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Here is your complete Complete 2015 AFC Playoffs Predictions: Colts, Broncos, Patriots
AFC Playoffs Predictions: Colts, Broncos, Pats, Bengals
I’ve got most of the AFC going 9-7. As such, I’ve thrown in my two favorites to somehow snag the tiebreakers and squeak into the playoffs as wildcards this year. Either way, I think the Indianapolis Colts are going to cruise to a divisional title, and possibly the top seed in the AFC. I think the Denver Broncos have some questions, the New England Patriots have a big suspension to deal with, and the Cincinnati Bengals are impossible to trust to even escape their division. Still, in a jumbled AFC, here are my 2015 playoff predictions in full.
1. Indianapolis Colts (13Wins-3Loses): The Colts got better, have arguably the best quarterback in the AFC with Brady suspended and Manning aging, and I trust the coaching staff to manage the talent edge appropriately. I think they’re in line for an easy division title, which should help them accumulate enough wins to steal the top seed from our perennial AFC favorites.
2. Denver Broncos (12-4): Peyton Manning might not have anything left in the tank and certainly isn’t the quarterback he was in Indianapolis. Still, the division is pretty mediocre and the Broncos have a defense and running game that provides enough balance for a cerebral assault on the AFC. I’ve got them as the second seed.
3. New England Patriots (10-6): I think New England is going to struggle for a number of reasons this year. First, they have to deal with a much improved division where the Dolphins and Bills can give them trouble. Second, a four-game suspension to Tom Brady will throw off the first weeks of the season. This team is going to scrap for the first time in years. Still, it’s the Patriots – and I think they’re the most complete team in the division when healthy. That’s probably enough for a divisional title.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6): The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers certainly won’t lay down for the Bengals, but I think Cincy has enough to win the division. Baltimore, for me, doesn’t have enough consistency offensively and the defense cannot carry them. Pittsburgh has no defense, and the offense, though wildly exciting, is going to be outscored a number of times this season. By default, I like the balance of the Bengals with two great running backs, a serviceable regular season quarterback, and a strong defense.
5. Houston Texans (9-7): There’s a big drop off following the divisional title winners and I have most of the wild card hopefuls finishing in a very big tie. The Texans have a great defense and some running back depth to overcome Arian Foster injuries, but they do not have a quarterback. Maybe that’s enough to sneak into the playoffs.
6. Buffalo Bills (9-7): See above. An exciting defense led by Rex Ryan meets below average quarterback play. Will their finesse running game work for Ryan’s ground and pound philosophy? Will they get enough production to win games? Can they capitalize on New England’s early struggles to squeak into the playoffs and not get buried in the division? I hope so, but the AFC gets incredibly cluttered with a host of other teams looking just as mediocre as Buffalo…
Complete 2015 AFC Playoffs Predictions: Colts, Broncos, Patriots
AFC Playoffs Predictions: Colts, Broncos, Pats, Bengals
I’ve got most of the AFC going 9-7. As such, I’ve thrown in my two favorites to somehow snag the tiebreakers and squeak into the playoffs as wildcards this year. Either way, I think the Indianapolis Colts are going to cruise to a divisional title, and possibly the top seed in the AFC. I think the Denver Broncos have some questions, the New England Patriots have a big suspension to deal with, and the Cincinnati Bengals are impossible to trust to even escape their division. Still, in a jumbled AFC, here are my 2015 playoff predictions in full.
1. Indianapolis Colts (13-3): The Colts got better, have arguably the best quarterback in the AFC with Brady suspended and Manning aging, and I trust the coaching staff to manage the talent edge appropriately. I think they’re in line for an easy division title, which should help them accumulate enough wins to steal the top seed from our perennial AFC favorites.
2. Denver Broncos (12-4): Peyton Manning might not have anything left in the tank and certainly isn’t the quarterback he was in Indianapolis. Still, the division is pretty mediocre and the Broncos have a defense and running game that provides enough balance for a cerebral assault on the AFC. I’ve got them as the second seed.
3. New England Patriots (10-6): I think New England is going to struggle for a number of reasons this year. First, they have to deal with a much improved division where the Dolphins and Bills can give them trouble. Second, a four-game suspension to Tom Brady will throw off the first weeks of the season. This team is going to scrap for the first time in years. Still, it’s the Patriots – and I think they’re the most complete team in the division when healthy. That’s probably enough for a divisional title.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6): The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers certainly won’t lay down for the Bengals, but I think Cincy has enough to win the division. Baltimore, for me, doesn’t have enough consistency offensively and the defense cannot carry them. Pittsburgh has no defense, and the offense, though wildly exciting, is going to be outscored a number of times this season. By default, I like the balance of the Bengals with two great running backs, a serviceable regular season quarterback, and a strong defense.
5. Houston Texans (9-7): There’s a big drop off following the divisional title winners and I have most of the wild card hopefuls finishing in a very big tie. The Texans have a great defense and some running back depth to overcome Arian Foster injuries, but they do not have a quarterback. Maybe that’s enough to sneak into the playoffs.
6. Buffalo Bills (9-7): See above. An exciting defense led by Rex Ryan meets below average quarterback play. Will their finesse running game work for Ryan’s ground and pound philosophy? Will they get enough production to win games? Can they capitalize on New England’s early struggles to squeak into the playoffs and not get buried in the division? I hope so, but the AFC gets incredibly cluttered with a host of other teams looking just as mediocre as Buffalo…
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