NFL Predictions Special - Playoffs & Postseason Awards

It's time to do the dirty work, and let these playoffs shake themselves out. From the previous two columns (AFC & NFC) we can deduce a few things:

1. I am an idiot. Seriously. Read the two columns.

2. I already have four playoff spots taken up in each conference by the division winners. They are as follows:

AFC: Miami, Baltimore, Indianapolis, & San Diego
NFC: New York, Detroit, Tampa Bay, & Seattle

3. I mentioned at least one other playoff team during the individual write-ups. Observe:

"Pittsburgh Steelers: Last years champs bring a little less to the table this year, although not by much. You pretty much know what you're getting on both sides of the field, although I am a little concerned about Willie Parker holding up for a second season. I expect them to be a playoff team, but not to go past round 1 or 2."

Well, that leaves me with three remaining playoff spots to award. Here's how I see the seeding going down in each conference.

AFC NFC

(1) Indianapolis (1) Seattle
(2) Miami (2) Tampa Bay
(3) Baltimore (3) New York
(4) San Diego (4) Detroit
(5) Jacksonville (5) Carolina
(6) Pittsburgh (6) Dallas

Because the top two seeds receive byes in the first round of the playoffs, we are left with Pittsburgh at Baltimore, Jacksonville at San Diego, Dallas at New York, and Carolina at Detroit.

Round 1

Pittsburgh at Baltimore: Steve McNair takes over the game early, and Pittsburgh is unable to do anything against the Ravens' D. Baltimore successfully runs down the clock in the second half with the Jamal Lewis/Mike Anderson tandem. Final Score: Ravens 17, Steelers 3

Jacksonville at San Diego: Jacksonville strolls into San Diego with a favorable match-up due to the weather, and Philip Rivers looks like a deer in the headlights in his first playoff game. LaDanian Tomlinson is easy to control due to the fact that he wears out prematurely from overuse during the regular season. Final Score: Jaguars 24, Chargers 10

Dallas at New York: Terrell Owens does not play due to a lingering hamstring problem, Drew Bledsoe is knocked out in the first half, but Tony Romo fills in admirably and engineers a late fourth quarter drive within field goal range, where Mike Vanderjagt promptly chokes. The Giants ride Tiki Barber into the next round. Final Score: Giants 21, Cowboys 20

Carolina at Detroit: Let's face it...the Lions are just happy to be here. Carolina wins going away. Final Score: Panters 31, Lions 7

Round 2

Jacksonville at Indianapolis: The Colts don't scare the Jaguars. But the Colts have a better offense, and a decent defense, and Leftwich will probably be a little dinged up for this one. Adam Vinatieri wins it with a field goal. Final Score: Colts 24, Jaguars 21

Baltimore at Miami: Ronnie Brown plays admirably in this match-up, but once again, Lewis/Anderson are too tough to tackle. Final Score: Ravens 27, Dolphins 16

Carolina at Seattle: The Panthers' D effectively shuts down Shaun Alexander, forcing Matt Hasselbeck to throw to a banged up and non-existent receiving corps. This is DeAngelo Williams' coming out party. Final Score: Panthers 21, Seahawks 18

New York at Tampa Bay: Tiki Barber has a HUGE game, with 150+ yards rushing, and 100+ yards receiving. The Bucs really have no answer. Final Score: Giants 28, Buccaneers 6

Round 3

Ravens at Colts: Do the Colts have enough left in the take to make it to the Super Bowl? Yes. Final Score: Colts 34, Ravens 10

Carolina at New York: The cold weather gets to the Panters, and Eli Manning sets up an all Manning Super Bowl. Final Score: Giants 23, Panthers 17

Super Bowl

Well, if I'm going to be in the business of making outlandish predictions, why not go way overboard? The media will be all over Manning vs. Manning. This is finally Peyton's year, though. He absolutely destroys baby brother on the biggest stage possible. Final Score: Colts 38, Giants 23

Postseason Awards:

MVP - Peyton Manning

Offensive Player of the Year - Peyton Manning

Defensive Player of the Year - Troy Polamalu

Offensive Rookie of the Year - Laurence Maroney

Defensive Rookie of the Year - Haloti Ngata

Coach of the Year - Tony Dungy

And that, my friends, is all I have to say about that. Since this is being recorded for posterity's sake, I shall try to revisit these predictions at various times during the regular season and postseason to find out just how wrong I am. Or right. Or whatever.