New York Giants vs New England Patriots
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium
Kick Off Time: Sunday, February 5th, 2011 6:29pm ET
The NFC Champion New York Giants and the AFC Champion New England Patriots are ready to face off this Sunday in the biggest event in sports around the world. The Super Bowl. This will be a rematch of Super Bowl XLII when the Patriots' perfect season at the time ended as former Giants WR Plaxico Burress caught the game winning TD pass from Giants QB Eli Manning to win 17-14. Both teams quarterbacks are elite with Manning coming into his 2nd Super Bowl appearence and Patriots QB Tom Brady going to his 5th Super Bowl and winning 3 of them. The Giants have won their last 5 games and it has a lot to do with their defense allowing only 13.4 points a game during that span. The Patriots have won their last 10 games with their last loss coming on November 6th, 2011 against of all teams, the Giants 24-20 at Gillette Stadium. New England's defense has stepped up dramatically in the playoffs shutting down two of the best running teams in the NFL this year in Denver and Baltimore and a lot of that has to do with NT Vince Wilfork. The Giants were 4-0 against the AFC this year where the Patriots were 3-1 against the NFC with their only loss to the Giants. Eli will be playing in the stadium that his older brother and Colts QB for now built. People should expect a lot of the people in Indianapolis to be rooting for the Giants since the Pats and Colts are rivals now after great games in the playoffs. I expect the game to be close throughout and exciting. I'm hoping for creative, funny Super Bowl commercials that aren't stupid and I know everyone is excited for Madonna! Yeah right.
Giants Offense vs Patriots Defense
Giants QB Eli Manning is the key to success for the offense after a Pro Bowl year and being clutch in the 4th quarter of games. Giants RB's Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs need to just get carries and get at least 4 yards per carry so Eli doesn't have to do it all. The run game was last in the NFL but has been better in their last 5 games that they won. The Giants should stick to the same game plan they had against the 49ers in the NFC Championship game but they can be more aggressive as the Pats defense doesn't compare to the 49ers defense. Manning shouldn't have trouble finding open WR's all day with Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham. The Pats run both a 3-4 and 4-3 and the Giants offensive line will have to communicate and know which protections to go with after letting Eli get lit up the whole game against the 49ers.
The Patriots defense needs to be able to stop the run and when Brandon Jacobs is in the game, make him run laterally. Try and confuse the Giants offensive line with different fronts and blitzes. The Patriots secondary has a tough task and allowed the 2nd most passing yards in the NFL. They can't give up the big play and when the Giants do get in the redzone, force them to kick FG's.
Patriots Offense vs Giants Defense
The Patriots offense starts with and ends with QB Tom Brady. They do have decent RB's in BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead and Stevan Ridley. Kevin Faulk may also get valuable time since he has experience in these big time games. The Giants rush defense can give up a lot of yards and screen plays could work real well against them which will slow them down when getting after Brady. The Patriots should just stick with Green-Ellis and Ridley who hit the hole and gain yards. The Patriots offensive line is really good and should protect Brady as best as any other offensive line there is. Not having the best TE in the NFL in Gronkowski at 100% is a huge blow to the Patriots offense as there offense is based on timing. That makes Pats TE Aaron Hernandez the X factor where ever he lines up with his versatility. WR's Deion Branch and Wes Welker should be able to beat the Giants' CB's if matched up 1 on 1. Maybe Chad Ochocinco can get in the mix as well. Anything can happen.
New York's defense is stacked on the defensive line. Their defensive ends get after it especially on those 3rd and longs when they run 4 DE's on the field to get after the QB. The defensive line should limit the Patriots running game quite easily. They just have to get pressure on Tom Brady up the middle to help out the secondary which isn't that great. They will have to find and know where Pats WR Welker is at all times along with the Patriots TE's even if Gronk isn't going to be even close to 100%.
Special Teams
New England has one of the better kickers in the game with Stephen Gostkowski and a very good punter in Zoltan Mesko. Their return game is pretty good with Danny Woodhead returning kicks and Julian Edelman returning punts while their coverage teams are decent.
The Giants have an above average kicker in Lawrence Tynes and a great punter in Steve Weatherford. Their return game is alright for them while their coverage units are really good and made huge plays against the 49ers.
Coaching
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Giants head coach Tom Coughlin are both future hall of fame coaches. These two head coaches won the Super Bowl as part of the same coaching staff when Coughlin was the Giants WR coach and Belichick was the defensive coordinator when the Giants defeated the Bills in Super Bowl XXV 20-19 after the Bills missed a last second field goal. This is Belichick's fifth Super Bowl appearance as a head coach. Tied for second all time behind Don Shula's six Super Bowl appearances. Coughlin is entering his second Super Bowl appearance as a head coach. Kevin Gilbride calls the plays for the Giants and can trust Eli Manning to change it to a good play if the defense is not giving a good look. The Patriots play caller is future Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien who probably could just let Brady call his own plays. Belichick makes the calls for the Patriots defense which struggles against the pass. The Giants defensive coordinator is Perry Fewell and he has done a great job of getting his defense to play to their potential ever since they were embarrassed by the Saints.
Prediction: Giants 23 Patriots 20
(2) Baltimore Ravens @ (1) New England Patriots
Kick Off Time: Sunday 3:00pm (CBS)
My preseason Super Bowl pick to win it all is still in the running for the Lombardi Trophy. Yes, the Ravens are still in it. Now they will face the ultimate test Sunday afternoon against the Patriots. The Patriots destroyed Tim Tebow and the Broncos last week 45-10. The game was over at halftime as Patriots QB Tom Brady couldn't be stopped. The Patriots defense also looked like the defenses they had during their dynasty run in the early 2000's. The Ravens' offense struggled against the Texans defense last week but the Ravens won because of their defense forcing Texans 3rd string QB into mistakes in a 20-13 win. If Texans QB Matt Schaub could've played, the Texans would have won. The Patriots are 7-1 this year at home with their only loss coming against the Giants. Whereas the Ravens are only 4-4 away from home alternating loss, win, loss, win, loss, win.. and this week would be loss if anyone went by that. The Ravens had the 3rd best defense statistically so maybe they will hold the Pats 2nd ranked passing attack a little bit. Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs and the rest of the Ravens pass rushers need to make Brady uncomfortable and they can as they led the AFC with 48 sacks on the year but didn't sack T.J. Yates once last week.
Baltimore needs to have S Ed Reed healthy and 100% after hurting his ankle pretty bad on the last play of the game last week. He also made some controversial comments about QB Joe Flacco. Flacco played terrible against the Texans and looked like a statue out there just holding on to the ball. Flacco must have the game of his life because the Pats won't let RB Ray Rice beat them. I think the Ravens want to win this game more but ultimately my preseason pick to win Super Bowl XLVI will falter to the Patriots on the road.
Prediction: Patriots win 35-27
(4) New York Giants @ (2) San Francisco 49ers
Kick Off Time: Sunday 6:30pm (FOX)
The 49ers welcome the Giants into Candlestick Park again, this time to win the NFC Championship and go on to Super Bowl XLVI. The 49ers won the earlier meeting 27-20 which started off the Giants losing 5 of the next 6 games after they started 6-2. The 49ers come off a somewhat surprising win against the Saints last week after forcing 5 turnovers in a 36-32 win. It was a great game and good to see 49ers QB Alex Smith lead basically two game winning drives. The last one with about 9 seconds left, a throw to ridiculous TE Vernon Davis in what could be called "The Catch 3" The 49ers defense was very physical and after the ball all game and the Saints still scored 32 points. The Giants last week proved to everyone that the Packers weren't as good as advertised. Finally a team other than the Chiefs wasn't afraid to step up and play against the defending champs. The Packers were off and the refs gave them 14 points but it didn't matter anyway as the Giants just dominated the 2nd half in a 37-20 win. Giants QB Eli Manning has been playing like an elite QB and doesn't look to be playing scared as he sometimes does. Both the 49ers and Giants defense are playing excellent up to this game.
Both offenses will have to focus on protecting the quarterbacks as both teams defensive lines are dominant. That starts with each teams run game. The 49ers have really good running backs in Frank Gore and a guy who was underrated in the draft in Kendall Hunter. The Giants also have a great 1,2 punch in Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. This game will be up to Alex Smith if the 49ers go to the Super Bowl or not. I just don't see a repeat performance like he had last week against a much better defense than the Saints were.
Prediction: Giants win 24-14
(3) New Orleans Saints @ (2) San Francisco 49ers
Kick Off Time: Saturday 4:30pm
New Orleans is coming off a great win against Detroit last week 45-28 in the wild card playoff game. The Saints are now on the road in San Francisco playing in grass to take on the most consistent defense all year. The 49ers are 7-1 at home and will rely on their great defense to stop Drew Brees and company. 49ers QB Alex Smith will have to manage the game with WR Michael Crabtree and TE Vernon Davis as his main targets. RB Frank Gore will have to get going to keep New Orleans' offense off the field. The Saints are now on a 9 game winning streak and their last loss was against the St. Louis Rams back in October.
I think this will be the the best game of the divisional playoffs with the best defense against the best offense but it it be up to the 49ers offense if they want to win the game.
Prediction: Saints win 28-20
(4) Denver Broncos @ (1) New England Patriots
Kick Off Time: Saturday 8:00pm
Tim Tebow did it again last Sunday against the top ranked Steelers defense. The Steelers defense was begging for Tebow to throw the ball and he did, right over them in route to 316 passing yards despite only completing 10 passes. The Patriots are led by one of the best in QB Tom Brady where they have lost 2 straight playoff games at home. Pats TE Gronk and the rest of the Patriots recieving core will have to get open as the Broncos rush defense is stout. The Broncos will have to force mistakes and get the running game going if they have any chance of keeping up with Brady.
This game should be close until the very end but might not be.
Prediction: Patriots win 27-14.
(3) Houston Texans @ (2) Baltimore Ravens
Kick Off Time: Sunday 1:00pm
Houston is coming off their 1st playoff win in franchise history under 3rd string QB T.J. Yates. Texans star WR Andre Johnson should be about 100% now with his hamstring injury. Their running game is the best in the NFL and their defense is also one of the best in the NFL. This is a game where the two teams mirror eachother. The only difference is the QB's. Joe Flacco needs to have a big game to prove to people that he can lead this good Ravens team to the Super Bowl. The Ravens are 8-0 at home so that bodes well with them along with Ray Lewis who is more hungry for a championship than anyone in the NFL I think.
T.J. Yates will have to make downfield throws to WR's against the Ravens on the road but it may be too much to handle for him despite a great running game.
Prediction: Ravens win 27-13
(4) New York Giants @ (1) Green Bay Packers
Kick Off Time: Sunday 4:30pm
These two teams met earlier in the season with Green Bay barely sqeaking out a win 38-35 with a last second FG. The Giants just gave Aaron Rodgers too much time at the end of regulation and Jordy Nelson made an incredible catch on that drive. This time though, the Giants will be at Lambeau Field where they beat the Packers in the 2007 NFC Championship game. The Packers are looking for revenge as Packers WR Greg Jennings said they had a good chance also of beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Giants' front four must apply pressure on Aaron Rodgers which they can do as the Packers offensive line is shaky. The Giants are on a roll where the Packers defense will become a liability sooner than later.
Eli Manning will thrive in the cold weather in Green Bay and the Giants will likely run over the Packers defense in a high scoring game.
Prediction: Giants win 42-38
(6) Cincinnati Bengals @ (3) Houston Texans
Kick Off Time: Saturday 4:30pm
The Houston Texans are in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history since becoming an NFL franchise in 2002. Houston hasn't seen a playoff team since the early 90's when the Houston Oilers played but have since moved to Tennessee and are the Titans now. This will be the second meeting with these teams with the Texans coming out on top in the last minute 20-19 in Cincinnati. That was 3rd string quarterback T.J. Yates first career start and he will be the quarterback for the Texans for the remainder of the playoffs. The Texans have since lost 3 straight games including losses to Carolina and Indianapolis. Two teams that were not that good. Cincinnati is led by a surprisingly successful rookie QB in Andy Dalton. Cincinnati has beat all the teams that they should beat but just can't get over the hump of beating the best in the AFC.
Houston will have to rely on their excellent run game with Arian Foster and Ben Tate allowing T.J. Yates to just manage the game. The defense also has to step up big and stop Cincinnati's rookie Pro Bowl WR A.J. Green and their running game. Both teams did not finish the season strong and this will be a defensive game where field position will be very important. Whichever QB makes the least mistakes and has the better running game that day win as both defenses are stout.
Prediction: Texans win 17-13
(6) Detroit Lions @ (3) New Orleans Saints
Kick Off Time: Saturday 8:00pm
The most anticipated wild-card playoff game this weekend features two of the most prolific offenses in the 2011 regular season. It will also feature the first time that two 5,000 yard passers will face each other in a playoff game. This will be the second meeting between these two teams in the same place. The Mercedes Benz Superdome which will as loud as usual. The last meeting ended with the Saints winning 31-17 with Drew Brees throwing for 3 TD's and over 300 yards. Matthew Stafford also played excellent that game for the Lions but his play was neglected because of stupid penalties.
The Saints are 8-0 at home while the Lions are 5-3 on the road. The Saints have also won 8 straight games. Ndamukong Suh, Chris Houston and Louis Delmas did not play in the last meeting for the Lions and all should play in this game. The Saints are ranked 1st in passing yard per game and 6th in rushing yards per game, but their defense is shaky allowing a lot of yards. The Saints defense thrives on blitzing with Gregg Williams as their defensive coordinator and forcing turnovers. The Lions offense will have to gain the majority of their yards through the air as their running game is just not there. RB Kevin Smith needs to have an impact. The Lions defense must force pressure and sack Brees all game if the Lions have any chance. This game will come down to who wants it more and which team makes the least mistakes.
Prediction: Saints win 35-31.
(5) Atlanta Falcons @ (4) New York Giants
Kick Off Time: Sunday 1:00pm
The Giants welcome the Falcons to MetLife Stadium and seem to be ready to play for their coach Tom Coughlin and dash the Falcons Super Bowl hopes. RB Michael Turner of the Falcons however thinks that the team learned an important lesson from being in the playoffs last year and getting blown out against the Packers. The Falcons now know what is expected in the playoffs and won't go down without a fight with the Giants. The Giants have called out the Falcons' offensive line for playing dirty. The Giants have also taken out two Ryan's the past two weeks in head coach Rex Ryan of the Jets and his brother, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan of the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants' defensive line will look to take out Falcons QB Matt Ryan on Sunday.
The Giants haven't played well at home going 4-4 but they played excellent against the Cowboys in a playoff like atmosphere last week. The Falcons have struggled on the road as well though going 4-4. Matt Ryan must prove he can win in the playoffs since he is 0-2 and future Hall of Famer TE Tony Gonzalez hasn't even won a playoff game in his career. The Giants were ranked last in the NFL in rushing yards per game but they have a healthy Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. If the Giants can stop Matt Ryan's pass targets including Roddy White and Julio Jones they should win. Eli Manning should also play well and is usually pretty clutch in the playoffs and the Giants' defensive line will pressure Matt Ryan all day.
Prediction: Giants win 38-21
(5) Pittsburgh Steelers @ (4) Denver Broncos
Kick Off Time: Sunday 4:30pm
The Broncos are at home and they wouldn't be in the playoffs if it weren't for QB Tim Tebow. He took over a 1-4 losing attitude team and turned them around despite a lot of criticism. John Elway, John Fox and even opponents like Brian Urlacher discredit him for the most part. I just thought it was funny when Brian Urlacher called Tebow a "good running back" when the Bears blew it and are now sitting on the couch this weekend. Since Tebow started at QB, he went 7-4 as a starter barely sqeaking his team in the playoffs. The Broncos team stepped up from offense to defense to special teams. The Steelers are a very good team with a very good defense and enough offense to create big plays. The Steelers have plenty of talent whereas the Broncos do not and can't afford to lose players like S Brian Dawkins who will be out. The Steelers will have a RB to step in for Rashard Mendenhall.
I expect the Steelers defense to hassle Tim Tebow for much of the game. The Broncos can't fall behind early because they rely on the run too much. They will abandon their game plan quick and force Tebow into bad situations trying to trow the ball to a bad core of WR's. The Steelers will have to protect Big Ben by keeping extra TE's and RB's in to pass block as the Broncos pass rush is one of the best in the NFL. With the Broncos being at home, it should help them a little but they are only 3-5 at home. The Steelers should win easily but I expect the Broncos to come out with a chip on their shoulder and it will be a pretty close game.
Prediction: Steelers win 20-10
1. Mark Barron, Sr. - Alabama Crimson Tide
2. Markelle Martin, Redshirt Sr. - Oklahoma State Cowboys
3. Bacarri Rambo, Redshirt Jr. - Georgia Bulldogs
4. Robert Lester, Jr. - Alabama Crimson Tide
5. Harrison Smith, Redshirt Sr. - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
6. Trenton Robinson, Sr. - Michigan State Spartans
7. Eddie Whitley, Sr. - Virginia Tech Hokies
8. Aaron Henry, Redshirt Sr. - Wisconsin Badgers
9. Winston Guy, Sr. - Kentucky Wildcats
10. Brandon Taylor, Sr. - LSU Tigers
1. Morris Claiborne, Jr. - LSU Tigers
2. Dre Kirkpatrick, Jr. - Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Alfozo Dennard, Sr. - Nebraska Cornhuskers
4. Janoris Jenkins, Sr. - North Alabama Lions
5. Chase Minnifield, Redshirt Sr. - Virginia Cavaliers
6. Stephon Gilmore, Jr. - South Carolina Gamecocks
7. Jayron Hosley, Jr. - Virginia Tech Hokies
8. Brandon Boykin, Sr. Georgia Bulldogs
9. Desmond Trufant, Jr. - Washington Huskies
10. Trumaine Johnson, Sr. - Montana Grizzlies
1. Dont'a Hightower, Redshirt Jr. - Alabama Crimson Tide
2. Luke Kuechly, Jr. - Boston College Eagles
3. Vontaze Burfict, Jr. - Arizona State Sun Devils
4. Audie Cole, Redshirt Sr. - North Carolina State Wolfpack
5. Kevin Reddick, Jr. - North Carolina Tar Heels
6. Jerry Franklin, Redshirt Sr. - Arkansas Razorbacks
7. Emmanuel Acho, Sr. - Texas Longhorns
8. Mychal Kendricks, Sr. - California Golden Bears
9. James-Michael Johnson, Redshirt Sr. - Nevada Wolfpack
10. Tank Carder, Redshirt Sr. - TCU Horned Frogs
1. Courtney Upshaw, Sr. - Alabama Crimson Tide
2. Zach Brown, Sr. - North Carolina Tar Heels
3. Nick Perry, Redshirt Jr. - USC Trojans
4. Ronnell Lewis, Jr. - Oklahoma Sooners
5. Lavonte David, Sr. - Nebraska Cornhuskers
6. Chase Thomas, Redshirt Jr. - Stanford Cardinal
7. Travis Lewis, Redshirt Sr. - Oklahoma Sooners
8. Sean Spence, Sr. - Miami Hurricanes
9. Bobby Wagner, Sr. - Utah State Aggies
10. Bruce Irvin, Sr. - West Virginia Mountaineers
1. Devon Still, Redshirt Sr. - Penn State Nittany Lions
2. Fletcher Cox, Jr. - Mississippi State Bulldogs
3. Alameda Ta'amu, Sr. - Washington Huskies
4. Brandon Thompson, Sr. - Clemson Tigers
5. Jerel Worthy, Redshirt Jr. - Michigan State Spartans
6. Dontari Poe, Redshirt Jr. - Memphis Tigers
7. Kawann Short, Redshirt Jr. - Purdue Boilermakers
8. Josh Chapman, Redshirt Sr. - Alabama Roll Tide
9. Derek Wolfe, Sr. - Cincinnati Bearcats
10. Kendall Reyes, Redshirt Sr. - Connecticut Huskies
1. Quinton Coples, Sr. - North Carolina Tar Heels
2. Whitney Mercilus, Redshirt Jr. - Illinois Illini
3. Billy Winn, Redshirt Sr. - Boise State Broncos
4. Jared Crick, Redshirt Sr. - Nebraska Cornhuskers
5. Melvin Ingram, Redshirt Sr. - South Carolina Gamecocks
6. Andre Branch, Redshirt Sr. - Clemson Tigers
7. Vinny Curry, Redshirt Sr. - Marshall Thundering Herd
8. Brandon Jenkins, Jr. - Florida State Seminoles
9. Alex Okafor, Jr. - Texas Longhorns
10. Cam Johnson, Sr. - Virginia Cavaliers
1. Green Bay Packers (15-1) Previous Ranking: 1
2. New Orleans Saints (13-3) Previous Ranking: 5
3. New England Patriots (13-3) Previous Ranking: 6
4. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) Previous Ranking: 2
5. San Francisco 49ers (13-3) Previous Ranking: 3
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) Previous Ranking: 4
7. Atlanta Falcons (10-6) Previous Ranking: 9
8. Detroit Lions (10-6) Previous Ranking: 11
9. Houston Texans (10-6) Previous Ranking: 7
10. New York Giants (9-7) Previous Ranking: 13
11. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) Previous Ranking: 14
12. Tennessee Titans (9-7) Previous Ranking: 8
13. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) Previous Ranking: 26
14. Denver Broncos (8-8) Previous Ranking: 15
15. San Diego Chargers (8-8) Previous Ranking: 19
16. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) Previous Ranking: 12
17. Oakland Raiders (8-8) Previous Ranking: 16
18. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) Previous Ranking: 21
19. Miami Dolphins (6-10) Previous Ranking: 22
20. New York Jets (8-8) Previous Ranking: 10
21. Arizona Cardinals (8-8) Previous Ranking: 18
22. Carolina Panthers (6-10) Previous Ranking: 20
23. Chicago Bears (8-8) Previous Ranking: 17
24. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) Previous Ranking: 25
25. Buffalo Bills (6-10) Previous Ranking: 23
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) Previous Ranking: 28
27. Cleveland Browns (4-12) Previous Ranking: 27
28. Washington Redskins (5-11) Previous Ranking: 29
29. Tampa Bay Bucs (4-12) Previous Ranking: 24
30. Minnesota Vikings (3-13) Previous Ranking: 30
31. St. Louis Rams (2-14) Previous Ranking: 31
32. Indianapolis Colts (2-14) Previous Ranking: 32
*Previous Rankings are from after Week 13.
My predictions before the regular season started on what records for all the NFL teams would have and what they actually ended up with as the regular season ended.
NFC North
Green Bay Packers (13-3) Packers finished a strong 15-1 taking the NFC North Division title.
Detroit Lions (11-5) Lions advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 1999 finishing 10-6.
Chicago Bears (9-7) The Bears started 7-3 but limped to 8-8 once Cutler injured his thumb.
Minnesota Vikings (6-10) The Vikings' only bright spot was Jared Allen and they ended 3-13.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons (12-4) My Super Bowl pick for the NFC finished 10-6 and made the playoffs.
New Orleans Saints (11-5) Brees led the Saints to 13-3 and the NFC South Division title.
Tampa Bay Bucs (11-5) The Bucs were 4-2 then lost their last 10 games to finish a lowly 4-12.
Carolina Panthers (2-14) Cam Newton's success surprised me and the Panthers went 6-10.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) The "All-Star" team didn't quite live up to expectations going 8-8.
NY Giants (8-8) The Giants win the bad NFC East no one seemed to want to win. 9-7.
Washington Redskins (8-8) The Redskins were terrible after a 4-1 start finishing 5-11.
Dallas Cowboys (8-8) The Cowboys went 8-8. No leadership on that team.
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks (8-8) Seahawks finished a disappointing 7-9.
St. Louis Rams (6-10) A team that had playoff hopes but finished as one of the worst teams 2-14.
Arizona Cardinals (5-11) Won many games in OT but still only finished 8-8.
San Francisco 49ers (4-12) Jim Harbaugh. 1st Place NFC West, 1st Round bye in playoffs. 13-3.
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (14-2) Lost to Baltimore twice but still made playoffs at 12-4.
Baltimore Ravens (12-4) Super Bowl pick for AFC before season and finished 12-4. Won North.
Cleveland Browns (7-9) The Browns need some offensive weapons. It's why they went 4-12.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-14) Another rookie QB that had a great year leading them to 9-7. Playoffs.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts (10-6) Prediction was before Peyton was out but still. 2-14?
Houston Texans (6-10) First playoff appearance in franchise history after winning South at 10-6.
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) Cut Garrard. Sold team. Pretty much it. Still went 5-11.
Tennessee Titans (4-12) Almost made the playoffs at 9-7 with a new coach and veteran QB.
AFC East
New England Patriots (12-4) The Pats won the AFC East and is the No. 1 seed in playoffs. 13-3.
NY Jets (12-4) Mark Sanchez did not take the next step. Rex kept talking. 8-8.
Buffalo Bills (6-10) The Fitz got paid then played terribly taking the team to 6-10.
Miami Dolphins (5-11) Dolphins sent Taylor out right with a W. 6-10. Finished strong.
AFC West
San Diego Chargers (8-8) They went 8-8 and Norv should get the axe in a weak AFC West.
Oakland Raiders (8-8) Missed the playoffs again finishing 8-8. Carson Palmer not worth it.
Kansas City Chiefs (8-8) Romeo should get shot to coach this team in 2012 beating G.B. 7-9.
Denver Broncos (5-11) Started 1-4. In comes Tebow and they win the weak AFC West at 8-8.
