2012-2013 NFL Season Predictions

By: Smark Central & Chosen 1

Smark Central:

I am back again for year two of my NFL predictions.  Last year I correctly predicted 5/12 playoff spots correctly(7/12 playoff teams correct as well).  Not bad for a first try, right?  This year, I will try to do better and not completely blow a call (see: St. Louis Rams 2011 NFC West champions).  If there’s one lesson I could take away from last year is that you always have to have faith in your team.  I like many others, bought into the Eagles/Cowboys hype and it burned me big time.  The Giants went on to not only win the division, but go on to win their second Super Bowl in four years.  I could not explain in words the joy I felt on February 5, 2012.  However, that was February and now six months removed, its time to rev up the engines once again because the NFL is getting set to return and I’m getting set to waste the next four months of my life by whining about how bad my fantasy football teams are doing.  Circle of life, folks.  Circle of life.

Chosen 1:

Hey guys Chosen1 here I will be joining Smark for the first time on his annual NFL predictions. I was a huge fan of his 2011 Predictions and as he did a great job in some areas thought it would be awesome to counter-point his picks with my own and see where we lie when the smoke settles next February. So here we go.

 

AFC

Smark:

AFC East: The New England Patriots

No surprises here.  As much attention as the Jets are getting for Tim “back up QB for life” Tebow, they are still no better than they were a year ago.  In fact, they might be worse.  They have ONE capable (not to mention mouthy) wide receiver in Santonio Holmes, one mediocre Quarterback, and another quarterback who couldn’t even start in the CFL (Canadian Football league for those not in “the know”).  New offensive coordinator, Tony Sporano and an overhyped defense aren’t going to help either. Let’s also not forget that IT’S THE FREAKING PATRIOTS.  Since Tom Brady has been the starter, they’ve failed to win the division twice and one of those years (2008) Brady was knocked out for the season in the first game.  It’s basically a done deal.  Buffalo will surprise some people and possibly contend for a wild card.  Miami is a league wide running joke and I expect their record to reflect that.  New coaches, possibly a new starting Quarterback, no Brandon Marshall, incompetent ownership, and the (sexy) distractions from Mrs. Tannehill will spell disaster for this team.  Speaking of sexy, this division certainly wins my vote for Quarterbacks who have the hottest wives/girlfriends.  Brady/Gisele, Sanchez/Kate Upton, Tannehill/Tannehill.  The only one who’s not involved with a super model is Ryan Fitzpatrick of Buffalo.  I mean he’s married, but well…let’s just say she’s no Lauren Tannehill.

Chosen:

AFC East: The New England Patriots (13-3)

I couldn’t agree more with this pick from Smark. They are the Patriots and even though we know that all great teams fall eventually this will not be the year for the Patriots. Tom Brady will continue to be Tom Brady and as we saw back in 2008 even if he is hurt Bellichecks offensive scheme can lift any mediocre QB (Matt Cassel) into a 10 million dollar man sorry Cheifs you had to see that coming. The Jets will flip-flop qbs all season with Sanchez and Tebow. It doesn’t work in college and it certainly will not work in the NFL.  I don’t see them winning more than 8 games. So we will sit them at a season record 7-9. The Bills defense should keep them in a lot of games. They can definitely compete especially in a league where they get to face the Dolphins and the Jets twice. I see them falling just short of a wild card at 9-7.  The Dolphins will once again fall to last place and fall hard. I see them winning the first 2 and then going on an extended losing streak before finishing the season at 3-13.

Smark:

AFC North: The Baltimore Ravens

I believe in this team for one reason: John Harbaugh.  The guy is a winner who comes from a family of winners.  He’s the kind of coach that can take mediocre players like Joe Flacco and make them champions.  They’ve been runners up in the AFC twice since he became the coach (in 08 and in 11), and I think this is the year they get over the hump.  Yes, the defense in ancient by league standards at this point, but they may have one last gasp in them.  The offense is probably going to have to carry them more than any other time in their history, but it can happen.  This is the year they go to the big dance.  As for Pittsburgh, I really feel like this is a bit of a rebuilding year for them – New Offensive Coordinator, new starting Running Back (thanks to Rashard Mendenhall’s ACL injury), emerging, but still young Wide Receivers.  It might take a down year to get back on track.  Then again these are the Steelers.  They have found ways to keep themselves in it before and even if the offense struggles, their defense is still one of the top units in the league so a wild card would not shock anyone.  I mean who’s going to stop them?  The Green and White hype?  Cincinnati was in the playoffs last year so you know what that means?  Three years of straight futility under Marvin Lewis!  Cincy has not been in the playoffs for two consecutive years since …well…do the names Carter and Regan ring a bell?  No?  It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.  Then there’s Cleveland…hahahahahahahaha.  I’m so sorry Cleveland.  You’ve had such a tough sports life and well, it’s gone get worse when the Browns finish in the basement yet again.

 Chosen:

AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5

This was a tough choice. I think it’s a toss up between the Steelers and the Ravens I think they will both end up at 11-5 but that Pittsburgh will take the tiebreaker. The Steelers are a team that since Roethlisberger became QB have always found a way to win games. I would however not be surprised if the Ravens take the division. Their offense has been much better over the last couple of seasons. Flacco continues to get confidence and Ray Rice is always a threat to lead the league in Rushing. If their aging defensive studs continue to drink from the fountain of youth they will coast into the playoffs as the best wild card team. Cincinnati will be my surprise pick I feel they once again will find themselves in the playoff picture. By some smoke and mirrors will end the season at 9-7 and win some tie-breakers. Look for a big season for the human law firm BenJarvis Green-Ellis and Andy Dalton will continue to grow into a reliable NFL Starting QB.

The Cleveland Browns round out this division as the cellar dwellers. They will be in a battle for the first overall pick in the 2013 draft by going 2-14.

 

Smark:

AFC South: The Houston Texans

Despite losing several talented defensive players in the off-season (DeMeco Ryans, Brandon Carr, Mario Williams), despite #1 receiver Andre Johnson already being hurt, despite not having an elite Quarterback (Matt Schuab), the Texans should still win this less than stellar division.  Let me put it this way, if a rebuilding Colts team has the ability to be the runner up then there’s a big problem with the other two teams.  Tennessee has a lot of talent, but their Quarterback situation is murky at best and if Running Back Chris Johnson can’t get his head right, then there isn’t much hope here.  Their really one of those hit or miss clubs that can be really good or really bad.  As for Jacksonville, they have no chance especially if Maurice Jones Drew holds out (for a new contract) for an extended period.  Not to mention they have yet to sign their first round pick, Justin Blackmon.  There’s not much hope for a team who would have Laurent Robinson or Lee Evans as their number one Wide Receiver if all goes to shit.

Chosen:

AFC South: Houston Texans 9-7

This could be one of the worst divisions in the NFL right now every team in it has the chance to just be terrible. I think the Texans have the least chance to be terrible. Arian Foster has shown that when he is healthy can rack up yards in huge chunks. Schaub lives by TE Owen Daniels when he can’t get the ball down field to Oft-injured Andre Johnson. Daniels has good hands and runs the right routes. This will help Schaub coming off injury to stay healthy as long as he can keep himself on the wrong end of Albert Haynesworth.

As Smark said the Colts are rebuilding after the departure of long time franchise quarterback Peyton Manning to the Broncos. Reggie Wayne is another year older and I believe we will start to see a major decline in his skills this season. The Colts are going to need a whole lot of “LUCK” in order to stay above .500 for the season. I just don’t see it happening and have a feeling that Andrew Luck will have a subpar rookie season and at least for now not live up to his hype. Look for them to double their wins from a year ago going 4-12. The Jaguars well what more can you say about a team that doesn’t even have their depth chart posted on their official webpage. Jones-Drew has ended his hold-out but will his return guarantee his spot as the starting RB? According the Jaguar Officials Maurice will have to earn his spot back on the field. My guess a sign and trade at some point before the deadline as Jacksonville struggles to win games. I am giving them a final record of 3-13. The Titans won’t fair much better. The aged Matt Hasselback will be lucky to finish the season as the starter Chris Johnson will still rush for a 1100 yards but it won’t be enough to win more than 5 games 5-11 will be the season record.

Smark:

AFC West: The Denver Broncos

Here’s a pain in the ass division if I’ve ever seen one.  Three different winners the last three years, question marks up the ass, serious lack of competent coaching, management and ownership (I’m look at you and your soup bowl haircut, Mark Davis).  Ugh.  Let’s go backwards on this one because I know who’s not winning.  The Raiders top the list because they are constantly tearing down and rebuilding and when they tear down, they make bad decisions and when their bad decisions back fire on them they try to patch them up, but eventually too many holes pop up and they have to tear it all down again.  It’s a vicious cycle of suck that have kept them from a division title since 2002.  Next up on the not winning docket is the Kansas City Chiefs.  They have a capable coach in Romeo Crennel, but Matt Cassel is their starting Quarterback.  Unless he’s being coached by Bill Belichick with endless weapons at his disposal, he’s not much of a Quarterback.  They might make a run if their injured players from last season stay healthy, but even a wild card seems like a long shot.  That leaves the Denver Broncos with four time neck surgery champion Peyton Manning and San Diego who constantly suffer from slow startitis and/or playoff choke-ifilous.  Denver has a good coach, a legendary QB, hungry young WR’s, a good enough run game, amazing special teams and a great defense.  San Diego has some of those things and has improved in the off-season, but they still have glaring holes that Denver doesn’t.  They have a lot of proving to do before you can pencil them in for the division.  However, a wild card seems possible.  Denver it is.

 

Chosen:

AFC West: San Diego Chargers (10-6)

Not much happening in this division. It sees the addition of another Hall of Fame QB to its ranks with Peyton signing with the Broncos. The Raiders will continue to suck to the point where Darren McFadden demands a trade and finish the season at 6-11 maybe the team wide black cleats are not a tribute to Al Davis but to how terrible they have become in the last decade. The Kansas City Chiefs well you know my regrets to them for paying Matt Cassel to carry them to what they are a “little better than terrible team” The acquisition of Peyton Hillis will help them keep pace with the Raiders with a 6-11 season. Denver will find out that Peyton’s best years are behind him. Nobody would have thought any less of him had he hung up the cleats after undergoing countless surgeries on his neck and back. I just hope for his sake the less than stellar Broncos line can keep him from injury. The Broncos if Peyton stays healthy will finish at 8-8 if Manning goes down the Broncos will be lucky to win 4 and could change the course of the division making the chiefs and raiders a little better. The Chargers as Smark mentioned have tendancies to start the season slow and finish the season in epic chokes. This season may not be different but they should have enough to win the division. I am saying they finish with a 10-6 record behind another strong season for Philip Rivers.

Smark:

Wild Cards

Pittsburgh Steelers: Like I said before, this team seems to always find a way.  Injuries don’t seem to affect them the way they do other teams.  Plus, they are very well coached and despite his personal issues, Ben Roethlisberger is a hell of a Quarterback.  His never say die attitude is just what this team is going to need to ride out the Wallace(contract) /Mendenhall(injury)/Todd Haley (crazy) storm.

 

Buffalo Bills: There I said it.  The anti-Chargers (start fast finish slow) after adding Mario Williams to an already talented defensive group have the ability to not only make it into the playoffs, but rattle some cages as well.  It would be a nice change from their usual win the first four or five games and then take the rest of the season off routine.  Come on Buffalo, make me look good on this one.

Chosen:

Wild Card

Baltimore Ravens: This spot is interchangeable with the Steelers. The Ravens defense should be able to help keep them at the top for one more season before its time to revamp if Flacco continues to stay away from the turnovers they will be able to maintain their streak of good seasons.

Cincinnati Bengals: I think they grew a lot last season and Dalton really proved himself. Barring a “sophomore slump” he should continue to get better. Green-Ellis will help keep him safe and balanced with a good running game. They are my sleeper but I think they can keep up their run from last year.

 

Seeding

Smark                                                                 Chosen 1

1. New England                                                      1. New England
2. Baltimore                                                           2. Pittsburgh
3. Denver                                                               3. San Diego
4. Houston                                                             4. Houston
5. Pittsburgh                                                           5. Baltimore
6. Buffalo                                                               6. Cincinnati

 

Wild card weekend

Buffalo def. Denver                                                   San Diego def. Cincinnati

Pittsburgh def. Houston                                             Baltimore def. Houston

 

Divisional Round

New England def. Buffalo                                         New England def Baltimore

Baltimore def. Pittsburgh                                           San Diego def Pittsburgh

 

AFC Championship

Baltimore def. New England                                      New England def San Diego

 

NFC

Smark:

NFC East: The Philadelphia Eagles

Now I know what you’re going to say.  “What happened to having faith in your team?” I do have faith in my team.  I want them to go to the Super Bowl every year and win it.  However, it’s not very realistic.  In football, unlike any other sport consistency is NEVER guaranteed.  In other sports, certain teams could make playoff appearances for ten straight years or more.  In football, it’s much harder to do which is one of its appeals – its unpredictability.  Now is it possible the Eagles once again choke on their own hype and miss the playoffs?  Sure, it’s possible, but not likely to happen a second year in a row.  I mean this is a team that ON PAPER should be able to beat just about anybody.  However, they are in a very tough and competitive division and are going to need probably 10-12 wins to take it.  As for the Giants, if they can stay healthy, they could sneak in and steal the division again.  If not, they will definitely snag a wild card spot.  Even with the toughest schedule in the league, they still have enough talent on both sides of the ball to reach the postseason.  The Cowboys as always have great players at the skill positions, but will probably collapse under the pressure of having to win now.  It’s been their M.O. the last sixteen years so why should it stop now?  Its so surprising to see a team with such a rich history of success shoot themselves in the foot every year with infighting, off the field issues, and inconsistency down the stretch.  Want to know how bad they’ve been?  They have only won two playoff games in the last seventeen years. That puts them in some pretty ugly company.  Speaking of ugly, the Washington Redskins looked to end years of futility by drafting yet another Quarterback in the first round.  This time it was Robert Griffin III so even if their bad, they should be at least fun to watch.  Robert Griffin III gives them a dynamic playmaking Quarterback.  In fact, I cringed when I heard they traded up in the draft to get him and even though success might not come right away, it will come at some point soon.  He’s almost too good to fail and if he does, Shannahan will be the first to go.  Washington should have a respectable season maybe something similar to what the Panthers did last year.

Chosen:

NFC East: New York Giants (10-6)

This was a very tough decision on my part. I am sure as you read Smarks pick for this division you would have assumed me to agree with him. Chosen1 is an Eagles fan of course he will pick the Eagles. Well I am under the homage that “to be the man, you gotta beat the man” . So until the Eagles prove themselves, the Giants won last year’s Super Bowl and that makes them the team to beat. I do agree with Smark that this is a very tough division and although their names come up every year with they are gonna be better they are gonna be tough this could be the year that the Redskins are better and are tough. In a division with some pretty stellar quarterbacks Robert Griffin makes the skins a contender. RG3 is a stud and could be exactly what the Skins need to begin that run that they have been looking for the last 5 plus seasons. I think they finish with a respectful 8-8 record. The Cowboys are a team with a lot of skill and no finish. I hate to say Romo can’t win a big game but he has proven it so far and at 32 how many years left of “Pro Bowl QB” does he have left? I think the Cowboys are worse than last year and drop down to 6-10 . The Philadelphia Eagles, I want nothing more than to say they are the best team in the league but they were supposed to be that last year and despite finishing the season strong they were so inconsistent in finishing games it’s hard to know how much that has changed in a season where the players for the most part are all the same. The defense added DeMeco Ryans which should sure up a shaky linebacking core but I think the Eagles have a lot riding on what is technically a contract year for Michael Vick. If he stays healthy he is due a huge chunk of change after the season. But if he falls or fails like last season the Eagles can cut ties with him and not take a huge hit on the Salary cap. I think he helps them reach a wildcard berth with a 10-6 record but lose the tie breaker to the Giants. That brings us the defending Super Bowl Champions The New York Giants walked in the back door of the playoffs and just decided to make the Regular Season Juggernaut Green Bay Packers their BITCH. Eli went on to take Tom Brady to school once again and the parade down Broadway began. Do I think they will do the same this season? NO but like until somebody other than Eli Manning is hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy I have got to give them their props. Look for a 10-6 season.

Smark:

NFC North: The Green Bay Packers

Its hard to call a 15-1 season disappointing, but it’s still an accurate description of the Packers 2011 season.  When you get dropped by an inferior 9-7 team (the Super Bowl Champion NY Giants) at home in the divisional round, it can make you feel like a big steaming pile of Brett Favre.  While their record will probably drop by a win or two, it shouldn’t change the outcome of this division.  The Bears have again changed Offensive Coordinators and their defense while still stingy is aging.  However, it wouldn’t surprise me if they contended for a wild card behind the reunited Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall.  The Lions have been the butt of a lot of jokes for their off season arrests of several of their players.  This was after they had finally stopped being the butt of jokes for their on field play after making the playoffs as a wild card last season.  Even without problems like these it’s going to be hard for them to repeat the success they enjoyed last year.  It’s going to be even harder when you add up all the negative incidents dating back to last year with Ndamukong Suh stomping on an opposing player and the Jim Schwartz induced handshake gate.  Maybe it was too much success too soon and it may be what keeps Detroit on the outside looking in.  The Minnesota Vikings are rebuilding with second year Quarterback Christian Ponder after trying to fight rebuilding for the last three years by bringing in aging Quarterback’s Brett Favre and Donovan McNabb.  They won’t make the playoffs, but they should be able to win a few more games.

 Chosen:

NFC North: Green Bay Packers 14-2

The Packers aren’t going anywhere for a while. Aaron Rodgers will continue to carry this great team to great things. He makes everybody on the field better. His mistakes are few and far between and in a pretty weak division they should have no problem continuing the domination they showed through last year’s regular season. They had the unforeseen slipup against the to-be Super Bowl Champions New York Giants but look for them to be hungry and fight their way to a another amazing season at 14-2. The Chicago Bears offense should continue to get better but if any Matt Forte issues re-emerge they will have a hard time keeping Cutler off the ground. They will be a solid 9-7. The Lions will ride Megatron until he falls apart. And I can’t blame them I would too if he was on my team. There are not many D-backs in the league who can handle him. If given time in the pocket Stafford will find Calvin Johnson and you better believe it will be for quite a few yards. If they can keep their tempers under control should have a decent season at 8-8 just out of the playoffs. The Vikings are once again on a downward spiral. Look for their woes to continue with a 5-11 season as Ponder is growing but still a few years and a big play receiver away from anything too special.

Smark:

NFC South: The Carolina Panthers

I know.  A shocker right?  Well, not really if you break it down.  Let’s start with New Orleans who just went through the off-season equivalent of a weekend at the Sandusky house.  Ok maybe not that bad, but you get the point.  Let’s see key free agents lost (Scott Fujita, Anthony Hargrove, Robert Meachem and Carl Nicks), General Manager (Mickey Loomis) suspended for half the season, Head Coach (Sean Payton) and starting Middle Linebacker (Jonathan Vilma) suspended for the full season, starting D-linemenWill Smith suspended for four games, and a bitter contract dispute with record breaking, Super Bowl winning, city saving Quarterback Drew Brees.  Am I missing anything?  I hope not because that’s a lot of shit to have to overcome.  Brees is an amazing Quarterback, but he can’t do everything by himself.  He’s can’t play defense, he can’t make personnel decisions, he can be a sort of on the field coach, but he can’t coach everyone and everything.  It’s going to be a down year for the Saints, but 2013 should be a big bounce back year.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went on an off-season spending spree (Vincent Jackson, Dallas Clark, Carl Nicks) which makes them look great on paper, but just ask the 2011 Eagles how their season turned out after doing the exact same thing.  Spending money doesn’t guarantee wins like it does in other sports.  A lot can happen to make that “great” on paper team into a walking punch line.  Just ask the Eagles.  Speaking of birds, the Atlanta Falcons ever since drafting Matt Ryan have been in or close to the playoffs and they will probably be in the same place this year, but they’re what I like to call a “regular season team”.  They have what it takes to make it to the dance, but never get to be named prom king.  It’s just how some teams are built.  Some teams never get over the hump.  Just ask the Eagles.

 Chosen:

NFC South- Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

First off Smark I am sensing an extreme hatred for the Eagles??? I mean not that I don’t agree with you they spent a lot of money and it got them nothing as of yet, but only time will tell… Back to the SOUTH the league imposed Death Penalty on the New Orleans Saints will severely hurt their playoff chances. The team still is good but I don’t think they are good enough to get over all of the distraction and coaching issues and player suspensions and well the fear that if a defensive player hits an opposing team’s player and they get hurt that they will fear the wrath of Roger Goodell. Look for all of these issues to a below average season of (8-8) for the football team that hales from the Big Easy.  The Falcons are a team that have been on the cusp of being a very good team the last couple of years and they will greatly benefit from the Saints issues. They will take the division rather easily at (10-6) The Buccaneers area team that will forever be on my much hated list ever since 2003 NFC Championship game. Ronde Barber haunts my dreams almost as much as Joe Carter but we won’t go there. This is a team that while although Barber is still starting for is far from a good team. Even with some big name signings in the off-season the Buccs will still be towards the bottom of the NFL at 4-12.

The Carolina Panthers this division is just full of Eagle Nightmares… Cam Newton showed us all just how good he was last season. A great all-around QB, that will only continue to get better. He will take this team into the playoffs with a wild card winning 9-7 record.

Smark:

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers

Yea, I know I blew this one bad last year.  I just didn’t see it coming, but that’s why I now worship the Harbaugh brothers for the football Gods that they are.  Alex Smith, a guy whose career was hanging by a thread was saved by a pointy chinned savior in Khakis that he bought at Target.  That and the 49ers had a sick defense, running game, offensive line and tight end, but it was mostly because of the Puritan Khakis(trust me).  Jim and his Khaki’s will lead the Niners to another division crown over the helpless Rams, the punch less Cardinals, and the hoping on a wing and a prayer that Matt Flynn isn’t another over hyped backup QB Seahawks.

Chosen:

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers (11-5)

The 49ers have turned the corner hard. They have one of the best all around teams in the league. We all know that Alex Smith is no where even close to an elite Quarterback. The kid was all but ready to be left for dead. He was given one last chance and put into a system that seemed to just work. The whole team bought into Jim Harbaugh’s ideas. Frank Gore isn’t asked to carry the team game in and game out. Vernon Davis may be the best tight end in the game.

How can an Eagles fan not mention number 2. Akers gives them solid special teams with a career year last year knocking 44 field goals a whole 11 more than his previous high for a season. The Rams and Seahawks will share basement duties in this division both pulling a 3-13 season and the Cardinals will grow upon last year’s record with a 9-7 season behind the Kolb-Fitzgerald connection. I am an Eagle’s fan I gotta give Kolb a little bit of love.

 

Smark:

Wild Cards

The New York Giants: Hey there they are.  I told you I had faith ;).  Yes, the G-Men should find their way back to the playoffs.  They just need everything to go exactly right at the exact right time and need to not lose to teams who are lesser than them (See: Bengals, Browns, Bucs, Falcons, Redskins-twice).  That’s six wins right there that they should win ON paper.  Now they should make Dallas beat themselves at least once so now its up to seven, maybe eight wins.  Then if they could beat Philly in Philly like they usually do it’s up to nine.  Then if they can get a big upset against the Saints, Niners, or Packers that’s ten which should be enough…I hope.

 

Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler is a whiny little bitch except when he gets what he wants.  Well, the Bears brought in his old Quarterback coach from Denver, his old number one receiver from his Denver days, Brandon Marshall, and signed his favorite Running Back Matt Forte to a new contract for four years so right now everything is coming up Jay.  This should vastly improve the Bears pathetic offense from a year ago.  Along with that comes an aging, but still talented defense anchored by Brian Urlacher which makes the Bears a force in the NFC.

Chosen:

Wildcard

Philadelphia Eagles- They will show that last year’s woes were brought on by the lockout with Vick having a career year. Shady McCoy will continue to be underrated at running back but still be very lethal. The dynamic receiving core of Macklin and the “Giant Killer” DeSean Jackson will benefit from Vick’s renaissance. Andy Reid will be able to put aside the critics for another season and fight through his unfortunate family issues to win coach of the year.

Carolina Panthers- Cam Newton will claw his way into the playoff picture. It won’t be easy but he will captain his squad in slugfest after slugfest winning more then he loses.

Seeding

Smark                                                                          Chosen1

1. San Francisco                                                         1. Green Bay
2. Green Bay                                                               2. San Francisco
3. Philadelphia                                                            3. New York
4. Carolina                                                                 4. Atlanta
5. New York                                                               5. Philadelphia
6. Chicago                                                                  6. Carolina

 

Wild Card weekend

New York def. Carolina                                             New York def. Carolina

Philadelphia def. Chicago                                           Philadelphia def. Atlanta

 

Divisional Round

San Francisco def. New York                                                San Francisco def. Philadelphia

Green Bay def. Philadelphia                                       Green Bay def. New York

 

NFC Championship

San Francisco def. Green Bay                                                San Francisco def. Green Bay

 

Super Bowl XLVI

San Francisco def. Baltimore                                      San Francisco def. New England

 

 

Super Bowl XLVI

San Francisco def. Baltimore

Smark:

Yes, I am predicting brother Vs brother, Khakis Vs wind breaker, handshake of doom Vs shaky hand of something.  I don’t know how to finish that joke, but what I do know is this match up was TWO count em TWO plays away from happening last year.  If Kyle Williams doesn’t touch that punt, the 49ers most likely beat the Giants and on the other side if Sterling Moore (New England) doesn’t strip Lee Evans (Balt.) in the end zone, the Ravens are in the Super Bowl.  It’s not a surprise anymore how undeniably dramatic football can be, but it still amazes me when things are so close that one or two plays can completely change a result.  Anyways, back to this year.  In what could be the lowest scoring, most defensively charged Super Bowl ever I see San Francisco edging out a fierce, but ultimately exhausted Baltimore team.  The Niner’s will likely shut down the Ravens run attack (led by Ray Rice) leaving it up to Quarterback Joe Flacco to win it for Baltimore.  This will lead to Baltimore’s undoing giving San Fran its first Super Bowl trophy since 1994.

Chosen:

Smark and I are on the same page. San Fran will be back in the show and bring the Lombardi Trophy back to the West Coast. I like the team have bought into Harbaugh’s system. He believes in his team and they believe in him. He puts them in position to succeed. With the likes of Davis, Gore, and Willis holding down their respective positions and Alex Smith finally becoming a competent NFL QB the 49ers have a shot at making continuous runs at the Super Bowl. They have the ingredients now lets see if they can put it together.