild Card round were the Atlanta Falcons, who ended Sam Bradford’s surprising season by marching into St. Louis and defeating the Rams 23-17.

NFL Divisional Playoffs Simulations
Matchup	Win%	Avg Score
New York Jets	38	17
@ Pittsburgh Steelers	62	21
San Diego Chargers	51	25
@ New England Patriots	49	24
Atlanta Falcons	46	18
@ New York Giants	54	19
Green Bay Packers	59	23
@ New Orleans Saints	41	21

New York returns to the scene of their 2010 playoff exit, hoping to avenge last season’s heartache. Alas, the ending remains the same, as the Steelers send home Mark Sanchez and the Jets with a 21-17 victory.

The Jets may find consolation in that fact that their hated adversaries, the Patriots, suffered the same fate. The Chargers stun New England in Foxborough, upending the Patriots 25-24.

The Packers continue their title defense, knocking off Drew Brees and the Saints in the Superdome with a 23-21 victory.

The victory earns Green Bay a trip to the Meadowlands, as the G-Men took care of the Falcons 19-18. The Giants defense, which has been scrutinized thanks to their depleted secondary, stepped up to halt Matt Ryan and the Falcon offense.

NFL Conference Championships Simulations
Matchup	Win%	Avg Score
San Diego Chargers	56	24
@ Pittsburgh Steelers	44	23
Green Bay Packers	48	19
@ New York Giants	52	20

After years of playoff disappointment, the Chargers knocked the monkey off their back by going into the Steel City and escaping with a 24-23 win, earning a trip to Indianapolis. Rivers was able to overcome the tenacious defense of Pittsburgh, with the San Diego D containing Big Ben and the Steelers running game.

Their opponent? The Giants of New York, who ended the Green Bay reign with a 20-19 victory. Rodgers and the running game was finally grounded, and the rushing attack of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw gave the G-Men all the offense they needed.

Super Bowl XLV Simulations
Matchup	Win%	Avg Score
San Diego Chargers	58	26
New York Giants	42	23

The Chargers find themselves in the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995, while the Giants return for the second time in five years. Unfortunately for Eli Manning, there was no helmet catch to save the day, as San Diego prevails 26-23. Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert managed to find holes in the G-Men’s defense, while Rivers and Vincent Jackson took advantage of New York’s weakened secondary.

Throughout the 2011 NFL season, WhatIfSports.com will provide FOXSports.com its game predictions and fantasy projections on a weekly basis.