Who do you have in the playoffs?

[Southieinnc]

AFC:
1. Patriots
2. Broncos
3. Bengals
4. Colts
Wild Card:
Chiefs
Ravens

NFC:
1. Seahawks
2. Saints
3. Cowboys
4. Lions
Wild Card:
Panthers
49ers

Bengals Vs Ravens = Bengals
Colts Vs Chiefs = Chiefs
Broncos Vs Chiefs = Broncos
Patriots Vs Bengals = Patriots
Broncos Vs Patriots = Broncos (home game revenge)

Cowboys Vs 49ers = Cowboys
Lions Vs Panthers = Lions
Seahawks Vs Lions = Seahawks
Saints Vs Cowboys = Saints
Seahawks Vs Saints = Seahawks (home game win again)
Broncos Vs Seahawks SB = close game all depend on turnovers.

I'm sure this will change. What you guys think?

Pretty good effort but this list is the "book answer" What will happen when you factor in the surprises?
It is really about matchups not about the best team(s). Otherwise Baltimore would not have won last year.
So what REALLY happens in the playoffs?
Most likely the two best teams will not play the Superbowl.
We don't even know who the two best teams ARE yet.

 

[Voltaire26]

I think Detriot wins the Super Bowl. Both lines are unreal and offense can score with anyone.

I like the way you think, I just don't think your thinking on the matter. By the way, I would LOVE it if Detroit won the Super Bowl.

 

[CaptainStubing]

Sorry, but it sounds like you're one of those people who still doesn't want to admit just how difficult it is to play in Seattle. Yes, to win the Hawks will also have to be playing good football, but we make it much easier for them to do so at CenturyLink.

"HFA isn't much of a factor in January." - Keep telling yourself that

the home team typically has the better record, indicating they are the better team. therefore, they should be expected to win at a higher rate, regardless of where the game is played. however, in situations since the modern age of free agency (1993) where the road team in the playoffs has an equal or better record than the home team (good wild card record vs. bad division winner record), the road team has won at a higher rate. So, what gives? Where's the HFA in that?

 

[sonnyblack65]

Denver vs Seattle in SB. Seattle D is too physical and their secondary is big and can contain Thomas and Decker. Seahawks raise the Lombardi IMO

 

[KwitYerWhinin]

If it's snowing in NY for a Broncos Seahawks SB I will take Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson over anyone the Broncos have running the ball. Everyone knows bad weather is not conducive to throwing the ball so the better running game should have the advantage.

The Panthers look good. However, Seattle already beat them this year in Carolina and it's very clear that teams coming into Seattle just don't perform as well. Do I have to remind you already what New Orleans did Monday? Cam is still young and not as poised as he would need to be to survive the experience that is CenturyLink in the playoffs. The 12th Man will get to him. Seattle > Carolina is a pretty safe call at home.

someone should probably remind YOU...none of this ^^^ means squat..and...I bet you thought the hawks were winning the Sb last year too...I think you'll be very surprised come playoff time.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

The Panthers probably don't have the mojo to go all the way this season. I can see them winning a WC round game against either Detroit or Dallas if they don't pass New Orleans. It's going to come down to the Jets game for Carolina; they're probably going to split with the Saints.

Cam has played better and the defense is badass, but they don't have that extra oomph that comes with a year or two of playoff experience.

If it came down to them having to knock off Seattle to win the NFC, I wouldn't like the odds but i will sign up right now for the chance.

 

[cdumler7]

Ok, well if it's snowing it's also going to be cold and probably windy in NY in Jan. Point stands

Point does not stand...Have you ever been to New York in January/February? Average wind speed during that time of the year is about 10-15 miles per hour. Down in the stadium it will be a little less. If this was being played in Chicago then yes I could see how you could come to the conclusion that wind could play a factor in the game but right now you are just guessing/hoping. Right now trying to guess how the weather will be for the Superbowl is crazy. The record low for February is -2 while the record high is 72 so very wide range to try and be guessing right now how this game will be weather wise.

Now as to your point about you would take the Seahawks run game over the Broncos. I would too but then again part of that run game is Russell Wilson where he is not as good of a thrower as Peyton is so kind of cancels that out. Throw in it is not the Broncos run game verse the Seahawks run game. It is the Broncos run game against the Seattle run game defense and the Seattle run game against the Broncos run game defense. Right now the Broncos have the better defense when it comes to stopping the run. So really kind of cancels each other out.

Now as for your whole home field advantage thing...Last year the 2 #1 seeds were the Broncos and Falcons. The Broncos and Falcons only lost one home game all season so they had good teams and a great home field advantage. Both lost at home in the playoffs. The year before that it was Green Bay (considered one of the better homefield advantages in football) and New England. Green Bay lost at home and New England made it to the Super Bowl. I could go on and on of #1 seeds who have lost and those who have had success. Playoffs obviously mean tougher opponents and you just never quite know how the ball is going to bounce. Usually come playoff time one wrong decision or bounce can decide a game. So we shall see.