Playoff Predictions 2013

Max Miceli

Wildcard Weekend

AFC

Colts over Ravens- Indy finished the season strong with a win over the Texans, and no one knows the Ravens better than former Raven Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano and Steeler Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians. I expect Chuck and BA's game planning to be the difference in this game.

Texans over Bengals- I'm not sleeping on the Bengals, but I feel like the Texans will pull it together this weekend after two straight tough losses against playoffs teams. In the end, I see the Texans talent being too much for Cincinnati, but don't be surprised if you see that kid AJ Green do a little something like what TY Hilton did to Houston last weekend.

NFC

Seahawks over Washington- Seattle won't have it's unstoppable 12th man this weekend, but I don't see them needed it. RGIII is still a little slow from his leg injury a few weeks ago, and if any defense can contain Washington's spread option run game, it's Pete Carroll's Seahawk defense filled with hard hitting players at every (and I mean EVERY) position.

Packers over Vikings- Last week was great for the Vikings, but they aren't playing in Minnesota this time around. Christian Ponder will make or break the game for the Vikings, and I see it being hard for him to do well on the road in a hostile cold environment at Lambeau Field.

Divisional Weekend

AFC

Broncos over Colts- What a match up? am I right? Peyton against his old team and the young gun Andrew Luck. It'll shape up to be a great game, but Luck's performance on the road as been mediocre all season, and Denver has one of the most well balanced team in the NFL. Expect Von Miller to give Luck fits and Peyton to torch Indy's secondary.

Patriots over Texans- hasn't this happened before?... like, this season? It has happened, and the Pats made the Texans look stupid. I don't expect a repeat of the demolition job the Patriots did last time, but I don't see the Texans pulling this one out in Foxboro.

NFC

49ers over Packers- The 49ers have home-field advantage and the better defense. If Justin Smith is healthy for this game look for Rodgers to be under constant pressure from the likes of Justin's brother from another mother Aldon Smith.

Seahawks over Falcons- I want to pick the Falcons in this one, but Defense wins championships and Seattle has a run game that can take the area out of the Georgia Dome. The matchup that determines this game though is the Seattle secondary against Atlanta's WRs. I'll take the Adderall popping boys from Seattle. Julio and Roddy may get one or two big plays, but I think the likes of Sherman and Browner win this war.

Conference Championship Weekend

AFC

Broncos over Patriots- Denver will be at home, they have a better defense, and Peyton is very familiar with this Pats defense. It'll be close, as it always is when Peyton plays the Pats, but the Denver D will be the big difference.

NFC

49ers over Seahawks- This is a toss up. Seattle will be HOT by this point, but San Fran is at home. The 49ers don't want a repeat of last year, and Harbaugh definitely doesn't want Carroll to give him a beat down like he did in Seattle. In the end, the 12th man can't help the Seahawks in San Francisco, and the presence of the most underrated player in the league (as voted by players according to Sports Illustrated), Justin Smith, makes the difference.


Super Bowl

Broncos over 49ers- You know how I said Defense wins championships last year? You know... When I picked the Ravens and the 49ers to play in the Super Bowl? Yeah, that's how it works unless you have arguably the greatest QB of all time. Peyton will get his much deserved second ring, but it wont be easy. The 49er D will make him work for it, and Kaepernick's mobility will be a challenge for Von Miller's pass rush. I think Kaepernick's inexperience and Peyton's knowledge and experience are the key factors that give Denver the edge over the Niners.