NFL Playoffs

The NFL playoffs have started, which means it’s time to check and see how I did on my preseason predictions.

My regular season predictions were hit or miss – basically I hit my AFC predictions and missed my NFC predictions.  In the AFC I correctly guessed 5 of the 6 playoff teams, including the surprising Jets as one of the wild cards (Pats, Colts, Chargers, Ravens the other 4).  My only mistake was choosing the Steelers to make it and not the Bengals.  But I doubt many people across the country got that one right.

The NFC was a different story.  I only corrected guessed 2 of the 6 playoff teams (Cowboys and Vikings).  I had the Giants instead of the Eagles, the Bears instead of the Packers, the Falcons instead of the Saints, and the 49ers instead of the Cardinals.  Not my best work.  Also, my Super Bowl prediction of Patriots over Falcons doesn’t look very good now either.

Luckily, I fared better in my other prediction for the season.  The NFL bet I made with my friend, about how many teams would win 14 or more games in the regular season.  I bet that either zero, or only one team would win at least 14, my friend taking the side that two or more teams would do it.  I analyzed my chances after week 8 and things didn’t look great.  They looked even worse after week 14 when the Saints and Colts were both still undefeated (and the Vikings still only had 2 losses).  Hilariously and improbably the Saints went on to lose all of their last 3 games and the Vikings lost 2 as well, meaning only the Colts won 14 games and I won the bet.

I didn’t post my picks for last week’s games but for the record I went 2-2.  I had the Patriots over the Ravens, the Bengals over the Jets, the Cowboys over the Eagles, and the Cardinals over the Packers.  Here are my picks for this weekend’s games.

Saints over Cardinals – As I mentioned the Saints lost 3 games in a row to end the season, but I just don’t see them losing this shootout at home.  Saints 38 – Cardinals 31.

Ravens over Colts – My upset pick.  Joe Flacco will have to do a lot more than he did against the Patriots, but I like the confidence of this Ravens team.  Plus the Colts deserve to lose for not taking the shot at going undefeated.  Ravens 23 – Colts 21.

Vikings over Cowboys – The Cowboys looked like the best team in round one and the Vikings have been banged up late in the season, making this the hardest game to pick.  A lot of people are picking the Cowboys to win this one, but I think Adrian Peterson breaks out (Vikings kept him fresh late in the season) and wills them to a tough, hard fought victory.  Vikings 24 – Cowboys 20.

Chargers over Jets – The Jets match up really, really well with the Chargers, they stop the pass well and run the ball well while the Chargers can’t run the ball and they can’t stop the run.  Ultimately I don’t think it matters.  Chargers roll.  Chargers 30 – Jets 10.