Complete 2015 NFL Playoff Predictions

Wild Card Round

(3) Colts over (6) Jets: Andrew Luck, unlike New York's quarterback duo of Geno Smith and Michael Vick, has proven himself as a winner in the postseason with his comeback victory over the Chiefs. The Jets team as a whole is too young to beat Indy and this incredible passing game.

(4) Ravens over (5) Bengals: Just two years ago, Joe Flacco caught fire in the postseason to lead his team over the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Baltimore's passing game may have trouble early against a relatively stingy Bengals defense, but Cincy's horrendous record in the postseason under Marvin Lewis will continue into 2015.

(6) Packers over (3) Bears: Aaron Rodgers, a Super Bowl winning quarterback, has repeatedly proven himself when it comes to clutch situations, as seen when he defeated Chicago in Week 17 of the 2013 regular season. Ironically, we have them playing Chicago once again with the same result.

(5) 49ers over (4) Eagles: The 49ers have made it to three straight NFC Championship Games, and are quite possibly the most talented wild card team of the past 5 years. Philadelphia doesn't stand a chance, even with home field advantage.

Divisional Round

(3) Colts over (2) Broncos: The third year for quarterbacks is almost always a breakout year in the NFL. With Reggie Wayne coming back from injury, and Hakeem Knicks arriving from New York, Luck has the offensive weapons  needed to knock off the Denver Broncos in January.

(1) Patriots over (4) Ravens: The Patriots and Ravens by now are used to playing each other in the postseason, but the Patriots are clearly far more talented than the Ravens, especially with their two new cornerbacks in Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis. Tom Brady is bound for yet another AFC Championship Game.

(1) Seahawks over (6) Packers: In a neutral location, I believe the Green Bay Packers would be capable of beating Seattle during the postseason; however, seeing how the game is in Seattle, it will be extremely difficult for Aaron Rodgers to overpower the Legion of Boom on the road. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense will be able to put up plenty of points against a mediocre Packers defense.

(5) 49ers over (2) Saints: Colin Kaepernick is surrounded by plenty of weapons on offense, including Anquan Boldin, Frank Gore, and Vernon Davis. Jim Harbaugh will find a way to quell the damage done by Drew Brees and New Orleans' passing game, and the 49ers will be playing in their fourth straight NFC Championship Game.

Championship Round

(1) Patriots over (3) Colts: The New England Patriots remain undefeated against Andrew Luck during his time in Indy, yet with Luck bound to improve during the regular season, these games are going to get a whole lot more competitive. With Revis and Browner both on the Patriots' roster, Luck will have more difficulty finding his three most talented targets--Knicks, Hilton, Wayne--but as we've seen, this quarterback can find a way. Tom Brady is becoming more experienced with his young wide receivers, and hopefully, Rob Gronkowski will be healthy for playoffs. The Logan Menkins trade left some people scratching their heads, but the aging offensive lineman was traded for a draft pick and a little-known tight end Tim Wright. Wright had 54 catches as an undrafted rookie, so this could be one of Brady's favorite targets later in the year. In the end, we have Tom Brady advancing to the sixth Super Bowl of his career.

(5) 49ers over (1) Seahawks: These two teams are coming out of the same division, yet clearly, they are the NFC's most talented teams. A rivalry has been born recently between San Francisco and Seattle, seeing how they have two of the league's most stifling defenses and battle within the same division. Luckily, the San Francisco 49ers are expecting to get linebacker NaVorro Bowman by Week 7, so he will be in midseason form just before the postseason. Seattle's offseason losses will have a bigger impact on this team than people seem to think, where receiver Golden Tate has left for Detroit, while Red Bryant and Chris Clemons have left for Jacksonville. Jim Harbaugh will be on the hot seat if San Francisco is unable to make the Super Bowl yet again, but luckily for 49ers fans, we see San Francisco topping their division rivals for a spot in the "Big Game."

Prediction for the Super Bowl will arrive within the next few days

2015 NFC Playoff Predictions

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3): The defending Super Bowl Champions may still have A LOT of talent on their roster, but several relatively important players were lost this past offseason, such as Golden Tate, Brandon Browner, and Red Bryant. Yet with stars like Marshawn Lynch, Russell Wilson, and Percy Harvin on offense, as well as the entire "Legion of Boom" on defense (Sherman, Chancellor, Thomas), Seattle is surely in store for another deep playoff run.

2. New Orleans Saints (12-4): In his first full season back with the Saints since the bounty scandal, Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints went 11-5, thus finishing second in their division. Quarterback Drew Brees was one touchdown away from having three straight seasons with at least 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns. The loss of running back Darren Sproles could potentially hurt both the rushing and passing game, but I'm sure this offense will find a way to survive. The defense has managed to gain cornerback Champ Bailey and safety Jairus Byrd in an attempt to prove the pass defense, so expect the Saints to be contenders once again.

3. Chicago Bears (11-5): Seeing how the Bears were unable to make the playoffs last year, it is pretty risky for us to have them finishing third in the NFC next season; however, this team is very well-rounded. Jay Cutler struggled to stay healthy last season, but assuming he can play at least 14 games, he has the chance to be an MVP finalist thanks to receivers Alshon Jeffrey, Brandon Marshall, and Santonio Holmes. Also, Matt Forte and the running game will be able to take some pressure off of their quarterback. The defense may have lost Juluis Peppers, but defensive ends Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston join Jay Ratliff on the defensive line. Chicago is a surely a sleeper team in 2014, possibly enough to make a run at the NFC Championship Game.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7): While Philadelphia made a quick exit from the playoffs last season, the major storyline for Philly fans was the emergence of quarterback Nick Foles as one of the game's most efficient passers. Foles passed for 27 touchdowns with 2 interceptions, while running back LeSean McCoy also had a career year. The Eagles lost DeSean Jackson after he left for Washington, so it will be interesting to see how Foles is able to adapt to the loss. The main problem for the Eagles is clearly the pass defenses, which ranked last in the league in 2013. While the Eagles did manage to sign safety Malcolm Jenkins, this pass defense is bound to struggle into 2014.

5. San Francisco 49ers (12-4): For the third straight year in a row, San Francisco made an appearance in the NFC Championship Game, but Richard Sherman's tipped ball that turned into an interception late in the game resulted in a loss for the Niners. San Francisco still has a top 10 offense, with quarterback Colin Kaepernick, running backs Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde, and wide receivers Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis, and Stevie Johnson. The defense has almost everyone returning, apart from Aldon Smith, who is awaiting a suspension. San Francisco may end up as the fifth seed, but they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

6. Green Bay Packers (11-5): The Green Bay Packers' receiving corp has gradually worsened over the past 5 years, where Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are the only two stars remaining; however, the Packers now have an excellent running game thanks to rookie running back Eddie Lacy. Defenses have struggled to shut down both Green Bay's passing game, pioneered by Aaron Rodgers, and their running game, which is how Lacy has managed to achieve such success. Green Bay's defense is slightly above mediocre, but things got even worse for Green Bay's defense by losing nose tackle B.J. Raji for the entire season. 

Jim Harbaugh Nearly Traded to Cleveland Browns

Earlier this evening, a story broke on Pro Football Talk that the Cleveland Browns were having serious discussions with the San Francisco 49ers regarding a trade involving coach Jim Harbaugh. For a franchise that has not won a Super Bowl, Jim Harbaugh would have been a perfect addition to the coaching staff in Cleveland, instead of Cleveland's recent hiring of Mike Pettine, the former defensive coordinator for Buffalo. In return for trading away Harbaugh, the San Francisco 49ers would have likely received several draft picks from the Browns. In his first three seasons with the 49ers, Harbaugh has taken the 49ers to three straight NFC Championship Games, as well as one Super Bowl. On the other hand, the Browns finished 2013 at 4-12, and have not made the playoffs since 2002.  For now, however, Jim Harbaugh will remain in San Francisco.

NFC Championship Game Recap

     It's official. The Seattle Seahawks will be playing the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. At one point, it seemed as if Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers would pull off the upset against Seattle, but thanks to an interception by outside linebacker Malcolm Smith with just 22 seconds left in the game, Seattle will be going to their second Super Bowl in franchise history. The Seahawks had the best record in all of football, yet people were still questioning whether or not their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, would pull off an upset. Seattle's 12th man arrived in full force today, and even though Colin Kaepernick seemed very composed, he could not finish the job at the end of the game.

     The San Francisco 49ers scored on their first possession with a 25-yard field goal after Russell Wilson's fumble on the first play of the game. From there, San Francisco's rushing touchdown put them up 10-0 in the second quarter. Colin Kaepernick's passing game was mediocre at best, but he had a successful game in terms of running the football. His 58 yard gain on the ground set up a touchdown for the Niners, and by the end of the game, Kaepernick had rushed for 130 yards on 11.8 yards per carry in a losing effort.

     On Seattle's first possession of the second half, Marshawn Lynch showed off his incredible talents with a 40 yard touchdown run, very similar to his captivating playoff run against the Saints several years ago. This touchdown led to a 13-point run for Seattle, and the score of 23-16 remained until the end of game.

      But it seemed as if Colin Kaepernick was about to lead a 78-yard drive that would have put San Francisco in the Super Bowl instead of Seattle. A conversion of 4th and 2 in their own end created a huge momentum shift, where it was evident that Seattle fans were becoming uneasy. The San Francisco 49ers cost themselves the game by refusing to use their final two timeouts with 30 seconds left in the game. Had they called a timeout, quarterback Colin Kaepernick would not have felt rushed at the line of scrimmage, which ultimately led to a game-ending interception.

      Not only did San Francisco lose this game, but they also had their All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman suffer a gruesome leg injury that required him to be carted off of the field. Bowman had already forced a fumble earlier in the game, and this injury clearly affected the Niners mindset on defense for the rest of the game. Doctors fear that Bowman may have suffered a tear to his ACl, which would have long term consequences stretching into next season.

NFC Championship Preview: 49ers at Seahawks

      Before the regular season even started, it seemed as though the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks were destined to play each other in the playoffs . The Seahawks-49ers rivalry has quickly transformed into the best rivalry in the league, and this matchup in the NFC Championship Game will only add to the history of this rivalry. Back in 2009, Jim Harbaugh, a coach at Stanford, ran up the score against Pete Carroll's USC team, and the Harbaugh-Carroll rivalry was born. The rivalry has carried over into the NFL now that both Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll work for two NFL teams within the NFC West. This season, the series between these two teams is tied at one game a piece; however, the last two times San Francisco played in Seattle, the Seahawks outscored the 49ers by a total score of 71-16. The 12th Man at CenturyLink Field may be blown out of proportion at times, but there is no disputing that Seattle's fans are capable of influencing a game with their deafening noise.

San Francisco 49ers: The San Francisco 49ers are one of the most streaky teams in all of football; when they're hot, they can go on 5 game winning streaks, where not even the best teams can knock them down. But when they're cold, the 49ers can lose two or three straight by 10 points or more. Luckily for San Francisco fans, the 49ers have won eight straight games, including two playoff wins over the Packers and Panthers. San Francisco's consistency relies heavily on quarterback Colin Kaepernick, where the 49ers are 13-0 when Kaepernick throws for more than 150 yards. Alongside Kaepernick is a talented group of running backs, led by 9-year veteran Frank Gore (1,128 yards and 9 touchdowns), as well as youthful backs like LaMichael James and and Anthony Dixon. Four offensive players from the 49ers were added to the Pro Bowl roster, where two came from the offensive line. Even though the offensive line is considered to be one of the best in the league, they will have their hand's full against Seattle's front-seven. On defense, San Fran's stars like Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, and Ahmad Brooks makeup the best front-seven in all of football. The 49ers ranked third in the league in points allowed, fifth in rushing yards allowed, and fourth in opposing passer rating. Similarly to San Francisco, Seattle has an incredibly well-rounded offense, but as long as they are able to shut down wide receiver Golden Tate, Seattle's passing game will struggle to create any sort of consistency.

Seattle Seahawks: When playing at home, the Seattle Seahawks are clearly the best team in all of football. A trip to New Jersey for the Super Bowl would be a different story, but as long as the Seahawks are in Seattle, they are nearly unstoppable. With just one loss at home since December of 2011, the Seahawks are capable of beating any time in the NFL, which they have proven time and time again. In Seattle's last two meetings against San Francisco at CenturyLink Field, the Seahawks have one both times, one by a score of 29-3, the other by a score of 42-13. On offense, second-year quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 3,357 passing yards 26 touchdowns this season, and a passer rating of 101.2; however, Seattle remains a run-oriented team. This season, running back Marshawn Lynch rushed for 1,2457 yards and 12 touchdowns, where Seattle ranked fourth in the league in rushing yards per game. Seattle will be missing wide receiver Percy Harvin for Sunday's game, but since Harvin caught just one pass during the regular season, the Seahawks' offense should not be too worried. Seattle's front seven does a great job of applying pressure (rank 8th in the league in sacks), but the Hawks are known for their deadly defensive backs. Cornerback Richard Sherman, as well as safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, were all named to the Pro Bowl for their spectacular play in 2013, allowing Seattle to rank first in the league in interceptions. As a whole, the Seahawks rank first in total defense, first in pass defense, and first points allowed per game. This defense is nothing to mess around with, and despite San Francisco's talent on offense, Seattle's defense will best the Niners on Sunday.

Prediction: The San Francisco 49ers have had trouble with Seattle when the game is being played at CenturyLink Field, and with so much on the line, you know Seattle's 12th man will be deafening in the final home game of the season for the Hawks. Thanks to their consistent offense and stifling defense, we predict the Seahawks to win and advance to the Super Bowl.
Seahawks over 49ers 33-23

Jim Harbaugh is first coach in NFL history to take his team to AFC/NFC Championship Game in each of his first 3 seasons, via Elias SB.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2014

Colin Kaepernick has won first 3 road starts of his playoff career. Only QB to win his first 4 ... Jake Delhomme
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 13, 2014

2014 NFL Divisional Round Predictions

Saints @ Seahawks: The last time Seattle played New Orleans, the Seahawks absolutely demolished Drew Brees and the Saints, beating the Saints by a score of 34-7. In that game, Russell Wilson passed for 310 yards, 3 touchdowns, and a passer rating above 135, while Brees passed for 147 yards and a score, both being his lowest totals of the season. The Saints are now trying to plan accordingly for the deafening noise within CenturyLink Field, where the Seahawks have lost only one game at home since December of 2011. Even worse for New Orleans, Brees and the Saints have a history of playing poorly on the road. Not only will the Saints' offense try to beat Seattle's 12 man, but Seattle's stingy defense as well. The Seahawks defensive unit led the league in total defense, passing yards allowed, rushing touchdowns allowed per game, and interceptions. Bottom line: the Saints are in trouble. We predict the Seahawks to roll past new Orleans into the NFC Championship Game.
Seahawks over Saints 30-13

Colts @ Patriots: The Indianapolis Colts were down 28 points to the Kansas City Chiefs in last week's playoff matchup, but thanks to an excellent comeback led by Andrew Luck, as well as a resilient defense, the Colts were able to come from behind and win the game. Last Sunday's win marked Andrew Luck's first career playoff win, and even though he threw 3 interceptions that created the deficit, Luck's five total touchdowns, as well as 443 passing yards, allowed the Colts to advance to the Divisional Round. Now, Indianapolis will travel to Foxboro in order to play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Ever since the Colts lost Reggie Wayne, Luck's number one target in 2013 has clearly been T.Y. Hilton, who will likely be limited by New England's star cornerback Aqib Talib in Sunday's game. This means Luck will have to rely on his other wide receivers if the Colts wish to win through the air. Even worse for Indy, there is a 100% chance of rain in Foxboro on Sunday, meaning passing the ball will become more difficult. The rainstorm favors New England, whose running back trio of Steven Ridley, Shane Vereen, and LeGarrette Blount have all rushed for more than 100 yards in a single game this season. Lastly, Tom Brady's playoff experience makes New England the favorite to win this game.
Patriots over Colts 23-17

49ers @ Panthers: Colin Kaepernick walked into frozen Lambeau last weekend as the favorite and were able to beat the Packers, even though the temperature reached below zero with the wind. Now, the 49ers are favored to beat the Panthers, just the third time since 1990 that a home playoff team was the underdog in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Everyone expected Cam newton to have a great year statistically, but the main reason why Carolina has been so successful is their punishing defense. Luke Kuechly, a second year linebacker out of Boston College, totaled 156 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 2 sacks in 2013. After winning Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, Kuechly is one of the favorites to win Defensive Player of the Year this season, which would mark the second time a defensive player won Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in their first two seasons (only other player was Lawrence Taylor, who won Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season). The Panthers defense as a whole ranked second in the league in both total defense and run defense, where the 49ers were not too far behind in either category. The two defenses in Sunday's matchup will both play very well, but in the end, we predict San Francisco to win this thanks to their playoff experience.
49ers over Panthers 27-20

Chargers @ Broncos: The San Diego Chargers pulled off the upset over the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend, even though Cincinnati was undefeated at home entering the Wild Card Round. Phillip Rivers has a history of choking in the playoffs, and even though his statistic were not incredible against the Bengas, his numbers are bound to increase now that he is going up against a weaker Broncos' defense. Denver lost star outside linebacker Von miller for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL, but this team is 7-0 in games where Miller is not int the starting lineup. Quarterback Peyton Manning finished 2013 with 5,477 passing yards, 55 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 115.1. Because of the first round bye, Wes Welker has had time to recover from his concussion, and he is listed as probable for Sunday's game. Welker, Thomas, and Decker create the best wide receiving corp in the NFL, which is why we predict Denver to beat the Chargers and move on to play Brady and the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Broncos over Chargers 27-23

NFL Week 17 Power Rankings

1. Denver Broncos: After the Seahawks lost at home in a Week 16 matchup, the Denver Broncos are now number one in the power rankings. Peyton Manning threw his 51st touchdown pass in 2013 against the Houston Texans last weekend, breaking Tom Brady's record of 50. Manning and the Broncos offense is clearly the best in the league, but Von Miller's ACL injury will cause Miller to miss the rest of the season, a huge loss to the Broncos defense.

2. Seattle Seahawks: For the first time since 2011, the Seattle Seahawks lost in their own stadium, this time it was against the Arizona Cardinals in a Week 16 matchup. The game was low scoring, and it appeared that the Seahawks would be able to tie it within the final two minutes, but a costly interception cost them the game. This loss at home may shake the Seahawks' confidence at home, maybe planting a seed of doubt into their minds.

3. Carolina Panthers: Following their home win against the New Orleans Saints, all the Carolina Panthers need in order to clinch a first round bye is to win their Week 17 matchup against the Falcons on the road. Carolina's defense particularly, the run defense, has been absolutely superb so far in 2013, and with soon-to-be Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly leading the way, the Panthers are very likely to win the NFC South.

4. New England Patriots: The Patriots are unable to create any type of consistency in 2013, especially due to all of the devastating injuries; however, their dominant win over the Baltimore Ravnes on the road proves they are still a powerhouse in the NFL, especially with quarterback Tom Brady leading the way. The team played well on both sides of the ball, and they still have a shot at clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs despite all of the challenges they have faced.

5. San Francisco 49ers: Sure, Monday Night's game between the Niners and the Falcons was exciting to watch, but considering the Falcons were 4-10 going into this game, the Niners should have won by a larger margin. The Niners are on a five game winning streak, with a 10-2 record in their last 12 games. The defense as a whole carrying this time, and offensively a dominant running game allows the Niners to be in contention for a spot in the playoffs.

6. Kansas City Chiefs: After starting the season at 9-0, the Kansas City Chiefs have lost four of their last seven, proving that the Chiefs may not be a powerhouse in this league after all. The Chiefs defense is not nearly as stingy as they were at the start of the season. In their first 9 games, the Chiefs defense allowed an average of 12.3 points per game, whereas their defense is allowing nearly 24 points per game in the last seven. The number don't lie.

7. New Orleans Saints: The Saints' loss to the Carolina Panthers last weekend clearly shows New Orleans' terrible weakness when playing on the road. The Saints may be undefeated so far this season when playing in the safety of the Superdome, but on the road, they are 3-5, a clear weakness for the Saints. Peyton Manning is receiving all of the spotlight, but Drew Brees is also having yet another great season in 2013.

8. Arizona Cardinals: Many assumed that Arizona's two game winning streak would be snapped once they travelled to Seattle, but instead, Arizona handed the Seahawks their first loss at home since December of 2011. The Cardinals might just be the hottest team in the NFL right now, even though they have yet to be guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Originally, the Cincinnati Bengals offense struggled due to the inconsistent passing game under quarterback Andy Dalton. Wide receiver AJ Green is truly the centerpiece of this offense, as he ranks within the top 5 in the entire National Football League in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. The defense is clearly the core of this team as a whole, but AJ Green is the superstar of the team.

10. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are obviously the most inconsistent team of 2013. This season, the Colts have beaten the 49ers, Seahawks, Broncos, and Chiefs (combined record of 46-14), but have lost to inferior teams such as the Chargers, Dolphins, and Rams. Quarterback Andrew Luck has shown signs of progress since his rookie season, but his future performance in the playoffs several weeks from now is unpredictable to say the least.

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11. Philadelphia Eagles

12. San Diego Chargers

13. Philadelphia Steelers

14. Chicago Bears

15. Baltimore Ravens

16. Dallas Cowboys

17. Green Bay Packers

18. Miami Dolphins

19. St Louis Rams

20. New York Jets

21. Detroit Lions

22. New York Giants

23. Buffalo Bills

24. Tennessee Titans

25. Minnesota Vikings

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

27. Jacksonville Jaguars

28. Atlanta Falcons

29. Cleveland Browns

30. Washington Redskins

31. Oakland Raiders

32. Houston Texans

Week 14 Predictions

Game to Watch: Seahawks @ 49ers: The Seattle Seahawks are undisputedly the number on team in all of football. Their win over the New Orleans Saints by a score of 34-7 on Monday Night Football showed that this team is in a league of their own. Especially when they are playing at home. This Sunday, the Seahawks will go on the road to play San Francisco in CandleStick Park. The 49ers have not quite lived up to expectations so far in 2013, especially their starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The 49ers are 8-5 this season, currently the 6th seed if the season ended today. But with teams like Philadelphia and Arizona not too far behind, it is key for San Francisco to beat their division rival at home on Sunday. The last time these two teams played, Seattle absolutely annihilated Harbaugh and the Niners. This Sunday won't be any different.
Seattle over 49ers 23-13

Stand Out Performance: WR Calvin Johnson: As of Week 13, Calvin Johnson has eclipsed the 100 yard receiving mark 7 times this season, and in one of those games, Megatron caught 14 passes for 329 yards. Calvin Johnson has made a name for himself as the best wide receiver in the league, and as Detroit squares off Philadelphia on Sunday, Johnson is projected for yet another big day. In his past three games, Megatron has caught 19 passes for 395 yards and 3 touchdowns, while the Eagles defense against wide receivers ranks dead last in the NFL. Fantasy football owners, make sure to start Megatron for as the fantasy football playoffs start this Sunday.
WR Calvin Johnson: 125 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Player to Watch: QB Geno Smith: At the start of November, it appeared that the New York was a legitimate threat to nab a spot in the playoffs in 2013; however, all playoff hopes have been dashed as a result of poor play by their starting quarterback, Geno Smith. Smith started the year with 7 touchdowns in his first 5 games, but since Week 5, Geno has passed for just 1 touchdown with a whopping 11 touchdowns. On the year, Smith's passer rating stands at 60.4, and it is surprising that New York has not benched their quarterback. Sunday's game will be a decisive game for Geno Smith, where yet another poor performance will surely have him sitting on the bench for the rest of the season.
QB Geno Smith: 185 passing yards, 1 rushing TD, INT

Week 14 Predictions:

Ravens over Vikings

Bengals over Colts

Patriots over Browns

Jets over Raiders

Chiefs over Redskins

Falcons over Packers

Eagles over Lions

Dolphins over Steelers

Bills over Buccaneers

Broncos over Titans

Cardinals over Rams

Seahawks over 49ers

Giants over Chargers

Saints over Panthers

Bears over Cowboys

Week 10 Predictions

Game to Watch: Panthers @ 49ers: On Sunday, the two hottest teams in football (apart from Andy Reid's Chiefs) will battle late in the afternoon. The Carolina Panthers, led by quarterback Cam Newton, have flown under the radar, as they sit at 5-3, just one game behind the New Orleans Saints. The competition may be weak, but in their last four games, Carolina's offense has averaged 32.5 points per game, an astounding statistic. Cam Newton's passing statistics are not jaw-dropping, yet they are good enough to get the job done. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers' offense has been rolling ever since their terrible offensive performance against Indy. The running game ranks first in the league thanks to running back Frank Gore and quarterback Colin Kaepernick, as they have averaged 153.0 yards per game. The San Francisco 49ers have always been strong in their own stadium, so we see the 49ers beating Cam Newton and the Panthers on Sunday.
49ers over Panthers 37-31

Stand Out Performance: TE Jimmy Graham: Apart from a terrible performance against the New England Patriots, tight end Jimmy Graham has been incredibly consistent throughout the season. If Graham's incredible play continues, he will record 1,492 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, where both would be NFL records among tight ends. The Dallas Cowboy pass defense has been absolutely atrocious in 2013, ranking 31st overall in passing yards allowed per game. Be prepared for a monster performance by this monster of a tight end.
TE Jimmy Graham: 145 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Player to Watch: QB Nick Foles: Who would have thought that Nick Foles, a third round pick out of Arizona in the 2012 NFL Draft, would tie the NFL record for passing touchdowns at 7. Sure, it was against the Oakland Raiders' defense, but 7 passing touchdowns is a sensational number that deserves to be discussed. The Eagles offense has been an emotional roller coaster so far this season, with its many ups and downs. The Eagles are going up against a very beat-up Packers defense. Nick Foles will not throw for 7 touchdowns, no how, no way; however, we can see Nick Foles passing for several touchdowns in a narrow victory over Green Bay.
QB Nick Foles: 285 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 INT

Week 10 Predictions:

Redskins over Vikings (Incorrect)

Seahawks over Falcons

Bengals over Ravens

Lions over Bears

Eagles over Packers

Colts over Rams

Giants over Raiders

Steelers over Bills

Titans over Jaguars

49ers over Panthers

Cardinals over Texans

Broncos over Chargers

Saints over Cowboys

Buccaneers over Dolphins

Last Week: 9-4

2013 Season: 92-41 (69.1%)

NFL Power Rankings Week 10

1. Kansas City Chiefs: The Kansas City Chiefs are the only perfect team remaining this season, and even though their Week 10 Bye gives them time to prepare for Denver in Week 11, it is unlikely that they can beat the Broncos. We expect there to be a new team at number one in the power rankings in two weeks time.

2. Denver Broncos: In my mind, the Denver Broncos are by far the best team in the National Football League, but there is some unwritten rule where the undefeated team must be number one in power rankings; otherwise, I would have Denver at number one in a heartbeat. So far, quarterback Peyton Manning is the clear favorite to win Most Valuable Player.

3. Indianapolis Colts: Thanks to a field goal shank in overtime by Houston's kicker, the Indianapolis Colt's narrowly squeaked by the Houston Texans. Nevertheless, Andrew Luck led the tenth game-winning drive of his career, proving that the Colts are extremely dangerous in close match ups.

4. San Francisco 49ers: This week's game against the Carolina Panthers is a dangerous game for the San Francisco 49ers, where the Panthers have maintained a 5-3 record entering Week 10. Ever since scoring a combined 10 points in Weeks 2 and 3, San Francisco's offense is averaging 34.8 points per game. The 49ers offense, particularly the running game, looks very dangerous, and I can see them at number one in the power rankings by the end of the regular season.

5. Seattle Seahawks: Similarly to Indianapolis, the Seattle Seahawks almost lost in Week 9, the only difference being the Seattle Seahawks were playing at home. Everyone knows the Seahawks at home is just like Popeye on spinach; once they have their secret weapon, good luck beating them. Yet the Seahawks were playing Tampa Bay, who have yet to win so far in 2013. This narrow victory definitely hurts their stock in the power rankings.

6. New England Patriots: FINALLY. Quarterback Tom Brady seems to have found his groove, especially with a healthy Gronk and Amendola in the starting lineup. If Brady is able to continue with this incredible hot streak, then the New England Patriots will shoot up the power rankings faster than a healthy CJ Spiller.

exposay.com

7. New Orleans Saints: Who would have thought that the New York Jets would take control of their game against the New Orleans Saints. Coach Rex Ryan remains undefeated in games against brother Rob, the Saints' defensive coordinator. Looking forward, the Saints have several big games, and there is little doubt in my mind that the Saints will lose at least three more games before the end of the season.

8. Cincinnati Bengals: After upsetting teams such as San Francisco and New England, the Cincinnati Bengals lost to the Miami Dolphins in one of the ugliest games of the season last Thursday. Now that Cincinnati has that terrible performance out of their system, we expect nothing but the best from the Bengals.

9. Detroit Lions: Coming off of a Bye in Week 9, the Detroit Lions must play Chicago on the road. This game has the potential to be a blowout for the Lions offense, especially if Jay Cutler is not playing on Sunday. Calvin Johnson is healthy once again, causing defensive coordinators to panic in preparation for this offensive weapon.

10. Chicago Bears: Yes, the Chicago Bears beat the Packers on Monday Night while Green Bay was missing Aaron Rodgers, but Chicago was also missing their starting quarterback due to injury. Does this mean Chicago would still have won if both quarterbacks were healthy? That is unclear. What we do know is that Matt Forte is a complete stud, quite possibly the best running back of the 2013 season. 

2014 Playoff Predictions: Super Bowl

Broncos over 49ers: The Denver Broncos offense, especially the passing game, is the best in the National Football League. Peyton Manning can choose between receivers Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas, and Eric Decker, so no matter who San Francisco decides to double team, Manning will be able to find the open man. The running back tandem of Knowshon Moreno and rookie Montee Ball should be able to improve the running game, which once led the league in rushing back when Tim Tebow was still quarterback. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is a talented quarterback who will create problems for the Denver Broncos defense. If the Broncos defense decides to focus on defending the pass, John Harbaugh will immediately switch to running the ball with his trio of running backs. The defensive edge is awarded to San Francisco, but the Broncos defense is above-average, especially when outside linebacker Von Miller is in the starting lineup. Even with their excellent defense, San Francisco will be overwhelmed by Peyton Manning and his receivers. We predict the Broncos to win 30-27, where quarterback Peyton Manning wins his second Super Bowl MVP.

2014 Playoff Predictions: Championship Round

AFC
Broncos over Patriots: The loss of Von Miller for six games is bound to negatively impact Denver's defense, but when he returns later in the year, the Broncos defense will improve by a decent margin. The Broncos offense is led by quarterback Peyton Manning, as he is surrounded by an abundance of extraordinary talent. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will also have key players returning from injuries: Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola. As of right now, the Patriots are in serious trouble on offense due to their weak receiving corp. In yet another Peyton Manning-Tom Brady showdown, we predict Denver to win at home in a dominant fashion.

NFC
49ers over Seahawks: If this game was being played in Seattle, the Seahawks would be clear favorites to win; however, we predict the San Francisco 49ers to advance to their second consecutive Super Bowl as they beat Seattle at home. The 49ers offense consists of star weapons such as Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, and Anquan Boldin. The running game is one of the best in the league, while Colin Kaepernick is a dual threat passer. Both defenses are feared throughout the league, especially the front seven on either team. Seattle's offense is not at the same level as San Francisco, but quarterback Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch are both All-Pro material. This rivalry is becoming more and more heated, and a win for San Francisco in the NFC Championship game will only add fuel to the fire.

Update: We were correct about all four of the teams to make the Championship Round of the 2014 NFL Playoffs. 

2014 NFL Predictions (NFC)

1. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): With Colin Kaepernick leading the way, this offense is one of the best in the league, especially running the ball. The many big names on defense makes San Francisco the most well-rounded team in football.

2. Atlanta Falcons (12-4): Despite their highly competitive division, the Atlanta Falcons receiving corp gives Matt Ryan an abundance of options when passing the ball. Newly acquired Steven Jackson is an excellent running back, but he also gives Ryan an extra receiver out of the backfield. Atlanta repeats as the NFC South champions.

3. Green Bay Packers (12-4): Acquiring running backs Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin through the draft drastically improves the Packers running game. The receiving corp will remain strong even though Greg Jennings and Donald Driver are gone, and Aaron Rodgers is still the most reliable quarterback in the game.

4. Dallas Cowboys (9-7): The Cowboys??? Sure the Washington Redskins have a young, capable team, but we believe the Cowboys have all the tools needed to win the NFC East. Wide receivers Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, and Jason Witten give quarterback Tony Romo plenty of options on offense. A new look on defense may be Dallas' key to success.

5. Seattle Seahawks (12-4): The Seahawks defense, statistically speaking, was the best in the league in 2012, and Seattle will likely remain dominant on the defensive side of the ball in 2013 thanks to an enhanced defensive line. Quarterback Russell Wilson was excellent as a rookie later in the season, but the offense looks almost identical to the one seen in 2012.

6. New Orleans Saints (10-6): Drew Brees and the Saints offense are clearly going to improve now that head coach Sean Payton returns from his suspension. The main problem for New Orleans will be on defense, a unit that ranked dead last in total defense last season.

Update: Correct regarding 4 out of the 6 NFC teams to make the playoffs

March NFL Power Rankings (1-10)

1. San Francisco 49ers: In the wake of their loss to Baltimore in the Super Bowl, San Francisco needed to make minor changes if they wished to ensure a second appearance; instead, Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers went above and beyond during the month of March. San Francisco traded for wide receiver Anquan Boldin with close to no repercussions at all. Signing corner back Nnamdi Asomugha would be the cherry on top.

2. Denver Broncos: The best off-season grade is undoubtedly awarded to the Denver Broncos, who managed to sign wide receiver Wes Welker to a $12 million deal over the course of two years. Wes Welker will join Demaryius Thomas and Eddie Thomas, giving Peyton Manning one of the best wide receiver corps in the league. Manning's stingy offensive line allows few sacks, and Louis Vasquez will only help protect the star. If Denver is able to close out a deal with Elvis Dumervil, then the Broncos may move up to number one in our power rankings.

3. Seattle Seahawks: At 11-5, the Seattle Seahawks exceeded everyone's expectations in 2012. Sophomore quarterback Russel Wilson will only improve in the upcoming season, and now that he has newly acquired receiver Percy Harvin, head coach Pete Carroll has many new options in terms of play calling. Seattle's young defense added two new defensive players in the off season: Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. Bottom Line: watch out for Seattle's front seven by the time opening day rolls around.

4. New England Patriots: For some reason, people think Danny Amendola will be able to successfully replace Wes Welker and the role he played in the New England offense; however, Tom Brady is not happy with the front office, and the release of Welker could potentially lead to chaos inside the Patriots' organization. Hopefully, the Patriots will not be too affected by Welker's departure, and they can regain their AFC East title.

5. Atlanta Falcons: Veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez stated he would retire after the 2012 playoffs. Once the Falcons lost in the NFC Championship games, the first thing on Atlanta's agenda was to bring him back to football. They were successful, and the Atlanta Falcons will have Gonzalez on the roster for another season. The release of veteran running back Michael Turner gave the Falcons the opportunity to add yet another aging rusher, Steven Jackson. It is clear Matt Ryan is ready to take on the 49ers once again in 2013.

6. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers lost Greg Jennings to free agency in the month of March, which could potentially create problems for the Green Bay offense. Teams will now double team Jordy Nelson, something that would not have been possible with Greg Jennings on the roster.

7. Houston Texans: This week, longtime safety Ed Reed officially became a member of the Texans, filling a hole desperately needed in the Houston defense. Reigning defensive player of the year JJ Watt will likely continue to play at an All-Pro level, and hopefully, a new wide recover can be added in April's draft.

8. New Orleans Saints: Now that Sean Payton will rejoin the New Orleans Saints after a one-year hiatus, the Saints once again become legitimate contenders out of the NFC South. Drew Brees eclipsed the 5,000 passing yard mark for the second year in a row, and with the return of head coach Sean Payton, this New Orleans offense has the potential to be lethal. The defense will hopefully be bulked up during this upcoming draft, but otherwise, we see a large upside for the New Orleans Saints in 2013.

9. Baltimore Ravens: Yes, they are the reigning champs, but Baltimore is in desperate need of replacements all across the board. The retirement of Ray Lewis marks the end of an era in Baltimore. Lewis' departure led to the losses of wide receiver Anquan Boldin, safety Ed reed, and linebacker Paul Kruger, along with several other key parts to this team. There is a changing of the guard in Baltimore, and they will need a year or two in order to fully rebuild.

10. New York Colts: Andrew Luck's rookie campaign did not win him Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, but he was able to revive a struggling franchise, propelling them into the post season. Much was expected to be done by the Colts in free agency, but apart from small additions to their defensive unit, Indianapolis fans have been left disappointed. Apart from Reggie Wayne, the Colts still have the opportunity to add a young wide receiver for second-year quarterback Andrew Luck. As for the offensive and defensive line, the draft may supply them with several key additions.

The Best Rivalry in the NFL?

     On the eve of the 2013 NFL free agency, two teams in the same division enhanced their rosters by adding two players nearly simultaneously. Percy Harvin and Anquan Boldin have found new homes along the west coast, with Boldin strapping on a San Francisco jersey, and Harvin playing in rainy Seattle for 2013. Both players are pro-bowlers with plenty of experience, and have the potential to strengthen their new teams drastically. Several years ago, many criticized the NFC West for being too weak a division; now, the west has transformed into one of the most competitive places to play in the league. The two powerhouses of the present-day NFC West are the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Though the rivalry between the two was already relatively heated, will the two trades form the biggest rivalry in the NFL?

     The definition of the term rivalry is a "competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field." By definition, when Seattle shows up to play San Francisco in 2013, the match up will be marked as a rivalry game. Historically speaking, the two teams are almost split down the middle in terms of wins, where Seattle has won 14 games against San Francisco, compared to the 49ers who have won 13. A victory during the regular season will propel them towards the NFC West crown. Already media stations across the country are hyping up the next meeting between San Francisco and Seattle. The two teams are very similar, where their roster is made up of very talented, young weapons on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
      San Francisco's Super Bowl run ended when they failed to convert on a fourth and goal with less than two minutes left. In order to ensure a second straight appearance to the big game, much has been done in order to fill any holes that need to be patched. Colin Kaepernick and his running back duo is one of the most feared ground games in the NFL; however, the passing game was in desperate need of a strong wide receiver to lead the pack. Vernon Davis' chemistry with Kaepernick solidified over the course of the playoffs, but Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss unsuccessfully gave Kaepernick the weapons he needed to succeed. Boldin has the size of a tight end but the speed of a wide receiver, a perfect match up with lock down corner back Richard Sherman of Seattle. The defense lost safety Dashon Goldson, and has done nothing to replace the All-Pro. Otherwise, San Francisco's defense remains elite when it comes to defending the rush and the pass.

    Seattle's off season grade is an "A+" with the signings of defensive ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, along with wide receiver Percy Harvin. Russell Wilson's rookie season earned him a lot of praise from around the league, especially when he took down the Redskins in the first round, and almost upset Atlanta in the divisional round the following week. Percy Harvin will be Seattle's number one wide receiver on the roster, and Wilson now has the option of handing the ball off to Marshawn Lycnh or WR Percy Harvin. Seattle's defense caught everyone off-guard last season with their dominating performance against top teams. Michael Bennet and Cliff Avril clearly creates the best pass rush in the league when adding their talents to sophomore pass rusher Bruce Irvin.
     The Seattle Seahawks fan base is well represented at home games, where CenturyLink field has been credited as being the loudest arena in the NFL. San Francisco will look to take down their new rival at home, who went undefeated in 2012 in their own stadium. In fact, Seattle destroyed San Francisco at home by a grand total of 42-13. The 49ers' emotional coach John Harbuagh would love to get revenge on the road and rid themselves of that embarrassing 2012 loss. The competition in the NFC West will be fierce, and when these two teams possibly meet in the NFC Championship game, millions will tune in to watch. 

NFL Report Update: Alex Smith

Breaking News: Quarterback Alex Smith, originally a starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has been traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. In return, San Francisco will be rewarded with two draft picks in the next two drafts. Smith led San Francisco to the NFC Championship game in 2011, but was replaced by Colin Kaepernick halfway through the following regular season.

Top 10 Free Agents: Dashon Goldson

8. Dashon Goldson: It is unclear whether or not the San Francisco 49ers will re-sign Dashon Goldson, who at 27 is currently entering the height of his pro career. The 49ers need all the help they can get at safety, but there is not enough cap room to ensure Goldson's signing. Goldson was named to back to back Pro Bowls, as well as an All-Pro team for his spectacular season in 2012. Clearly, Goldson was successful enough in order to lead his team into the Super Bowl, so other teams will be eager to scoop him up if San Francisco does not.

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