LeSean McCoy and the Bills sneak into the playoffs.
AFC Pittsburgh Steelers 11-2 New England Patriots 10-3 Jacksonville Jaguars 9-4 Kansas City Chiefs 7-6 Tennessee Titans 8-5
Buffalo Bills 7-6
NFC Philadelphia Eagles 11-2 Minnesota Vikings 10-3 Los Angeles Rams 9-4 New Orleans Saints 9-4 Carolina Panthers 9-4
Atlanta Falcons 8-5
Well, the Bills are back in the race! That and a couple seeding differences in the NFC is all that’s really happened. We’re getting to the last few weeks of the season so the playoff picture is really starting to show. Who knows maybe some of my predictions will even come true.
Looking at the AFC we have the Chargers and Ravens at 7-6, and the Raiders at Dolphins at 6-7 trying to make a push. The Raiders and Dolphins have very slim chances at making the wild card, but the Chargers and Ravens definitely have a chance, especially considering the Chargers play the Chiefs this week.
The NFC side is much simpler with the Seattle Seahawks being the only real threat to making the wildcard. The Lions, Cowboys, and Packers are all at 7-6, but I don’t think any of those teams will make it without some pretty crazy scenarios happening.
So without further ado, onto the predictions.
Projected Playoffs
Week 1 AFC:
New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers get Bye 6. Buffalo Bills at 3. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Bills are somehow tanking and making the playoffs at the same time. If they somehow end up in the playoffs I would assume they go with Tyrod Taylor. Either way though I think this Jacksonville defense can get them through at least one playoff game.
Winner: Jacksonville
5. Tennessee Titans at 4. Kansas City Chiefs This match is completely unchanged from the last segment, and it pretty much goes the same. At least this time around the Chiefs have looked a little bit better. KC takes this one, big.
Winner: Chiefs
Week 1 NFC:
Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings get Bye 6. Atlanta Falcons at 3. Los Angeles Rams
This should be a fun one. Goff and Gurley going against Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. I really wonder how the Falcons are going to play when it comes playoff time, and I think they will be locked in. The Rams are the hot young team and I think the experience of Ryan and co. wins them this game.
Winner: Falcons
5. Carolina Panthers at 4. New Orleans Saints The Panthers are quietly one of the best teams in the NFC. It seems like week after week they’re beating top-tier teams. The Saints, on the other hand, are in a bit of a lull and I don’t see how they can beat the Panthers in their current state.
Winner: Panthers
Week 2 AFC: 4. Kansas City Chiefs at 1. Pittsburgh Steelers Well the AFC is pretty boring this week, with the same exact matchups as last time. Plus they go the exact same way. The Chiefs are starting to look good again, which would make this matchup interesting, but the Steelers still take this one, they’re just too good right now.
Winner: Steelers
3. Jacksonville Jaguars at 2. New England Patriots Another matchup, just the same. The Patriots just lost to the Dolphins, and it was due to the defense. The Jaguars have plenty of defense so is there an actual chance for the Jaguars to win this one? I think this could be a very interesting matchup, but I’m not going to get cute. Patriots win this one.
Winner: Patriots
Week 2 NFC: 6. Atlanta Falcons at 1. Philadelphia Eagles
First playoff game for the Wentz-less Eagles. I truly believe that Nick Foles can game manage this team into the playoffs, but the playoff ready Falcons are going to be a tough outing. I’m going to make a bold prediction and take the Falcons to upset
Winner: Falcons
5. Carolina Panthers at 2. Minnesota Vikings The rematch from this past week. I think the Vikings are destined to go to the super bowl after the Eagles lost Wentz. Keenum continues his stellar performance and wins one at home against Carolina.
Winner: Vikings
AFC Conference Championship: 2. New England Patriots at 1. Pittsburgh Steelers The AFC matchups were practically the same all the way through as last week. I think the Patriots showed they are beatable, and the Steelers take advantage of that.
Winner: Steelers
NFC Conference Championship: 6. Atlanta Falcons at 2. Minnesota Vikings Like I said earlier, the Vikings have got to be favorites to go to the super bowl. I also think the Falcons are one of the easier matchups for them. Their defense has the ability to shut down any team, so this one comes down to the Vikings offense. I think Keenum can do just enough to get them past the Falcons.
Winner: Vikings
Super Bowl: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings
Well the playoff matchups were very similar, but we have two completely different teams in the super bowl. This time around we have the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Minnesota Vikings. Oh, and it’s in Minnesota.
The game starts and the Vikings start hot with a quick bomb touchdown pass to Diggs, followed up by a defensive score after Big Ben throws a pick. The home field advantage shows as the Steelers offense is plagued by false starts. Into the second quarter, we see the score as 17-10 as the Steelers offense starts to show some life. A relatively slow end to the half keeps us at 17-10 heading into the locker room.
The Steelers have been on this big a stage before and come out in the second half guns blazing. Huge chunk plays to Antonio Brown back to back bring the Steelers offense in the red zone but they can only come away with a field goal. The rest of the quarter is much of the same with the Vikings offense struggling, and Pittsburgh only being able to come away with field goals.
We see the score as 19-17 Steelers going into the fourth. A costly interception by Keenum sets the Steelers up in great field position but are once again held to a field goal, making it 22-17. Keenum starts to show his inexperience come playoff time as missed throws plague another Minnesota drive. The Steelers aren’t doing great on offense but with the help of Le’Veon Bell they are able to get a huge chunk of time off the clock before having to punt with a little under three minutes left.
It all comes down to these last few minutes with the ball in Case Keenum‘s hands. A few nice throws gives the Vikings hope as they pass the 50-yard line with a little under 2 minutes to go. The Vikings need a touchdown to win, and Keenum starts trying to force bombs downfield. A crucial fourth down, Keenum throws one down the middle to Kyle Rudolph, and it’s just a little behind him. Turnover on downs and the Steelers are able to run out the clock.
If the Season Ended Today Super Bowl Champions are the Pittsburgh Steelers!
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