A Chance to win? I think so my friends...

My NFL playoff predictions 2010.

I wanted to get this posted before the Wild Card games yesterday, but you will just have to settle for an analyzation of the remaining teams. Let's start with the NFC.

In no particular order, the following teams are still in the hunt for the NFC championship:

The Dallas Cowboys, The Minnesota Vikings, The New Orleans Saints, The Green Bay Packers, The Arizona Cardinals.

The Dallas Cowboys: Perhaps the hottest team in the NFC, America's Team has overcome two major obstacles this seaoson: Winning a playoff game; Conquering the December curse. The last time the boys won a playoff game was 1996, so it was a huge hump to get over. Secondly, Tony Romo made a huge turnaround to overcome his December record. Not only did they beat the Saints in New Orleans in the month of December, but they put on a defensive clinic against most of the teams they face, with DeMarcus Ware leading the attack, and their young secondary keeping oponents air attack low. They demolished the Eagles two weeks in a row, and look like the team to beat in the NFC.

The Minnesota Vikings: If John Madden were still announcing, we could imagine him saying something like, "If you have Brett Favre and your team scores the most points, you probably have the best chance of winning." However classic Favre is, no one is doubting their ability to explode offensively. Let's start first with their rookie, Percy Harvin. Twice this seaoson Harvin has returned a kick for a touchdown, and he has over 1000 yards this season in return yards, along with over 700 receiving yards and 6 TD's as a receiver. Then throw in the power rushing gave of Adrian Peterson, mixed in with offensive talents like Sydney Rice, Bernard Berrian, and a stifflling defense, The Vikes have an excellent chance of pulling off a trip to the Superbowl.

The New Orleans Saints: What else can I say about this team. They started the seaoson 13-0, and only lost a few of their last games. No one has benefitted more from this first round bye week as the Saints, giving time for Reggie Bush to tend to his wounds, and allowing them to review tapes and create new plays. Most notably is the defense in New Orleans, breaking into the top 5 NFL defenses for the first time in years, and allowing the offense to create distance between the opponents. However, I do not believe the Saints have what it takes to make it to the Superbowl.

The Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Ryan Grant, and MOST IMPORTANTLY = Charles Woodson. I saw a diving tackle through the offensive line a few weeks ago that made Charles Woodson my defensive MVP. If we were in a playground, and I could chose between AP, LT, or Woodson to start my squad, I would take Woodson no questions asked. This guy alone could be the key for stopping Peterson and the Vikes, or shutting down Miles Austin of the Cowboys.

The Arizona Cardinals: Offense, offense, offense. They are hurting however without Boldin, but after the run the Cards made to the Superbowl last year there aren't a lot of people doubting their ability to pull off an upset. Their first task will be to get past Woodson and the Pack later today, which I don't think will happen. If they do, all bets are off in my opinion.

NFC Playoffs:

Vikings first round bye

Saints first round bye

Cowboys beat Eagles 34-14

Packers over Cardinals by 10

Cowboys over Vikings by 6

Saints over Packers by 14

Conference Championship: Cowboys over Saints by 13

Now let's take a look at the AFC shall we?

Here are the teams playing for the AFC slot in the Superbowl

The Indianapolis Colts, The New England Patriots, The Baltimore Ravens, The New York Jets, The San Diego Chargers.

The Indianapolis Colts: Fresh off a couple weeks of mainly rest for their starters, and Manning's 4th MVP award, the colts are looking strong going into the playoffs. Reggie Wayne, their increased running game, and a healthy defense add to Manning's leadership to push this team to the AFC Conference Championship.

The New England Patriots: They made it this far, but are without a health Wes Welker, who led the NFL in receptions again despite missing the first 3 games of the season, and Tom Brady is apparently playing with a few cracked ribs. I do not think they have what it takes to make it by their first round opponent.

The Baltimore Ravens: Last year Joe Flacco became the first rookie in NFL history to win multiple playoff games, and this year he should win at least one more. Ray Rice has made a huge impact adding to the presence of McGahee in the backfield, and Ray Lewis continues to lead a blistering D even in his later years. Balitimore has had it's struggles all season long, but no one wants to face them in the playoffs.

The New York Jets: So, Mark Sanchez pulls off a pretty good game (12-15 with 1 TD and 100+ yards in the air), and the defense shuts down Chad Ochocinco and all of the sudden Rex Ryan says that they should be favored to win the Superbowl? The sad thing is that many analysts are now jumping on their bandwagon and saying that the Jets should be feared. Let's just remember that it took their QB almost a perfect game in the playoffs to overcome Cedric Benson and the Bengals, so if he makes one mistake in the next round it could mean the end of the season.

The San Diego Chargers: I am biased, I know, but let's take a look at the team from my point of view anyway. Philip Rivers came in 3rd in MVP votes behind Manning and Brees, LT is healthy, Sproles is making an impact catching and running the ball at the opponent, and the defense is holding teams to the lowest PPG in the last 3 seasons. But this is a passing team, and why shouldn't it be?

These are the guys that Rivers throws to.

Malcom Floyd - 6'5", 225 pounds

Vincent Jackson - 6'5" 230 pounds

Antonio Gates - 6'4" 260 pounds

Kassim Osgood - 6'5" 220 pounds

Legedu Naanee - 6'2" 220 pounds

Brandon Manumaleuna - 6'2" 295 pounds

All the starters are above 6'4" and hard to shut down. Norv Turner is calling some good plays lately, and with the passing game creating room on field for LT and Sproles to make an impact, the SD offense is looking as good as it has been in years. Let's talk about this season: The Bolts started the season 2-3, then after an 11 game win streak to finish the season out finished 13-3. Who else in football is hotter? The Chargers beat the Cowboys in Dallas just a few weeks ago.

AFC Playoffs:

Colts first round bye

Chargers first round bye

Jets beat Bengals 24-14

Ravens over Pats by 7

Colts over Ravens by 17

Chargers over Jets by 24

Conference Championship: Chargers over Colts by 9

Superbowl Prediction

Boltz over Boys 35-31