2007-08 NFL Season Preview (Part III)

The final part of the 2007-08 NFL Season Preview is here. In 10 to 15 minutes, you will know who will win the AFC, the NFC, and the Super Bowl. If gambling were legal, I would heartily suggest you call somebody who is prepared to make some large wagers on your behalf. Just a suggestion.

NFC Wild Card Round

(6)Carolina Panthers at (3) New Orleans Saints
An interesting match-up for both teams. The Carolina offense should be in sync after David Carr starts by week 5, and they have too many weapons in the receiving corps to be taken lightly. But Drew Brees, Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush will be able to outlast them.

Panthers: 17
Saints: 27

(5) Philadelphia Eagles at (4)Chicago Bears
Though Rex Grossman will never get as close to the Lombardi trophy as he was last year, the Bears are still a good team. Their defense will be pissed off enough to injure McNabb if he hasn't been hurt already. Rex won't be good, but he won't cost them the game. Yet.

Eagles: 10
Bears: 17

NFC Semi Finals

(4) Chicago Bears at (1) New York Giants
This is where Eli Manning is going to show that he is among the best in the game. Against a tough Bears D, he not only tosses two TDs and no picks, but he also doesn't screw it up. Grossman however, does. A pick, a fumble and four sacks later, Kyle Orton's stock is an all time high.

Bears: 13
Giants: 23

(3) New Orleans Saints at (2) San Francisco 49ers
How will Frank Gore and Alex Smith handle their first playoff game? Smith won't be anything special, but he'll get the job done. Gore however, will be unstoppable running for 120 yds and two scores. The San Fran D is just good enough to hold Brees under two hundred yards, with only one TD and a pick.

Saints: 10
49ers: 24

NFC Championship Game

(2) San Francisco 49ers at (1) New York Giants
In a rare 1 vs. 2 match up, the stakes are high, and the playoff animosity between these two teams is very high. Alex Smith is much more composed, and leads a good passing game to compliment Frank Gore. Eli Manning plays pretty good (which is better than he usually is in the playoffs, so thats progress), but makes three too many poor throws. Two are intercepted, the third misses an open receiver on a key third down. Looks like the 49ers are trying to win their 6th Super Bowl for Bill Walsh.

49ers: 31
Giants: 20

AFC Wild Card Round

(6) Tennessee Titans at (3) Indianapolis Colts
After Vince Young goes down week 14, the Titans become like the 2007 Playoff Wizards: no superstar, so its a free win. Luckily they don't get shut out, but it takes a lot more than that to beat Peyton Manning.

Titans: 6
Colts: 27

(5)Pittsburgh Steelers at (4)Cincinnati Bengals
After winning the Super Bowl as a 6th seed, Steely McBeam's boys and their towel waving fans will be optimistic. What they're not ready for: Carson Palmer's revenge. Not only did the Steelers knock him out in his first playoff quarter on their way to that Super Bowl, but their secondary sans Joey Porter can't handle Ocho Cinco and T.J. Housmanzadeh or however you spell it (I don't feel like looking it up). Bengals show Ben Roethisberger that its a long fall from the top.

Steelers: 10
Bengals: 24

AFC Semi-Finals

(4) Cincinnati Bengals at (1) New England Patriots
This game will be decided before it even starts. With most Boston fans booking tickets to Glendale on draft day, no one gives the Bengals a chance. Here's the thing about the Bengals: they're young and feisty enough to give the Pats a run for their money. And when it's all said and done, Brady can get it done, but they'll really be missing Adam Vinatieri when Gostkowski misses a potential tying kick from 42 yards.

Bengals: 27
Patriots: 24

(3) Indianapolis Colts at (2) San Diego Chargers
The Colts have Tony Dungy. The Chargers have Norv Turner. In no physical universe I live in will Dungy be out coached by Turner in a playoff game. Sorry Bolts, another year of LDT's prime wasted.

Colts: 28
Chargers: 20

AFC Championship

(4) Cincinnati Bengals at (3) Indianapolis Colts
Its hard to imagine being pleased to be facing the defending Super Bowl Champ, but when your poor run defense is choosing between LaDanian Tomlinson or Joseph Addai, Addai is the clear preference. Peyton plays is heart out, but Palmer and co. seem to want it just a little bit more.

Bengals: 17
Colts: 13

Super Bowl XLII

Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Francisco 49ers
I bet no sports writer picked this match up, which is precisely why its pure gold. Sure I made some leaps of faith in the AFC by picking th Bengals, but I believe in taking chances. Carson Palmer and Ocho Cinco are psyched to be in the Super Bowl and play accordingly, but remember what I said about the Bengals' poor run defense? They ain't gonna be stopping Frank Gore. The Niners young D is able to contain the pass for enough drives, Alex Smith does okay, but doesn't make any rookies mistakes, and bada bing bada boom, Alex Smith becomes the youngest QB to win a Super Bowl, Frank Gore is your MVP, Bill Walsh is honored in the best way possible, and my uncle's prediction has come true. Until next time.