2013-14 NFL Predictions- Early Offseason Addition

2013

AFC 

1  12-4- Houston rebounds after a disappointing end to last season behind the return of Brian Cushing to claim the 1 seed in the AFC 

2  12-4- Despite another shaky defense, the offense remains healthy for the majority of the season to grab another first round bye 

3  11-5- After missing the playoffs in 2012, Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu stay healthy, allowing the Steelers to surprise a couple people and win the AFC North

4  10-6- Peyton Manning doesn't make it through the whole season healthy, but the Broncos manage to hang on to win the AFC West behind Von Miller and the defense

5  10-6- Indianapolis, despite a tougher schedule, prove they were not a fluke last year by making the playoffs as a wild card once again

6  9-7- The Chargers, led by first year coach Mike McCoy and a resurgent season from Phillip Rivers, make the playoffs for the first time in four years 

Surprise Teams: San Diego Chargers 9-7: The Chargers, led by first year coach Mike McCoy and a resurgent season from Phillip Rivers, make the playoffs for the first time in four years 

Miami Dolphins 9-7: Ryan Tannehill has a very productive season with new free agent receiver Greg Jennings, and it nearly leads Miami to the playoffs

Disappointing Teams: Baltimore Ravens 8-8: The defending Super Bowl champions will miss out on the playoffs because their defense will not be worthy enough to make the playoffs

Cincinnati Bengals 7-9: A couple of injuries and a couple of narrow losses add up to a disappointing season for A.J. Green and the Bengals 

NFC 

1  13-3- The Seahawks are unbeatable at home once again and they win just enough games on the road thanks to another solid season by Russell Wilson and an outstanding year by Earl Thomas

2  12-4- The Packers shake off some of the disastrous moments of 2012 to claim the first round bye they should've received last year

3  11-5- The Giants return to the playoffs behind a new look defense and a pro-bowl season by Eli Manning

4  10-6- The Bucs go from worst to first in the NFC South thanks to a top three defense led by second year linebacker Lavonte David

5  11-5- The 49ers don't win the NFC West for the third straight season, but they manage to have another solid season and make the playoffs

6  10-6- Atlanta slips a little bit in large part due to a couple injuries, but Matt Ryan turns it on late in the year to lead Atlanta back to the playoffs 

Surprise Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-6: The Bucs go from worst to first in the NFC South thanks to a top three defense led by second year linebacker Lavonte David

Disappointing Teams: Washington Redskins 9-7: The 'Skins can't rekindle the same magic that lead them to the NFC East title a year ago as they fall short of the playoffs

New Orleans Saints 8-8: Even with the return of head coach Sean Payton, the Saints still lack the defense to make the playoffs 

Awards

MVP: Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay- Rodgers cements his status as the best player in the game by capturing his second career MVP award

In the Hunt: Tom Brady, QB NE, Eli Manning, QB NYG, Ben Roethlisberger, QB PIT

Offensive Player of Year: Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay

In the Hunt: Jamaal Charles, RB KC, Victor Cruz, WR NYG

Defensive Player of Year: Earl Thomas, FS Seattle- Richard Sherman is the guy that is talked about in the Seahawks secondary, but Thomas is going to be the one who captures the defensive player of the year 

In the Hunt: J.J. Watt, DE Houston, Brian Cushing, LB Houston, Lavonte David, LB Tampa Bay

Coach of Year: Mike McCoy, San Diego

In the Hunt: Greg Schiano, Tampa Bay 

Playoffs 

Wild Card Round

4:30 NBC 5)  over 4)  23-20- A valiant effort by the 'Bucs defense is squandered by three Josh Freeman interceptions, allowing San Francisco to advance

8:20 NBC 4)  over 5)  29-24- Peyton Manning gets the better of his former team as Denver advances to the Divisional Round

1:00 CBS 3)  over 6)  31-24- Despite three Phillip Rivers touchdown passes, Ben Roethlisberger rallies the Steelers to advance

4:25 FOX 6)  over 3)  38-31- Matt Ryan and the Falcons passing attack gets it done in the Meadowlands as the Falcons get just enough defensive stops to defeat the Giants 

Divisional Round

4:25 FOX 1)  over 6)  31-19- There's no stopping Marshawn Lynch as he runs all over the Falcons defense to send Seattle to the NFC Championship game

8:30 CBS 2)  over 3)  27-24- Ben Roethlisberger leads the Steelers back from a two touchdown deficit in the second half, but Tom Brady rescues the Patriots, setting up a game winning Stephen Gostkowski field goal 

1:00 CBS 4)  over 1)  21-17- The Denver defense stumps Matt Schaub and the Houston offense to head to the AFC Championship game

4:25 FOX 2)  over 5)  28-24- Green Bay gets revenge on Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers behind two touchdown receptions by Jordy Nelson 

Conference Championships

3:00 CBS 2)  over 4)  30-24 OT- In another epic duel between Brady and Manning, the Patriots receive the kickoff to begin overtime and march straight down the field, capped off by a Steven Ridley seven yard touchdown run to send the Patriots to the Super Bowl

6:30 FOX 2)  over 1)  30-21- As heavy favorites, the Seahawks waste their home field advantage by allowing Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to control from start to finish

Super Bowl XLVIII

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

 

over  31-27

     In a back and fourth Super Bowl, the Patriots force a key turnover midway through the 4th quarter, allowing Tom Brady to find Rob Gronkowski for a game winning touchdown with three minutes to go that stands, allowing the Patriots to capture their fourth Super Bowl title 

Super Bowl MVP: Tom Brady, QB New England