Andy Tony
AFC West Denver Denver
AFC North Cincinnati Cincinnati
AFC South Indianapolis Indianapolis
AFC East New England New England
Wild Card San Diego Kansas City
Wild Card Baltimore Tennessee
NFC West Seattle Seattle
NFC North Green Bay Chicago
NFC South New Orleans New Orleans
NFC East Philadelphia Philadelphia
Wild Card San Francisco Arizona
Wild Card St. Louis Tampa Bay
NFC Champion Seattle Chicago
AFC Champion Denver New England
Super Bowl Champion Denver Chicago

 

Andy: I know in most seasons there is a fair amount of turnover in playoff teams, but I just don’t see a lot of that happening this year. A lot of the really strong teams almost seemed to get stronger and I think there are even going to be some potential rematches to be had in 2014.

Tony: I so want to disagree with you, if for no other reason than it makes for more interesting writing. But, while typically between five to seven teams change over, I can’t see that happening this year, as I actually ended up with six of eight division winners from last year repeating.

However, while I agree there will be fewer than normal this year, I had the testicular fortitude to go a little further out on the limb than you on the new teams making it.

The two division winners that I had not repeating (Green Bay and Carolina), I have missing the playoffs altogether. Of course, I’ve got the benefit of writing this after you started, meaning when you wrote your piece, the Packers hadn’t lost BJ Raji for the year and their starting center for an extended period.

Nor had Sam Bradford gone out again, which most likely busts your NFC sixth seed pick—one of the few interesting ones you made. Of course, I had the Cardinals ahead of the 49ers before Darnell Dockett went down, so I’m kind of stuck there—but at least with Dockett, the Cardinals may find some inspiration. Better than what the Rams probably find from Bradford. My other new picks in 2014? Tampa Bay (a reach, but there’s always one), Chicago, and Tennessee.

Andy: Congratulations on having the balls to make ridiculous picks. I hope you feel good about yourself when we look back later to see who was correct.

So … anyway … I’m going with bye weeks for Denver, New England, Seattle and New Orleans. I don’t love the Saints pick, but I think the competition in the NFC North with Chicago and Detroit will prevent Green Bay from getting the week off.

That would put San Francisco as my five seed at Philadelphia – I’ll take the 49ers in that one. St. Louis would then visit Green Bay. I like the Rams, but I can’t see Sam Bradford going into Lambeau and knocking off an Aaron Rodgers-led team, particularly now that Eddie Lacy is there to give the team a legit run game in the winter.

In the AFC, I’ll say San Diego goes to Cincinnati and wins, lengthening by another year the playoff drought for the Bengals while Andrew Luck and the Colts take out the Ravens.

Tony: Wait, we’re picking the first round winners in the playoffs? I don’t know how the hell I expect Chicago and New England to get there. I’m just not convinced that Seattle will have it in them to repeat in the NFC, and I think Chicago has a couple of receivers, a TE and a RB that could test the Seahawks vaunted pass coverage.

In the AFC, I actually think Denver probably goes again, but the Wes Welker concussion could put a dent in that plan, and wouldn’t it be great to see New England back in a Super Bowl? Maybe even win again? I mean, it’s been awhile since Boston fans have had something to hold over our heads …

Actually, one good thing could come of it, if New England could make it … I’ve always thought Tom Brady and Bill Belichick would ride off the sunset together at some point—maybe a Super Bowl win could expedite that?

Andy: So the concept of previewing the playoffs in your eyes didn’t mean we actually threw out some game possibilities? Hmm. I think we might need to look for a couple new writers.

Anyway, if things play out like I see them, the 49ers would play Seattle in the divisional round – disappointing, only in that I still think they’re the two best teams in the NFC, if not the NFL. It’s not unheard of for teams coming off bye weeks to come out flat and lose in this round, but I can’t see this happening. The Seahawks will benefit from the week off in this physical match-up and win at home. Green Bay is actually built pretty well for a dome game against the Saints. In a game where I’d bet the over, I’ll actually take a Green Bay upset.

In another division post-season match-up San Diego goes to Denver and gives the Broncos a scare. But Peyton Manning can taste another shot at the big game and the Broncos hold on for the win. In another classic Colts/Patriots playoff battle, Andrew Luck duals Tom Brady down to the wire, but the lack of a reliable run attack for Indy costs them. New England, with a now stronger defense and a stable of RBs to help out the aging Tom Brady, take a crack at another push for the Lombardi trophy. They win, setting up a trip to Denver.

I know I’ll be accused by some of taking the chalk or making a boring pick, but I can’t help it – I see three dominant teams in the league right now: Seattle, San Francisco and Denver. With the Niners gone in the divisional round, I can’t see anything preventing a re-match of last year’s one-sided game. This one will be more competitive. Seattle is the younger, stronger team but a desperate Manning will find some way to exploit something to keep it close. I think the old guy’s got just enough left to push the right buttons to get the job done.

Tony: You’re right on one thing. You’re officially being accused of making a boring pick. Seriously, if we get a repeat Super Bowl matchup, I might not even watch. The ads suck, and get ruined by marketing jackwads posting them online days before the big game. Have they announced who’s got the privilege of paying the NFL to be in the halftime show? Katy Perry? OK, that might be worth checking out … a Denver/Seattle Super Bowl this year isn’t what anyone wants to see.

What do the fans want to see? Probably something like Indianapolis vs. Philadelphia, which isn’t going to happen. The networks, well, they got what they wanted in Preseason Week three, in Michael Sam sacking Johnny Manziel. I’m surprised ESPN didn’t overload the circuits and have to shut down for a couple hours after that.

What are we going to see? Chicago vs. New England. You heard it here first.

Andy: I won’t disagree that my pick might be boring. But Chicago? I think you’re smoking. One thing I think we can both agree on – reading about it all is getting boring. Let’s get the games going.

To read our division previews, click below:

AFC East
AFC South
AFC North
AFC West
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
NFC West