NFL Divisional Playoffs: Prediction Thread
Each week here at Arrowhead Addict the staff has picked the upcoming Kansas City Chiefs game. Unfortunately there will be no Kansas City Chiefs game today or tomorrow for that matter but at least we still have some football to entertain us before a long and uncertain offseason.
The staff will pick each game throughout the playoffs and we will keep track of records so that after the Chiefs win the Super Bowl, we can crown an Arrowhead Addict Staff Champion. We encourage you all to get in on the action as well by giving us your picks in the comments. We’ll tally them up and declare an AA Reader Playoff Champion as well.
Let’s take a look at the standings from last week’s picks:
Big Matt: 3-1
Adam T: 2-2
Merlin: 2-2
Randy: 2-2
Patrick: 1-3
Jeremy: 1-3
Kyle: 1-3
Victor: 1-3
Double D: 1-3
Alright so we didn’t do so hot, well except for Big Matt. Unfortunately for Matt, the only one he got wrong was Chiefs/Raven
How did you all do? Let’s take a look at our top reader predictions from last week:
Only 4 readers got their picks in in time last week:
Moxy: 1-3
gjrchief: 1-3
bigpidge: 1-3
KCChiefsaddict: 0-4
Now on with this week’s picks. Think you can pick the games better than the AA staff? Prove it.
Patrick: (1-3)
Steelers 24, Ravens 23
Troy Polamalu is simply the best player in the NFL and I think he makes the difference here.
Falcons 27, Packers 17
Tony Gonzalez gets his first playoff win.
Bears 20, Seahawks 3
This one could be ugly.
Patriots 31, Jets 17
Jets get smoked like they did the last time these two teams met.
Nick Rodgers: (0-0)
Steelers 24, Ravens 21
Close game but Big Ben’s post season experience helps them win this one late at home.
Falcons 31, Packers 24
Matty Ice and Tony G come out on top at home against Aaron Rodgers and the drunken sconnies.
Bears 17, Seahawks 6
The carriage turns back into a pumpkin on the Seahawks when they run into a defense that’s legit.
Patriots 38, Jets 13
Rex and company meet up against an unstoppable force that no amount of trash talk can overcome.
Merlin: (2-2)
Baltimore 17, Pittsburgh 13
Best game of the day as the Ravens pull out a hard fought win.
Green Bay 35, Atlanta 31
Pack wins in a fun, close shootout.
Chicago 21, Seattle 14
Battle of who gets to lose next week.
Pats 35, Jets 17
Pats turn on the afterburners.
Victor: (1-3)
Ravens 17, Steelers 13
Ha ha — the Ravens have to go out there and play again today! Boy, am I glad I’m not them! [Sigh.] But the Ravens have the convicts–I mean, the conviction–to put down a petty harasser like Roethlisberger.
Packers 24, Falcons 21
One-and-done again in January? That’s not what Tony G and his lovely wife October bargained for. “The Falcons don’t lose at home.” Uh, yes. Yes, they do.
Seahawks 17, Bears 28
Hey, remember how in October the Seahawks came into Soldier Field and beat the Bears? So do the Bears.
Jets 10, Patriots 38
Down three scores by halftime, Rex Ryan himself takes over behind center despite the fact that he must go into the game bareheaded, as none of the available helmets fit him. Almost immediately, he is involved in a vicious helmet-to-cranium hit. The Patriots defender is carried off on a stretcher, but will eventually be okay. Ryan, unfazed, is ejected.
Big Matt: (3-1)
Baltimore 17, Pittsburgh 9
If Baltimore keeps winning our humiliation is lessened, right?
Atlanta 31, Green Bay 28
I don’t care about this game at all, so I guess I’ll go with Tony.
Chicago 24, Seattle 10
It was fun, Seattle. But, you know, you’re still not very good.
Jets 28, pats 24
The Patriots got caught cheating and, even ignoring that, are probably the least likable franchise in the league. Emulate!
Randy: (2-2)
Steelers 28, Ravens 3
Steelers dominate.
Packers 31, Falcons 28
Green Bay squeaks by.
Double D: (1-3)
Packers 24, Falcons 17
Clay Matthews and the Packers defense are a little too much for Matty Ice. Packers move on.
Steelers 31, Ravens 30
In a game where both defenses should dominate both Roethlisberger and Flacco each find ways to pick each other’s teams apart with Steelers getting 3 pointer as time runs out.
Seahawks 30, Bears 21
Seattle’s improbable playoff run stays alive.
Jets 10, Pats 49
Rex Ryan gets muzzled while his Jets get schooled.
Adam T: (2-2)
(no picks yet)
Jeremy: (1-3)
(no picks yet)
Lyle: (1-3)
(no picks yet)
<p style=”text-align: center;”><img class=”aligncenter” src=”http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/aug2009/9/7/crystal-ball-pic-rex-394809965.jpg” alt=”” width=”450″ height=”317″ /></p>
Each week here at Arrowhead Addict the staff has picked the upcoming Kansas City Chiefs game. Today we are going to switch things up by picking all of the playoff games. The staff will pick each game throughout the playoffs and we will keep track of records so that after the Chiefs win the Super Bowl, we can crown an Arrowhead Addict Staff Champion.
We encourage you all to get in on the action as well by giving us your picks in the comments. We’ll tally them up and declare an AA Reader Playoff Champion as well. Think you can pick the games better than the AA staff?Prove it.
Let’s get started after the jump.
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<p style=”text-align: center;”><strong>Patrick:</strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #ffcc00;”>Saints 16, Seahawks 6</span>
</strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>The forecast calls for rain and it will slow the Saints passing attack a bit but they will still win. The Seahawks went 7-9 in the NFC West. They are a bad, bad football team.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #008000;”>Jets 28, Colts 24</span></strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>The Jets will win in similar fashion to the way they beat the Chargers last year. They’ll run the Colts ragged and play tough D. Peyton will fall just short this year.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #ff0000;”>Ravens 16, Chiefs 17</span></strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Hang on to your hats. This one is going to be close. I think this one will be a bit of a defensive battle with the Chiefs squeaking out a win. Go Chiefs!</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #339966;”><strong>Packers 21, Eagles 34</strong></span></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>I don’t think the Packers are ready for the Mike Vick experience.</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”><strong>Adam T:</strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #ffcc00;”><strong>Saints 35, Seahawks 17</strong></span></p>
Wait … is this actually a playoff game? Then what are the Seahawks doing here?
<p style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #0000ff;”>Colts 24, Jets 21</span></strong></p>
The Peyton Manning’s manage to squeak by the Jets because Mark Sanchez’s shoulder injury doesn’t make him a better quarterback.
<p style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #800080;”><strong>Ravens 21, Chiefs 14</strong></span></p>
The Chiefs struggle against top defenses. Actually, I predicted it this way so that even if the Chiefs lose, there is still a silver lining in that I was right.
<p style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #00ff00;”><span style=”color: #008000;”><strong>Packers 24, Eagles 20</strong></span>
</span>
The Packers beat the Eagles once this season already. I’ve seen nothing to convince me that the outcome should be any different from last time.</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”><strong>Jeremy:</strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #ffcc00;”>Saints 31, Seahawks 6</span></strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Congrats to the Hawks on clinching their division. Time to get ready for the draft.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #0000ff;”>Jets 14, Colts 28</span></strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Colts still have Manning, and the Jets still have a mopey Sanchez.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #ff0000;”>Ravens 17, Chiefs 20</span></strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Ravens offense is not firing on all cylinders, and the Arrowhead noise and faithful will cause them to sputter.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #008000;”>Packers 31, Eagles 24</span></strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Packers are a better team . They stop just 2 players, Deshean Jackson and Michael Vick with the ageless Charles Woodson and GEICO caveman Clay Matthews.</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”><strong>Lyle:</strong></p>
<div><strong><span style=”color: #ffcc00;”>Saints 27, Seahawks 20</span></strong></div>
<div><strong><span style=”color: #ffcc00;”>*
</span></strong></div>
<div>After all the fuss about a 7-9 team making the playoffs, the hawks actually give the defending champs a run for their money.</div>
<div>*</div>
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<div><strong><span style=”color: #0000ff;”>Jets 20, Colts 31</span></strong></div>
<div><strong><span style=”color: #0000ff;”>*
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<div>Peyton Manning makes me very happy by silencing Rex Ryan for the rest of the playoffs.</div>
<div>*</div>
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<div>
<div><span style=”color: #ff0000;”><strong>Ravens 16, Chiefs 20</strong></span></div>
Fueled by the power of Arrowhead, the Chiefs defense plays their best game of the season and Cassel, Charles, and the gang reward them with a solid but not spectacular performance.
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<div><span style=”color: #008000;”><strong>Packers 27, Eagles 24</strong></span></div>
<div><strong>
</strong></div>
<div>Aaron Rodgers carries the offense on his back and the GD defense does just enough to contain Mike Vick.</div>
<div>*</div>
<div style=”text-align: center;”><strong>Victor:</strong></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>
Saints 31, Seahawks 20
With a semi-inspired performance from Matt Hasselbeck and great kick returns, Seattle keeps it close–they may even lead at halftime–but Seahawks miscues (and Drew Brees) push the Saints ahead and out of reach in the second half.
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<div style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #00ff00;”> </span></strong> <span style=”color: #008000;”><strong>Jets 20, Colts 17</strong></span></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>
Peyton Manning’s grit–but also, a pick or two–keep the outcome in doubt until the final seconds, and the game ends in controversy when Adam Vinatieri’s potential tying field goal is blocked by an unidentified member of the Jets coaching staff.
</div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>
Ravens 17, Chiefs 24
Cassel gets back on track, and Charles gets outside–but a third-quarter Derrick Johnson pick-six is the momentum-changing play
of the game and ultimate difference in the outcome.
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<div style=”text-align: left;”><strong> </strong> <strong><span style=”color: #339966;”>Packers 31, Eagles 37, OT</span></strong></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>
In their first test, the NFL’s new playoff overtime rules are rendered irrelevant by a restored (physically, if not reputationally) Michael Vick, who scores on a 36-yard TD run on the first OT possession.
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<div style=”text-align: center;”><strong>Big Matt:</strong></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>
<div><strong><span style=”color: #3366ff;”>Seahawks 28, Saints 21</span></strong></div>
<div><strong><span style=”color: #3366ff;”>
</span></strong></div>
<div>I like people from Seattle (although I hate the “12th man”), so I’m gonna go ahead and pick the stupid upset here. Plus I want to see last year’s champion fail, because I’m bitter and jealous.</div>
<div>*</div>
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<div><strong><span style=”color: #008000;”>Jets 17, Colts 13</span></strong></div>
<div><strong><span style=”color: #008000;”>
</span></strong></div>
<div>I believe the Jets can frustrate Peyton, and I absolutely love to see him frustrated. Watching him whine is like watching Shawn Smith at the bottom of the pile: a perverse delight.</div>
<div>*</div>
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<div>
<div><span style=”color: #ff0000;”><strong>Chiefs 35, Ravens 10</strong></span></div>
<div><span style=”color: #ff0000;”><strong>
</strong></span></div>
<div>Go big or go home. I’m scared of this game, but I’m also becoming strangely confident. I think maybe its because of that vision I had where Jesus told me we were going to win.</div>
<div>*</div>
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<div><strong><span style=”color: #008000;”>Packers 31, Eagles 13</span></strong></div>
<div><strong><span style=”color: #008000;”>
</span></strong></div>
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<div>I have a vague antipathy towards the entire NFC East. Given the chance, I always pick against anyone in that division</div>
<div>*</div>
<div style=”text-align: center;”><strong>Merlin:</strong></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #ffcc00;”><strong>Saints 35, Seahawks 10</strong></span></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #ffcc00;”><strong>
</strong></span></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>Saints rain bombs on the Seahawks.</div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>*</div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #0000ff;”><strong>Jets 21, Colts 24</strong></span></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #0000ff;”><strong>
</strong></span></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>Pissy-face Peyton squeaks by the mouth of Gotham.</div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>*</div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #800080;”><strong>Ravens 17, Chiefs 14</strong></span></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”><strong>
</strong></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>The Chiefs need their ‘A’ game and a fortunate bounce or two to win.</div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>*</div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #008000;”><strong>Packers 27, Eagles 17</strong></span></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”><strong>
</strong></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>Clay Matthews puts quarterback dog killer in the kennel.</div>
<div style=”text-align: center;”><strong>Randy:</strong></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #ffcc00;”>Saints 35, Seahawks 3</span></strong></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #ffcc00;”>
</span></strong></div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>Saints throw some hawkmeat in their gumbo and put an end to the Seahawk homefield advantage bs for good. Sorry , Seattle is not and never will be Kansas City.</div>
<div style=”text-align: left;”>
Jets 35, Colts 28
Jets put their sexual harassment and fetishes on hold, get their act together, and frustrate Payton Manning.
Chiefs 20, Ravens 13
The Arrowhead Advantage returns with a passion, and Randy drives home with leftover Arthur Bryants and big big expectations for next year. Resolved that this will be the last game at Arrowhead for this season.
Eagles 42, Packers 35
Packers still haven’t recovered from losing a prime Favre.
<p style=”text-align: center;”><strong>Double D:</strong></p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #ffcc00;”>Saints 31, Seahawks 13</span></strong></p>
Neither the return abilities of Leon Washington and Golden Tate, nor Seattle’s crowd noise will keep the Saints from marching in and <span style=”color: #000000;”>marching right on through.</span>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><strong><span style=”color: #0000ff;”>Jets 21, Colts 23</span></strong></p>
The Colts, down by a point, get the ball on their own 20 with 1:43 left on the clock.
<p style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #800080;”><strong>Ravens 27, Chiefs 3</strong>
</span>
This is how the Chiefs season ends; not with a bang, but with a whimper.</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”><span style=”color: #339966;”><strong>Packers 17, Eagles 24</strong></span></p>
A tough call to make but the combination of Michael Vick’s mobility, DeSean Jackson’s playmaker cred, and the Eagles very sound defense ought to be enough to carry the day.
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