Playoff Predictions

Welcome all to January 2013! While most of you are nursing hangovers, or struggling to keep your New Years resolutions already, a certain section of people are looking forward to the next month with one thing in mind: The Superbowl.

That's right, it's NFL Playoff time. Last year, you may recall I had a go at predicting the road to the Superbowl, and got it wrong more often than not! Well, not to be humbled by this, I'm going to have another go this year too. So prepare to be amazed as I get things badly wrong once more!

Wild Card Weekend
The opening weekend of the Playoffs consists of the two division winners with the worst records and the two non-division winners with the best record in each conference (that's AFC and NFC). The two divisional champions are seeded 3rd and 4th, and the other two teams 5th and 6th. In order to reward the better finishers, the 3rd seed plays 6th seed, and 4th against 5th.

In the AFC, there is a rematch of last years Wild Card round as the Cincinnati Bengals have been pitted against the Houston Texans again. Houston started well this season, but have started to fade over the final weeks, while the Bengals have gone on a run to overhaul and eliminate my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers from the Playoffs. It's a tough call, but I am going for a Houston victory.
Also, in the AFC, we have the Indianapolis Colts up against the Baltimore Ravens. Having been 1-15 last season, the Colts have made an improvement of unexpected proportions to return to the Playoffs on the back of the form of rookie Quarterback Andrew Luck. The Ravens meanwhile, have continued to be classed as a big hitter in spite of the inconsistency of their Offense. For me, I think the big game experience will prove telling, and the Ravens will sneak through.

Over in the NFC, we have a divisional battle between the division winning Green Bay Packers, and the runners-up Minnesota Vikings. Despite the Vikings winning a close game in the final week of the regular season, I think that Green Bay will take home advantage and use it to generate a victory.
Finally, the Washington Redskins will host the Seattle Seahawks. Two teams with impressive first year Quarterbacks, Robert Griffin III for the 'Skins, and Russell Wilson at the Seahawks, both have shown they can pull off a big game performance. But for me, I think the overall quality of the Seahawks will see them through to the next round.


Divisional Round
This is where the two divisional winners with the best records come in. The Number 1 seed is the team with the best record from the regular season, and they have what is called 'Home-field Advantage' - they are guaranteed to be at home for as long as they are in the Playoffs (except at the neutral Superbowl, of course). The Number 1 seed will play the lowest seeded team left in the Playoff competition.

In the AFC, it was the Denver Broncos who secured the top seed courtesy of a huge winning 11-game winning streak. With Peyton Manning back to the form that made him a Pro-Bowl regular, Denver are looking particularly dangerous, and so, by my reckoning will be up against the Baltimore Ravens. Sadly for Baltimore fans, the adventure will end here as Denver will be too strong for them.
This leaves the New England Patriots to battle the Houston Texans. With the Texans fast becoming a potential Superbowl team, and the Patriots still justifying the 'dynasty' tag, this is a tough one to call. However, I'm going to stick my neck out and tip the Patriots for a narrow victory.

The NFC is equally tough to call. The top seeded Atlanta Falcons have gained a reputation as Playoff chokers, and so playing the Seattle Seahawks might not be the best match-up for them. It could be close, but Seattle will be the winners for me.
To complete the Divisional round, a mighty battle between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers. These two have history! The 49ers have put their faith in back-up QB Colin Kaepernick at the expense of Alex Smith, and it's hard to argue that they haven't been rewarded. In a game that could go either way, it's going to be the 49ers for me. Sorry Cheese-heads!

OKAY, WITH ONE GAME STILL TO PLAY IN THIS ROUND, BOTH MY SUPERBOWL PICKS HAVE LOST!!


Championship Game
This is the last game before the Superbowl. This decides who will represent each conference in the greatest game of all.

The AFC will be between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots. Yet another battle between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning should be awe-inspiring, and if I'm honest, both deserve to appear in the Superbowl. Unfortunately, only one can. And for me, I think Manning will be leading his second different team to a Superbowl. Broncos to shade it, possibly in Overtime.
As for the NFC, a third meeting this season for the 49ers and Seahawks. With one win each on home territory (Seattle with a more spectacular win), this is one for the Seahawks to win I feel.

This gives us a Superbowl match-up of Denver Broncos against Seattle Seahawks. Possibly.
I think that Peyton Manning will haul his Broncos over the line for glory. Potentially.

Now, watch me be proved wildly wrong!!! And if you want to leave your predictions below, you are most welcome.

Back to School for the NFL

I appreciate that to many, the subject of this blog post may be about as interesting as watching paint dry, but never mind, you can always read Fifty Shades of Dave hey?!


For those that remain, who are either fellow NFL afficionados, or those curious enough to dip their toe in something new, what follows is a bit of background, a welcome to the teams involved, and a rash attempt to predict the outcome of the next five months starting tonight (US time) with the monster season opener of New York Giants against the Dallas Cowboys. For those with a blank expression, read on...

A Brief History
The NFL took on it's current form when it merged with rival league the AFL at the end of the 1960's. The NFL was by far the longest established league, but the AFL was causing worry amongst the NFL bigwigs enough to agree a proposed merger which also helped to create the biggest single sporting match in the world - The Superbowl.

The first team to dominate the new expanded NFL were the Green Bay Packers, as they won the first two Superbowls.
Into the Seventies and a new team were ruling the roost - the Pittsburgh Steelers. 
As the Eighties dawned, the San Francisco 49ers took on the mantle of the most successful team.
The nineties saw the dominance initially of the Dallas Cowboys, before Green Bay returned to the top. At the turn of the millennium, Denver had finally shrugged off the nearly men tag and won two Superbowls to give legendary Quarterback John Elway a winning retirement present. 
As the noughties wore on, a new force emerged in the New England Patriots led by Tom Brady. 
Now we're into the new decade and a mini-rivalry between the Patriots and the New York Giants has emerged with two Superbowl meetings in five years. Both times the Giants were rank outsiders, and yet both times they ended up taking the glory.
The team with the most Superbowl victories is Pittsburgh with six, closely followed by the Cowboys and the 49ers on five.
But enough of the history lesson! 

The Teams

AFC East
Buffalo Bills - had a brush with success in the nineties with a record four successive Superbowl losses. Been a bit limp since. Unlikely to ruffle any feathers this year either.
Miami Dolphins - the owners of the only unbeaten season in the history of the NFL. Been on a downward spiral in recent years. Might be an outside shot for the play-offs.
New England Patriots - the current big cheeses. Won three Superbowls in the early noughties and have threatened most years since. A good bet to go far again this season.
New York Jets - the first winners from the 'inferior' AFL in 1969 when Joe Namath helped them overcome the fancied Baltimore Colts. Flirted with the late stages of the play-offs in recent years but never reached the big game. Not one to put money on this year.

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - big hitters in the NFL in recent years, winning the Superbowl in 2001. To confuse things for you newcomers, this team came about when the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore, only for the city of Cleveland to kick up a fuss. So Baltimore effectively became a new franchise. Definitely worth a tip for the play-offs.
Cincinnati Bengals - Another team of also-rans having previously flirted with success only to ultimately lose out. The past few years have been less than kind, but an upturn might be on the cards. But not this year.
Cleveland Browns - Remember what I said before? Well, the Browns are back up and running after a break between 1996 and 1999, but still trying to capture their former glory as perennial nearly men. Not likely to capture it yet this coming season.
Pittsburgh Steelers - the Black and Yellow. The Steel Curtain. My team. After a poor eighties and nineties, they've been bothering the play-offs regularly with two more Superbowls in the noughties. Still hard-hitters but might not be up to scratch this time out. Sadly.

AFC South
Houston Texans - new to the NFL in 2002, they made their first play-off appearance last season. Don't count them out again this season either.
Indianapolis Colts - Starting life after Peyton Manning with possibly the brightest star ever to shine - Andrew Luck - a useful by-product of having the worst record in the league last season and getting first pick in the college draft. Might not be enough to bring an immediate return to winning ways though.
Jacksonville Jaguars - welcomed into the league as part of a two team expansion in 1995, they are yet to see their name in lights. I don't think they will see their name in lights for a while yet, but we will see them regularly in the UK as they have signed a four year deal to play one game at Wembley.
Tennessee Titans - more confusion for you, they used to be the Houston Oilers until they moved to Tennessee and decided to change their name. Appeared in one Superbowl and were beaten by a tackle just a yard from the end zone. Might have a shot at the play-offs again.

AFC West
Denver Broncos - the new home of Peyton Manning. They'll be hoping he can rediscover his Colts form to take them to success. If he's fit, then it may just be possible. Well, the play-offs anyway.
Kansas City Chiefs - Not a lot to say about this lot. Not really achieved much, and may not achieve much this year either.
Oakland Raiders - they were fairly big in the late seventies and early eighties thanks mostly to Marcus Allen. Moved to LA, then moved back. Not really living up to their history at the moment, which will continue for another year.
San Diego Chargers - didn't set the league on fire until the last decade or so, now almost regular divisional champions with the occasional play-off victory. Should be strong enough to win a slowly improving division again this time out.

NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - America's team. Regular play-off contenders with the occasional blip. Had their purple patch in the early to mid-nineties, but struggled to hit those heights recently. Could possibly put an appearance in the post-season.
New York Giants - current reigning Superbowl champions. Led by Eli Manning (yes, Peyton's brother). I don't see them repeating the feat this time out.
Philadelphia Eagles - they've been to the Superbowl, seen what it's like to win, but not first-hand. Regular play-off features in recent years, they will definitely be there again this time out.
Washington Redskins - owners of the second biggest college prospect in Robert Griffin III (not related to Peter Griffin of Family Guy). In the past few seasons they have flattered to deceive doing nothing. This may or may not change this season. I'm going to say not.

NFC North
Chicago Bears - possibly the second greatest team in the history of the NFL yet Superbowl victories have been conspicuous by their absence. One victory in 1985, but since then only one losing Superbowl appearance and many, many fruitless play-off campaigns.
Detroit Lions - No glory in their past. Proud (or not) owners of a season without a single victory not too long ago, but thankfully from there the only way was up. Still climbing. Not play-off mettle this year though.
Green Bay Packers - the first Superbowl super-power. A period in the doldrums came to an end in 1995 with a third Superbowl victory. Now they are almost certainly the best team in the league, but may not get the reward this year.
Minnesota Vikings - another multiple Superbowl loser. There's a chance they could make the play-offs in the next few years, but not this season. Sorry Vikings fans!

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - yet another of the traditional 'weaker' teams who have turned this round to pester the play-offs on a regulat basis, even reaching the Superbowl in the very late nineties. Will expect to be involved in the play-offs again this time, but will be close.
Carolina Panthers - the other expansion team in 1995, they have fared better, being only seconds from taking a Superbowl to overtime. They lost though. If they continue their upward spiral they could challenge this year.
New Orleans Saints - remember Hurricane Katrina? Well even though it devastated the city, it seemed to galvanise the team. A Superbowl win came from nowhere, but has made them one of the current powers of the NFC. A recent 'bounty scheme' disgrace may have blotted their copybook, but they should still win the division.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - owned by the Glazers, those pesky American owners of Manchester United. A laughing stock in their infancy, but slowly they've worked their way to credibility. Heck they even won a Superbowl! But not this year.

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - re-aligned in the, er, re-alignment of 2002 from the NFC East, their new home gives them a chance to challenge for the play-offs in an arguably weaker division. Will be back in the play-offs again this time.
St Louis Rams - formerly the LA Rams, and the Cleveland Rams before that. Won the Superbowl at the end of the 1999 season but failed to build on it and have sank into mediocrity in recent years, a trend that will run into this year also.
San Francisco 49ers - known in the eighties for their success driven by legendary Quarterback Joe Montana, had a regeneration in the mid-nineties before suffering a lull. Now back on the up, they should coast this division this year.
Seattle Seahawks - moved across from the AFC in 2002, but apart from a Superbowl appearance in 2005, they have not really experienced much success other than making the play-offs as divisional winners with a losing record. Will be fighting it out with the Rams to not finish last.

Right, you lot, it's taken me hours to write this post about a sport I have alot of time for. Hell, I even stayed up all night in February to watch the Superbowl live, and fully intend to do so again. Who's going to join me?! Not literally of course, I mean, I only have a small sofa, maybe two people, possibly a three seater. And I have children, so you'd have to be quiet, ok?!

Go Steelers!!!!! 

I don't mean to moan, but...

I have two points of issue at this time of writing. Both sports related. So, for those with no interest in either Football or the NFL, please have a look at my other offerings. Anyone left? Hello? Hello?!

Oh, well, I'll carry on regardless.

1) The England Manager's Job:
Ah, yes. This week's 'Big Story'. The bigwigs at the FA take the decision to relieve John Terry of the England captaincy, and then deem it suitable to inform the manager after the fact. Then there is the sharp intake of breath when said manager publicly disagrees with their decision on foreign telly in his home country. Now, I agree that John Terry should not be England captain. He shouldn't even be in the squad. But this is the manager's decision to make. The rationale that the John Terry-Anton Ferdinand situation shouldn't be allowed to side-track England's Euro 2012 doesn't wash with me. If the press don't have that to harp on about, they'll find something else. Because, let's face it, the British press just can't bring themself to get behind the team and their manager. They have to find something to pull at and stick the knife in.
Now Fabio Capello has resigned, I can't help wondering if he is breathing a huge sigh of relief. He is much better off out of it. And we wait for the bumbling, incompetent FA bigwigs to appoint the next mug, sorry, well-qualified, successful, hungry manager to bring long-awaited success for the England team. DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!!
The current squad are nothing more than over-paid, over-hyped, under-developed, selfish, self-aggrandising halfwits. There is no other explanation. How else do you explain the inability to carry out simple instructions? Or Wayne Rooney's decision to unnecessarily kick out at an opponent in the final qualifying game?
Which brings me on to those England fans who think the England team has the God-given right to win tournaments, just because we did so in 1966. That was 46 years ago. When there was real pride in playing for England. These days player's loyalty is all down to money. How many times did Rooney kiss his Everton badge? Then, in the blink of an eye, he's kissing his United badge. Do a Google search for pictures of Wayne Rooney. Count how many pictures of him kissing his England badge.
I digress. England are not World-beaters. They don't have the players with the technical ability to adapt to differing situations. They can hardly string ten passes together before punting the ball towards goal. The infrastructure in this country benefits only one party. The clubs.
The general consensus is that the England manager should be English. Why? If you want success, you must get the best manager available. There are no world class, English managers. Harry Redknapp? Don't make me laugh. He's done a great job at Tottenham, but he's been able to work with some top quality foreign players. FOREIGN PLAYERS. Last time I checked, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael Van Der Vaart weren't English. And let's be honest, they're the key players in that team.
My tip for the job? Guus Hiddink. Experienced in International football management, success with modest talent (Russia, Turkey and South Korea), and, above all, experienced with the vultures of the British press.


2) The NFL and it's British fans:
Superbowl XLVI was great. I stayed up to watch it until gone 3 in the morning. In the run up to the game, the NFL announced that the St Louis Rams had agreed to play a game in the UK for the next 3 years. Great. I looked at the ticket prices. Not great. £50 for the cheapest seats. Add to that, travelling costs to get to Wembley, and you're looking at close to £100 for the whole shebang. Who can seriously afford to spend that in this current climate? And why is it that only London gets to host the party? (I can answer that one myself, it's because to the American's, London is the only place of importance.)
It's not like Wembley is the only stadium in the country capable of hosting an NFL game. Through gritted teeth, I say that Old Trafford could easily accommodate the NFL. Plus, it's in the North.

Apparently there is a Parliamentary committee set up to help promote the sport in the UK. Is this just a show? Time will tell. A good start would be to get the merchandise widespread and affordable. As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan of 25 years, it has proved a fruitless quest to find reasonably priced gear. In this cold weather, I thought, what better way to show my support for my Steelers than to buy a Steelers hat to keep my head warm? Most of the stuff comes all the way from the US, with the postage charges to boot. Or what about a t-shirt? £20 for something remotely satisfactory.
Apparently there is talk of there one day being an NFL franchise based permanently in the UK (who are we kidding? It'll be in London of course). I don't think this is a good idea. We tried American Football here once before. Hands up who remembers the London Monarchs?? No? They were a team set up to take part in a world-wide tournament that culminated in the World Bowl. Completely separate from the NFL itself, it was designed to capitalise on the late 80's-early 90's boom, but it eventually petered out, leaving barely a trace. And this would happen again, but to a current, well established NFL franchise. Which would upset the NFL bigwigs, who would then arrange to ship the franchise back to the US for resuscitation. Leaving the UK fans with nothing again.
So, leave it how it is. Just send a variety of teams to play over here, and rotate the locations to give us all a chance to witness the show.

Moan over. I feel alot better now, thanks.

It's Showtime Again!!

New Year means one thing in the world of the NFL: Play-off time.

Twelve teams left to battle it out to reach the Holy Grail that is the Super Bowl. This time around, it will be destination Indianapolis. Amongst the usual suspects like the Patriots, the Packers and the Steelers, this year we see the return to post-season for the 49ers after a few years in the wilderness and perhaps most unexpectedly, both the Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans. Not to put either team down, but historically speaking, neither have much experience in play-off games.

Anyway, what follows is my prediction for the route to the Super Bowl... (by no means rely on the following predictions for money making opportunities!)

First up is the Wild Card weekend. In the first of the AFC match-ups, the Bengals go to Houston to play the Texans. Cincinnati finished third in the AFC North behind the Ravens and the Steelers, whilst Houston took full advantage of the crashing Colts to take the AFC South title. I think the Bengals' experience will pay off and give them the edge into the Divisionals.
Then we have the Steelers up against the Denver Broncos. The Pittsburgh juggernaut is still going on, albeit at a slightly slower pace and the Broncos won the seemingly weak AFC West with an 8-8 record. There is sometimes an upset in the play-offs. But this won't be it. I'm going for a comfortable Steelers win in Denver.

Over to the NFC now, and the Detroit Lions take on the New Orleans Saints. It isn't that long since the Lions went an entire season without a single win, and now they find themselves in the play-offs. They won't get too much time to enjoy it though, as the Saints should have too much for them in New Orleans.
The Falcons and the Giants will battle out the other Wild Card game, with my bet going on the Falcons this time.

Which takes us on to the Divisional Play-off round. As a reward for being the top seed in the AFC, the New England Patriots will have the pleasure of hosting the lowest ranked Wild Card winner - the Cincinnati Bengals. Remember I mentioned the possible upset? Well, don't look here either. A Patriots stroll in the park, I'm afraid.
This moves us on to what is currently the biggest battle royale grudge match in the NFL: The Steelers and the Ravens. The Ravens won both regular season games but the Steelers seem to have the magic touch in the play-offs. I think this time though, the Ravens will make it 3 wins out of 3 to meet the Patriots in the Championship Game.

The NFC top seed is the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Green Bay Packers. Fresh off the back of a 15-1 season, they will have no fear in the generally cold and snowy Milwaukee winter. The Falcons will be put to flight as they were in last season's play-off match-up.
The resurgent 49ers await the Saints in the other game. Prior to the reshuffle in 2002, the two met regularly in the NFC West Division and more often than not, the 49ers came out on top. Although the Saints were recently Super Bowl winners themselves, I can honestly see the 49ers winning this.

So, the Championship Games. In the AFC we should (according to my calculations) get the Patriots and the Ravens. Both have history of winning the Super Bowl, the Patriots more so than the Ravens is has to be said. And I think that on this occasion we will see the Pariots book yet another Super Bowl trip.
The NFC is less clear cut. Both are big, glamorous names with history and glory spilling out of every pore. Both teams have played well this year and deserved their spot in the play-offs. This match has history. But I think the Packers will make a return to the Super Bowl to defend their title.

And so, here we are at the end of my Mystic Moore bit. After much deliberation I'm predicting a Super Bowl XLVI that pits the New England Patriots against the Green Bay Packers in a re-run of Super Bowl XXXI. As for who wins? I'm not that brave!!!

One last thing, I congratulate you if you've read this blog yet
have absolutely no interest in American Football!!!