Post by Zack Fradella on Nov 7, 2007 19:48:00 GMT -6
NFC Playoff Picture
Dallas Cowboys
Current record: 7-1
Projected record: 14-2
Result: NFC East champion
Seed: No. 1
It seems as if their lopsided loss to New England was eons ago and the Cowboys are starting to look like a complete team. Tony Romo is the real deal at quarterback and he has weapons in the passing game. The Cowboys have a physical run game and the defense is starting to get Wade Phillips' schemes. They have a monster game on Sunday on the road against the New York Giants, but the rest of their schedule is manageable with the toughest games at home (Green Bay and Detroit). The Cowboys will fight to the end to beat the Giants for the division title, and this team is equipped for a deep playoff run.
Green Bay Packers
Current record: 7-1
Projected record: 12-4
Result: NFC North champion
Seed: No. 2
We keep waiting for the Packers to fade, but they keep coming up with new ways to win and are having more fun than any other team in the league. They have an underrated defense with a deep defensive line rotation, athletic linebackers and shutdown corners who can play press coverages. The lack of a run game is a concern late in the season, but with Brett Favre the Packers have a chance to win every game -- especially at home. They have tough back-to-back road games in November at Detroit and Dallas, but this looks like a team that can play at home until the NFC Championship game. The Packers are for real.
New Orleans Saints
Current record: 4-4
Projected record: 11-5
Result: NFC South champion
Seed: No. 3
All of the sudden, this looks like the same Saints team that went to the NFC Championship Game a year ago. Drew Brees is starting to make plays in the passing game, Reggie Bush is running pretty well, but most importantly, the defense is starting to produce, especially the pass rush. You have to worry about the loss of Deuce McAllister and a consistent power run game, but after an 0-4 start and now four straight wins, the Saints look as though they can win the division. They have a favorable closing schedule, but they will battle Tampa Bay all the way to the end.
Seattle Seahawks
Current record: 4-4
Projected record: 10-6
Result: NFC West champion
Seed: No. 4
Luckily for them, the Seahawks are in a division that nobody seems to want to win and will probably emerge with the NFC West crown by default. They have a soft run game that holds back a good play-action passing game and, at best, they are a middle-of-the-road defense. Seattle doesn't seem to play with a lot of passion or a sense of urgency. If Shaun Alexander decides he wants to run hard, this could be a decent playoff team. If not, the Seahawks are one and done. Their late schedule is manageable with a couple of tough trips to Philadelphia and Carolina, but this right now is an underachieving team.
New York Giants
Current record: 6-2
Projected record: 13-3
Result: wild card
Seed: No. 5
They are well-rested, everybody is getting along, and they now have a confident swagger. Their defense can make game-changing plays, especially the defensive line, and that takes pressure off an improving offense. Speaking of offense, Eli Manning is playing better, the run game is taking shape and this looks like a team without a glaring weakness. However, the Giants' second-half schedule is brutal with games against Dallas, at upstart Detroit and tough division games against Philadelphia and Washington before closing at home against New England, which at that point might be trying to conclude an undefeated regular season. The Giants may be one of the top three teams in the NFC, but it will be difficult to match their first-half 6-2 record and overtake Dallas in the NFC East. Still, this is a team that nobody will want to play in January.
Detroit Lions
Current record: 6-2
Projected record: 9-7
Result: wild card
Seed: No. 6
We have been waiting for weeks to see the Lions start to lose, but evidently they didn't get the memo that they were supposed to fall apart by now. They have always had an explosive passing game, but now they are starting to show offensive balance by running the ball, plus they are playing decent defense. This is an excited team that believes in itself and is enjoying the ride. Still, the Lions have a tough closing schedule that features the N.Y. Giants, Green Bay twice, San Diego, Dallas and Kansas City. They may fade a little bit, but probably have enough of a cushion to sneak into the playoffs.
___________________________________________________
NFC Wild Card Weekend
No. 3 New Orleans
over No. 6 Detroit
The 0-4 start by the Saints is now a distant memory and QB Drew Brees will exploit the Lions secondary. The Saints new-found pass rush pressure will get to Jon Kitna and the the Lions' fairytale season comes to an end.
No. 5 New York Giants
over No. 4 Seattle
Seattle got into the playoffs by default and are playing a hot team with no major flaws. The Seawhawks offensive line will not be able to protect QB Matt Hasselbeck and the Giants offensive balance will exploit an average Seattle defense. This game will be easy for the Giants.
AFC Divisional Playoff
No. 1 New England
over No. 4 San Diego
The Patriots will be well rested and will exploit the Chargers' weaknesses. Tom Brady will have a field day against this defense and the Pats defense will shut down Tomlinson, forcing Rivers to make plays, something that won't happen enough.
No. 2 Indianapolis
over No. 3 Pittsburgh
This could be a classic playoff game between two teams with contrasting styles. The Steelers will try to be physical and wear down the Colts, but Indy will counter with a great passing game and lot of Joseph Addai. In the end, Indy will do a good job of containing Steelers RB Willie Parker and the game will come down top Peyton Manning vs. Roethlisberger and and we know who wins that battle. But this will be a good one.
NFC Divisional Playoff
No. 1 Dallas
over No. 5 New York Giants
This will be the best game in the NFL playoffs. It features a great Giants pass rush against Tony Romo, but the Cowboys will sneak away with a close win at home because of their running game and the fact Romo makes a couple more plays in the passing game than Giants QB Eli Manning.
No. 2 Green Bay
over No. 3 New Orleans
The Packers are tough to beat at home, especially in January. Brett Favre will pick apart a suspect Saints secondary while the Packers CB duo of Al Harris and Charles Woodson will take the Saints' receivers out of the game.
AFC Championship
No. 1 New England
over No. 2 Indianapolis
This is the rematch that everybody has been waiting for since Week 9, but now it's in New England. It will be close, but Brady will outduel Manning and the Pats will spread the field and, ironically, wear down the Colts.
NFC Championship
No. 1 Dallas
over No. 2 Green Bay
The Packers have to leave the friendly confines of Lambeau Field and by now, Romo and Co. are on a roll. Finally, the lack of a run game for Green Bay going against the underrated Cowboys run game will be the difference in this one as the Cowboys roll to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XLII
New England
over Dallas
This will be a matchup of the best that each conference has to offer, but the Pats are on a mission. Brady will pick apart a vbulnerable Cowboys secondary with his spread offense and the Patriots will finish a perfect season with a comfortable win in Arizona.
Dallas Cowboys
Current record: 7-1
Projected record: 14-2
Result: NFC East champion
Seed: No. 1
It seems as if their lopsided loss to New England was eons ago and the Cowboys are starting to look like a complete team. Tony Romo is the real deal at quarterback and he has weapons in the passing game. The Cowboys have a physical run game and the defense is starting to get Wade Phillips' schemes. They have a monster game on Sunday on the road against the New York Giants, but the rest of their schedule is manageable with the toughest games at home (Green Bay and Detroit). The Cowboys will fight to the end to beat the Giants for the division title, and this team is equipped for a deep playoff run.
Green Bay Packers
Current record: 7-1
Projected record: 12-4
Result: NFC North champion
Seed: No. 2
We keep waiting for the Packers to fade, but they keep coming up with new ways to win and are having more fun than any other team in the league. They have an underrated defense with a deep defensive line rotation, athletic linebackers and shutdown corners who can play press coverages. The lack of a run game is a concern late in the season, but with Brett Favre the Packers have a chance to win every game -- especially at home. They have tough back-to-back road games in November at Detroit and Dallas, but this looks like a team that can play at home until the NFC Championship game. The Packers are for real.
New Orleans Saints
Current record: 4-4
Projected record: 11-5
Result: NFC South champion
Seed: No. 3
All of the sudden, this looks like the same Saints team that went to the NFC Championship Game a year ago. Drew Brees is starting to make plays in the passing game, Reggie Bush is running pretty well, but most importantly, the defense is starting to produce, especially the pass rush. You have to worry about the loss of Deuce McAllister and a consistent power run game, but after an 0-4 start and now four straight wins, the Saints look as though they can win the division. They have a favorable closing schedule, but they will battle Tampa Bay all the way to the end.
Seattle Seahawks
Current record: 4-4
Projected record: 10-6
Result: NFC West champion
Seed: No. 4
Luckily for them, the Seahawks are in a division that nobody seems to want to win and will probably emerge with the NFC West crown by default. They have a soft run game that holds back a good play-action passing game and, at best, they are a middle-of-the-road defense. Seattle doesn't seem to play with a lot of passion or a sense of urgency. If Shaun Alexander decides he wants to run hard, this could be a decent playoff team. If not, the Seahawks are one and done. Their late schedule is manageable with a couple of tough trips to Philadelphia and Carolina, but this right now is an underachieving team.
New York Giants
Current record: 6-2
Projected record: 13-3
Result: wild card
Seed: No. 5
They are well-rested, everybody is getting along, and they now have a confident swagger. Their defense can make game-changing plays, especially the defensive line, and that takes pressure off an improving offense. Speaking of offense, Eli Manning is playing better, the run game is taking shape and this looks like a team without a glaring weakness. However, the Giants' second-half schedule is brutal with games against Dallas, at upstart Detroit and tough division games against Philadelphia and Washington before closing at home against New England, which at that point might be trying to conclude an undefeated regular season. The Giants may be one of the top three teams in the NFC, but it will be difficult to match their first-half 6-2 record and overtake Dallas in the NFC East. Still, this is a team that nobody will want to play in January.
Detroit Lions
Current record: 6-2
Projected record: 9-7
Result: wild card
Seed: No. 6
We have been waiting for weeks to see the Lions start to lose, but evidently they didn't get the memo that they were supposed to fall apart by now. They have always had an explosive passing game, but now they are starting to show offensive balance by running the ball, plus they are playing decent defense. This is an excited team that believes in itself and is enjoying the ride. Still, the Lions have a tough closing schedule that features the N.Y. Giants, Green Bay twice, San Diego, Dallas and Kansas City. They may fade a little bit, but probably have enough of a cushion to sneak into the playoffs.
___________________________________________________
NFC Wild Card Weekend
No. 3 New Orleans
over No. 6 Detroit
The 0-4 start by the Saints is now a distant memory and QB Drew Brees will exploit the Lions secondary. The Saints new-found pass rush pressure will get to Jon Kitna and the the Lions' fairytale season comes to an end.
No. 5 New York Giants
over No. 4 Seattle
Seattle got into the playoffs by default and are playing a hot team with no major flaws. The Seawhawks offensive line will not be able to protect QB Matt Hasselbeck and the Giants offensive balance will exploit an average Seattle defense. This game will be easy for the Giants.
AFC Divisional Playoff
No. 1 New England
over No. 4 San Diego
The Patriots will be well rested and will exploit the Chargers' weaknesses. Tom Brady will have a field day against this defense and the Pats defense will shut down Tomlinson, forcing Rivers to make plays, something that won't happen enough.
No. 2 Indianapolis
over No. 3 Pittsburgh
This could be a classic playoff game between two teams with contrasting styles. The Steelers will try to be physical and wear down the Colts, but Indy will counter with a great passing game and lot of Joseph Addai. In the end, Indy will do a good job of containing Steelers RB Willie Parker and the game will come down top Peyton Manning vs. Roethlisberger and and we know who wins that battle. But this will be a good one.
NFC Divisional Playoff
No. 1 Dallas
over No. 5 New York Giants
This will be the best game in the NFL playoffs. It features a great Giants pass rush against Tony Romo, but the Cowboys will sneak away with a close win at home because of their running game and the fact Romo makes a couple more plays in the passing game than Giants QB Eli Manning.
No. 2 Green Bay
over No. 3 New Orleans
The Packers are tough to beat at home, especially in January. Brett Favre will pick apart a suspect Saints secondary while the Packers CB duo of Al Harris and Charles Woodson will take the Saints' receivers out of the game.
AFC Championship
No. 1 New England
over No. 2 Indianapolis
This is the rematch that everybody has been waiting for since Week 9, but now it's in New England. It will be close, but Brady will outduel Manning and the Pats will spread the field and, ironically, wear down the Colts.
NFC Championship
No. 1 Dallas
over No. 2 Green Bay
The Packers have to leave the friendly confines of Lambeau Field and by now, Romo and Co. are on a roll. Finally, the lack of a run game for Green Bay going against the underrated Cowboys run game will be the difference in this one as the Cowboys roll to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XLII
New England
over Dallas
This will be a matchup of the best that each conference has to offer, but the Pats are on a mission. Brady will pick apart a vbulnerable Cowboys secondary with his spread offense and the Patriots will finish a perfect season with a comfortable win in Arizona.
