2016 NFC Playoff Predictions: Seahawks, Panthers, Cardinals
The NFC is a little tricky because the bottom seed in the playoff picture is the defending NFC champion that probably should have won the Super Bowl last year. The Seattle Seahawks are surging, the Carolina Panthers nearly went unbeaten, the Arizona Cardinals are having a phenomenal season, and even Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers are a tough team to count out. Those Packers just got thumped by the three-seed Minnesota Vikings. The only team I feel comfortable counting out is the Washington Redskins, but in a league where the sixth-seeded Seattle Seahawks can blow away the number two Arizona Cardinals to end the season, nothing is certain.
NFC Wild Card Round
Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings
This isn’t a knock on the Minnesota Vikings, but I’m taking the Seahawks to win on the road. I don’t trust Seattle on the road and think they will run out of gas, but I think they’re too good a team to lose in the first round. The Vikings have a great running back and an efficient offense. They have a good pass rush and a solid defense overall. That said, Russel Wilson is too good, however unlikable he might be, and Seattle should squeak by.
Seahawks 20 – Vikings 17
Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins
I know that this pick means I am taking all the road teams to win, but I like the Green Bay Packers here. Yes, the Packers offensive line is a disaster, the passing game hasn’t clicked this year, Eddie Lacy is a fat garbage running back, and the team has ben far from consistent… but come on – it’s Aaron Rodgers versus Kirk Cousins in a money game.
Packers 35 – Redskins 20
NFC Divisional Round
Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers
I don’t trust the Carolina Panthers. I think they ran out of gas down the stretch, Jonathan Stewart’s injury really hurt, and the team has toed the line between confidence and a dirty obnoxiousness. I don’t like Carolina. I also think that the Seattle Seahawks are going to run out of gas. I don’t see this team that historically struggles on the road running the table on the road. This is a toss up for me, but I like Seattle’s defense and experience. I don’t like either coach. I’ll take the Panthers here, but not with much confidence.
Panthers 28 – Seahawks 27
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals
I think the Cardinals are better in just about every way. Maybe Aaron Rodgers is the better quarterback, but his line and his receivers give him no time and no options. Carson Palmer is having a great year, this Cardinals defense is exciting and can change the game, and I love the depth and balance the Cardinals have. At home, I think they beat up on Green Bay again.
Cardinals 31 – Packers 14
NFC Championship
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
I like the Arizona Cardinals to win the AFC either way, regardless of who they face. Obviously, it’s tougher to travel. I don’t think the Cardinals showed Seattle anything when they were already locked into the #2 seed, so I’m not worried about the Seattle Seahawks. The Carolina Panthers stumbled down the stretch and I think the Arizona Cardinals match up well with them. The Cardinals can run the ball and preserve a league, or they can catch up if they fall behind. The Panthers cannot play from behind. I think that gives Arizona the edge.
Cardinals 28 – Panthers 20
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