2011 NFL Playoffs & Super Bowl Predictions Heading into Week 16

The following predictions are based on Week 15 results and projections for the next two weeks. The overall record and explanation is given next to each pick. Please leave comments below!

AFC- 1st Round Playoffs
#1. New England Patriots (14-2)- Bye
New England should coast even with backups in the last two games against the Bills and Dolphins. Expect Brian Hoyer to get some added experience in the last two weeks of the regular season.

#2. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)- Bye
The Steelers are almost a shoe-in for the first round bye with upcoming games against the Browns and Panthers, two of the worst teams in the league.

#3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) vs. #6. NY Jets (11-5)
How Kansas City Got Here: Won in week 15 against St. Louis, remaining two games are both at home against the struggling Titans, and the Raiders, both games should be wins for the Chiefs.
How New York Got Here: Upset the Steelers in week 15, loss to the Bears in Chicago, win at home against Buffalo.
Game Analysis: The Chiefs rushing game has been complemented nicely by Matt Cassel, who is fifth in QB percentage among all NFL quarterbacks. The Jets have a defense that can be completely dominant, but has shown they can fold up when facing dominant offenses. The Chiefs had a great season getting here, but even at home they will not be able to get past the Jets, who are a more complete team. Jets win 27-17

#4. Indianapolis Colts (10-6) vs. #5. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
How Indianapolis Got Here: A season saving win over the Jaguars, followed by a win @ Oakland, and a win in week 17 at home against the Titans.
How Baltimore Got Here: The Ravens needed a big win over the Saints, which they got in week 15. Week 16 should result in a win at Oakland, and a win in week 17 at home against the Bengals.
Game Analysis: The Colts and Ravens have had many close competitive games in the past, and this should be ranked among the best of those. The Ravens clearly have the better defense and may have the better offense with a complete attack from Ray Rice to Anquan Boldin and Joe Flacco. I have to go with a close victory for the Ravens based on the strength of their defense. Ravens win 28-24

NFC Playoffs- Wild Card Round
#1. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)- Bye
How Atlanta Got Here: Resting players against New Orleans results in a loss, still win while playing backups against Carolina. Atlanta will still be in this position if they win against New Orleans instead of my prediction that they will lose. Falcons hold tie-breaker over New Orleans for the division based on division winning%.

#2. Chicago Bears (12-4)-Bye
How Chicago Got Here: The Bears received help from the Eagles as they came back to beat the Giants in week 15. Chicago should take care of business against the Vikings in Minnesota, win at home at the Jets (which is not a given), and win at Green Bay.

#3. Philadelphia Eagles (12-4) vs. #6. New York Giants (11-5)
How New York Got Here: The Giants have fallen back after losing to these same Eagles in week 15. Wins at Green Bay and at Washington are not given, but they should be able to pull them off.
How Philadelphia Got Here: The Eagles remaining games are contests against the Vikings and Cowboys, who they should have little problem with.
Game Analysis: Expect another exciting and close game. Take the Eagles offense over the Giants at Vick has solidified himself as a dangerous threat, and may lead the Eagles farther than just the first round. Eagles win 35-31.

#4. St. Louis Rams (8-8) vs. #5. New Orleans Saints (12-4)
How St. Louis Got Here: Beating San Francisco at home and Seattle on the road may be too much for the young quarterback Bradford to handle, but I have even less faith in the Seahawks and 49ers.
How New Orleans Got Here: Atlanta should start resting a few players in week 16 against the Saints, allowing them to win the last two after this game and beating Tampa Bay in week 17. If New Orleans losses in week 16 against the Falcons, this playoff scenario stays exactly the same even with the Saints at 11-5.
Game Analysis: It doesn't matter who the NFC East throws up to play in this game, the Saints are bound to rip apart the Seahawks, Rams, or 49ers even on the road in the first round of the playoffs. Saints win 38-14.

AFC- Divisional Playoffs
#1. New England Patriots vs. #5. Baltimore Ravens
The Patriots have looked unstoppable aside from nearly losing to the Packers in week 15. Even the Ravens won't be able to get past the Patriots, at least not in New England in a Divisional round playoff game. Brady is playing some of his best football while the rest of the Patriots have all stepped up during the stretch. Patriots win 28-14.

#2. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. #6. New York Jets
A rematch of an exciting defensive battle from week 15 where the Jets got a gutty performance by Sanchez and the Jets defense who barely was able to hold on in the final seconds. This matchup is too good to be true and should yield another last second play. There are not many quarterbacks who have come through for their teams in the last 5 years like Roethlisberger. I'm taking the Steelers 17-14 in a snowy defensive battle.

NFC- Divisional Playoffs
#1. Atlanta Falcons vs. #5. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are a tough opponent for the Falcons in the first round in Atlanta. The defending champs have not been at the top of their game this season, and have lost games that they seemed to have in control, including the contest against the Ravens in week 15. The Falcons have all of the momentum, Atlanta wins 31-21.

#2. Chicago Bears vs. #3. Philadelphia Eagles
The Chicago Bears have risen much higher than their expectations for this year, but when playing top opponents they have failed to put them away. The Eagles are explosive and shouldn't have a problem playing in Soldier Field under terrible weather conditions. The Eagles have far too many weapons for the Bears to handle in the playoffs as they are clicking on all cylinders. Eagles win 28-20.

AFC Championship
New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Patriots and Steelers meet for the first time in the 2010-2011 season with a Super Bowl berth on the line. The Steelers bring their tough defense against Tom Brady and the Patriots who seem to be the overwhelming favorite to win it all. The Steelers have the more recent success in the Super Bowl, but this Patriots team seems to be playing in the year of their destiny. I do not see Tom Brady losing a game at home to the Steelers with another trip to the Super Bowl at stake. Patriots win 21-20.

NFC Championship
Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Falcons have not been in this good of a position in a long time. Can Matt Ryan lead the Falcons to a Super Bowl in his early career over a reborn Michael Vick? When looking at this game from the all three angles (Offense, Defense, Special Teams), I have to give the slight edge to the Eagles. Philadelphia has too much speed in Maclin and Jackson at wide receiver, and we know that Vick can play in Atlanta inside the dome. Take the Eagles 35-21.

Super Bowl 45
New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Just a year after the Eagles gave away Donovan McNabb, no one would have thought that they would be back in the Super Bowl, and especially not with Michael Vick behind center. The Eagles got hot at the right time and have all the weapons to keep up with the Patriots. This is one team that the Patriots would probably rather play in the snowy conditions of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The Eagles have what it takes to outlast an offensive team, and I believe they barely have the defense to prevent the Patriots from running the score up early. The Eagles have shown that they are capable of coming back even when down three touchdowns with 8 minutes left against a solid defense (week 15 against NYG). I'm taking the Eagles in a Super Bowl 45 upset, 30-27 Eagles.