Wild-Card Round
Sat.-Sun., Jan. 3-4
AFC
Sat., Jan. 3, 8 p.m. ET, NBC
Indianapolis (12-4)
San Diego (8-8)
Sun., Jan. 4, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Baltimore (11-5)
Miami (11-5)
Byes: Tennessee, Pittsburgh
NFC
Sat., Jan. 3, 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC
Atlanta (11-5)
Arizona (9-7)
Sun., Jan 4, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX
Philadelphia (9-6-1)
Minnesota (10-6)
Byes: N.Y. Giants, Carolina
Divisional Round
Sat.-Sun. Jan. 10-11
Sat., Jan. 10, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Ravens, Chargers or Colts
at Tennessee (13-3)
Sun., Jan. 11, 4:45 p.m. ET, CBS
Dolphins, Chargers or Colts
at Pittsburgh (12-4)
Sat., Jan. 10, 8:15 p.m. ET, FOX
Cardinals, Falcons or Vikings
at Carolina (12-4)
Sun., Jan. 11, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Cardinals, Falcons or Eagles
at N.Y. Giants (12-4)
Championship Round Sun., Jan. 18
6:30 p.m. ET, CBS
3 p.m. ET, FOX
Super Bowl XLIII Sun., Feb. 1
6 p.m. ET, NBC
Predictions:
AFC: Tennessee v. Indianapolis
Pittsburgh v. Miami
Pittsburgh v. Indianapolis
NFC: Carolina v. Atlanta
NY Giants v. Philadelphia
NY Giants v. Carolina
Super Bowl: NY Giants v. Pittsburgh
Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers (going with my heart but the brain says NY Giants repeat)
In all honesty, this is a tough playoff field with a lot of teams that are very competitive except for the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals & Minnesota Vikings. As you look at the rest of the teams, you could make a strong case for anyone of them making it to the playoffs especially in the AFC.
Questions surrounding the Steelers include: 1) Will Ben recover well from his concussion to make the good decisions needed to win a tough playoff game ? (I don't argue with the call to let him play against the Browns--3 weeks is a lot of time to sit), 2) Is the running game strong enough to win tough playoff games and keep the other team off the field? The defense is the best in the NFL but, you don't want them being on the field too long against top teams in a playoff fight. 3) Will the Offensive Line pass protect & open holes in the run game?
This should be a very exciting playoff season!
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