NFL Award Predictions: Defensive Player of the Year

     Unfortunately, many defensive players are overlooked when it comes to Most Valuable Player; however, the Defensive Player of the Year Award honors those defensive players like J.J. Watt who made a difference on the other side of the football. The two players apart from Watt who we believe have a legitimate chance at winning this award are Aldon Smith and Geno Atkins.

J.J. Watt

DT Geno Atkins: Geno Atkins, a third year defensive tackle out of Georgia, has proven himself to be one of the best defenders in the league, even though he did not start off his pro career with a lot of buzz surrounding his future. Atkins sacked the quarterback 12.5 time in 2012, ranking first among all defensive tackles,  as well as earning him a spot on the NFL All-Pro team. Along with his incredible sack total, Atkins forced four fumbles, with 53 tackles. Double teams came often, but Atkins still managed to get the better of the offensive linemen. Unfortunately, it is not a common occurrence for defensive tackles to win this award, so it is unlikely for Atkins to take home Defensive Player of the Year.

LB Aldon Smith: With just two games left in the season, Aldon Smith had a legitimate shot at breaking Michael Strahan's sack record. All though Smith was unable to record a single sack in his final three games of the season, the San Francisco linebacker helped lead the 49ers defense into the Super Bowl. Smith and Watt are the two main contenders for this award, but unfortunately, Aldon Smith is not as well-rounded of a defender as J.J. Watt.

DE J.J. Watt: Not only did J.J. Watt challenge Michael Strahan's sack record in 2012, J.J. introduced the idea of swatting balls down if it  is clear the sack is not there. J.J. Watt blocked a mind boggling 16 passes, causing quarterbacks to second guess the direction of their passes. In both the running game and the passing game, offensive coordinators avoided Watt's side of the field, for not only could he stop the run, as well as apply heavy pressure on the quarterback, but Watt would block the majority of the passes thrown his way. J.J. Watt improved the Texans defense drastically, and his extroidanry abilities deserve him the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Defensive Player of the Year Prediction: J.J. Watt

NFL Award Predictions: Offensive Player of the Year

     Finally, we are down to the three biggest awards to be handed out by the National Football League; Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and the grandaddy of them all, Most Valuable Player. Due to the large number of possible contenders, we will analyze the four best nominees for Offensive Player of the Year. Those nominees are Adrian Peterson, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, and Calvin Johnson.

Adrian Peterson

WR Calvin Johnson: After a relatively slow start, Calvin Johnson managed to finish the season strong, even though "strong" is a slight understatement. In the final nine games of the season, Johnson's stat line was absolutely incredible, and thanks to a 225 yard performance in a Week 16 game, Calvin Johnson was able to snap Jerry Rice's receiving yard record. If Johnson successfully eclipsed the 2,000 yard receiving record, he would be a more legitimate candidate for Offensive Player of the Year. However, because Calvin Johnson did not eclipse the 2,000 yard mark, he is not the favorite to win this award.

QB Aaron Rodgers: Even though Aaron Rodgers' stats saw a drop off from his stats in the 2011 season, a league leading 108.0 passer rating and 39 touchdowns keeps him in the competition for the Offensive Player of the Year Award. The Green Bay Packers, along with Aaron Rodgers, got off to a slow start in 2012, but the team as a whole built momentum towards the end of the season. Rodgers was sacked a mind boggling 45 times in 2012, but unfortunately, his fellow competition is too strong for him to win back to back offensive awards.

QB Peyton Manning: We believe Peyton Manning will take home Comeback Player of the Year Award, but the odds are not in his favor for Offensive Player of the Year. Manning's statistics were extremely consistent in 2012, where it appeared that after he adjusted to his new team, Manning became close to unstoppable. Manning not only recovered from a neck injury, but he resurrected a franchise in need of an elite quarterback. Manning makes a strong case for Offensive Player of the Year, but the case in favor of Adrian Peterson is even stronger.

RB Adrian Peterson: After Peterson suffered an ACL tear, many believed this talented running back would never be quite the same rusher as we saw earlier in his career. However, Peterson successfully proved history wrong, rushing for 2,097 yards, 12 touchdowns, and an incredible 6.0 rushing yards per carry. Offensive Player of the Year normally goes to the player with the best statistics, and Adrian Peterson's stat line is the best in the league.

Offensive Player of the Year Prediction: RB Adrian Peterson

NFL Award Predictions: Coach of the Year

     Unlike last year, where Jim Harbaugh was the obvious choice for NFL Coach of the Year, the battle for this award is much closer than in most. When it comes down to it, the three most deserving coaches are Jim Harbaugh, Pete Carroll, and Bruce Arians/Chuck Pagano. Be sure to comment on who you think deserves this award!

Jim Harbaugh: In 8 days, Jim Harbaugh will be battling against the Baltimore Ravens for the Super Bowl, not having time to worry about whether or not he wins this award. However, Harbaugh made one of the most intelligent decisions in the NFL by changing quarterbacks from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick. At the beginning, this decision seemed unnecessary, as the San Francisco 49ers were doing perfectly well with Smith. Then, Kaepernick helped San Francisco win the division, as well as leading them past the Falcons for a spot in the Super Bowl. It is unlikely that the NFL hands Harbaugh his second Coach of the Year Award in a row, even though he is most deserving of the award.

Pete Carroll: In 2011, the Seattle Seahawks were 7-9, and would not be playing in January for the Super Bowl title. Once Pete Carroll drafted Russell Wilson, though, and put him in at quarterback, this team was nearly unstoppable. Seattle's defense was one of the best in the league, and Marshawn Lynch maintained a consistent running game. Eventually, the Seahawks lost to Atlanta in the Divisional Round, but the fact that this young, talented squad made a playoff appearance shows off Pete Carroll's incredible coaching abilities.

Bruce Arians/Chuck Pagano: The story of the 2012 Indianapolis Colts is one of the greatest story lines in the history of the National Football League, where head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with Leukemia, and Bruce Arians stepped in, leading this team into the playoffs. Without Peyton Manning, the Colts went 2-14 in 2011. Thanks greatly to quarterback Andrew Luck, the record improved to 11-5 in 2012. There is no way the NFL will not hand Bruce Arians the Coach of the Year Award on February 2nd.

Coach of the Year Prediction: Bruce Arians/Chuck Pagano

NFL Award Predictions: Comeback Player of the Year

     Even though our past two entries analyzed the three most legitimate contenders for a particular award, there are truly only two players competing for the Comeback Player of the Year Award: Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson. In the average NFL season, Jamaal Charles would take home Comeback Player of the Year in a landslide; however, with the incredible performances from Manning and Peterson, Charles and his recovery has gained little publicity since his ACL injury took place in 2011. Though a similar battle is taking place for the Most Valuable Player Award, both wouldn't mind winning at least one award as a token for their tremendous play after an injury.

Adrian Peterson: As experts gazed across the list of running backs to suffer an ACL tear, the signs were against Adrian Peterson for a successful 2012 campaign. However, Peterson accomplished the impossible when he rushed for a grand total of 2,097 yards, just 9 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record. Peterson successfully carried the Minnesota Vikings into the playoffs, even with a more serious injury than Peyton Manning. Peterson's journey was a difficult one, but the outcome was spectacular.

Peyton Manning: After missing the entirety of the 2011 season, Peyton Manning traveled from Indianapolis to the Denver Broncos, where he improved a mediocre franchise, transforming Denver into a legitimate championship contender. Manning underwent neck surgery towards the beginning of the 2011 season, and once traded to the Broncos, Manning put up extraordinary statistics; the quarterback passed for 4,659 with a 105.8 passer rating. Though Manning's neck injury required difficult rehabilitation, Peterson's injury, an ACL tear, was more difficult to bounce back from. However, Manning will likely win at least won award for his 2012 season, and I think Comeback Player of the Year is that award.

Comeback Player of the Year Prediction: Peyton Manning

NFL Award Predictions: Defensive Rookie of the Year

     In our second installment of "NFL Award Predictions", we will discuss those competing for the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year Award. In a draft class known for its high flying offensive weapons, many rookie defenders did not gain the recognition they deserved. Luke Kuechly of the Panthers, Janoris Jenkins of the Rams, and Casey Hayward of the Packers all made a legitimate impact on the league; consequently, these three players have legitimate shots at taking home Rookie of the Year.

LB Luke Kuechly: Immediately, Boston College alum Luke Kuechly showed his dominance as a defender while playing for a mediocre Panthers defense. Kuechly led the National Football League in tackles with 164. Tackles are the only statistic that proves the true athleticism of any defender, whether it be their ability to stop the run, or the ability to make quick decisions on where the ball might be headed. Carolina's defense saw several improvements thanks to Keuchly, such as a decrease in points allowed, rushing yards allowed, and passing yards allowed, all relative to Carolina's 2011 season. Luke Kuechly became one of the most decorated linebacker's in college football history, and Defensive Rookie of the Year would add to an already impressive football resume.

CB Janoris Jenkins: Unfortunately for most teams around the NFL, their reluctancy to select Janoris Jenkins in the draft due to character issues cost them one of the most talented cornerbacks from the draft class. Jenkins picked off four passes in 2012, and he successfully returned three for touchdowns. His 73 tackles ranked 11th among rookies, a sensational number for any defender. Though he did not thrive within the "passes defended" category, Jenkins is one of the most athletic cornerbacks in the game, rookie or veteran.

CB Casey Hayward: Out of all the cornerbacks to be selected in Last April's draft, the rookie with the most impressive statistics relating to coverage is awarded to Casey Hayward. Green Bay made the right decision by adding another cornerback to the roster for when veteran Charles Woodson retires. Hayward stepped up to the plate, and boy, did he deliver. 6 interceptions, with a rookie leading 21 passes defended. Statistically speaking, Hayward wins over Janoris Jenkins, but by looking at their overall impact, Jenkins gets the edge over this Green Bay corner back.

Defensive Rookie of the Year Prediction: Luke Kuechly

NFL Award Predictions: Offensive Rookie of the Year

     Last April's draft class proved to have one of the more talented trio of passers in recent memory. Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, and Andrew Luck all wish to take home Offensive Rookie of the Year on February 2nd, but unfortunately, their can only be one winner.

QB Robert Griffin III: Out of the three quarterbacks competing, RGIII appeared to be the most disciplined, where he showed off his extraordinary accuracy by obtaining a 102.4 quarterback rating. Unlike Andrew Luck, RGIII threw just 5 interceptions in 15 games, as well as rush for over 800 yards with 7 scores. The former Heisman winner resurrected the Redskins franchise, bringing them back into contention before being bumped by Seattle in the Wild Card round. RGIII managed to stay consistent throughout the year, and if not for several injuries, he may have won this award in a landslide. 

QB Andrew Luck: The most impressive of Andrew Luck's statistics might be his ability to succeed even when the odds are against him. Luck was forced to play while a franchise coped with their head coach, Chuck Pagano, battling cancer. Andrew Luck had seven fourth quarter comebacks in 2012, and was also able to break the rookie record for passing yards with 4,374. The only problem with Andrew Luck was the high interception total (18 interceptions compared to 20 touchdowns). A fantastic rookie season will be followed by many more years of success, but it is unlikely Luck will win Rookie of the Year over Wilson and RGIII.

QB Russell Wilson: Unlike RGIII and Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson was the only rookie quarterback to make it into the Divisional Round of this season's playoffs. Wilson likely has the most talented team surrounding him, meaning out of the three quarterbacks, Russell Wilson had to do the least amount of work in order to lead Seattle back into the playoffs. Wilson did manage to tie Peyton Manning's rookie passing touchdown record at 26, and maintained a 100.0 passer rating throughout the season. Wilson is capable of scrambling when needed, similar to RGIII, but his slow start to the year hurts his case for Rookie of the Year.

Offensive Rookie of the Year Prediction: Robert Griffin III

2013 NFL Award Predictions

     February 2nd marks the date of this year's NFL award ceremony, where some of the league's biggest stars will come together on the eve of the Super Bowl to be praized for their tremendous play. Seven of the NFL's most valuable awards will be handed out to those most deserving: Most Valuable Player, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year. The NFL Report will discuss those who we believe are most deserving of these seven awards. However, we hope for you to comment on who you think deserves any given award. Be sure to comment, subscribe, or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thenflreport! Also, subscribe to us on YouTube, where we create monthly highlight videos for some of the most exciting NFL players!

2013 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Picks 1-10

Feel Free to send us your mock drafts by emailing me at ledzepfan09@gmail.com!

1. Kansas City Chiefs: QB Geno Smith: Though the "Geno Smith For Heisman" ended halfway through the season, his talent in the eyes of scouts remains valuable. By signing Andy Reid for the head coaching job, Kansas City proved they are not afraid to rebuild this team for the next two or three years. They can start by drafting Smith, and acquiring players to suit their quarterback's needs.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Demontre Moore: Where to begin? Jacksonville needs help at almost every position on the field. Offensive line, defensive line, quarterback; the team struggles in almost every statistical category. Demontre Moore, a defensive end out of Texas A&M, has the potential to revive a pass rush ranking dead last in the National Football League.

Star Lotulelei

3. Oakland Raiders: DT Star Lotulelei: Oakland's defensive line has suffered when it comes to both running the ball, as well as applying pressure on the quarterback. Drafting a well rounded defensive tackle may be a step in the right direction for this struggling front seven.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Luke Joeckel: While coaching Oregon, Chip Kelly enjoyed having many options when running the ball, especially when his quarterback has the speed necessary to accomplish the read-option. Mike Vick has shown off his speed and athleticism, but it is unclear whether or not Chip Kelly wishes to keep him. Maybe the Eagles move up to draft Smith, but the offensive line is struggling as well. Enter Luke Joeckel.

5. Detroit Lions: LB Jarvis Jones: Detroit's disappointing 2012 season, to the relief of Lions fans everywhere, ended last December, so they now have the opportunity to rebuild. Jarvis Jones is one of the most skilled defenders in this year's draft class, and may be able to help Detroit's pass rush.

6. Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner: Cleveland has shown signs of improvement since their 2011 season thanks to rookies Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson. However, the Cleveland defense could use a shut down cornerback that may be able to stop an opposing team's number one wide receiver (Dez Bryant caught 12 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland).

 7. Arizona Cardinals: QB Matt Barkley: Originally the Heisman favorite, Matt Barkley disappointed many with his play throughout the 2012 season. However, scouts are still impressed with his leadership and throwing abilities, the intangibles Arizona needs desperately at quarterback.

8. Buffalo Bills: QB Ryan Nassib: With many speculating whether or not quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will be playing in Buffalo next season, a quarterback is what the Bills ought to acquire in the upcoming draft. Seven coaches who at some point in their careers coached in Syracuse now coach for Buffalo, meaning Ryan Nassib out of Syracuse may be preferred over Ryan Wilson.

9. New York Jets: DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo: The New York Jets were the punchlines of many jokes in 2012 for their embarrassing offense and un-intimidating defense. New York's pass rush ranked 25th in the league, so Rex Ryan will be looking for a speedy pass rusher like Barkevious Mingo out of LSU.

10. Tennessee Titans: DE Bjoern Werner: Some have defensive end Bjoern Werner making an appearance all the way at number two in certain mock drafts, but the FSU defender will eventually fall to the Tennessee Titans, who are looking to create a more dominant pass rush.

NFC Championship Preview: 49ers @ Falcons

     Who would have thought that Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers quarterback who replaced Alex Smith, would be named victor over a more experienced Aaron Rodgers, while posting mind boggling numbers through the air and on the ground with the lights shining bright into the evening last Saturday. Sure, San Francisco's defense allowed 31 points to the Packers offense. However, Green Bay ranked fifth in points per game with 27.1, and clearly, Colin Kaepernick realized the importance of jumping ahead early in the game. San Francisco's next opponent will be the Atlanta Falcons, as Kaepernick must travel to the Georgia Dome, beat Matt Ryan, and then San Francisco will have a shot at its sixth Super Bowl title. Even as number one seed in the NFC, Atlanta has been undervalued by most analysts and football fans. Their quarterback, Matt Ryan, had not won a playoff game up until last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, so the fact that the Falcons will be battling for a spot in the Super Bowl comes as a shock. Atlanta's defense has struggled against running quarterbacks, so if Matt Ryan wishes to gain the respect he deserves, he will have to out-duel Colin Kaepernick in the NFC Championship Game.

San Francisco 49ers: Similar to future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, Colin Kaepernick was an overlooked quarterback in the NFL draft, who watched as five other quarterbacks were taken before he was selected by San Francisco. After Alex Smith suffered a concussion in a Week 10 game against the Rams, Colin Kaepernick stepped in, just to lead his team down field for a equalizing field goal. From that game onwards, Colin Kaepernick consistently put up exceptional numbers, running his way into the playoffs, and earning San Francisco a first round bye as the number two seed in the playoffs. Once Green Bay beat Minnesota in the Divisional Round, Aaron Rodgers was set to play Kaepernick in one of the more highly anticipated games of the NFL season. Kaepernick's second pass of the game resulted in a Green Bay pick-six, immediately worrying those rooting for the 49ers. Clearly Kaepernick's confidence was not shaken, as he bounced back with one of the best statistical games by a quarterback in the history of the National Football League. The former Nevada quarterback went on to pass for 263 yards with two touchdowns; however, Kaepernick set an NFL record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game with 181 yards. His four combined touchdowns largely contributed to a San Francisco win over the Packers. Atlanta should be nervous about San Francisco's running game, where head coach Jim Harbaugh has an infinite amount of possibilities in terms of play calling. San Francisco's defense is feared by many for their insane front 7, including players such as Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis, and returning defensive end Justin Smith. Constant pressure on Matt Ryan should be accounted for, similar to the pass rush seen by Seattle in the Divisional Round. The only thing against San Francisco may be the trouble surrounding wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who is being investigated in a sexual assault case. It is unclear how this team may cope with the mystery surrounding one of their best offensive weapons. If Kaepernick were to play as he did against Green Bay, Atlanta does not stand a chance.


Atlanta Falcons: The Atlanta Falcons almost blew it last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, where rookie quarterback Russell Wilson overcame a 20 point deficit early in the third quarter. Eventually, the Atlanta Falcons found themselves down 28-27 with a mere 31 seconds left in the game. "Matty Ice" somehow pulled off the impossible with two straight big completions down field. His march led to a Matt Bryant field goal in what appeared to be the end of the game. However, an extremely controversial onside kick gave Seattle amazing field position, keeping them in the game. In the end, Russell Wilson's Hail Mary pass was unsuccessful, and Matt Ryan finally won his first playoff game. Matt Ryan's performance was not perfect; in fact, far from it. Ryan threw two interceptions and was also unable to maintain a consistent lead over Seattle throughout the duration of the game. With weapon's like Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, and Julio Jones, Atlanta will likely rely heavily on the deep ball, and less on their ground game. The deciding factor for this team is clearly the amount of rushing yards allowed against Kaepernick in tomorrow's game. Atlanta allowed a combined 202 rushing yards to quarterback Cam Newton in the two games played against Carolina during the regular season, along with another 60 yards to Russell Wilson in the Divisional Round. Kaepernick may be the most challenging scrambler to contain within the pocket. All in all, Atlanta's defense does not match up against the talented San Francisco running game.

Bottom Line: Unless the Falcons somehow found a way to contain both Frank Gore and Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco is bound to be playing in New Orleans this February.
49ers over Falcons 38-23

AFC Championship Preview: Ravens @ Patriots

     With 00:31 seconds left on the clock, Baltimore wide receiver Jacoby Jones waltzed into the end zone after catching a 70 yard pass from Joe Flacco, tying the game at 35 against Denver in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. The Denver coaching staff is now under scrutiny for their decision to take a knee, sending the game into overtime. One overtime was not enough, where, with less then a minute left, Peyton Manning threw his 13th interception of the season, and Baltimore went on to kick a game winning field goal in 2OT. This week, they will be preparing to play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Brady threw for 344 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 41-28 victory of Houston. The score does not properly show the intensity of this game. For the majority of the game, the Texans were losing to New England, but were not too far away from mounting a comeback. In the end, though, Tom Brady earned his 17th playoff victory, an NFL record, and will be battling against the Ravens for his second straight Super Bowl appearance. Be sure to comment, subscribe, or like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/thenflreport! Also, subscribe to us on YouTube, where we create monthly highlight videos for some of the most exciting NFL players!


New England Patriots: Similar to last season, the New England Patriots were dominant in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. After a slow start to 2012, the Patriots finished the season with a 12-4 record, earning the number two seed in the playoffs. Their first opponent was the Houston Texans, where Brady faced off against JJ Watt and the intimidating Houston defense. However, the Houston front 7 was no match for Tom Brady, who was sacked just once, and hit 7 times by the defensive line. Brady was able to find a groove towards the end of the game, and it is likely that the same thing will take place against Baltimore. The last time these two teams played was during the dark ages of the 2012 NFL season, where replacement referees wreaked havoc throughout the league. A controversial field goal sealed the deal for Baltimore, who despite losing for the majority of the game, managed to win 31-30 over New England. However, the loss to Baltimore came after a disappointing loss to Arizona, so clearly the Patriots had not yet reached their full potential. As the season progressed, Brady began to roll, even without his star tight end, Rob Gronkowski. Unfortunately, Gronk returned in Sunday's game against Houston, just to be taken out within the first quarter due to a a new injury to his arm, and the Patriots will be missing Gronkowski for the rest of the season. Running back Shane Vereen filled the void at wide receiver, but it is likely he will not have back to back incredible performances. Baltimore is bound to double-team Wes Welker, leaving Brady targets such as Aaron Hernandez, Brandon Lloyd, and the option of both of the Patriots running backs. New England's defense has proven to get the job done, but a lot of pressure will be on Brady to put a lot of points on the board, and without Gronkowski, it may be difficult.


Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore started off 2012 showing true potential, where the only two losses came against Philadelphia and Houston. However, the last five regular season games went poorly for Baltimore, who lost three straight games, two of which came against playoff teams. Week 16 brought the Ravens reassurance as they entered the playoffs, where Joe Flacco routed the New York Giants defense. Flacco has been under scrutiny for his inability to lead a very talented Baltimore team through the playoffs and into the Super Bowl. However, last Sunday against the Broncos proved Flacco can compete with the best of them. In a rematch of last year's AFC Championship game, the Baltimore Ravens have a chip on their shoulder, where a missed field goal lost them a spot in last year's Super Bowl. The fate of the Ravens all depends on Joe Flacco and his success with the deep ball, which proved to be the ultimate difference maker against Denver. There were two things, apart from Flacco's leadership, that can taken away from Baltimore's performance against Denver: a). Both Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis were dominant forces on the defensive side of the ball, and clearly this team is feeding off of Ray Lewis' last ounce of emotion, as he looks to retire at the end of this season b). Baltimore's special teams looked atrocious, as they allowed two touchdowns on special teams, which nearly cost them a shot at the AFC title. Tom Brady will already be putting points on the scoreboard, and if New England were to add to the lead thanks to kick returns and punt returns, Baltimore would not stand a chance. If Flacco starts off the game with two big scores, Baltimore could be looking at a trip to New Orleans. However, if his bombs were to be intercepted, those turnovers would cause a dramatic momentum shift in favor of New England.


Bottom Line: Even though New England is young and talented, this is likely Tom Brady's last shot at another Super Bowl ring. Baltimore will not be able to pull off a miracle on the road, and once again their season will come to a close at Gillette Stadium.
Patriots over Ravens 31-27

NFL Report Update: Chip Kelly

Breaking News: Earlier in the afternoon, it was announced that former Oregon head coach will in fact be coaching in the NFL next season for the Philadelphia Eagles. Originally, it appeared as though Kelly would be with Oregon for yet another season, a team who is coming off of a Fiesta Bowl victory over Kansas State. Philadelphia on the other hand went 4-12 in 2012, missing out on the playoffs for yet another season, and as a result, Andy Reid lost his job as head coach.

Chip Kelly

NFLR Videos: Patrick Willis

     Just four teams remain in the 2012-2013 NFL Playoffs, and the favorite to win the Super Bowl after a monstrous game against Green Bay is the San Francisco 49ers. Their star linebacker Patrick Willis was named to yet another All-Pro team, and hopefully his ferocity can earn coach John Harbaugh his first title as an NFL head coach. Be sure to comment, subscribe, or like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/thenflreport! Also, subscribe to us on YouTube, where we create monthly highlight videos for some of the most exciting NFL players.

2013 NFL Playoff Predictions (Full)

Wild Card Round:
AFC: 3. Texans over 6. Bengals
AFC: 4. Ravens over 5. Colts
NFC: 3. Packers over 6. Vikings
NFC: 5. Seahawks over 4. Redskins

Divisional Round:
AFC: 2. Patriots over 3. Texans
AFC: 1. Broncos over 4. Ravens
NFC: 3. Packers over 2. 49ers
NFC: 5. Seahawks over 1. Falcons (OT)

Championship Round:
AFC: 1. Broncos over 2. Patriots
NFC: 3. Packers over 5. Seahawks

Super Bowl: Secretly, everyone hopes to see Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl after a serious neck injury kept him from playing in 2011. However, the Packers will have momentum after rolling past the 49ers, and then the Seahawks, as they take home their 5th Super Bowl title.

Packers over Broncos 33-20

2013 Wild Card Round Preview

Bengals @ Texans: The Houston Texans did not finish the season the way they desired, as they lost three out of the four final games of the season. This unfortunate collapse cost them a first round bye, where New England and Denver swooped in for the 1st and 2nd seed. In the last three losses of the year, Houston's offense was unsuccessful in scoring 16 points or more in a single game. Though Arian Foster has been relatively consistent throughout the duration of the season, the most important thing for Houston shall be the passing game, and Matt Schaub's clutch rating in the fourth quarter. On the other hand, the Cincinnati Bengals, Houston's opponent for tomorrow, are 7-1 in the past 8 games, and this amazing streak propelled them into the playoffs. In a rematch of last year's divisional round matchup, Cincinnati is looking for revenge, where this inexperienced team can eventually play for the AFC Championship game. However, the Houston Texans, at home, will likely beat this young Cincinnati squad in tomorrow's game.
Texans over Bengals 20-6
Stand-Out Performance: Arian Foster: 105 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Colts @ Ravens: Very similar to Saturday's game, Sunday's game featuring the Colts and the Ravens has two very different teams, one who has struggled before the postseason, where as the other has been thriving. After losing their star quarterback to a neck injury, and then to free agency, the Indianapolis Colts drafted Andrew Luck out of Stanford. Luck's leadership managed to abolish their disappointing 2011 campaign, and now, as they enter the postseason, Indianapolis starts their run at the perfect time. After losing to the New England Patriots, the Colts are 5-1, and are playing a very frail Baltimore Ravens team. Linebacker Ray Lewis announced his retirement earlier this week, which could potentially be used as motivation for this defense, a motivation that is an absolute necessity at the moment. The Ravens are 1-3 within the past four games, and even though the Ravens clobbered Cincinnati in the season opener, things are not looking great for this squad. However, Baltimore's running game will dominate the weaken Colts defense, and Ray Rice will single handedly lead this team into the divisional round.
Ravens over Colts 27-13
Stand-Out Performance: Ray Rice: 140 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD

Vikings @ Packers: Last week, when Adrian Peterson came within 9 yards of breaking the single season rushing record, Minnesota managed to beat the Green Bay Packers at home. Peterson led this team into the playoffs, but unfortunately, one can not win into today's playoff system relying heavily on a rushing game, even if it is Adrian Peterson at the helm. Truth be told, Aaron Rodgers and his scary offense in Green Bay will slaughter the Vikings at home. With Greg Jennings back and Jordy Nelson ready to play, Christian Ponder doesn't even come close to Rodgers and the mighty Green bay Packers.
Packers over Vikings 38-17
Stand-Out Performance: Aaron Rodgers: 350 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD

Seahawks @ Redskins: Away from home, Seattle is like a fish out of water. Though this team scored 40-plus points in three straight games, it is unlikely they can repeat that amazing statistic. The Redskins were sensational last week, where Alfred Morris showed the Pro Bowl voters that they made a serious mistake. RGIII also proved he can win big games when the team's Super Bowl chances are on the line. As RGIII matches up against the Seahawks defense, it will be interesting to see how he fares against this amazing pass rush. Seattle's quarterback Russell Wilson has been flying below the radar as two other rookie quarterbacks gain all the attention. Dont't be surprised if Seattle rolls against the Washington Redskins.
Seahawks over Redskins 24-17
Stand-Out Performance: Russell Wilson: 250 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD

NFLR Videos: Playoff Commercial

     To go along with the Super Bowl hype, where New Orleans is now less than a month away, The NFL Report created yet another video. Today's video is a homemade commercial involving each team to be competing for the 2013 title. Please be sure to check us out on Youtube, where you can like the video, comment, and subscribe!