2016-17 playoff predictions

[ErnieDiGregorio]

[b]AFCE: Bills
AFCN: Steelers
AFCS: Colts
AFCW: Raiders

1st WC:Ravens
2nd WC:Jaguars

NFCE: Giants
NFCN: Packers
NFCS: Saints
NFCW:Cardinals

1st WC:Vikings
2nd WC: Falcons

SB- Colts vs Vikings

8/30, noon

[ErnieDiGregorio]

I'm thinking of Making Ravens a second wildcard

[RavenMad31]

AFCE: Bills
AFCN: Steelers
AFCS: Colts
AFCW: Raiders

1st WC: Chiefs
2nd WC: Pats

NFCE: Giants
NFCN: Vikings
NFCS: Falcons
NFCW: Seahawks

1st WC: Packers
2nd WC: Rams

SB- Steelers vs Vikings

I can't see the Bills improving this year. Rex Ryan is a terrible HC and Rob Ryan isn't any better at DC. Any spike a team may get from Rex's bluster quickly wears off, especially if there isn't early success. Once that happens, you are left with a guy who is not a particularly great tactician and who can't contribute anything to the offensive side of his team's game. That was the opposite of what the Bills needed when they hired him. I can't see the Falcons overtaking Carolina. They pretty much are what they are, A .500ish football team. Vikings in the Super Bowl is a bold choice and not a bad one. They just better handle business if they are playing Pittsburgh. I don't think I can handle hearing yinzers going off about 7 rings.

[ErnieDiGregorio]

AFCE: Bills
AFCN: Steelers
AFCS: Colts
AFCW: Raiders

1st WC: Chiefs
2nd WC: Pats

NFCE: Giants
NFCN: Vikings
NFCS: Falcons
NFCW: Seahawks

1st WC: Packers
2nd WC: Rams

SB- Steelers vs Vikings

I can't see the Bills improving this year. Rex Ryan is a terrible HC and Rob Ryan isn't any better at DC. Any spike a team may get from Rex's bluster quickly wears off, especially if there isn't early success. Once that happens, you are left with a guy who is not a particularly great tactician and who can't contribute anything to the offensive side of his team's game. That was the opposite of what the Bills needed when they hired him. I can't see the Falcons overtaking Carolina. They pretty much are what they are, A .500ish football team. Vikings in the Super Bowl is a bold choice and not a bad one. They just better handle business if they are playing Pittsburgh. I don't think I can handle hearing yinzers going off about 7 rings.

If you click on each individual stat in offensive over all last season, the Falcans rank high in a few categories.
This year they won't turn the ball over and will throw to Julio more and that will make the difference.
The Panthers arent sustaining any long term success. Last year was it.

[RavenMad31]

AFCE: Bills
AFCN: Steelers
AFCS: Colts
AFCW: Raiders

1st WC: Chiefs
2nd WC: Pats

NFCE: Giants
NFCN: Vikings
NFCS: Falcons
NFCW: Seahawks

1st WC: Packers
2nd WC: Rams

SB- Steelers vs Vikings

I can't see the Bills improving this year. Rex Ryan is a terrible HC and Rob Ryan isn't any better at DC. Any spike a team may get from Rex's bluster quickly wears off, especially if there isn't early success. Once that happens, you are left with a guy who is not a particularly great tactician and who can't contribute anything to the offensive side of his team's game. That was the opposite of what the Bills needed when they hired him. I can't see the Falcons overtaking Carolina. They pretty much are what they are, A .500ish football team. Vikings in the Super Bowl is a bold choice and not a bad one. They just better handle business if they are playing Pittsburgh. I don't think I can handle hearing yinzers going off about 7 rings.

If you click on each individual stat in offensive over all last season, the Falcans rank high in a few categories.
This year they won't turn the ball over and will throw to Julio more and that will make the difference.
The Panthers arent sustaining any long term success. Last year was it.

Julio Jones has been fool's gold to them, just as it always is when you give up the farm for a WR/RB in the name of "getting over the hump". In the five seasons since giving up all that draft stock to move up for a WR, they have actually won 3 fewer games than the five years previous despite more consistency at QB and not having a season coached by Bobby Petrino. This is Atlanta in a nutshell. They always find their way to .500 football over the long haul. They did it last year and I don't see any reason why that would change much. The Panthers can't expect 15-1 by any means, but even a four game drop off would have them at a respectable 11-5 which is better than I'd expect from any other team in the South.

*On a side note, Torrey Smith was drafted 52 slots later and has scored just as many career TDs, even though you could obviously argue that 2000 more receiving yards carry some value as well. Considering draft slots, I'd say he was a much better value.

[ErnieDiGregorio]

I can't see the Bills improving this year. Rex Ryan is a terrible HC and Rob Ryan isn't any better at DC. Any spike a team may get from Rex's bluster quickly wears off, especially if there isn't early success. Once that happens, you are left with a guy who is not a particularly great tactician and who can't contribute anything to the offensive side of his team's game. That was the opposite of what the Bills needed when they hired him. I can't see the Falcons overtaking Carolina. They pretty much are what they are, A .500ish football team. Vikings in the Super Bowl is a bold choice and not a bad one. They just better handle business if they are playing Pittsburgh. I don't think I can handle hearing yinzers going off about 7 rings.

If you click on each individual stat in offensive over all last season, the Falcans rank high in a few categories.
This year they won't turn the ball over and will throw to Julio more and that will make the difference.
The Panthers arent sustaining any long term success. Last year was it.

Julio Jones has been fool's gold to them, just as it always is when you give up the farm for a WR/RB in the name of "getting over the hump". In the five seasons since giving up all that draft stock to move up for a WR, they have actually won 3 fewer games than the five years previous despite more consistency at QB and not having a season coached by Bobby Petrino. This is Atlanta in a nutshell. They always find their way to .500 football over the long haul. They did it last year and I don't see any reason why that would change much. The Panthers can't expect 15-1 by any means, but even a four game drop off would have them at a respectable 11-5 which is better than I'd expect from any other team in the South.

ok..regardless of Julio,they still ranked high in plenty of offensive stats and are coached by a Seattle defensive protege that got the defense to middle of pack last year. They will be the nfc south story this year.

[RavenMad31]

If you click on each individual stat in offensive over all last season, the Falcans rank high in a few categories.
This year they won't turn the ball over and will throw to Julio more and that will make the difference.
The Panthers arent sustaining any long term success. Last year was it.

Julio Jones has been fool's gold to them, just as it always is when you give up the farm for a WR/RB in the name of "getting over the hump". In the five seasons since giving up all that draft stock to move up for a WR, they have actually won 3 fewer games than the five years previous despite more consistency at QB and not having a season coached by Bobby Petrino. This is Atlanta in a nutshell. They always find their way to .500 football over the long haul. They did it last year and I don't see any reason why that would change much. The Panthers can't expect 15-1 by any means, but even a four game drop off would have them at a respectable 11-5 which is better than I'd expect from any other team in the South.

ok..regardless of Julio,they still ranked high in plenty of offensive stats and are coached by a Seattle defensive protege that got the defense to middle of pack last year. They will be the nfc south story this year.

I think long term, the Falcons are one of those franchises where you'll never lose betting on them not to win and I'll stick to my guns for 2016. Now that I kind of sidetracked the thread, I'll get things back on topic.

AFC
East-New England. I'll even bet on them to get Tom Brady back with a 3-1 record
North-Pittsburgh. I'm going to go throw up now.
South-Houston. I don't think Indy is that good outside of Luck, and that means the coaching staff and GM, not just the other players.
West-Oakland. Carr is arguably the best QB in the division and they have made nothing but solid personnel decisions recently.

Wild Cards- Denver-They can't drop off that much Baltimore-I'm a Ravens fan, otherwise I'd pick Cincy or maybe KC

NFC
East-Dallas. Worst to 1st. Ezekiel Elliot all day long with a little Romo to Bryant for good measure assuming they stay healthy.
North-GB. Coin flip between them and the Vikings
South-Carolina. Should be easy money while the rest of the division fights for .500
West-Seattle. This is going to start looking like what NE does every year in the AFC East, albeit with some competition

Wild Cards- Minnesota and St. Louis. I'd like Arizona, but can't trust Palmer to stay healthy and play well for a full season.

[Blazerbob]

I take New England to win their division. The Bills have nothing to take the division away.

The AFC North is Pittsburgh, Cincinnati has lost some talent from last year.

AFC South, Indy should have enough to top Houston, Oswieler has to prove something first, Jax is getting better .

In the West, Denver gets the nod, even with Sanchez, they won with Manning, who was a disaster. Oakland has added some great pieces, but need to play together for awhile.

Wild Card goes to Oakland and Cincy.

NFC East Dallas, Redskins should be tough but not that tough.

The North, I give a health Green Bay the nod. Vikings are getting better. I want to see if they let Bridgewater open it up a bit more.

The South the Panthers win going away. Tampa should be better and Atlanta and NO are slipping.


Seattle wins the West. Arizona has a problem with Palmer, he is getting old and running out of gas. SF is terrible and the Rams lost some good defensive player to FA.

Wild Cards, Vikings and the Cardinals.

[bluejerseyjinx]

No love for the Kansas City Chiefs. I'm finding that surprising. Barring injuries of course, I believe that have a hell of a shot to win the AFC.

[RavenMad31]

No love for the Kansas City Chiefs. I'm finding that surprising. Barring injuries of course, I believe that have a hell of a shot to win the AFC.

I think their history makes it hard for people to envision Andy Reid and Alex Smith both getting over the hump. The talent is there to make some noise, I'll grant you that.

[bluejerseyjinx]

I sure would love to have Justin Houston and Berry on my Cowboy's defense.

[RavenMad31]

I sure would love to have Justin Houston and Berry on my Cowboy's defense.

You and the fans of about 30 other teams.

[ErnieDiGregorio]

I sure would love to have Justin Houston and Berry on my Cowboy's defense.

You and the fans of about 30 other teams.

and yet they will never help KC get anywhere

[Cactus Jack]

EDIT:

AFC
East
New England

West
KC

North
Pittsburgh

South
Indy

Wildcards: Cincinnati, Denver


NFC
East
Dallas

West
AZ

North
Green Bay

South
Carolina

Wildcards: Seattle, Atlanta

SB 51
NE vs. GB

Brady & Belichick win another one.

[ErnieDiGregorio]

AFC
East
NE

We

[b]North
Green Bay

South
Carolina

Wildcards: Arizona, Atlanta

SB 51
NE vs. GB

Brady & Belichick win another one.

plus 1 for contributing.

minus 10 million for being a Seattle fan picking the Pats to win.

thats bizarre,twisted and wrong in so many ways

[Cactus Jack]

AFC
East
NE

We

[b]North
Green Bay

South
Carolina

Wildcards: Arizona, Atlanta

SB 51
NE vs. GB

Brady & Belichick win another one.

plus 1 for contributing.

minus 10 million for being a Seattle fan picking the Pats to win.

thats bizarre,twisted and wrong in so many ways

Reverse jinx

On second thought, I should have picked the Cards to win the division.

Edit: Okay, all set now.

[bleu]

AFCE: Bills
AFCN: Steelers
AFCS: Colts
AFCW: Raiders

1st WC: Chiefs
2nd WC: Pats

NFCE: Giants
NFCN: Vikings
NFCS: Falcons
NFCW: Seahawks

1st WC: Packers
2nd WC: Rams

SB- Colts vs Vikings

Not to sound like a homer or anything, but I'm really curious to hear your reasoning for why you think Carolina will be watching the playoffs from their couches while the Falcons and the Rams make it in this year?

[ErnieDiGregorio]

AFCE: Bills
AFCN: Steelers
AFCS: Colts
AFCW: Raiders

1st WC: Chiefs
2nd WC: Pats

NFCE: Giants
NFCN: Vikings
NFCS: Falcons
NFCW: Seahawks

1st WC: Packers
2nd WC: Rams

SB- Colts vs Vikings

Not to sound like a homer or anything, but I'm really curious to hear your reasoning for why you think Carolina will be watching the playoffs from their couches while the Falcons and the Rams make it in this year?

The nfc south changes hands a lot.
The Falcons over all offensive stats had a low rank but a few individual categories that you click on,on profootballreference they ranked high.
They had a bad second half stretch due to turn overs and not throwing to Julio. That will change.
Their coach was a defensive coach in Seattle and last year the the defense was like..15 to 17 over all,right in the middle. That will improve.
It's amazing how people keep saying anything can happen and then just base their picks on who won the last two years.
You have to pick like everyone else and be wrong like everyone else or they don't like you.
Does anyone notice the nfc and afc south teams except for the Colts are the weakest most unpopular teams in the nfl? Sure, sometimes they win and make the playoffs but the nation doesn't care about any of those teams and they are all conveniently tucked away in the same South division.

[bleu]

AFCE: Bills
AFCN: Steelers
AFCS: Colts
AFCW: Raiders

1st WC: Chiefs
2nd WC: Pats

NFCE: Giants
NFCN: Vikings
NFCS: Falcons
NFCW: Seahawks

1st WC: Packers
2nd WC: Rams

SB- Colts vs Vikings

Not to sound like a homer or anything, but I'm really curious to hear your reasoning for why you think Carolina will be watching the playoffs from their couches while the Falcons and the Rams make it in this year?

The nfc south changes hands a lot.
The Falcons over all offensive stats had a low rank but a few individual categories that you click on,on profootballreference they ranked high.
They had a bad second half stretch due to turn overs and not throwing to Julio. That will change.
Their coach was a defensive coach in Seattle and last year the the defense was like..15 to 17 over all,right in the middle. That will improve.
It's amazing how people keep saying anything can happen and then just base their picks on who won the last two years.
You have to pick like everyone else and be wrong like everyone else or they don't like you.
Does anyone notice the nfc and afc south teams except for the Colts are the weakest most unpopular teams in the nfl? Sure, sometimes they win and make the playoffs but the nation doesn't care about any of those teams and they are all conveniently tucked away in the same South division.

Well I mean, the Panthers have won it 3 years in a row fairly easily, and I don't know if I've seen a single expert protection putting Atlanta at more than 8 or 9 wins this season, most closer to 7. I don't know how many Panthers games you watched last year, but they are GOOD. I don't just mean they had a flukey year and the ball bounced their way in some close games, I mean they are a really good team. And while they did lose Josh Norman, I have a very hard time seeing them not winning at least 11 this season. That's not to say your projections can't happen, I just have to respectfully but strongly disagree.

[ErnieDiGregorio]

Not to sound like a homer or anything, but I'm really curious to hear your reasoning for why you think Carolina will be watching the playoffs from their couches while the Falcons and the Rams make it in this year?

The nfc south changes hands a lot.
The Falcons over all offensive stats had a low rank but a few individual categories that you click on,on profootballreference they ranked high.
They had a bad second half stretch due to turn overs and not throwing to Julio. That will change.
Their coach was a defensive coach in Seattle and last year the the defense was like..15 to 17 over all,right in the middle. That will improve.
It's amazing how people keep saying anything can happen and then just base their picks on who won the last two years.
You have to pick like everyone else and be wrong like everyone else or they don't like you.
Does anyone notice the nfc and afc south teams except for the Colts are the weakest most unpopular teams in the nfl? Sure, sometimes they win and make the playoffs but the nation doesn't care about any of those teams and they are all conveniently tucked away in the same South division.

Well I mean, the Panthers have won it 3 years in a row fairly easily, and I don't know if I've seen a single expert protection putting Atlanta at more than 8 or 9 wins this season, most closer to 7. I don't know how many Panthers games you watched last year, but they are GOOD. I don't just mean they had a flukey year and the ball bounced their way in some close games, I mean they are a really good team. And while they did lose Josh Norman, I have a very hard time seeing them not winning at least 11 this season. That's not to say your projections can't happen, I just have to respectfully but strongly disagree.

thats my point dude, you are just talking about the last 3 years. I'm talking about the last 20 and more and before the new playoff system. Last years games dont matter now. They were good,you dont know about this year.

and I don't know if I've seen a single expert protection putting Atlanta at more than 8 or 9 wins this season, most closer to 7.

there is no such thing as an expert in sports media. They dont know anymore than you do or they would be rolling in dough.
they do know their job is to create controversy or look at it like they know you do and point out the obvious.
so and so is a good receiver and should have a good year....lol so what?
if it doesnt happen,no one holds his ass responsible for not knowing. You can lie in sports media and its not a crime.
its better for everyone if they tell you this team sucks and then the team does well when you didnt expect it so bookies end up making money because everyone bet with the experts.
in 2014 the Panthers were 7-8-1.
2013- 12 -4
between 2006 and 2012 they had one good year. Theres nothing consistent about them and last year they got 5 wins from simply playing their own sucky division. the nfc south has sucked the last 3 years except for who ever wins the division and then that team dies early in the playoffs.

last year was a freaky year for the Panthers. They arent going to come close to repeating that.

I might be wrong about the Saints and Cards. They might sneak into the playoffs but theyll be irrelevant in them.