Sports Predictions & Picks on Football, NBA, NHL, NFL & MLB: 2014 NFL Playoffs Predictions: Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks Repeat?

Super Bowl Pick: Seattle Seahawks Vs Denver Broncos Repeat?

There are very few variables, for me, that must be considered when looking at who can knock off the defending champions in their respective conferences. Did anyone really get that much better? The Seattle Seahawks kept most of their Super Bowl championship roster and appear ready for another deep run. The Denver Broncos actually got significantly better adding Demarcus Ware, and if they can replace Knowshon Moreno, as it seems they have, this team is going to have an easy run to the Conference Championship again if they stay healthy. I’m going to take a different approach to our traditional preseason evaluations and NFL playoff predictions and rather than break down every team and their potential records, let’s approach this from the angle of who has the best chances to knock off the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.

Denver Broncos: As I said, I think they’re the team to beat in the AFC. I also think that Peyton Manning is old and liable to get hurt, and that he probably isn’t capable of beating a strong defensive team in cold weather anymore. I expect Ball to replace Moreno with no real issues, and I expect Manning to get him the same six-man fronts that made the running game so successful last year. OMAHA. If the Broncos stay healthy, the addition of Ware on defense solidifies a likely run back to the Super Bowl.

Seattle Seahawks: If it comes down to it, I think the Seahawks would beat the Broncos again. I still question if Seattle can control the game on the offensive end, but that defense is strong enough to shut down anyone. Something tells me to be skeptical about this team, but if I had to pick a Super Bowl winner right now, it’s the Seahawks.

So who can beat them? Here are my playoff teams in the AFC

AFC

New England Patriots: Tom Brady should bounce back from a lackluster season now that he has some weapons back. That said, the dynasty appears to be over. Facing legitimate threats within the division for the first time in a while, not because the AFC is good but because the Patriots are so mediocre, I think an exhausted Pats team makes the playoffs but doesn’t do much. They lack the weapons on the outside to stretch the defense, and the rebuilding effort shouldn’t be too far behind. They’re still a playoff team, though, and if you get in anything can happen.

Cincinnati Bengals: The defense is stout, the offense has some dynamic players, and they’re another year into establishing a winning culture. Andy Dalton is not an elite quarterback, but he does enough to win. Gio Bernard could be a force this year. I think the Bengals win the north and have the defense to shut down Manning and company on a bad day. The Bengals, for me, are probably the biggest threat in the AFC.

Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck has some new toys to play with and this is a very well-coached team. That said, Indy doesn’t have the dominant rushing game necessary for deep playoff runs (you know, unless your quarterback is Aaron Rodgers or Peyton Manning). With a mediocre defense, though, I just don’t see the Colts making a playoff run. Consistent, strong, good team – nothing more.

Kansas City Chiefs: All the pieces are there for another great year from KC. They have one of the best running backs in football, a quarterback that seems to never make mistakes, a consistent coach, and a defense that, when healthy, anchors a very dangerous team. That said, they don’t match up well with the Broncos and have to play them twice in the regular season. They’ll be battling through a wild card in my predictions, and on the road throughout the playoffs. The hill might simply be too steep, but this is a great team again.

Houston Texans: I go back and forth on who the second wild card team in the AFC can be. I think it will either be the Texans or Ravens, slightly above .500, and likely not to be a real threat in the division. This Texans defense got even better, and the pass rush will drive people crazy. There are weapons on offense and potential to have a capable quarterback making smart decisions and keeping the defense fresh. They might be the best team left in the AFC after the top five.

Just missing the cut

New York Jets: Good coach, young quarterback, weak roster. That might be enough for a playoff spot, but probably not.

Baltimore Ravens: The rebuild is coming. Ray Rice is a disgusting human being and a mediocre running back platoon piece. One receiver, a decent quarterback, a rebuilt defense. I don’t think they have enough, but they might make the playoffs with what they have.

Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill is another year older and could break out this year, while the running game has two strong pieces and there are weapons on the outside. The defense is consistent and can hold their own. This might be the year Miami makes a jump.

I’ve got the Broncos over the Bengals deciding the AFC here in a matchup of top two seeds in the conference.

NFC

Green Bay Packers: Lest we forget the collapse last year was due to the absence of Aaron Rodgers. Do the Seahawks rise to power if Rodgers plays and picks them apart in the postseason? The Packers have weapons, found a running back, and can go toe-to-toe with anyone. When healthy, the defense is serviceable. I think Green Bay is the biggest threat to the Seahawks.

New York Giants: I actually have the Giants being relevant this year and possibly taking the division. The Giants added some pieces and Eli Manning has to bounce back. I respect the hell out of Tom Coughlin and think he will have this defense ready to play. They addressed needs on the line, got better defensively, and brought in a pretty good running back. This is a different Giants team in a weak division, and I just don’t believe in the Eagles and their gimmicks without Desean Jackson stretching the defense.

New Orleans Saints: Rob Ryan gives the Saints defense some credibility. The roster talent isn’t there, but the system is. That’s enough for Drew Brees and this dynamic offense to go out and win games on the offensive side of the ball. The Saints have a platoon of running backs that get the job done, and though they lost a lot of weapons offensively they have a next in line attitude that should hold up. Defenses still don’t have an answer for Jimmy Graham. The Saints might be a legitimate threat this year on the offensive side of the ball alone, and I think that’s enough to win the division.

San Francisco 49ers: Like the Chiefs to the Broncos, the Seahawks might see one of their biggest threats come from within the division. The Niners have a solid defense and are very well coached. That said, this team was outright dysfunctional at times last year and though I think they’ll make the playoffs as a Wild Card, it wouldn’t surprise me if the collapse came this year. Gore is old and the defense might not be enough with so many emerging threats.

Atlanta Falcons: For me, the other Wild Card might go the Atlanta Falcons. They’re healthy again, which means they have two very strong wide receivers, a strong running back with a young and dynamic back up, and Matt Ryan should be more consistent with all his toys back and ready to go. I think a healthy Falcons team will be a real force this year, and likely make the playoffs.

Near misses:

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles capitalized on a breakout season from Nick Foles, a gimmick offense from Chip Kelly, and a weak division in the NFC East. This year, I think that mediocrity is a step better across the board, I think NFL defenses will catch on, I think Foles will come back to earth, and most of all, I think Desean Jackson’s absence will leave the Eagles much less dynamic. This is a one-horse team, and McCoy will keep them relevant, but they’re far from elite. This prediction is more than just shock value, I think the Eagles are a liability.

Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are a complete team, but they may be the odd man out. The division they play in is tough, they travel a lot, but they’re building something here. I think ten wins should probably be expected with the balance they have running the football and passing. The defense is great. I just don’t think they can last in the division they’re in without overtaking the 49ers, and that, for me, is slightly out of the question without a stronger quarterback.

Chicago Bears: The offense is really, really impressive, but the defense is horrible. I think the Bears will be fun to watch, but I don’t think they will win enough games to be relevant in January.

Carolina Panthers: With the Falcons back in the mix and the Saints my pick to win the division, someone had to fall out. The Panthers have failed to surround Cam Newton with weapons. He has no one to throw to, no backs to protect him, and will be forced to carry the load. Despite an amazing defense, I don’t think Superman can do it all alone.