Quick review of pre-season NFL predictions (+/- one win considered a success)
AFC East: Two successes, two misses
AFC North: Four misses
AFC South: One success, three misses
AFC West: One success, three misses
NFC East: One success, three misses
NFC North: Three successes, one miss
NFC South: One success, three misses
NFC West: Four misses
Add it all up, and I had 9 good calls, and 23 bad ones. Some of the misses were easily explained, like Atlanta because of Vick missing more time than expected, but some were just total whiffs. I did get Denver exactly right and called some trends right just not as far as they went, but a pretty pitiful performance on records. However, I did get four of the AFC's six playoff participants right, and three of the NFC's, so that's something.
Onto playoff game predictions:
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens, Titans favored by 1. The Titans have one of the worst running games in the league, and probably the best passing game. The Ravens have the worst passing in the league and the second leading single-season rusher ever. The Titans defense is pretty good, but only average against the run. The Ravens probably have both the best pass and run defenses this year. Baltimore's special teams are generally better than Tennessee's. Baltimore plays much better at home, and has dominated Tennessee the last few years. It looks to me like Baltimore wins fairly easily, though turnovers by the Ravens sucky QB or fumble-prone RBs could play a big role. Baltimore 23, Tennessee 14.
Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers, Panthers favored by 3: Neither team passes the ball well. Dallas doesn't run well, and Carolina's running isn't as good as perceived. On the other side of the ball, the Panther D isn't much better than average, while Dallas' is one of the best. The Panthers have a pretty good special teams squad. Combine all these factors with the game being played in Carolina, and it looks like a close one. I'd say the advantage goes to Dallas due to Parcells, maybe the best football coach ever. Dallas 17, Panthers 13.
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers, Packers favored by 7. Seattle has a very good, balanced offense, while Green Bay has a merely good, balanced offense. Green Bay complements their offense with a good, balanced defense, while Seattle is excellent against the run and medicore against the pass. Special teams shouldn't be a factor, but do slightly favor the Packers. Seattle has struggled a bit on the road this year, and the game is in Lambeau, where the home team has only lost once. Look for Favre to take apart the Seattle secondary. Green Bay 31, Seattle 17.
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts, Colts favored by 3. The Colts have one of the best offenses in the league, though their running game is only about average. Peyton Manning has never won a postseason game, and Dungy doesn't have a good reputation for these kinds of games either. The Colts' D is good against the pass, but awful against the run. The Broncos, meanwhile, have a great running game, plus good passing ability. Their defense is good all-around. Special teams don't figure to be a big factor. I resisted people predicting an Indy loss for a while, but more and more it's looking like a Broncos blowout. Denver 34, Indianaplis 17.