Week 15 quick fire predictions:

With about half an hour to go until week 15 gets underway let me get in some quick fire predictions for today's NFL games:

(8-5) Steelers vs Falcons (5-8)

The Falcons almost did the impossible in Lambeau Field when they were very close to pulling off a comeback against Aaron Rodgers and co from a double digit deficit but fell short at the end. With Julio Jones ruled out it will be hard to replicate the offensive clinic they put on in the 2nd half last week but with the NFC South still up for grabs and their opponents Pittsburgh also right in the mix of the fight for the AFC North title it makes today's games one of the most intriguing. Just because of the unpredictability of the NFL I fancy it to be high scoring with Big Ben and Bell leading the way for the Steelers but with the Falcons somehow pulling out a victory and young wideout Harry Douglas having a big game.

(3-10) Redskins vs Giants (4-9)

In one of the most irrelevant games of this NFL 2014 season the two bottom teams in the NFC East go head to head with just pride at stake. As we know Odell Beckham Jr has shown in recent weeks that he has what it takes to become a superstar in this league and I fancy him to tear apart this weak Washington defense which will pile pressure on the Redskins organisation that is facing many big decisions in this upcoming off-season.

(7-6) Dolphins vs Patriots (10-3)

The New England Patriots bounced back from a tough loss to Green Bay a fortnight ago to win a close encounter in San Diego last weekend on Sunday Night Football. Tom Brady and co will be fired up for today's game against Miami as they can win the division as well as clinch a playoff berth with a win today. With the Pats unbeaten at home this season and Tom Brady 11-0 against the Dolphins when he has started and finished a game at home against them all signs point to a New England victory. Personally I feel it could be tougher than many people expect but ultimately it will end in a Pats win.

(2-11) Raiders vs Chiefs (7-6)

The Oakland Raiders pulled off the shock of the season last week when they defeated the 49ers in the battle of the Bay Area last weekend and will look to cause another upset when they walk in to the cauldron that is ArrowHead Stadium. The Chiefs are brilliant at home and have the playoffs in their sights; with San Diego facing Denver this is the perfect weekend for Kansas City to stake their claim for a wildcard spot and given the fact that they were defeated when they faced Oakland last time out they will want to get some revenge when the two teams face off today.

(7-6) Texans vs Colts (9-4)

The Colts can end the race for the AFC South today with a win against divisional rivals Houston. Andrew Luck vs JJ Watt is a rivalry that will continue to dominate this matchup for years to come and last time out Watt almost led his team to a famous win against the Colts with an inspired defensive performance. The Colts won that game 33-28 and despite the Texans offensive woes I expect a similar close and hard fought game today but with Indianapolis at home I fancy the Colts to grab their 10th win of the year.

(8-4-1) Bengals vs Browns (7-6)

With the AFC North about as predictable as the outcome of the Second World War anything could happen in today's game between the Bengals and Browns. With Cincinnati on the road at 4-2 and Cleveland 4-3 at home it makes this game even tougher to determine but with Johnny Manziel making his first NFL start today as QB of the Browns I expect him and Josh Gordon to combine and make the difference to help complement a talented Browns defense giving them a win that will make AFC North even harder to predict for the final two weeks of the regular season.

(2-11) Jaguars vs Ravens (8-5)

98 times out of 100 the Jags are awful where the Ravens are one of the most consistent teams in football which means one outcome... Jacksonville wins! Okay just kidding Baltimore moves to 9-5.

(10-3) Packers vs Bills (7-6)

Green Bay goes up against a talented Buffalo defense but at the moment it seems impossible to stop this green bay wrecking ball that has racked up 5 straight wins and seen Aaron Rodgers cement himself as the best quarterback in football. Green Bay has been scoring points for fun and even if Buffalo make it tough at times the Packers will come out with the win as they look to secure a bye with home field advantage going in to the playoffs.

(2-11) Tampa Bay vs Panthers (4-8-1)

This game has all the makings to be a real car crash... Okay I could have done better there let me try again! This season has been a real car crash for these two teams and with the Panthers missing Cam Newton after his erm car crash it makes this game tough to predict. Thankfully for Carolina their defense has started to show shades of the 2013 class and took Drew Brees and co to town last week when the Panthers were rampant in their win over the Saints; Panthers win.

(2-11) Jets vs Titans (2-11)

Two 2-11 teams with nothing at stake besides maybe having the number one overall pick next year. Considering the Jets need a new QB more than the Titans as their new starter Zach Mettenberger has shown promising signs I'll go with Tennessee winning a close and uneventful meeting.

(10-3) Broncos vs Chargers (8-5)

The Denver Broncos decimated the Chargers last time the two teams met but with San Diego still holding on the prospects of a wild card spot it makes this divisional matchup one of the games of the day. The Broncos aerial attack wasn't at its best last week with Peyton Manning only throwing 20 times but with Manning and Rivers facing off today 9 times out of 10 that means it will be a shootout. Both of these teams have good units on both sides of the ball so time of possession and turnovers will be key to the outcome of the game. It will be one of the closest games of the day but in the regular season teams led by Peyton know how to get it done especially in divisional matchups and that is what makes me think that Denver will win to keep the pressure on New England in the race for the first seed.

(6-7) Vikings vs Lions (9-4)

Minnesota are looking to ruin their divisional rivals hopes of a playoff berth but this Lions team looks different to those in years gone by as they have the know how to win and now that their roster is getting healthy with key players returning to the mix Detroit will find a way to grab their tenth win of the season.

(7-6) 49ers vs Seahawks (9-4) and (9-4) Cowboys vs Eagles (9-4)

These two games are the biggest of the day with all 4 teams in the mix of the NFC playoff battle. The Niners will travel to Seattle as they attempt to do the unthinkable whilst the Cowboys will be looking to make amends for their Thanksgiving Day home defeat to the Eagles. I fancy Seattle to continue their dominant streak setting up a mouthwatering clash for the NFC West Title next week against Arizona and in the other game the Cowboys are 6-0 on the road whereas the Eagles are 6-1 at home so this game will be determined by the flip of a coin... I'm not going to do that but I am going to for a Dallas win. I do think that somehow they will defy the demons of years gone by and win the division to make the postseason. 

NFL Week 7 Predictions:

Last week I tweeted my predictions for the week 6 Sunday games and predicted the Colts and 49ers to win TNF and MNF respectively; here is a recap:

My predictions                                                        Results

Colts 27-18 Texans                                                Colts 33-28 Texans
Redskins 27-24 Cardinals                                     Redskins 20-30 Cardinals
Bears 33-30 Falcons                                              Bears 27-13 Falcons
Cowboys 17-27 Seahawks                                    Cowboys 30-23 Seahawks
Giants 24-30 Eagles                                              Giants 0-27 Eagles
Broncos 37-14 Jets                                               Broncos 31-17 Jets
Ravens 24-17 Buccaneers                                     Ravens 48-17 Buccaneers
Jaguars 23-20 Titans                                            Jaguars 14-16 Titans
Chargers 30-13 Raiders                                        Chargers 31-28 Raiders
Patriots 27-17 Bills                                               Patriots 37-22 Bills
Panthers 16-24 Bengals                                        Panthers 37-37 Bengals
Steelers 23-20 Browns                                         Steelers 10-31 Browns
Packers 31-20 Dolphins                                       Packers 27-24 Dolphins
Lions 22-16 Vikings                                             Lions 17-3 Vikings
49ers 27-16 Rams                                                49ers 31-17 Rams

So for my first full week of predictions to score 10 out of 15 is rather pleasing! Now on to week 7's predictions: *1/1 so far after the Patriots TNF victory*

(1-5) New York Jets vs New England Patriots (4-2)

The Patriots have won two in a row and seem to be back to their best with Tom Brady throwing 6 touchdowns in his past two outings. Despite facing a Jets defense that ranks in the top 10 their secondary has weaknesses that Brady and co will look to take advantage of. As for the Jets well they've had glimpses during the season such as giving Green Bay a good game earlier in the season as well as managing to frustrate Peyton Manning and the Broncos at times last week.

Nevertheless losing 5 of their first 6 games doesn't give the Jets much optimism for tonight's game especially with the Patriots having the majority of the spoils between the two teams over the years. Expect Gronk to have a big game and Revis to haunt his old teammates with a big defensive performance; something the Pats need following the season ending injury to Jerod Mayo.

Prediction: Jets 17-30 Patriots

Result: Jets 25-Patriots 27

A blocked field goal attempt by Chris Jones on the last play of the game was enough to help the Pats grind out a big win against the Jets. Offensively New England did well with Tom Brady throwing 3 touchdowns for over 250 yards to give the resurgent Patriots their 3rd straight win.

(2-4) Atlanta Falcons vs Baltimore Ravens (4-2)

The Atlanta Falcons have dropped 3 straight since a huge Thursday Night Football victory over Tampa Bay in week. That 56-14 win was a dominant display but since then Atlanta have been lacklustre losing to the Vikings, Giants and Bears. The league this year has had a lot of inconsistency but for the Falcons to be 2-4 at this stage is a real surprise.

The Panthers lead the NFC South with a 3-2-1 record and while that tie is bound to cause a headache for the division as well as have huge playoff implications the Falcons can revitalise their season with a big road performance today before heading to London. The Ravens enjoyed a similar display against Tampa Bay last Sunday 48-17 with Flacco throwing 5 games but despite that huge win I expect them to endure a similar defeat to the one they had against the Colts following their huge win over the Panthers 38-10 the week before they faced Indianapolis.

Prediction: Falcons 27-20 Ravens

(2-4) Tennessee Titans vs Washington Redskins (1-5)

I predicted the Jaguars to beat the Titans this week, yes that's how bad the Titans are playing, and if it wasn't for a missed field goal late on they would have had the embarrassment of being the first team to lose to Jacksonville this season. Instead they won a close game and now walk in FedEx field with a better record than their hosts.

I expect the Redskins to end their 4 game slide which will be particularly pleasing for Kirk Cousins who has suffered a tough time as a starter. Despite his awful showing against the Giants when he threw multiple picks I personal feel he has done well for a the team. and they have endured painfully close losses to the Eagles and Seattle. Regardless of outsiders opinions he needs to put a team like the Titans to the sword now that RG3 is back in training from his dislocated ankle to prove his worth and with other playmakers like Alfred Morris and DeSean Jackson this could be a blowout win for Washington.

Prediction: Titans 13-31 Redskins

(3-2) Seattle Seahawks vs St. Louis Rams (1-4)

The Rams host the Seahawks as St. Louis prepares for a second straight divisional matchup when Seattle comes to town. The Austin Davis led Rams have showed glimpses of potential but ultimately came unstuck on Monday Night Football against the 49ers but Davis and co can take great pride in their performance after taking last year's NFC Championship participants to the wire.

Unfortunately for them they're coming up against the Super Bowl champions who also suffered a rare home defeat last week and following that the Seahawks will be looking to bounce back with a bang and stamp their authority on the NFC West as they look to keep up with the Cardinals and Niners. Although the Rams have a good defense I think they will come unstuck against Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch as I expect both of them to lead the way in an impressive road victory especially now that the locker room distraction of Percy Harvin has been shipped to Gotham you'd expect Seattle to return to their focused and impressive selves.

Prediction: Seahawks 34-19 Rams

(3-2) Cleveland Browns vs Jacksonville Jaguars (0-6)

The Browns took chewed Pittsburgh up last week and dismantled them 31-10 so it is safe to say that this years Browns team could be for real. The team looked to be going somewhere last year before quarterback Brian Hoyer suffered a season ending injury but the QB has picked up where he left off in 2013 with some good displays in 2014 including the huge comeback with against Tennessee.

Despite rookie Blake Bortles' best efforts the Jags lack an identity and while I expect them to somehow win a game this year it won't be today against the Browns no matter how much they try.

Prediction: Browns 24-10 Jaguars

(3-1-1) Cincinnati Bengals vs Indianapolis Colts (4-2)

The Bengals had the perfect chance to make amends for a horrendous week 5 display against the Patriots last week but Mike Nugent's field goal miss in overtime gave us our first tie of the year for the 2014 NFL season. The chance at regaining some of their early season momentum may have just disappeared as the Bengals travel to Indianapolis and walk in to Lucas Oil Stadium against a Colts team that has won its last 4 straight.

Those 4 victories including a hard fought contest against the Texans on the last edition of TNF have given the Colts huge confidence and will fancy their chances when they take on the Bengals. The Colts have early season MVP candidate Andrew Luck as their QB who leads the league in passing yards with 1987, yards per game with 331 as well as leading the league in touchdowns with 17. With the Bengals giving up a combined 80 points against the Patriots and Panthers in their last two outings I'm expecting the leagues number one ranked offense to dismantle Cincinatti's defense with Bradshaw and TY Hilton each getting a receiving touchdown.

Prediction: Bengals 21-38 Colts

(2-4) Minnesota Vikings vs Buffalo Bills (3-2)

I had to flip a coin to choose the outcome of this one and it is... Heads! So I'm going with the Vikings. The Bills had their big home matchup against the Pats last Sunday but came up short so after investing all that energy only to lose could be detrimental to the team's confidence.

As for the Vikings well at the moment they have nothing to lose and despite the fact that rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater has to go up against a talented defense without Adrian Peterson he has weapons in the form of Patterson, Jennings with the Viking also gaining production out of young backs Jerod McKinnon and Matt Asiata so I expect them to find a way to win.

Prediction: Vikings 21-18 Bills

(2-3) Miami Dolphins vs Chicago Bears (3-3)

The Chicago Bears picked up an important road win in Atlanta last weekend to get their season back on track. With the Packers and Lions both at 4-2 in the NFC North the Bears can't afford any more slip ups and are hosting a Miami Dolphins team who's own season is starting to not look so great having dropped 3 of their first 5 games. With that being said Miami managed to hold their own against the Packers last week but unfortunately for them were undone by the magic of Aaron Rodgers and lost on the final play of the game.

With Dolphins running back Knowshon Moreno out for the year the majority of the load falls to Lamar Miller who had a good start to the season and will now need to step it up a gear if this Dolphins offense is to be a success and take the pressure off Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins can take pride in their performance last week but need to make sure they don't feel sorry for themselves when they head to Solder Field today. With Jay Cutler bouncing back from some sloppy 2nd half slumps in previous weeks I fancy the Bears to edge out the Dolphins just because of their playmakers on offense as Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall as well as Jeffrey can all make big plays at crucial times.

Prediction: Dolphins 20-28 Bears

(2-3) New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions (4-2)

This is possibly the hardest game of the week to predict just because both of these teams have been so unpredictable. The Detroit Lions bounced back from defeat to the Bills in week 5 to win 17-3 against the Vikings last week. Without Calvin Johnson, who may sit out today and next weeks game in London, the Lions lose their most dangerous offensive weapon and when healthy the best receiver in the league but with a defense that ranks 1st in net yards per game, first in sacks and is in the top half of various other categories the Lions have what it takes to grind out wins.

As for the Saints well they have not been the team that many hyped them up to be in the offseason with defensive woes and offensive struggles clear for anyone to see. Drew Brees has been a shadow of himself throwing 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in his first 5 games as well as not having tight end Jimmy Graham playing at his usual superstar level and who has been struggling with injury but is reported to play today but may not start. With the two most dynamic players on each team questionable it makes today's result even harder to predict but I think despite the Saints not being renowned for playing well on the road Sean Peyton will find a way for his team to win today to get New Orleans back to .500 and sent the Lions to London licking their wounds.

(3-2-1) Carolina Panthers vs Green Bay Packers (4-2)

The Panthers played out a tie against the Bengals last week but put on an offensive clinic led by Cam Newton who put in one of his classic "Superman" performances as a dual threat, 2 touchdowns for 284 passing yards and 1 rushing TD for 107 rushing yards, to give Carolina a narrow lead in the NFC South. As complex and frustrating as a tie can be for many other NFL teams come the end of the regular season for the Panthers it will probably come in handy. The Panthers are 3-0 in conference games this year so they will be confident that they can cause an upset today at Lambeau Field.

Unfortunately for them Aaron Rodgers, as usual, has been in inspired form so far this season and has already propelled himself in to the MVP conversation with the QB tied for second with 15 touchdowns to just 1 interception and a QB rating, 2nd place, of 111.4. A Rodgers led Packers offense with the like of Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Eddie Lacy in the backfield among other role players will give even a quality front 7 that the Panthers possess a tough time.

Prediction: Panthers 27-31 Packers

(2-3) Kansas City Chiefs vs San Diego Chargers (5-1) 

The Chiefs lost narrowly at the hands of the Niners last week by 5 points to fall to 2-3. Kansas has performed well in the tough games but despite dismantling the Patriots a few weeks back narrow losses to Denver and San Francisco have left them in a tough spot heading in to today's divisional game. If they lose today their playoff hope take a massive hit but sadly for Kansas the Chargers have been so impressive and should grab a win in this hugely crucial matchup.

With MVP candidate Phillip Rivers having an amazing year to date; 15 touchdown to just 2 interceptions for 1756 yards and having weapons such as Antonio Gates, Kennan Allen, Eddie Royal and running back Brandon Oliver bursting on the scene along with a defense led by Flowers in the secondary who are all collectively playing brillantly this Chargers team should take control of the AFC West with a win today making next Thursday's game against Denver a mouthwatering encounter.

Prediction: Chiefs 19-28 Chargers

(4-1) Arizona Cardinals vs Oakland Raiders (0-5)

The winless Raiders host the high flying Cardinals a week after almost upsetting the Chargers who like Arizona are taking the NFL by storm in this first half of the 2014 regular season. Unfortunately for Oakland despite an unusual solid showing a close and painful loss like last week's game only spells disaster for today.

With QB Carlson Palmer returning the Cardinals continue to go from strength to strength especially as now Larry Fitzgerald will start getting involved more in the offense again and you can expect him to build on his 2014 breakout game of 98 yards and his first touchdown on the year last week with another big game today.

Prediction: Cardinals 34-14 Raiders

(3-3) New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys (5-1)

Since the 2009 season the Cowboys have failed to make the playoffs but after years of almost returning but losing week 17 winner takes all games America's team have come out of the blocks in full flight in 2014. With a stellar defense that managed to stop Seattle last week in Seattle 30-23 to give Dallas victory over the defending Super Bowl champions the Cowboys are arguably the most complete team in football right now. With 5 straight wins to their name since the opening week defeat to the 49ers the Cowboys have their best chance of making the postseason in 5 years. Tony Romo is playing well and it helps that he has the league's in form running back as DeMarco Murray continues to rip NFL defenses apart. Murray is a sure bet to win this seasons rushing title and leads the league in yardage with 785 yards in 6 games giving him an average of 130.8 yards a game! Despite 3 fumbles on the year he leads the league with 6 touchdowns and is critical to this teams success.

As for Tony Romo well he is 5th in the passer rating category with 100.5, 5th all-time for his critics by the way, and has 11 touchdowns to 5 interceptions and just over 1,500 passing yards. His 3rd and 20 completion to Terrance Williams last week vs the Seahawks was a moment of brilliance and his spin against JJ Watt for a long TD to Williams the week before was spectacular. I thought the Cowboys could beat Seattle but didn't have it in me to bet against them and while usually Dallas find a way for things to go wrong there's no doubt that at this moment in time they are for real. With the Giants having lost Victor Cruz to a season ending injury Eli Manning is without is best WR and that is a real shame for the Giants. This latest setback makes me believe that the Cowboys find a way to win and go 6-1 but this game will probably be closer than most people believe.

Prediction: Giants 17-23 Cowboys

(4-2) San Francisco 49ers vs Denver Broncos (4-1)

Tonight's Sunday Night Football matchup is a real treat for NFL fans as Jim Harbaugh's Niners travel to Mile High Stadium to take on the well equipped Peyton Manning led Broncos. The 49ers are on a 3 game winning streak and while some of their performances haven't been great they continue to find ways to win. Colin Kapernick has a ton of offensive weapons with V. Davis, Crabtree, Stevie Johnson, Boldin and even Brandon Lloyd adding fuel to the fire last weekend along with a 1-2 running back punch of Hyde-Gore.

While we know the quality and strengths of the 49ers defense the offense needs to play at a high level to keep up with this devastating Denver offense. A lack of running game is no problem for Peyton and the Broncos as he has two Thomas', Sanders and Wes Welker to throw to. Manning has 15 TD's to only 3 picks on the year as he continues maintain a high level of performance from 2013. Offensively the Broncos need not worry but defensively they have improved drastically with a killer pass rush led by Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware and an improved secondary led by TJ Ward. This will cause Colin Kaepernick problems but the dual threat QB will also offer the Broncos a challenge they find difficult as the Seahawks have proved. Colin has 10 TD's to just 4 picks so with both teams rarely turning the ball over but both possessing stellar defenses it is clear that whoever wins the turnover battle wins the game.

Prediction: 49ers 24-30 Broncos

(3-3) Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3)

After the Steelers were humiliated 31-10 by the Browns last week I have no kind words for them and I lack much optimism as they go up against a Houston defense that has the best defensive player if not the best overall player in football right now in JJ Watt; 4 sacks, 26 tackles, god knows how many batted passes, 3 touchdowns including one offensively and one 80 yard pick 6.

Add rookie Jadeveon Clowney to the defense and Houston are a nightmare to face. Offensively there's room for improvement but Arian Foster has returned to his brilliant best and Andre Johnson has been finding ways to get more involved in the passing game. One things for sure Big Ben vs Watt is something everyone will love to see and should make for a great installment of Monday Night Football.

Prediction: Texans 27-23 Steelers

Skye's NFL Week 5 predictions:

After an eventful week 4 in the National Football League the season truly is underway. My week 3 predictions saw me score 8/16 so how would week 4 end?

Skye’s  NFL Week 4 predictions Sunday games:                                    *Green correct result and red incorrect*
Skye’s predictions:	Results:
Dallas Cowboys 24-20 San Diego Chargers	Dallas Cowboys 21-30 San Diego Chargers
Cincinnati Bengals 24-13 Cleveland Browns	Cincinnati Bengals 6-17 Cleveland Browns
Chicago Bears 27-30 Detroit Lions	Chicago Bears 32-40 Detroit Lions
Seattle Seahawks 31-17 Houston Texans	Seattle Seahawks 23-20 Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts 27-9 Jacksonville Jaguars	Indianapolis Colts 37-3 Jacksonville Jaguars
New York Giants 21-17 Kansas City Chiefs	New York Giants 7-31 Kansas City Chiefs
Pittsburgh Steelers 21-27 Minnesota Vikings	Pittsburgh Steelers 27-34 Minnesota Vikings
Arizona Cardinals 19-13 Tampa Bay Bucs	Arizona Cardinals 13-10 Tampa Bay Bucs
New York Jets 17-13 Tennessee Titans	New York Jets 13-38 Tennessee Titans
Philadelphia Eagles 24-41 Denver Broncos	Philadelphia Eagles 20-52 Denver Broncos
Washington Redskins 24-17 Oakland Raiders	Washington Redskins 24-14 Oakland Raiders
Baltimore Ravens 20-14 Buffalo Bills	Baltimore Ravens 20-23 Buffalo Bills
New England Patriots 28-27 Atlanta Falcons	New England Patriots 30-23 Atlanta Falcons

So from the predictions above you can see I scored 8/13. Take in to consideration I tweeted that the 49ers and Saints would both win their matches on Thursday night and Monday night respectively which they did so I'll claim a 10/15 for this week! @Skye1991

A Thursday Night Football thriller which saw the Cleveland Browns defeat the Buffalo Bills 37-24 set the tone for an exciting week 5! Now let's take a look at the week 5 predictions for the rest of the matches:


(4-0) New England Patriots vs Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)


The New England Patriots go on the road again following a massive victory which saw them beat the Falcons 30-23 last Sunday. This time they take on the Bengals at Paul Brown stadium as Andy Dalton and co welcome Bill Belichick's men in a game which promises to be very exciting.

The Patriots four game winning streak has seen them play gutsy football and come up big whenever needed. The offense's production matched that of the defense last week with Tom Brady finishing Sunday night's game with a season high of 316 passing yards completing 20 out of 31 passes. Aqib Talib was the standout performer on defense and his game winning play on defense was a moment all those associated with the Patriots franchise will remember.

New England will have a new found confidence and belief about themselves after knocking off one of the league's better teams but the Bengals will be no pushovers. Despite being stunned by the resurgent Cleveland Browns this Bengals team has proven they can mix it with the best after defeating the Green Bay Packers in week 3.The Bengals defense has been productive and we know that the likes of A.J. Green can light it up for this team on offense. The Patriots suffered devastating news about Vince Wilfork's injury as the nose tackle prepares to sit out the entire 2013 season. 

Sunday's game will be one that most likely comes down to fine margins as both rosters have players with lots of potential and talent; both defenses have the ability to create turnover opportunities whilst both offenses can easily put points on the board. My prediction for this match goes to the Patriots as they have that little bit of experience that is required to win these type of games so you can expect them to rack up a fifth straight win on the road to Cincinnati tomorrow.

Prediction: Patriots 24-21 Bengals
 

(3-1) Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers (1-2)

This NFC North matchup has high stakes so early in the season as the Lions go to Lambeau Field looking to add fuel to the fire that is the Packers' season to date. Green Bay had the bye week to contemplate a second defeat in three games after a 34-30 loss to the Bengals. Meanwhile the Detroit Lions are coming off a two game winning streak and a massive 40-32 win at home against the Chicago Bears last week to go 1st in the NFC North.

This Lions team appears to be finally rising to the occasion as they look to turn their rosters talent in to production on the field which has led to three out of four wins in this 203 campaign. On defense their discipline has improved; they have recovered three out of four forced fumble attempts and are second in the league for interceptions. From an offensive viewpoint quarterback Matthew Stafford is using all of his receiving weapons as he has 7 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, ranks 8th in the league with a passer rating of 96.2 and is fourth in the league in passing yardage, the rewards of a better running game clear are clear to see in this offense

The Packers are in need of a victory as falling to 1-3 and games back of their divisional rivals would be a disaster so early in the season. Despite the early season woes while they have Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback they will always have a chance to win; 8 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions and tied for third in the league with a passer rating of a 105.1

Green Bay has many offensive weapons but as we know so does Detroit and you can't ask for any better weapon than Calvin Johnson; despite some injury concerns it appears he will play. The key for me in this game is the running game as both of these teams need a good ground attack to get the aerial attack in full swing. Can rookie Eddie Lacy do the job for Green Bay well we'll have to wait and see but what we do know is that Reggie Bush and Joique Bell are putting up impressive numbers for the Lions. Despite their being many signs that would swing a decision in Detroit's favour I feel that the Packers will rise to the must win type occasion and that being at Lambeau gives them a great chance because it is such a hard place to go to.

Prediction: Lions 27-33 Packers


(4-0) Seattle Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts (3-1)

As you go through the list of week 5 games they just seem to somehow get better and better! Seattle vs Indianapolis is one that sees two talented rosters go head to head with both on a good run and both teams 1st in their respective divisions. The Seahawks have beaten Carolina, San Francisco, Jacksonville and Houston whilst the Colts are on a two game winning streak after healthy wins against Jacksonville and San Francisco.

Both teams have looked good so far with the Colts defying bad omens after certain players on their roster suffered bad early season injuries. The Trent Richardson trade has revitalised the franchise and a victory over one of the best teams in the league could be a real catalyst for this Colts team. The Seahawks on the other hand showed grit and determination to overcome the Texans in overtime last week so they will believe they can rack up a fifth straight victory.

Seattle's defense is rank highly in many different fields and we know how dangerous its secondary is but the Colts D proved it can come up big in that week 3 win over the 49ers when they limited them to just 7 points. Both of these teams have knocked off each other's divisional rivals so this matchup brings us a current best of the best to a certain degree.

Seahawks slight edge in terms of rosters is cancelled out by the fact that they are on the road at Lucas Oil stadium which will be pumped up for the arrival of Seattle. This game will come down to the sophomore quarterbacks Russell Wilson, 6:3 TD to interception ratio, and Andrew Luck, 5:2. Both have the talent to change a game but it will come down to who can be more efficient on the day and who can utilize their teams running game as Lynch and Richardson can both make a difference. Like I said last week this Seattle team looks like an even fiercer animal so far in 2013 and have managed to grind out two road wins so far this season... Well I have them down to make that three as they maintain their unbeaten record.

Prediction: Seahawks 24-19 Colts


(2-2) Baltimore Ravens vs Miami Dolphins (3-1)

The Ravens head in to Sun Life stadium on the back of a 23-20 defeat to the Buffalo Bills. The defending Super Bowl champions' season has fluctuated from bad to good back to bad and with this new look Ravens team it is hard to predict whether the good or bad will turn up when they face the Dolphins.

These Jekyll and Hyde like performances peaked against the Bills when Joe Flacco threw five picks in that ugly defeat. The defense is still trying to find itself after losing many of its Super Bowl winners and on offense Joe Flacco appear to lack the leadership to get the Ravens on a run of victories or even good performances.

As for Miami on the other hand well they had won three straight games until they endured their first defeat of the 2013 on Monday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints so they will be looking to bounce back straight away as they look to stay close to the New England Patriots in the AFC East.

The Dolphins defense has been solid and helped them gain close wins over competitive teams such as the Colts and Falcons. On offense Ryan Tannehill is being moulded in to a very good young quarterback and after four games he has 5 touchdowns to 5 interceptions so far this year but 3 of those came last Monday. I expect Miami to bounce back with a victory in this one; after defeating the Falcons at home it is clear to see that Sun Life is not an easy place to come and play so with the home support the Dolphins will progress to 4-1.

Prediction: Ravens 20-29 Dolphins


(4-0) New Orleans Saints vs Chicago Bears (3-1)

Sean Payton's New Orleans Saints are on a roll and they wrapped up a second straight blowout victory in week 4. The team ranks 4th in total net yardage for offense and 7th in the same category for defense; new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has been like a knight in shining armour although whether he would fit in the armour is a different story.

The Saints will look to extend their unbeaten run to five games when they go to Chicago to face the 3-1 Bears who were undefeated themselves until they lost to divisional rivals Detroit last week. Marc Trestman's Bears have looked impressive and even came to within of the Lions last week; the offense is clicking with Jay Cutler releasing the ball earlier being a key factor in his success but defensive pressure last week caused him problems and led to three interceptions.

Cutler now has 6 picks on the year but 8 touchdowns. While he has improved he is up against a rejuvenated Saints defense which is tied for 12th in sacks with San Francisco and even better is tied for 3rd in interceptions with 7 in four games. However Saints QB Drew Brees has been as efficient as ever and despite going up against a very good Bears defense expose any weaknesses or bad looks they show him by picking holes in it and making the most of any opportunity he is given.

Brees is New Orleans' difference maker and has accumulated a passer rating of 103.8 from his first four games; he is only 36 yards behind first place Peyton Manning in passing yards and has 10 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions. For Chicago their difference maker is running back Matt Forte and he has become as crucial to quarterback Jay Cutler as wideout Brandon Marshall. Forte has racked up 320 rushing yards and 3 scores as well as 160 receiving yards which proves his versatility.

Overall it promises to be a very close game and with it being so close to call it is a really tough decision but personally I am going to plummet for the Saints to remain unbeaten by getting the win tomorrow which will set them up against the New England Patriots in a week 6 encounter with both teams at 5-0.

Prediction: Saints 34-30 Bears   


(4-0) Kansas City Chiefs vs Tennessee Titans (3-1)

Tennessee have won two straight games against the Chargers and Jets to leave them tied for first in the AFC South ahead of a home game against the unbeaten Chiefs. The Titans are without quarterback Jake Locker after the QB suffered a hip injury which will keep him out for a few weeks and that is particularly bad news for them when you consider that after this matchup with the Chiefs they then face the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.

Within the first four games the Titans have been written off on occasion but these next three games before the bye week will show where they really are as a team starting with this game against the Chiefs as if they manage to pull off a victory it would give them a great morale boost. The Chiefs though have looked impressive and having swept away three members of the NFC East in the past three weeks they are on a high.

The Chiefs defense has been fantastic in the team's opening four matches with it being ranked 8th in total net yards as well as tied for 10th in interceptions with 5 along with forcing 4 fumbles whilst recovering 7 and scoring one touchdown. On offense Alex Smith has settled in well as the team's new quarterback and has 7 touchdowns to his name to just 2 picks; 957 passing yards. He has built up a good rapport with the likes of Avery, Bowe and Jamaal Charles with the latter impressing at the running back position; he has a total of 502 yards in receptions and rushes for 4 scores.

With a potential upset on the cards this game is close to call but with the Chiefs proving they know how to win in different circumstances. The trip to LP Field will be a tough one but it will be worth it when they leave with the W.

Prediction: 26-17 Titans 


(4-0) Denver Broncos vs Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

I'm going to a clean sweep for the current undefeated teams which will be complete when the Broncos walk in to AT&T Stadium and defeat the Dallas Cowboys. The NFC East is a competitive division and we've seen it won by a 9-7 team in the past so Dallas need not worry about a defeat tomorrow night if it comes around.

Personally I see the Cowboys as a 10-6 team and the NFC East champions but I also see the Denver Broncos as a 14-2 team and the top seeds in the AFC. Denver's latest victory saw them annihilate the Eagles 52-20 with the offense lighting it up throughout the whole game. The Broncos are on track to surpass the 2007 undefeated Patriots team with Denver scoring 179 points in its first four games to the Patriots' 148 scored in its first four games back in 2007.

There is a long way to go but Broncos QB Peyton Manning continued his superhuman like start to the season as he completed 28/34 passing attempts against Philadelphia for 327 yards and 2 touchdowns taking his season tally to 16 touchdown throws and zero interceptions; his passer rating is a formidable 138.0 With Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker and Julius Thomas at his disposal as well Knowshon Moreno at the running back position this Bronco's offense will strike fear in to a not so shabby Dallas defense

Speaking of the Cowboys well their week 4 wasn't as good as they lost out 30-21 to the Chargers although they are still 1st in the NFC East with a 2-2 record. Tony Romo and co was unlucky to lose out last week and Romo himself has benefited from a stabilised offensive line and consistent production from the likes of running back DeMarco Murray along with tight end Jason Witten and receiver Dez Bryant. Romo himself has a passer rating of 105.1 after four games leaving him tied for third in that category in the league and has thrown 8 touchdowns to just the one interception which came in the season opener against the Giants.

To predict the Cowboys pulling off an upset was tempting especially with Denver having it all their own way the past month. Dallas may be able to catch them off guard but will their defense be able to stop Peyton Manning and co once they get going... Well nobody has managed it so far and unfortunately for the Cowboys I doubt they will either.

Prediction: Broncos 41-30 Cowboys



Other Week 5 predictions:

(1-3) Eagles vs Giants (0-4) - 21-24

(0-4) Jaguars vs Rams (1-3) - 17-27

(1-2) Panthers vs Cardinals (2-2) - 17-16

(2-2) Chargers vs Raiders (1-3) - 30-24
  
SNF: (2-2) Texans Houston vs San Francisco 49ers (2-2) Bold prediction: Kaepernick throws two touchdowns and a rushing score in a 31-24 victory.

MNF: (2-2) Jets vs Falcons (1-3) - 16-30

NFL 2012/2013 Playoffs:

This year’s NFL regular season is over and now we know who has made it to the post-season. Week 17 gave us plenty of thrills and spills, mostly spills if your names Tony Romo. The drama and excitement that this week’s matchups brought us has given us high expectations going into the wild card week and the rest of the playoffs.

For this post we'll take a look at each team’s chance in the playoffs with a little hint of how they may do as well as a prediction for the NFC and AFC championship games.

NFC seedings:

1. Atlanta Falcons - South winners - 13-3-0 (Home field advantage and first round bye)

2. San Francisco 49ers - West winners - 11-4-1 (First round bye)

3. Green Bay Packers - North winners - 11-5-0

4. Washington Redskins - East winners - 10-6-0

5. Seattle Seahawks - Wildcard - 11-5-0

6. Minnesota Vikings - Wildcard - 10-6-0

Atlanta Falcons

Can Atlanta's three musketeers come up big when it matters most

During Matt Ryan's time as quarterback for the Falcons he and the team have lost three playoff games with the most recent coming last season in a crushing 24-2 defeat to eventful Super Bowl champions the New York Giants. This season the Falcons have finished the 2012 regular season with the leagues joint best record, 13-3, but despite that many have written them off. Ryan himself has had another productive year throwing 32 touchdowns to only 14 interceptions and with this being his 5th season in the league you can see he is improving but now he has learned the ropes this Atlanta team needs to step up when it matters. They will look to prove the doubters wrong by beating whoever they welcome to the Georgia Dome in the NFC divisional round out of the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. Despite their recent woeful playoff record Atlanta's offense also has two very good receivers in the shape of Julio Jones who has had a breakout season with 10 receiving touchdowns and Roddy White as well as a defense that finished the regular season sixth in turnover differential with +13. Matt Ryan can take inspiration from Eli Manning who lost his first two playoff games but won his first in his third appearance during his fourth year as a pro so can Ryan make it lucky number four in year number five and take the Atlanta Falcons to the NFC Championship game? Well out of the four teams in the NFL with a bye week the Falcons are the most likely to bust and regardless if they do manage a long awaited playoff win they don't have the type of defense the Giants did on two occasions to help Eli Manning get over the line so Matt Ryan and co will have to wait another year for a shot at greatness.

San Francisco 49ers

Will Jim Harbaugh's decision pay off in the playoffs

It has been an eventful season for the San Francisco 49ers and one mainly filled with positives. The team headed in to the 2012 season as one of the favourites to go to the Super Bowl and that view has not changed among many. The 49ers possess one of if not arguably the best defense in the league and statistically are third in total defense during the regular season giving up only 294.4 yards per game. They have 25 takeaways and a turnover differential of +9 which leaves them ranked 9th in the league in that field and as well as that the possess the likes of outside linebacker Aldon Smith who was in fine form during the regular season as he racked up 19.5 sacks on the season. The big question though still remains at quarterback but for Jim Harbaugh it has been a good dilemma with second year pro Colin Kaepernick coming in to replace Alex Smith following a concussion despite Smith starting to produce some of if not his best form as a quarterback since being drafted as the first overall pick by the 49ers in the 2005 draft. Smith finished the season with a passer rating of 104.1 which made him the third best rated quarterback in the league but young Colin Kaepernick has been considered more dynamic with his ability to move out of the pocket as well as scramble and has shown to have better arm strength. As well as this his abilities have shown in his statistics with the young QB throwing 10 touchdowns for 1,814 yards and just 3 interceptions along with 5 scores on the ground in his 7 games as the teams starter. Kaepernick has also been able to link up with veteran Randy Moss at times and has racked up a very good partnership with his main wide receiver Michael Crabtree who is now starting to look like the big time NFL player many predicted he could be. The decision to switch quarterback has paid off so far as San Francisco went on to clinch a bye in the playoffs taking them straight to the divisional round meaning they are one game away from the NFC Championship but despite us all seeing a season full of many surprises especially at the quarterback position this situation in San Francisco won't see the team replicate a Tom Brady- Drew Bledsoe type scenario in which Brady went on to win the Lombardi trophy in his second year as a pro following him becoming the starter due to an injury to Bledsoe. One way or another Harbaugh's decision will come back to haunt him somehow and the 49ers will fall at some point but when that will happen is a subject open for debate.

Green Bay Packers

Can Aaron Rodgers guide the Packers back to the Super Bowl

The Green Bay Packers were controversially defeated by the Seattle Seahawks on a Monday night game early in the season which saw the end of the replacement refs taking charge on the field. A win on that night would have given them a first round bye but following their week 17 defeat to divisional rivals the Vikings they only have themselves to blame after missing out on a week off. Despite that recent negative it is only a blip and overall Green Bay's season has been a success so far. Aaron Rodgers has led the way once again by continuing to get it done with an offense which doesn't possess as many weapons that the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have at their disposal. With Rodgers leading the league with an incredible passer rating of 108.0 as well as 39 touchdown passes to just 8 interceptions the quarterback could be the difference maker for Green Bay to make a playoff run. He's turned Jerry Jones in to a top receiver, he leads the league with 14 scores on the season, and the Packers also have their defense getting healthy again so everything mentioned makes them one of the favourites in the NFC to compete for the Lombard trophy in February. Their journey starts this weekend when they face the Vikings again but this time the game takes place at Lambeau field. Despite wide receiver Greg Jennings saying he would rather play indoors home advantage will set Green Bay on their way in the playoffs but will have a tough road to the Super Bowl as a win this weekend would mean they have to travel to Candlestick Park to take on the 49ers and then would have to beat whoever they face in the NFC title game to get to New Orleans. These days in the NFL nothing comes easy and a number one seed hasn't won the Super Bowl since the 2003 Patriots so don't be surprised in Green Bay are the team representing the NFC at Super Bowl 47.

Washington Redskins

Can RGIII and the Redskins continue to get it done in the playoffs

A seven game winning streak has seen the Redskins make the playoffs as NFC East champions. I bought in to the whole RGIII being black Jesus and he really has been Washington's saviour by guiding them to the post-season. The second overall pick out of Baylor has turned the franchise around and his clutch performance in the win or go home game against the Cowboys this past week has started off Griffin's legacy. Griffin is always graceful and shows veteran type skills on and off the field; he is also keen to praise his team-mates and rightfully so as the likes of Pierre Garcon and fellow rookie Alfred Morris have also assisted in the Redskins transformation. Morris' impressive rookie season has seen him rush for 1613 yards meaning he is second in the league leaving him only behind Adrian Peterson. His 13 rushing touchdowns again leave him second in scores this time only behind Marshawn Lynch so the stats show that the young running back is establishing himself as one of the best in the league. The running game has helped RGIII succeed and with him possessing various skills including his veteran like pocket presence and ability to scramble the options Washington have on offense are a headache for opposing defenses. Griffin's impressive season has put him in the running for rookie of the year; his stats include 20 touchdown passes to just 5 interceptions which is outstanding for a rookie and literally unheard of. He threw 3,200 passing yards and rushed for over 800 yards as well as 7 scores on the season. Washington will host the Seattle Seahawks this weekend who are a pretty similar football team to the Redskins which makes for an interesting matchup as both possess similar offenses and both have defenses that like to force turnovers; Washington are ranked third in the league with a +17 turnover differential and 31 takeaways. The Redskins are on a hot streak and the Seahawks don't have the best record on the road but now that their monster defence is fully equipped it’s pretty much too close to choose a winner. How far Washington can actually go is anyone's call but I think it is safe to say that whoever gets the win this Sunday will go on to knock off the Falcons at the Georgia Dome meaning that a rookie will be starting in the NFC Championship game.

Seattle Seahawks

Can Pete Carroll and his rookie QB help pull of something special this post-season

The Seattle Seahawks are an intriguing football team and have come a long way under head coach Pete Carroll's guidance. They are a surprise package in some people's eyes but from the start of the season it was clear to see that this team had talent. Seattle haven't lost a game at home his season and their 8-0 record at CenturyLink Field saw them knock off the likes of the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers. Despite being only 3-5 on the road the Seahawks have showed signs of improvement away from Seattle towards the end of the regular season with a win in Chicago and a blowout against the Bills both of which were part of the teams give game winning streak to end the season on a high. The Seahawks travel to the capital to take on the Washington Redskins for wild card week after narrowly missing out on the NFC West title and a first round bye. The game itself is close to call but Seattle have dangerous weapons on both sides of the ball; on offense rookie Russell Wilson justified his selection in the draft and Pete Carroll's decision to name him as the team’s starting quarterback over Matt Flynn. Wilson racked up a passer rating of 100.0 in the regular season throwing 26 touchdown passes which tied Peyton Manning's rookie record for touchdowns in a season and threw just 10 interceptions for over 3,000 yards and also scored 4 rushing touchdowns himself with his impressive performances putting him in the rookie of the year conversation. The ground game has helped the rookie with Marshawn Lynch putting on another great display this season rushing for 1590 yards and 11 touchdowns. The offense has got things going despite any major weapons at receiver but the team’s success has started from its foundations set on defense and the standards have been set high. The return of Browner and Sherman at cornerback is a huge boost as Seattle has had to cope without their two starters at the position but have actually managed fine. Seattle’s pass defense ranked sixth in the league allowing just 203.1 yards per game, finished 4th in the league in total defense only giving up 306.2 yards per game and was fifth in turnover differential with +13 and 31 takeaways. The statistics are all there to suggest that this Seahawks team could go far in the post-season and some do believe they have a genuine shot to reach New Orleans. Their first test will be against the Redskins and a road win will only boost their confidence; if they win and then go on to face the Falcons the pass defense will give the Falcons a torrid time and Seattle could well be in the NFC Championship game come the end of the month.

Minnesota Vikings

Can the one man wrecking machine continue to cause havoc in the playoffs

No disrespect to the Minnesota Vikings but Adrian Peterson has pretty much carried the team on his own this season. It was this time last year when Peterson underwent surgery on a potential career threatening torn ACL injury but he has come back and produced one of the best seasons ever by a running back in the history of the NFL as he racked up 2097 yards leaving him only 9 yards shy of Ed Dickerson's record; he also rushed for an impressive 12 scores on the ground. The Vikings and Peterson himself have been written off many times this season but the team rallied to win their last four games with the last coming against the Green Bay Packers ensuring they got the last NFC wild card spot ahead of the Chicago Bears. The Vikings will matchup against Green Bay again this weekend when the playoffs begin as Peterson and co look to pull off another shock as well as another win over the Packers. This time though they'll have to do it on the road where the team are 3-5 but it would be foolish to rule the Vikings out especially as Christian Ponder even produced in week 17 when he threw 3 touchdown passes in the win and notably no interceptions. Everyone likes a fairytale story but this one will end at Lambeau Field as a playoff run is most likely a step too far for Minnesota but they've made big strides this season and can look back on it with fond memories especially as Peterson should walk away for the regular season MVP award and deservedly so.

NFC title game prediction:

1. Seattle Seahawks vs Green Bay Packers
or 2. Washington Redskins vs San Francisco 49ers
or 3. Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers

Out of the six NFC teams these four are the ones to watch out for and those are my three predictions for the championship game. I reiterate the fact that the Falcons will crumble again in the playoffs meaning that a rookie quarterback will have a shot at the Super Bowl. If it's RGIII the Redskins will lose as a trip to New Orleans is a step too far for a team that is still rebuilding but they won't face the Packers because those two teams rely mainly on offense and one defensive team will be in the title game. I don't see the 49ers losing an NFC title game if they get there to anyone besides Seattle but to be honest the more I think about it the more I am convinced that on January 20th the 5th seeded Seahawks take a trip to Lambeau Field to take on the 3rd seeded Green Bay Packers in a repeat of that Monday night madness from week 3 with both fighting it out to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. All in agreement that the game ends on a last second touchdown again... I thought so.


AFC seedings:

1. Denver Broncos - West winners - 13-3-0 (Home field advantage and first round bye)

2. New England Patriots - East winners - 12-4-0 (First round bye)

3. Houston Texans - South winners - 12-4-0

4. Baltimore Ravens - North winners - 10-6-0

5. Indianapolis Colts - Wildcard - 11-5-0

6. Cincinnati Bengals - Wildcard - 10-6-0

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Denver Broncos

Can Manning and the Broncos go all the way

From the thrills of Tebowmania and a playoff win last season the Denver Broncos have gone that step further this season thanks to a rejuvenated Peyton Manning who has come back playing some of the best football of his career despite having neck surgery which ruled him out of the 2011 season. It was foolish for anyone to write Manning off and anybody who did has been proven wrong as Manning has thrown 4,659 passing yards this season; his second best season in his 15 years as a pro. As well as this Manning threw 37 touchdown passes and just 11 interceptions meaning he finished the regular season with a passer rating of 105.8 with the stats suggesting he is the frontrunner along with Adrian Peterson to win the NFL comeback player of the year award and possibly league MVP. The future hall of fame quarterback has turned receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas in to big time players with the two hauling in 23 of his 37 touchdown passes giving Denver an offense to be feared as well as a defense that is ranked second in the league for total defense giving up only 290.8 yards per game overall. The Broncos defense also has Von Miller who has been a thorn in many opponents side as the outside linebacker went on to get 18.5 sacks during the regular season and even contributed for an interception which went for a touchdown. All there is to say about this football team is that they are well equipped all round and with them locking up the number one seed thanks to an 11 game winning streak you could forgive Peyton Manning for having one eye on going back to his place of birth for Super Bowl  47. It’s been an emotional ride for Manning and it could end in fairytale fashion with a win in New Orleans which could include a divisional round matchup against his former team the Colts and an AFC championship game against long-time adversary Tom Brady. With Manning at the helm this Denver Broncos team has the tools to go all the way and the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC will go through Denver but in the playoffs anything can happen so expect the unexpected and lots of drama.

New England Patriots

Can Tom Brady and the Patriots go a step further this year by winning their fourth championship

It's always eventful in New England and once again the Patriots are among the top contenders to win the Super Bowl. Quarterback Tom Brady is looking to win the elusive fourth ring which would quite possible cement his place as the greatest quarterback of all time. Thankfully for Brady head coach Belichick has formed a football team which knows how to win games and most of the time win in style. In the 12 games won by the Patriots during the regular season they outscored their opponents 452-215, yes I worked that out myself, which shows how dominant they have been. In the 4 games lost they were only outscored 105-116 so just 11 points were the difference with narrow losses to Arizona by 2 points, Baltimore and Seattle by a point and finally San Francisco by 7 points who lead by a 28 point deficit at halftime. This New England Patriots has all the pieces in place to go on and win a championship as they possess a devastating offense that is ranked first in the NFL with 427.9 yards per game in total offense along with a vastly improved defense and are even dangerous on special teams. The offense has continued to get it done despite injuries to the likes of Julian Edelman who suffered a broken foot in week 13 but key weapon Rob Gronkowski returned this week and with Aaron Hernandez returning earlier on in the season the two headed tight end monster will be on the field for the playoffs and has a bye week to prepare for its divisional round game. Brady threw for 4,827 passing yards in the regular season, second best in his 13 year career, and threw an impressive 34 touchdown passes making it only the fourth time in his career that he has thrown over 30 touchdowns in a season. He also threw just 8 interceptions making it the third time in his career that he has finished a regular season with under 10 picks which is very impressive. Unbelievably Brady is always improving as a quarterback but has the running game established mainly by Stevan Ridley to thank for this latest successful Patriots offense. The running game is something New England have lacked in recent years but now that they have one it gives opposing defenses something else to worry about as well as opening up play action. Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead and Brandon Bolden are also three very useful running backs who can come in and offer different options at running back so the position offers just as many alternatives to a passing game that includes Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd at wide receiver. This new running attack reminds me of when Terrell Davis joined the Denver Broncos and that helped quarterback John Elway win back to back Super Bowls following three defeats in his other big game appearances. As well as this the Patriots defense has come on leaps and bounds as the team have gone from being ranked 31st in total yardage last season to finishing the 2012 regular season first in turnovers with a differential of 25 and second in takeaways with 41 thanks to an improved secondary as well as good defensive play all round. This Patriots team will at least reach the AFC title game on January 20th with many predicting a New England vs Denver matchup but with this year being a Super Bowl or bust type season you can most likely bank on New England being the team representing the AFC come Super Bowl 47.

Houston Texans

Can Watt help stop the rot

The Houston Texans had hold of the number one seed in the AFC for weeks and still held it going in to the last week of the regular season but a defeat to their divisional rivals the Colts along with wins for the Patriots and Broncos saw the Texans slip in to the third seeded position which now means they will play this weekend. In wild card week the Texans will host the Bengals who have won their last 3 in a row and their last 4 out of 5 games as opposed to Houston who are on a 2 game losing streak and dropped to 12-4 following an 11-1 record after 12 games. It's hard to pinpoint Houston's recent decline but they need to fix the problem now that the playoffs are here especially as Cincinnati are a team that shouldn't be underestimated. They need their offense to click again and will look for quarterback Matt Schaub to rekindle his partnership with wide receiver Andre Johnson and will also hope Arian Foster can recapture the sparkling form he showed for the majority of the season which saw him rack up 1,424 yards on the ground and lead the league in rushing touchdowns with 15. Their main goal to recapture that winning formula though should be defense as it was their hard working efforts on that side of the ball that made them so hard to beat early on in the season. In a lot of their big games this season it’s almost as if the Texans have gone missing with defeats to the Packers 42-24 and the Patriots 42-14 standing out as well as the week 17 loss to the Colts leading to them having to play this weekend but if J.J. Watt can step up to the MVP type form he showed for the majority of the season Houston can stop the rot; the defensive end led the league in sacks with 20.5. Whilst the Texans did clinch the AFC South divisional title they and their fans will feel they should be resting this weekend and so will many experts as Houston were predicted as an early season Super Bowl contender. That's not to say they can't make the big game but recent form is not on the teams side but regardless of that the playoffs is a clean slate and anyone's game. A win over the Bengals will mean they travel to Gillette Stadium in the divisional round; that was where they were blown out by the Patriots in week 14 and although they will want a shot at redeeming themselves big defeats always remain in the back of your mind. Overall it is clear to see that Houston have the talent but this young franchise is still learning and will have to do it the hard way to reach New Orleans by going through two of the greatest quarterback's to ever play the game meaning that their task is almost certainly a step too far.

Baltimore Ravens

Can Ray Lewis and the Ravens get it together done one more time

It has been an emotional week for all those associated with the Ravens as it was announced Ray Lewis will retire at the end of the season. The 13 time pro bowler is one of if not the greatest linebacker to play the game and while the news is obviously devastating it was also revealed that he will return for this Sunday's playoff game against the Colts. Having their inspirational leader back on the field can only be beneficial for Baltimore and they need something to reignite them following a roller coaster of a season. The Ravens finished 10-6 and managed to clinch the AFC North but will host Andrew Luck and the 11-5 Colts in what will be a very close and exciting game. This game has all types of stories for Baltimore with Lewis playing and the fact that they use to be known as the Baltimore Colts. Can this team put a playoff run together? Who knows and given their unpredictability it is hard to hazard a guess to whether they can or not. Joe Flacco and the no huddle offense slowly declined week by week but despite injuries the defense still managed to finish 8th in the league for turnover differential and had 25 takeaways on the season. The Ravens are similar to the Texans in the sense that both were predicted to have a genuine shot at the Super Bowl but the regular season has thrown doubt over that and now both teams face young opponents this week end who are both in form. Despite Baltimore being able to rest some key starters in week 17 I think they won't get any luck against Indianapolis resulting in a disappointing end for Ray Lewis and his illustrious career.

Indianapolis Colts

Luck has been more than lucky as his amazing performances have guided the Colts to the playoffs

Last season the 'Suck for Luck' sweepstakes began and following a disappointing 2-14 season the Colts acquired the number one overall pick; via football not through the other type of sucking, I'm sure I am not the only one who thought that campaign name sounded weird. Back to football and one thing the Colts have not done this season is suck as the team have rallied together after head coach Chuck Pagano underwent treatment for leukemia to pull off a fairytale story by going 11-5 on the season with Andrew Luck putting in some spectacular performances as he starts off creating his own legacy in Indianapolis. By going 11-5 the Colts have made the playoffs and will go on the road to face the Baltimore Ravens this weekend with a very good chance of making the divisional round. A win for the Colts would almost certainly match them up against former quarterback Peyton Manning and his new team the Denver Broncos. Of course everyone knows Manning was released when injured to pave the way for Andrew Luck to start the rebuilding process for the franchise as the team's new quarterback. A 28-16 week 17 win over divisional rivals the Texans has proved they can compete against the best and on their day Andrew Luck and these young Colts could beat anyone. Fellow rookies T.Y. Hilton, Donnie Avery and Vick Ballard have also been very impressive for the Colts on offense in their first seasons as pros. The Colts offensive line has also held up and their defense has slowly improved week by week as well as producing big plays when it matters. The Colts are lucky to have Andrew Luck as he is something special and has come in to the league showing great pocket presence, arm strength and also great on the run to the surprise of some. He set a variety of rookie records this season such as the most passing yards by a rookie quarterback in a single season throwing for 4,374 yards. He threw 23 touchdowns on the season and scored 5 touchdowns himself. Luck also got the most game-winning drives by a rookie quarterback with 7, the most fourth quarter comebacks by a rookie quarterback with 6 including the last second touchdown in Detroit, the most wins by a number 1 pick in his rookie season with 11 and when the Colts got to 8 wins on the season he became the first rookie QB to achieve this feat. Will the pressure of the playoffs get to Luck well I doubt that as he showed composure all season long and even I predicted the Colts to get to 9 wins at the start of the season which many laughed at but as we know they surpassed that and have gone on to be the surprise package of the season. Come Sunday against the Ravens the Indianapolis playoff run will begin with a win over Baltimore and they may even pull off a shock in Denver with the emotion of a game against his former team getting too much for Manning setting up Luck vs Brady part 2 in the AFC title game.

Cincinnati Bengals

Will the smiles in Cincinnati continue in the playoffs

By going 10-6 the Cincinnati Bengals reached the playoffs for the second successive season and set up a wild card week matchup against the Houston Texans. The two met at this stage of the post-season last year and the Texans defeated them 31-10 but the Bengals go in to this match full of confidence following three successive wins. Houston on the other hand are have lost their last two and slipped from first seeds to third on the last week of the season so this matchup could be a close one. Any success the Bengals hope of having in the playoffs will come down to three players. First up is second year quarterback Andy Dalton who has had a very good season throwing over 3,500 passing yards for 27 touchdowns; Dalton became one of three players in NFL history with at least 20 touchdown passes in each of his first two seasons along with Peyton Manning and Dan Marino. Dalton continued his good partnership with wide receiver A.J. Green this season who also had a good second season as a pro as he racked up 1,350 receiving yards along with 11 touchdown receptions. Finally the third key player in this team is on defense and his name is Gino Atkins; the defensive tackle had 12.5 sacks on the season and can produce big plays when it matters. If these three guys can get it going the Bengals could get a road win against Houston. Regardless of the result this franchise has improved drastically over recent years and that is great to say as they can take a lot of pride away from this season as the team continues to grow.

AFC title game prediction:

1. Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots

or 2. New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos

It is bold to rule out three of the six playoff teams but the majority of people think that the AFC championship game will be contested in Denver at Mile High between the Broncos and the New England Patriots. The Colts and Bengals could easily pull off shocks that won't be so shocking in wild card weekend; if that was to happen then I see the Colts losing to the Patriots along with the Broncos defeating the Bengals to set up the dream matchup in the AFC. That is the most likely AFC title game but in the playoffs there is always some sort of shock and I see the Colts beating the Ravens this weekend then the apprentice Andrew Luck defeating the master Peyton Manning to take Indianapolis to an AFC title game at Gillette Stadium against the Patriots who in this scenario defeat the Houston Texans in the wildcard round. There are bound to be thrills and spills this post-season but I think most are in agreement that the most likely championship game we'll see will be between the Patriots and the Broncos giving Tom Brady or Peyton Manning another shot at another Lombardi Trophy.