2008 NFL Playoff Predictions

Unfortunately, all my year-end music list posting is complete. It's time to move on to something almost equally as important: The NFL playoffs.

Tomorrow begins Wild Card Weekend, which usually makes for the most exciting weekend of football aside from the first week of the season, and the Super Bowl, of course.

My preseason predictions were way off, so here's my second shot at guessing how the playoffs are going to pan out.

AFC Wild Card Round

(3) Miami Dolphins vs. (6) Baltimore Ravens
As cool as it is to see Miami so successful (they headed up one of the ultimate turnarounds going from 1-15 last year to 11-5 and winning the AFC East), especially with Chad Pennington being tossed from the New York Jets only to enjoy a much better season than Brett Favre, I cannot imagine this "Wildcat" offense overcoming Baltimore's historically dominant defense. And that Ravens offense has been looking shockingly good all year long.
Winner: 27-21, Baltimore Ravens

(4) San Diego Chargers vs. (5) Indianapolis Colts
I am personally offended that the underachieving Chargers won their division and are guaranteed a home game in the opening round with an 8-8 record. In my eyes, this is proof that the NFL playoff system is faulted. What is even more obscene is that there are ESPN commentators who think San Diego will win this game. Give me a break. LaDainian Tomlinson had a mediocre season (by his standards), and yes, Philip Rivers carried the team and looked like a potential MVP, but he is not Peyton Manning, who is clutch, and could win this game on his own the way San Diego's defense has played all year. It helps that the Colts defense got their heads out of their asses and should show up here.
Winner: 27-17, Indianapolis Colts

NFC Wild Card Round

(3) Minnesota Vikings vs. (6) Philadelphia Eagles
I like Minnesota's running attack (Adrian Peterson) and that run defense, and the Eagles are way better than their record indicates, so this should be a really good, interesting game. However, I'm going to go with Philly in a landslide here as their offense has more dimensions thanks to Donovan McNabb (who truthfully is one of the five best QBs in the league) and Brian Westbrook, and their defense has been utterly nasty of late. If Peterson is stopped, the Vikings don't stand a chance.
Winner: 34-13, Philadelphia Eagles

(4) Arizona Cardinals vs. (5) Atlanta Falcons
Midway through the season, I was convinced Arizona could make a strong run in the playoffs, maybe all the way to the NFC championship game. This for sure will not happen, especially since they got stuck playing the hot as hell Atlanta Falcons right off the bat. I was pulling for this Cardinals time, and I like seeing Kurt Warner succeeding again, but Atlanta's (who soon should be the best team in the NFC) young and extremely talented offense will be too much for them. It should be close though, and Atlanta's going to have to score quite a bit.
Winner: 31-28, Atlanta Falcons

AFC Divisional Round

(1) Tennessee Titans vs. (6) Baltimore Ravens
Ya know, I think this is any one's game. Tennessee and Baltimore are almost the same team in the sense that they have great two-headed running games (Tennessee's being the greater), quarterbacks that don't create too many turnovers and can control the clock and sick defenses that should give those great running games some hell. Tennessee gets the slight edge due to more experience at QB and Chris Johnson being the best running back in this particular game.
Winner: 24-20, Tennesee Titans

(2) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (5) Indianapolis Colts
This game could either be the best throughout the playoffs, or an utter disaster. The Steelers should be the greatest challenge for the Colts offense. As long as Ben Roethlisberger is healthy, the offense should be able to do just enough to maintain the lead through the game, and the Pittsburgh D should create enough chaos to frustrate and eventually consume Manning to the point that he won't be able to make anything happen at the end of the game, which is something he's typically great at. If Pittsburgh's running game shows up, then there's no question who will walk away victorious.
Winner: 21-14, Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC Divisional Round

(1) New York Giants vs. (6) Philadelphia Eagles
I would love to see Philadelphia take this, but the Giants are just too good. Eli Manning is coming off his best year yet, and even though the lack of Plaxico Burress means he doesn't have much to work with, New York's running game is phenomenal. The Eagles should be able to score fine against a talented run defense, so this would be an extremely fun and tight game to watch. Both offenses will perform, so what this will come down to is which defense can create the most turnovers and sack the opposing quarterback most.
Winner: 37-30, New York Giants

(2) Carolina Panthers vs. (5) Atlanta Falcons
Even though Carolina's defense is pretty good and has its stars in Julius Peppers and Jon Beason, I could see this being another high scoring affair. The rushing stats should be off the charts with Atlanta's Michael Turner (a should-be candidate for NFL MVP) and Carolina's DeAngelo Williams (my pick for MVP) running the ball. Atlanta rookie quarterback Matt Ryan's inexperience will finally get the best of him, and mistakes will be the difference maker.
Winner: 32-28, Carolina Panthers

AFC Championship

(1) Tennessee Titans vs. (2) Pittsburgh Steelers
This will be a much better game than their regular season meeting which I believe also was in Tennessee. The Titans have the edge when it comes to coaching experience and running game, but that Steelers defense is miraculous. They will fuck with Kerry Collins to no end, and if Roethlisberger and keep from getting sacked too much. that should be that.
Winner: 20-16, Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC Championship

(1) New York Giants vs. (2) Carolina Panthers
Carolina's second playoff game is another doozey against another spectacular running team. In spite of New York's defense, there should be a lot of scoring here. I really could see this going either way. If Steve Smith is heavily involved, that could seal the NFC title for the Panthers. With both offenses probably flourishing in such a big game, this could also be like the Minnesota/Philly wild card game in that turnovers and sacks and will be the clincher.
Winner: 35-27, New York Giants

Super Bowl

(1) New York Giants vs. (2) Pittsburgh Steelers
As much as I hate to admit it (as the Pittsburgh Steelers are my favorite NFL team), I think this is the Giants' year. It's pretty much been looking that way all year to me. Either way, this won't be the most exciting Super Bowl, that's for sure. It will be ugly. These defenses will be on point, Manning and Roethlisberger will get sacked a lot. Quite a few turnovers. It will be brutal. Unfortunately, I just don't think Pittsburgh's offense is strong enough to outscore the Giants. New York's has more potential to be potent against such a behemoth of a defense. Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward will bash away at the Steel Curtain, leading them to a repeat title.
Winner: 23-17, New York Giants
MVP: Brandon Jacobs