Playoff Predictions - Timmay style!
Brought to you in the colors of the Baltimore Ravens, my pick to win the AFC.
AFC Predictions - Wild Card Weekend
The Cincinnati Bengals at the San Diego Chargers
Did you know that San Diego actually means whale vagina? But enough about that. Let's look at this matchup. Last year's AFC Champions with a new GM against a long time, very successful, soon to be a new dad, GM. Quick fact: The Bengals have only had 1 GM in the entire existance of the SFL.
This game may have been a bit of a surprise because the Bengals snuck in on the last day due to a head to head win over the Chiefs who needed a win in week 17 and could not close the deal. So the Bengals were more than happy to make the trip.
These two teams played in week 12 at San Diego and it took a touchdown with 13 seconds left from Osweiler to Tyler Eifert to eek out the win for the Chargers. However, how things have changed! In that game, Carlos Hyde carried the ball 22 times for 119 yards and 1 TD while also hauling in a 43 yard pass. Also in that game, free safety Nate Allen was a beast with 4 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception and 1 deflection.
GONE! Hyde has since been injured and is out for the season. Nate Allen suffered a career ending concussion in week 17 and will most likely not even be on the sideline.
In that week 12 game, Jared Goff threw it 40 times, only completely 19 but those 19 went for 379 yards and 3 touchdowns along with 2 interceptions. Dalvin Cook went for 2 touchdowns, including the near game winner with just over a minute left in the game.
WR Darren Waller has had a revival of sorts with a real QB in Cincy and it showed in the first game.
************My prediction here: Cincy 28, San Diego 17************
Cleveland Browns at the New York Jets
No head to head game here but we can look at how they did against common opponents. Both teams lost to the Indianapolis Colts (2 of the Colts 4 victories this season). Browns lost week 1. Jets lost week 11.
Both teams crushed the Oakland Raiders. Both teams crushed the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Browns lost to the New England Patriots in week 8 while the Jets swept the Pats.
This one is going to come down to some key injuries again. The Browns only injured player is Walt Aikens who has been out for most of the year anyway. However, the Jets lost WR Greg Little late in the season and it will be hard to make up his 50 reception, 750 yard, 8 TD production. They also lost rookie cornerback Greedy Williams in week 17. The 4th round pick had been in on a number of plays throughout the season before that.
This all comes down to which Jets team shows up. The Jets team who beat the Titans by 10 in week 13. Or the Jets team that lost to the Texans, Colts, and Bills this season?
With the injury of Greg Little to the Jets, I am going to lean towards the Browns but I think it will be close.
************My prediction: Cleveland Browns 24, New York Jets 23************
AFC Predictions - Divisional Weekend
With the two road wins in the wild card round, we now have three teams from the AFC North and... the Titans. Although this is a new Titans team with a new GM while the AFC North GMs know their teams, have built their teams, and have grown their teams in their own image.
Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans
These are a slightly different Titans team but still they only lost 3 games this year. And in all of their wins, the closest win was five points in what could have been a preview for the Super Bowl against the Bucs in week 17.
Neither team really comes in injured at the time of this writing. Very similar results based on common opponents, except the Bengals lost to the Bills in week 5 while the Titans won 32-25 in week 15.
I feel like the wild card win takes a lot out of the Bengals and they may struggle here against the All Stars.
************My prediction: Tennessee Titans 31, Cincinnati Bengals 17************
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
Two teams that are very familiar with each other. Split their games with the home team winning each game. Neither team has a lot of injuries.
I think this game is going to come down to the home team having the advantage again. And in this case, it is the Ravens. I think it will be a shoot out like in the Browns week 16 victory over the Ravens, but I think the Ravens will be the victors this time.
************My prediction: Baltimore Ravens 35 Cleveland Browns 14************
AFC Predictions - Who goes to the Super Bowl from the AFC?
Baltimore Ravens at the Tennessee Titans
On paper and roster, I believe the Titans have a juggernaut as usual. Titans GM Camden Roe has picked up where Apollo left off and done a great job this season, earning the #1 seed.
However, I think this game is going to come down to the old, experienced, veteran GM in Norbert against the rookie GM in Camden... and I am picking Norbert. His insights and game planning will really serve his team well and allow him to find areas of weakness. Plus he knows these players like the back of his hand.
I feel like this one is going to be a shoot out and their will be some Madden ugliness at the end, but Baltimore will prevail.
************My prediction: Baltimore heads back to the Super Bowl after beating the Titans 38-35************
Not sure if I am going to get to the NFC but I wanted to get these predicitions out there for the AFC.
