AFC Playoffs
Seeding
1. (bye) New England Patriots
Judging by their schedule, the Pats could easily go 7 - 0 or better to start the season. They also get to host the Broncos in a game that could split hairs for all three top AFC seeds, and Tom Brady's bound to have a better year with his receiving crew than last time around. Especially if Rob Gronkowski's ulna doesn't disintegrate.
2. (bye) Indianapolis Colts
Admittedly, giving the Colts 12 wins is a bit of a gamble, especially because the Texans just remembered that their quarterback position matters too. BUT Indy's used to playing against the odds and Andrew Luck just looks better and better each season.
3. Denver Broncos
I don't see the Broncos doing worst than third in the conference, and that's making a stretch pick for the Colts. But with a tougher schedule than in years past, they have a harder road to travel after licking their wounds from Super Bowl XLVIII.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Why not the Steelers... other than both first-string running backs likely being suspended for some period of time. Still, they look like the highest-ceiling team to come out of the AFC North this season given Baltimore's similar woes at RB and the Bengals' tendency to get stuck in second gear for all of time.
5. Baltimore Ravens
Joe Flacco likes to throw the deep ball and Steve Smith likes to catch such things, so maybe the Ravens have a shot at the division despite all karma flowing in the opposite direction for Ray Rice. Plus, they have an easier schedule than the Steelers and Bengals going into 2014.
6. San Diego Chargers
Just like last year, the AFC definitely looks like a place where someone can go 8 - 8 and still make it to January. The Chargers are a trendy wild card pick, but it's hard to argue with how good Philip Rivers looked under Mike McCoy's leadership last year. He's still got the chops to disappoint in the divisional round!
Broncos over Chargers, Ravens over Steelers
Divisional Round
Broncos over Colts, Patriots over Ravens
AFC Championship
Patriots over Broncos - This is how the Broncos end: with a pick six by Darrelle Revis in the snowy trenches of Foxboro. Brady reclaims the QB throne on his quest for a fourth ring, and Peyton gives us a Manning face to remember.
Seeding
1. (bye) Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks capitalize on turbulence all around the NFC West and continue to embarrass just about everyone else in the NFC with a deep defensive roster and one of the best QBs in the game today.
2. (bye) New Orleans Saints
Knowing my jinxing abilities, I really hate to do this, but it's hard not to feel like the Saints could do some real damage this year with an easier schedule than in 2013 and a legitimate defense to complement Drew Brees & co.
3. Green Bay Packers
Clad with the power of his iron clavicle, Aaron Rodgers leads the Packers to their fourth straight division title in the NFC North despite all the buzz about those Bears.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
In the war of attrition known as the NFC East, the Eagles have the speed and talent to outwit their floundering-to-rebuilding divisional opponents.
5. San Francisco 49ers
The Niners look due for a slow start with the many extracurriculars and legal fees piling up, but let's be real - if it weren't for the Seahawks, they'd be near the top of the NFC for the fourth season in a row.
6. Chicago Bears
Marc Trestman's offense has another blockbuster year and fewer injuries on their way to January. The new Bears era has officially begun, Jay Cutler's scowling mega-contract and all.
Packers over Bears, 49ers over Eagles
Divisional Round
Saints over Packers, 49ers over Seahawks
NFC Championship
49ers over Saints - In full transparency, I'm only doing this because I'd much rather jinx San Francisco than New Orleans. The Saints have the homecrowd edge and a blazing offense behind them, but the 49ers force one too many mistakes and stamp their ticket to a second Super Bowl in three years.
49ers over Patriots - Can we please finally see this matchup happen in prime time? The grimmacing chess match between Belichick and Harbaugh would be a delight, as would another classic offense v. defense battle that would surely be more entertaining than the slaughter we witnessed last February.
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