2015-2016 NFL Wild Card Round Predictions

(3) Broncos over (6) Bills: Seeing how the Bills have one of the best pass rushes in all of football, it would be tough for the 39-year-old Peyton Manning to complete most of his passes when he's on the ground for the entire game. Luckily, C.J. Anderson will hopefully be there to bail him out.

(5) Chargers over (4) Ravens: The Ravens are always a brutal team to play against in the playoffs, especially with quarterback Joe Flacco at the helm, who has posted a 6-2 record with 18 touchdowns and three picks in his last eight postseason games. The lack of receivers in Baltimore will help a mediocre Chargers defense, and the addition of Melvin Gordon for the Chargers will take some pressure off of Rivers.

(3) Panthers over (6) Giants: While the Panthers won their first playoff game during the Cam Newton-era last season, but similarly to the Ravens, you can never count out the New York Giants when January rolls around. This game could be an absolute bloodbath, but the advantage goes to Carolina due to their punishing defense and home field advantage.

(5) Cardinals over (4) Cowboys: The Cowboys had the opportunity to be one of the best team's in football had they signed DeMarco Murray in the offseason, but instead, they are putting all of their eggs in one basket--the passing game--and hoping it works. Now that Arizona has a talented defense (ranked fifth last year in point allowed), they could be a difficult team to face in the postseason.

Giants among teams reportedly inquiring about trading for Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor: http://t.co/6urokkS0aG pic.twitter.com/TWMx7qMTf5

— SI NFL (@si_nfl) September 6, 2015

Chargers don't see a problem with Melvin Gordon's pass protection http://t.co/AqVqWapvr9

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 28, 2015

2015 AFC Playoff Seeding Predictions

1. Indianapolis Colts (13-3): The Colts had one of the busiest offseasons of any team in the league, adding plenty of talented veterans such as receiver Andre Johnson, running back Frank Gore, safety Mike Adams, and outside linebacker Trent Cole. Meanwhile, Andrew Luck enters his fourth season, where over the past three years, his completion percentage, touchdown percentage, and passer rating have all increased. Next year, don't be surprised if Luck is able to snatch the Most Valuable Player Award away from Aaron Rodgers.

2. New England Patriots (12-4): While the New England Patriots are almost guaranteed to earn a spot in the playoffs next season, their exact seeding depends on how many games Tom Brady will be able to play in 2015 due to his suspension. The Patriots certainly lost plenty of talented players this past offseason--Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, Vince Wilfork, Shane Vereen--but if there is any coach in the league capable of creating a Championship caliber team with a reduced amount of talent, it is six time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick. Moreover, Tom Brady seems to play his best when the critics and doubters are at their absolute loudest.

3. Denver Broncos (11-5): After suffering a torn right quadriceps, posting a passer rating of 76.8 in the month of December, and having his team lose in their first playoff game, Peyton Manning appears to be nearing the end of his career (or so they say). The truth is, Manning likely has one or two more years left to compete for a Super Bowl, and taking into account Manning's age and the loss of Eric Decker and Julius Thomas the past two seasons, Denver will likely need to rely more on running back CJ Anderson. Anderson became the starter for the Broncos in the final few weeks, and in games where the he had twenty or more attempts, the Broncos went 4-0. A reduced workload for Manning may result in another division title for Manning and the Broncos, but the Chargers are certainly talented enough to regain control of the division.

4. Baltimore Ravens (10-6): The Ravens passing game took a pretty sizable hit this past offseason by losing receivers Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. Thus, more pressure will be put on "Cool Joe" Flacco offensively, as well as running back Justin Forsett, one of last year's breakout stars. Meanwhile, Baltimore's defense ranked sixth last season in terms of points allowed, fourth in rushing yards allowed, but just 23rd in passing yards allowed. Hopefully, the signing of cornerback Kyle Arrington will be able to help Baltimore's pass defense.

5. San Diego Chargers (11-5): The San Diego Chargers easily have the talent necessary to dethrone the broncos from atop the AFC West. First, quarterback Phillip Rivers is entering the last year of his contract, and will be looking to produce the same numbers he had at the start of the 2014 season. Second, the additions of rookie running back Melvin Gordon through the draft and wide receiver Jacoby Jones through free agency will add versatility to this offense that was not present last season. Don't be surprised if the Chargers make a run at one of the higher seeds in the playoffs this postseason.

6. Buffalo Bills (10-6): The Buffalo Bills are most definitely going to be a hit or miss team in 2015 with new head coach Rex Ryan at the helm. This Bills team is a slightly better version of the New York Jets team that went 4-12 last season: solid running game, talented defensive line, but no quarterback. The Bills managed to acquire All-Pro caliber running back LeSean McCoy who can hopefully take some pressure off of quarterbacks Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel.

Teams On the Bubble
Cincinnati Bengals: Have made the playoffs for four straight seasons, but the organization's confidence in quarterback Andy Dalton is beginning to fade

New York Jets: A great defensive line become even better with rookie Leonard Williams and a new head coach. But one can not put too much confidence in Geno Smith

Pittsburgh Steelers: Big Ben is now one year older, and the rookies that Pittsburgh drafted are unlikely to improve a relatively weak secondary.

Season tickets are almost in the mail. Camp opens in 12 days!

— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) July 20, 2015

Julian Edelman says Tom Brady 'ticked off' awaiting ruling. Tom Brady angry is not good for the NFL. pic.twitter.com/dHCduCKliQ

— Martin Brian Ansah (@DaAnsahonSports) July 21, 2015

Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints' rookies report to training camp Wednesday. Here we go...

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 21, 2015

OFFICIAL: #Broncos sign @DemaryiusT to 5-year deal: http://t.co/mh6PkvTVf1 pic.twitter.com/M5WsaZgRG8

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 15, 2015

2015 AFC Playoff Predictions

1. New England Patriots (12-4): Now that the Patriots have added cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, New England's pass defense has quickly become one of the most intimidating in all of football. While Chandler Jones and the New England pass rush ranked 5th in sacks, they ranked 22nd overall according to Football Outsiders in pass pressure, which will need to improve in 2014. Quarterback Tom Brady suffered from a dip in productivity last season while adjusting to his new group of receivers, but with injury-prone tight end Rob Gronkowski ready for Week 1, and the recent addition of Brandon LaFell from Carolina, Tom Brady is bound to do much better in 2014 now that he has more experience with this young receiving corp.

2. Denver Broncos (13-3): On paper, the Denver Broncos are the best team in all of football, seeing how they have the best quarterback, a plethora of talented wide receivers, and many big names on defense. While they may have lost receiver Eric Decker and running back Knowshon Moreno during the offseason, the Broncos still have Demaryius Thomas, Juluis Thomas, and Wes Welker to help their star quarterback. Denver also signed Pro-Bowlers Demarcus Ware, TJ Ward, and Aqib Talib to improve an already above-average defense. Expect Denver to be the number one seed in the playoffs for the third straight season.

3. Indianapolis Colts (12-4): Quarterback Andrew Luck may not have thrown for more more touchdowns or passing yards compared to his rookie season, but he certainly became more efficient. Luck's interception total dropped in half from 18 to 9, directly leading to a 10 point increase in his passer rating. Historically speaking, a quarterback's third season is the breakout year, and with the recent addition of Hakeem Knicks, as well as the return of Reggie Wayne, Indy's receiving corp is sure to be strong in 2014.

4. Baltimore Ravens (11-5): The Ravens managed to miss the playoffs by one game after winning the Super Bowl in 2012. Things got even worse for running back Ray Rice this past offseason. While Rice suffered from a severe decrease in productivity last season compared to 2013, he was then caught physically abusing his girlfriend on camera, resulting in a two game suspension. Quarterback Joe Flacco threw for the most interceptions of his career, as well as throw the lowest passer rating since he joined the NFL; however, with with Denis Pitta returning from injury, and receiver Steve Smith joining this already talented receiving corp, Baltimore's passing game is sure to improve from last year.  

5. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Andy Dalton recently signed a 6-year extension with the Bengals, which means despite his lack of success in the postseason, the Bengals are willing to stick with Dalton into the future. Receiver A.J. Green may be the star of this offense, but running back Giovani Bernard emerged as a breakout star in 2013. With the return of tackle Geno Atkins on defense, as will as the addition of cornerback Darqueze Dennard via the draft, the Bengals are still talented enough to earn a spot in the playoffs, but a run to the Super Bowl is very unlikely.

6. New York Jets (9-7): The New York Jets making the playoffs is certainly a gutsy prediction, seeing how the Jets are 14-18 in the past two seasons. While we would like to see Michael Vick as the starter, Geno Smith still led this team to an 8-8 season last year, and he is bound to do even better alongside Chris Johnson and Eric Decker. The defense has plenty of young talent, particularly their defensive line nicknamed the "Sons of Anarchy." Sheldon Richardson managed to win Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013, and the defense as a whole certainly has a shot at propelling this team into the postseason.

2014 AFC North Predictions

1. Baltimore Ravens (11-5): The main storyline for the Ravens this offseason has been Ray Rice's suspension (or lack there of) where he has been suspended for just two games after physically abusing his wife in a video released by TMZ. Rice was a key part in Baltimore's Super Bowl run two years ago, yet the running back had an off year in 2013 (660 rushing yards, 4 TDs). After being signed to a monster contract in the 2013 offseason, Joe Flacco threw the most interceptions of his career with 22 in 2014, and also recorded the worst passer rating while playing in the NFL after posting a 73.1. Luckily, the Ravens' receiving corp will be one of the best in all of football next season, seeing how they added veteran Steve Smith, while tight end Dennis Pitta will return from a season ending injury that he suffered in 2013 to rejoin receivers Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. Defensively, Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, and Elvis Dumervill are all former All-Pros, yet the three defenders are at least 30 years of age, meaning the best days of football are now behind them. This means youngsters like linebacker C.J. Mosley, outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (both Alabama alums) and short safety Matt Elam will have the opportunity to shine in 2014. If Flacco is able to improve from last year, the Ravens could make a run in the playoffs.

2. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Cincinnati's offense revolves around star wide receiver AJ Green, who has caught for more than 95 receptions in each of the past two seasons, and also eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards every year, including his rookie season. Running back Giovani Bernard had an impressive rookie season, and you can expect him to obtain more carries in 2014. Quarterback Andy Dalton may be improving statistically over the course of the past three seasons, but he remains winless in the postseason throughout his career. The defense lost their star defensive tackle Geno Atkins to an ACL injury last year, and he has just recently been taken off of the PUP list. As of right now, Cincinnati's best defensive player is linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who was named to the Pro-Bowl team in just his second season in the league. The AFC North is becoming more competitive with young talent, so I doubt the Bengals will be able to win the division for a second straight year

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-9): Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is now 32 years old, and seeing how his significant size made him a feared passer during his prime, it comes as no surprise that Roethlisberger is becoming more inconsistent as his body begins to wear down. Not having receivers Mike Wallace or Hines Ward has clearly affected Pittsburgh's passing game, but now Antonio Brown has transformed into the star of this offense. Running back Le'Veon Bell has the potential to be a star in the near future, seeing how he rushed for 860 yards with 8 touchdowns in his rookie season. On defense, 8 projected starters are 27 years old or less, which means defensively, the team is very different from the one who defeated Arizona in the Super Bowl six years ago. Second year linebacker Jarvis Jones had just one sack in his rookie season, so hopefully, he will be able to have a more successful sophomore season. Pittsburgh drafted All-American linebacker Ryan Shazier out of Ohio State, as well as defensive end Stephon Tuitt from Notre Dame. With Pittsburgh's new look on both offense and defense, the Steelers should be hoping to reach the .500 mark, not a spot in the playoffs.

4. Cleveland Browns (5-11): The Cleveland Browns have gained more media attention than any other team in football because of the drafting of Heisman-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel, as well as All-Pro wide receiver Josh Gordon's looming suspension. Luckily, the Browns also signed receivers Nate Burleson and Miles Austin, along with running back Ben Tate in order to provide their young quarterback--who has yet to win the starting job--with more offensive weapons. The defense has several big names on their roster, including cornerback Joe Haden, linebacker Paul Kruger, and rookie cornerback Justin Gilbert. The Cleveland Browns are taking steps in the right direction, but are still several years away from competing for a spot in the playoffs. 

College Football-NFL Comparisons: Sammy Watkins

Sammy Watkins rivals Marquise Lee as the top wide receiver in this year's draft. The lean, elegant, quick Clemson Tiger had a stellar collegiate career by any standard, and impressed at the combine (a 4.43 40 will cement his status as an elite player nicely), such that most mock drafts have him going early in the first, top 10 even. Tampa Bay with the seventh overall pick is an intriguing suitor, and they would certainly be happy to have him, but we can't really tell if Watkins will make it that far or, on the flip side, be valued that highly. Regardless, Watkins looks to be an excellent player at the next level, with maturity and talent in equal measure. As an excellent player he already merits an intriguing comparison with Ravens wideout Torrey Smith. While Watkins has a formidable skill set in terms of hands and winning the ball, the area where he truly excels and would even stand out in the NFL is after the catch. Watkins puts together a great and even comical highlight reel with elusiveness and speed. He extends plays and his yards after the catch are astronomical at times. He has the ability to make huge plays with explosive moves, making plenty of decent secondaries look stupid. We have seen this all before in many a great NFL receiver, but Smith especially draws a good comparison in this regard. Midway through Watkins' freshman season (as a true freshman in 2011), an astonishing 63% of his yards came after the catch! This is no statical anomaly for a player who didn't see much of the field, as Watkins totaled over 1,200 yards his freshman season. So he played a lot, made a lot of big plays, and did most of his considerable damage on his feet with the ball in his hands. Beyond this, he has great hands and wins balls out of the air, with 27 touchdowns in three years of college ball. A tempting prospect for any NFL team, Watkins should excel wherever he lands, and he will be fun to watch for years to come.

Week 13 Predictions (Thanksgiving Day)

On Thanksgiving Day, you eat an abundance of food, spend time with your family, listen to this strange stories from your weird Uncle Joe, and give thanks for all that you have; however, one of the greatest traditions of Thanksgiving is the football being played throughout the day. This year, the games  are not quite as good as in years past, but they are still worth watching in a day filled with food and laughter. The NFL Report wishes all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Packers @ Lions: This game would be ten times more interesting if Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was in the starting lineup, but it seems as though Matt Flynn will be the starting quarterback for Green Bay for the first time since December 31, 2011. Last Sunday, Flynn replaced an injured Scott Tolzien, where Flynn overcame a 16 point deficit, eventually tying the game and sending it into overtime. In the end Green Bay tied the game, but Matt Flynn's comeback was a good sign for Packers fans. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions have lost back to back games, where their most recent loss came against the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The passing game is clearly the strength of this team, where the connection between Stafford and Calvin Johnson is by far the best in the NFL. Already tempers are flaring between these two teams, where Green Bay Packers lineman Josh Sitton accused Detroit's defense of taking "cheap shots all the time." These division rivals clearly do not like one another, so we can expect a decent amount of drama on Thanksgiving. A minor side note: Tomorrow marks the two year anniversary for Ndamukong Suh's infamous stomp against the Packers in 2011.
Prediction: Lions over Packers 31-17

"Their entire defense takes cheap shots all the time. That's what they do. That's who they are" - Packers Josh Sitton on the Lions defense
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 27, 2013

Raiders @ Cowboys: This game between the Cowboys and the Raiders appears to be somewhat of a mismatch, where the 4-7 Raiders are taking on the NFC-East leading Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys are coming off of an emotional victory over their division rivals, the New York Giants. Even though many accuse Tony Romo of choking in the clutch, he was able to drive down the field, setting up a game winning field goal as time expired by kicker Dan Bailey. Dallas' defense this season has been atrocious, ranking 30th overall in passing yards allowed and 31st in the league in rushing yards allowed. The Oakland Raiders are 1-3 in their last four games, one of which was a loss against the New York Giants. With quarterback Terrelle Pryor still injured, the Raiders will have Matt McGloin start on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys. The Cowboys are the clear favorites in this matchup; if Dallas ends up losing tomorrow, they are completely undeserving of a spot in the playoffs.
Prediction: Cowboys over Raiders 28-14

Steelers @ Ravens: The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens were the best of rivals throughout the start of the 21st century. But the rivalry is no longer the same, where both teams are aging, and several key players have either left or retired. Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh are 5-6 in 2013, so a win on Thanksgiving will keep the playoff hopes alive. Ray Rice, who served as the core of Baltimore's offense during their Super Bowl run, has rushed for just 470 yards with 4 touchdowns in 2013, averaging 2.9 yards per carry. Even quarterback Joe Flacco is having a down season, which is worrisome considering the Ravens signed him to a six year deal worth $120.6 million. After starting the season with a 0-4 record, the Pittsburgh Steelers have truly turned their game around, as their record stands at 5-2 in the past 7 games. I only wish this game took place 5 years ago on Thanksgiving Day, back when both teams were fierce competitors in the AFC North. In 2013, however, these two aging teams will do battle so they can remain in playoff contention.
Prediction: Steelers over Ravens 30-27 (OT)

2013 Season Opener: Ravens @ Broncos

     The wait is now over. Tonight, the reigning Super Bowl Champions will take on one of the greatest quarterbacks in football history to kickoff the 2013 season. The Baltimore Ravens, last year's Super Bowl champions, are traveling to Denver to take on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. In the 2012 playoffs, the Ravens upset Denver in overtime, and as we know, the Ravens went on to win Super Bowl XLVII. Baltimore lost several key players in the offseason, including Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Paul Kruger, and Anquan Boldin. Quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice make up the core of this offense, while the defense still has an abundance of talent capable of dominating the league. Peyton Manning of the Broncos gained yet another offensive weapon in the offseason: slot receiver Wes Welker. Yet this defense will be missing two pass rushers that found extraordinary success in 2012. Linebacker Von Miller was suspended for six games at the start of the season, while defensive end Elvis Dumervil left to play for Baltimore after a contract error. The Ravens offense may have lost a key offensive weapon in Anquan Boldin, but Joe Flacco will have plenty of time in the pocket with both Miller and Dumervil gone. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning will have to face the Ravens defense, and will struggle to consistently put points on the board.
Prediction: Ravens over Broncos 27-24

2014 NFL Predictions (AFC)

1. Denver Broncos (12-4): Denver has the easiest schedule in the NFL, one that is very pass friendly. Peyton Manning has all the tools around him that he needs on offense, but the defense lost two great pass rushers in Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil. The loss of these two players (Von Miller suspended for 6 games) will have more of an impact on the Broncos than people may think.

2. Houston Texans (12-4): Similar to the Denver Broncos, Houston will face little competition in their division, and with such an easy schedule, they should be able to lock up the number two seed. Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt will only become more dominant with time, which is absolutely horrifying if you were a quarterback in the AFC South. The passing game should see an improvement after the drafting of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

3. New England Patriots (11-5): Though it was only a preseason game, the blowout that took place against the Detroit Lions (40-9 lost) may be a horrible sign of things to come for this offense. Down near the goal line, one of the fill-ins for Rob Gronkowski fumbled the ball, costing Tom Brady and the Patriots a shot at a touchdown. We know Tom Brady is capable of winning games, but the talent that surrounds him at wide receiver is not enough for Brady to win his fourth Super Bowl.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5): Andy Dalton and AJ Green resurrected Cincinnati's offense, where as the defense is becoming a dangerous force in the National Football League. All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins is the leader of a fearsome defensive line, and it would not come as a surprise if Cincinnati won the division title in 2013.

5. Baltimore Ravens (11-5): The Super Bowl champions lost many key veterans on defense, including linebacker Ray Lewis and Paul Kruger, as well as safety Ed Reed; however, quarterback Joe Flacco is capable of leading this offense in make-or-break situations, as seen in the 2012 playoffs. The offensive weapons that surround him make the Ravens a team to be reckoned with when it's time for the playoffs.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6): The Kansas City Chiefs win our made-up award for the best offseason of 2012. New head coach Andy Reid surrounded himself with an incredible coaching staff, as he will have Alex Smith at quarterback. This team is just too talented to miss out on the playoffs.

NFL Report Update: Ed Reed

Breaking News: According to multiple reports, safety Ed Reed will be playing for the Houston Texans next season. Reed's eleven years in Baltimore ended when the Ravens beat the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. A deal has yet to be settled between the two sides, but Reed has said he wishes for the same $7.2 million annual salary that he earned in 2012. With Ed Reed leaving Baltimore, the reigning champs will be in a huge rebuilding state after so many key losses in free agency.

Top 10 Free Agents: Joe Flacco

1. Joe Flacco: There is no disputing Joe Flacco deserves to be number one on this countdown, seeing that he was able to lead the Baltimore Ravens to their second Super Bowl title. Flacco will not let their quarterback leave Maryland, where he can potentially make Baltimore's offense the highest scoring group in the league. Flacco's arm allows him to throw it deep with wide receivers such as Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones and Anquan Boldin. Baltimore's defense is losing several key veterans to retirement or free agency, which is why Baltimore must sign Flacco to the big contract he rightfully deserves.

Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl XLVII Champions!

     Congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens on winning Super Bowl XLVII by a final score of 34-31. San Francisco's comeback was not strong enough to win them the Lombardi Trophy. Ray Lewis, in the end, will retire a champion after all. Bring on the draft!

Fans of Super Bowl XLVII

Super Bowl XLVII Prediction

     Super Bowl XLVII is destined to be a close game up until the very end, and apart from some early jitters,  it will be a relatively high scoring game. Both Kaepernick and Flacco have proven to be clutch in big games as seen in the 2013 NFL playoffs. Basically, the team to get the ball last will likely win Super Bowl XLVII. We believe that team will be San Francisco, as David Akers kicks the deciding field goal to win the game after missing a field goal just minutes before.

Prediction: 49ers over Ravens 27-24

MVP: LaMichael James: 105 rushing yards, 1 TD, 30 receiving yards

Super Bowl XLVII Preview: Baltimore Ravens

     The Baltimore Ravens were surely doubted entering the 2012 postseason, some even predicting them to be knocked off in the first round by Andrew Luck and the Colts. The road did not get any easier, as Baltimore looked to upset Denver, and then New England, both on the road. Somehow, the Ravens defied all odds, beating Peyton Manning in overtime, and then upsetting the big, bad, New England Patriots in Foxborough. Much of Baltimore's energy appears to coming from their star linebacker Ray Lewis, who announced he will be calling it quits by the end of this season. So will Ray Lewis retire as a two-time NFL champion, or will he watch as San Francisco celebrates their sixth Super Bowl title? In this post, we will analyze Baltimore's offense and defense as the Ravens wait patiently for tomorrow's big game.

Offense: One question many people have been asking throughout media week relates to Joe Flacco, and whether or not he is an elite quarterback in the National Football League. Many critiqued Flacco for his inability to lead his team through the playoffs. Now, the young, talented Ravens teams will be fighting for their second Super Bowl ring, so Flacco has opportunity to quiet the critics. There is no disputing Flacco's arm, as he is capable of bombing a ball deep downfield with surprising accuracy. Many believe Super Bowl XLVII will come down to the wire, so if necessary, Flacco may need to show off his arm strength late in the game.  It will be interesting to see how John Harbaugh plans to play against San Francisco; will he be conservative and run Ray Rice 30-plus times, or will he let Joe Flacco throw deep despite the risk of a costly interception. Anquon Boldin, a Baltimore Raven with wide receiver speed and tight end size, may give this San Francisco secondary trouble. However, the difference maker in Sunday's game will be Torrey Smith, Baltimore's wide receiver who averaged 18.3 yards per catch during the regular season. In my opinion, Flacco ought to wear down the San Francisco secondary with deep pass after deep pass, occasionally handing the ball off to Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce.
Grade: B+/A-

Defense: After Baltimore took down Tom Brady and the Patriots, it seemed as though nothing could go wrong for Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis. Television could not stop talking about Ray Lewis and his amazing story as he looks to win Super Bowl XLVII, concluding his 17 year career. Shockingly, a report was released by Sports Illustrated, connecting Ray Lewis to deer antler spray, a spray that contains hormones made illegal by the National Football League. Unless more details were to be released within the next 24 hours, it appears Lewis will be playing in tomorrow's game. But will this new controversy affect Lewis' play? Lewis is the unofficial captain of this team, so if the future Hall of Famer does not show up to play, this defense as a whole will falter. On the other hand, if Lewis plays with ferocity, players like Terrell Suggs will feed off of his energy. Suggs returned from an Achilles injury in Week 7, and even though it is Lewis gaining all the attention, Suggs deserves most of the credit for Baltimore's defensive success. Baltimore is 8-3 with Suggs in the starting lineup, allowing 20.8 points to opposing team's with Suggs, compared to 21.5 points without him. Baltimore's defense lacks the intimidation seen from San Francisco's defense, but they are still able to get the job done.
Grade: B+/A-

Super Bowl XLVII Preview

     At long last, just two teams remain, as they will be competing for the the 47th Super Bowl in the history of the National Football League. Even if Sunday's game is a complete blowout, everyone will remember Super Bowl XLVII for its nickname; the 'Harbowl.' Jim and John Harbaugh will be the first (and likely the last) pair of brothers to coach against each other in the Super Bowl. Both teams have little experience in the Super Bowl, but historically, one team has had more success when it comes to the big game over the other. San Francisco has won 5 Super Bowls since the organization joined the NFL in 1950, where as the Baltimore Ravens are looking for their second ring in thirteen years. 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! Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

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

Game of the Week: Patriots @ Ravens

     Last Sunday's game was one of the most sloppiest performances witnessed by Patriot fans in recent memory. Tom Brady struggled to put points on the board against Arizona, and his messy play forced Gostowski to make all of his kicks. Sadly, the one kick he missed was with no time left on the clock. Their Week 3 match-up is against a very talented Ravens team, who is also coming off of a Week 2 loss. Similar to Brady, Joe Flacco was not the same quarterback who showed up to play in Week 1. Both teams are highly regarded when it comes to this year's playoff race, but only one can exit Week 3 with a winning record.

New England Patriots: Three and a half quarters went by before the Patriots were even able to score a touchdown. The Patriots, a team with one of the most lethal passing games in the NFL, was unable to score more than one touchdown in Sunday's game, which put a lot of pressure on their kicker. Last week's performance made Arizona's defense look like one found in San Francisco or Baltimore. Compared to Brady's 2011 start (2 games, 940 passing yards, 7 TDs), the Patriots' quarterback has not yet found his groove, but it is expected he succeeds later on in the season. Baltimore will truly test this offense, and if prove to us if Brady can overcome such a talented squad. A division title is almost expected from New England, but I doubt they wish to start the year 1-2.

Baltimore Ravens: After an impressive victory over Cincinnati in Week 1, Baltimore fell short of the 2-0 mark by losing to Philly on the road. Baltimore had multiple chances to win the game, whether it be a 10 point lead, a controversial incomplete pass, or an overturned 4th quarter touchdown, the Ravens seemed like the better team throughout the duration of the game. Joe Flacco is projected to dominate this Patriots defense, as is Pro-Bowl running back Ray Rice. Baltimore's motivation will overpower the Patriots team as a whole.

Offensive Edge: Baltimore Ravens

Defensive Edge: Baltimore Ravens

Prediction: Ravens over Patriots 17-10

Playoff Predictions: Divisional Round

AFC:

Texans over Ravens: A rematch of the 2011 divisional round, this time the Texans come out on top. The Ravens defense is aging quickly, and the Texans offense will take advantage. Meanwhile, the Texans defense is young and talented, and Ray Rice will have to bear too much of the burden.

Patriots over Bengals: Cincinnati's lack of experience hurts when playing a team like the New England Patriots, one of the best playoff contenders within the past 10 years. Brady has new weapons to throw to, while Gronk and Welker remain his top targets.

NFC:

Packers over Lions: The Packers offense is quite possibly the best in the league, especially with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. The Packers organization now has a chip on their shoulder after losing to New York in the Conference Finals. Detroit is not yet stable enough to conquer the Packers in such an important game.

49ers over Eagles: This defense will no doubt bang around Michael Vick, who has never been labeled as "clutch" in the playoffs. Justin Smith and Patrick Willis are both freaks of nature, and will be the stars of this Divisional Round game. Alex Smith proves he can win big games, and therefore lead San Francisco back into the Conference finals.

AFC Final Predictions

1. New England Patriots (14-2): Talented players added to an already talented roster makes New England a serious threat to win back-to-back AFC titles.

2. Baltimore Ravens (11-5): The injury to Terrell Suggs is a catastrophic loss, but they are still an AFC powerhouse.

3. Houston Texans (11-5): Even though they are without their star linebacker Mario Williams, players like Arian Foster, Matt Schaub, and Andre Johnson will lead the Texans back into the playoffs.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6): Injuries kept Kansas City out of the postseason, but now that they have their stars back, the Chiefs will dethrone Denver for the number one spot in the AFC West.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6): A roster loaded with youth sets up a hit-or-miss situation, depending heavily on the offensive duo between quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver AJ Green.

6. San Diego Chargers (10-6): In a conference dominated by offense, it will be even more important for quarterback Philip Rivers and his young running back in Ryan Mathews to stay healthy in 2012.

2012 NFL Predictions (AFC North)

1. Baltimore Ravens (11-5): The loss of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs hurts this glorified defense exponentially. Thirty seven is old for a middle linebacker, but not including the four missed four games, Ray Lewis had yet another extraordinary season. Alongside fellow veteran Ed Reed, this duo must stay consistent and injury free to keep Baltimore in the hunt. Ray Rice is the best all-around running back, and is the clear MVP of this mediocre offense. Joe Flacco's goal should be to reach 4,000 passing yards, as well as a career low in interceptions. Watch out for the Ravens if all goes as planned.

Ed Reed (Boston Globe)

Week 1: Bengals @ Ravens W
Week 2: Ravens @ Eagles L
Week 3: Patriots @ Ravens L
Week 4: Browns @Ravens W
Week 5: Ravens @ Chiefs L
Week 6: Cowboys @ Ravens W
Week 7: Ravens @ Texans L
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Ravens @ Browns W
Week 10: Raiders @ Ravens W
Week 11: Ravens @ Steelers W
Week 12: Ravens @ Chargers L
Week 13: Steelers @ Ravens W
Week 14: Ravens @ Redskins W
Week 15: Broncos @ Ravens W
Week 16: Giants @ Ravens W
Week 17: Ravens @ Bengals W



2. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6): The Cincinnati Bengals will be a threat to take down any team in 2012, quite possibly the most lethal opponent for any playoff contender. There is a lot of young players on this roster, which makes me worried about their consistency throughout the regular season. Andy Dalton proved he can carry the weight of the franchise, especially when throwing to star wide out AJ Green. The defense surprising did very well, and will most likely carry over into this upcoming season. Experience is hard to find in Cincinnati, but the youngsters may be the dark horses of 2012.

Andy Dalton

Week 1: Bengals @ Ravens L
Week 2: Browns @ Bengals W
Week 3: Bengals @ Redskins W
Week 4: Bengals @ Jaguars W
Week 5: Dolphins @ Bengals W
Week 6: Bengals @ Browns W
Week 7: Steelers @ Bengals W
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Broncos @ Bengals W
Week 10: Giants @ Bengals L
Week 11: Bengals @ Chiefs L
Week 12: Raiders @ Bengals W
Week 13: Bengals @ Chargers W
Week 14: Cowboys @ Bengals W
Week 15: Bengals @ Eagles L
Week 16: Bengals @ Steelers L
Week 17: Ravens @ Bengals L



3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): The Pittsburgh Steelers made a quick exit from the playoffs in 2012 after losing to quarterback sensation Tim Tebow. The draft was nothing special either, except for two big offensive lineman in the first few rounds. This defense is not getting any younger, and Pittsburgh is not known for possessing an extraordinary offense. In the competitive AFC North, a spot in the playoffs would be considered a successful 2012 season. Do not be expecting a Super Bowl appearance.

Antonio Brown

Week 1: Steelers @ Broncos L
Week 2: Jets @ Steelers W
Week 3: Steelers @ Raiders W
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: Eagles @ Steelers W
Week 6: Steelers @ Titans W
Week 7: Steelers @ Bengals L
Week 8: Redskins @ Steelers W
Week 9: Steelers @ Giants L
Week 10: Chiefs @ Steelers W
Week 11: Ravens @ Steelers L
Week 12: Steelers @ Browns W
Week 13: Steelers @ Ravens L
Week 14: Chargers @ Steelers L
Week 15: Steelers @ Cowboys W
Week 16: Bengals @ Steelers W
Week 17: Steelers @ Browns W



4. Cleveland Browns (1-15): The Cleveland Browns added two big names in last year's draft; quarterback Brandon Weeden and running back Trent Richardson. An above average defense along with a youthful roster made Cleveland's 2012 campaign look somewhat respectable when entering August. However, the preseason did not start off well after many injuries took place, one to their prized rookie running back. The Browns have by far the most difficult schedule of any team in the NFL. In most years, Cleveland would have a shot at the .500 mark, but if the injuries continue, they'll have to worry about an 0-16 record.

Josh Cribbs

Week 1: Eagles @ Browns L
Week 2: Browns @ Bengals L
Week 3: Bills @ Browns L
Week 4: Browns @ Ravens L
Week 5: Browns @ Giants L
Week 6: Bengals @ Browns L
Week 7: Browns @ Colts L
Week 8: Chargers @ Browns L
Week 9: Ravens @ Browns L
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Browns @ Cowboys L
Week 12: Steelers @ Browns L
Week 13: Browns @ Raiders L
Week 14: Chiefs @ Browns L
Week 15: Redskins @ Browns W
Week 16: Browns @ Broncos L
Week 17: Browns @ Steelers L