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« Reply #15 on: December 31, 2013, 11:20:15 pm » |
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AFC champion
Ron Jaworski: Denver Broncos I know I'm on a fairly sturdy limb, but give me the team with the best quarterback in the NFL -- the Denver Broncos. To watch Peyton Manning put together this kind of a season after his neck surgeries is just amazing. I think he'll carry the Broncos to New York and can overcome any shortcomings we've seen from Denver this season.
Bill Polian: Cincinnati Bengals So much of the playoffs depends on injuries, and my best guess at who'll emerge from the playoffs would hinge on who is healthy for each team from week to week. That said, here's how I rank the rosters in the AFC based on who's healthy right now: Cincinnati, Denver, New England, Kansas City, Indianapolis and San Diego. There is no perfect roster in the AFC, but the Bengals are the most complete and I like their defense, which gives them the edge over the Broncos.
Herm Edwards: Denver Broncos Denver simply has too much firepower for any team in the AFC to match. I think Peyton Manning is playing quarterback at an MVP level and will put up enough points to carry this team to the Super Bowl in East Rutherford, even if the defense does miss the pass rush Von Miller brings.
Louis Riddick: Cincinnati Bengals I picked them to be the AFC representative back in August and will stick with them now. It comes down to the efficiency of Andy Dalton. If he can play at a level where his completion percentage, yards per attempt and touchdown-to-interception ratio are at a winning level (which he is clearly capable of), this team has the offensive firepower on the perimeter and resourcefulness/versatility along the O-line to put up points with the best of them. Defensively, they are big, are physical, play excellent situational football, are very well coached, and play a style of football that will travel well in New England and in Denver if necessary.
Mel Kiper: Denver Broncos I've got the Broncos beating the Bengals to get to the Super Bowl. The Broncos should have made it the Super Bowl a season ago, and, although I think they've shown they're susceptible -- what San Diego did in Denver a few weeks ago certainly caught my attention -- they have an experienced group, will take advantage of the bye in a way a younger team might not, and, most importantly, have the ability to score on any defense in the AFC. Cincinnati has the chance to upset anyone, though, because it has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball and has done a good job of bottling up some good offenses this season.
Mike Sando: Denver Broncos Denver, somewhat reluctantly. I had the Broncos as my highest-rated AFC team in the preseason power rankings, then got cute by picking Houston to reach the Super Bowl. Nice work there, Mike. Let's play the percentages this time.
NFC champion
Ron Jaworski: Seattle Seahawks I guess I'm just a front-runner. And I know this is pretty unlikely since the No. 1 seeds seldom both make it to the Super Bowl. But looking at the big picture, the Seahawks are the most complete team in the playoffs. I love what Russell Wilson has shown me in just two short seasons in the National Football League. They'll face some tough tests in the NFC, but I think they'll prevail.
Bill Polian: Seattle Seahawks My NFC playoff rankings look like this: Seattle, San Francisco, Carolina, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Green Bay. The Seahawks are the most complete team in the NFL. As I noted earlier, injuries play a key role, but the Seahawks have some depth to compensate better than most for a non-QB injury.
Herm Edwards: Seattle Seahawks With the 12th man out in force, the Seahawks' defense is good enough to carry this team to the Super Bowl. I like the way Wilson is taking care of the football, and the rushing attack behind Marshawn Lynch, along with that defense, should be enough to get this team to New Jersey.
Louis Riddick: Seattle Seahawks Easily the deepest roster in the NFL, as I said at the start of training camp. This team has to deactivate players who would be starting on other teams in the league. There's great chemistry between front office and coaching staff, between coaching staff and players, and among the players. The Seahawks play suffocating defense and possess a multiple offense that could be getting a big weapon back (Percy Harvin). Throw in that they have home-field throughout, and I see them being able to find a way to win two games to get to the big game, no matter what.
Mel Kiper: Seattle Seahawks I know I'll get in trouble for picking chalk -- that hasn't been too successful the past few seasons -- but I'm going to stick with the Seahawks. This is the best defense in the NFL because it's solid at every level. Although the offense has been inconsistent, I think the added prep time of a bye week will be enough to help Seattle iron some things out, and the possible return of Harvin could be worth something, even as a decoy. I also like the fact that Wilson has a gift for eliminating negative plays, which can swing games. He frustrates defenses, and frustrated defenses make mistakes. Finally, the best home-field edge in football plays enough of a role. The 49ers can beat Seattle, but I'd like their chances better at Candlestick.
Mike Sando: Seattle Seahawks The Seahawks haven't played as well recently, but the bye week and home-field advantage should help them tremendously. They're still the team to beat, and, if Harvin returns, the recent offensive struggles will vanish.
Super Bowl champion
Ron Jaworski: Denver Broncos Peyton Manning is just on a mission. He's obsessed with winning, and I see him capping off his sensational 2013 by hoisting the Lombardi trophy at the Meadowlands.
Bill Polian: Seattle Seahawks If Geno Atkins were healthy, I might have leaned toward the Bengals. The Seahawks' depth is their greatest strength, and playing their games at home will give them another huge advantage. Come the Super Bowl in New York, they won't be affected by bad weather. Heading into the playoffs, the Seahawks are the strongest team.
Herm Edwards: Seattle Seahawks Seattle's defense is strong and should be able to slow down Manning enough to pull out the victory. I believe this Seattle rushing attack can control the clock against Manning and keep Denver's offense off the field. If the Seahawks can finish drives with touchdowns in the red zone instead of field goals, they should be able to come out on top.
Louis Riddick: Seattle Seahawks Mentally the toughest, most resilient team with the deepest roster. I saw it ending this way before the season began and will stick with my original prediction.
Mel Kiper: Seattle Seahawks This isn't a case where the Seahawks have the perfect defense to shut down Manning. No, I think it's more about how Denver will have a tough time stopping Seattle and the offensive wrinkles the Seahawks can create around Wilson with that prep time. The Seahawks force a couple of mistakes, and that's enough to get a narrow win.
Mike Sando: Seattle Seahawks Seattle was my preseason choice, and I'll stick with it based on the Seahawks' overall strength and the sheer likelihood that home-field advantage will deliver them to the big game in the first place.
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