AFC Seedings:
1. New England 14-2
2. Jacksonville 13-3
3. Cincinnati 12-4
4. Kansas City 11-5
5. Indianapolis 12-4
6. Pittsburgh 11-5
NFC Seedings:
1. Minnesota 12-4
2. Philadelphia 11-5
3. Carolina 11-5
4. Seattle 9-7
5. Dallas 10-6
6. Atlanta 10-6
NFC Wild Card
Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at Carolina Panthers (11-5)
What a dream matchup for Atlanta in the opening round. Carolina has never beaten the Michael Vick-led Falcons -- Vick is a sterling 5-0 against Carolina. However, the Panthers nearly defeated the Falcons late last season. Their offensive line is reconstructed, and they added a few significant pieces to their defense, such as Thomas Davis, Ken Lucas, Marlon McCree and Idrees Bashir. Carolina may have the best defense in the NFC, and should finally be able to put the clamps on Vick, Alge Crumpler and Warrick Dunn. Atlanta signed Edgerton Hartwell this off-season, meaning the Panthers' rushing attack will be stymied. However, the Falcons do not have much talent in their secondary. Jake Delhomme will find enough holes in Atlanta's secondary to lead his team to victory.
Carolina Panthers 24, Atlanta Falcons 20.
Dallas Cowboys (10-6) at Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
Remember how Dallas went into Seattle on Monday Night Football, and beat them 43-39? Well, the Cowboys have improved, while the Seahawks lost Koren Robinson, Chris Terry, Chike Okeafor, Anthony Simmons, Chad Brown and Ken Lucas. Seattle's problem with receivers dropping passes will continue, as the Cowboys' secondary is currently one of the NFL's elite. The Cowboys will also be able to pressure the quarterback and shut down Shaun Alexander, thanks to Jason Ferguson and their speedy linebackers. Seattle has nothing at defensive tackle, meaning Julius Jones will rush for more than 150 yards, setting up play-action for Drew Bledsoe. To advance in the playoffs, you have to stop the run. That is something the Seahawks cannot do.
Dallas Cowboys 27, Seattle Seahawks 13.
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
The Steelers have had one major problem during Bill Cowher's tenure with the team: stopping the pass. Pittsburgh's secondary, excluding Troy Polamalu, is an abomination. While Casey Hampton, Joey Porter and the other linebackers will have no problem wrapping up Rudi Johnson for minimal yardage, they will watch in disgust as corners Ricardo Colclough, Deshea Townsend and Willie Williams are continuously burnt by Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Peter Warrick and Kelley Washington. Cincinnati's defense has improved enough to stop any sort of offensive attack the Steelers could hope to muster. Pittsburgh will have problems running the ball, because of defensive tackles Bryan Robinson and John Thornton, and a vastly improved linebacking corps, which features Brian Simmons, David Pollack and Odell Thurman. Ben Roethlisberger may throw two touchdowns or so in a come-back attempt, but this should be a blowout.
Cincinnati Bengals 38, Pittsburgh Steelers 24.
Indianapolis Colts (12-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
This is revenge two years in the making. Indianapolis went into Arrowhead in 2003 and defeated the Chiefs in a playoff contest. Now, it's time for the Chiefs to turn the tables. There is no doubt that both squads have dynamic offenses. However, Kansas City added a lot of firepower to their defense -- Carlos Hall, Kendrell Bell, Derrick Johnson, Patrick Surtain and Sammy Knight -- which should elevate them over the Colts. The Chiefs will be scoring on every possession, while Indianapolis will be forced to punt on about three or four occasions. That will be enough for Kansas City to claim victory... and revenge.
Kansas City Chiefs 52, Indianapolis Colts 35.
Carolina Panthers (11-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
We have all seen this before. Carolina's superb defense against Philadelphia's bogged-down offense. Carolina's dynamic rushing attack against Philadelphia's questionable run defense. The Panthers should be able to dominate this low-scoring contest, bouncing the Eagles out of the postseason for the second time in three years. Assuming Terrell Owens is not available (see NFC East season preview for explanation), Carolina's physical corners -- Ricky Manning Jr., Chris Gamble, Ken Lucas -- will smother mediocre wide outs Todd Pinkston, Greg Lewis and Billy McMullen. The Eagles will occasionally move the chains on a Donovan McNabb scramble or an electrifying Brian Westbrook run. However, it will not be enough, as the Panthers will rip the heart out of Philadelphians once again.
Carolina Panthers 17, Philadelphia Eagles 10.
Dallas Cowboys (10-6) at Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
Wise bettors have been known to play against Drew Bledsoe in playoff situations. They will be looking like Albert Einstein after this game. Minnesota may have the best defense in the NFC. They will shut down Julius Jones, which will force Bledsoe to throw often. Dallas has a solid defense, but they will not have much luck against Minnesota's dynamic offense. Second-round blowout.
Minnesota Vikings 31, Dallas Cowboys 3.
Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (13-3)
The two upstart teams of the 2005 season clash in the divisional round for the right to play New England. Jacksonville has an excellent defense, and while their season may mirror Chicago's 2001 campaign, they will have trouble against Cincinnati. The Jaguars' secondary is not equipped to cover Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the other Bengals receivers. Meanwhile, Jacksonville's offense is simple, run-based attack. Marvin Lewis will have no problems game planning against it.
Cincinnati Bengals 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 10.
Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) at New England Patriots (14-2)
It's been a nice season for Kansas City, but they have no shot against New England. The Chiefs have a hole at defensive tackle, which the Patriots will exploit with Corey Dillon. New England undoubtedly has the best defense in the NFL. Kansas City will score some points against them, but do you really think Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will lose to the Chiefs in a home playoff game?
New England Patriots 34, Kansas City Chiefs 17.
Carolina Panthers (11-5) at Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
Despite all of the offensive firepower in this game -- Daunte Culpepper, Nate Burleson, Michael Bennett, Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith, Keary Colbert, Stephen Davis -- the 2005 NFC Championship could be a defensive struggle. The Panthers and the Vikings are the two best defensive teams in the NFC. Minnesota's Pat Williams, Kevin Williams and Sam Cowart will make sure that no Panthers running back garners more than 50 yards. The Vikings' stout secondary will put the clamps on Smith and Colbert. Delhomme will be under a lot of pressure, and may throw a key interception or two. Carolina also has a very solid stop unit, but shutting down Minnesota's offense will be a difficult task. There is a greater chance that the Vikings find some way to score than Carolina does. I have Minnesota advancing to Super Bowl XL, but this contest could go either way.
Minnesota Vikings 17, Carolina Panthers 14.
Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) at New England Patriots (14-2)
Bill Belichick and Marvin Lewis, two of the NFL's greatest minds, go head to head in what should be one of the best AFC Championships this decade. Cincinnati has had no trouble scoring thus far during the postseason, but they finally encounter a team with a great secondary. Suddenly, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh will not be open, forcing Carson Palmer to fire the ball into tough and perplexing coverage. New England's defense will confuse Palmer, which may force the young signal caller to throw a few interceptions. You cannot make mistakes against the Patriots, because they may not make any. New England will control the clock, keeping possession away from the Bengals. The Patriots advance to yet another Super Bowl.
New England Patriots 23, Cincinnati Bengals 10.
Minnesota Vikings (12-4) vs. New England Patriots (14-2)
The headlines remain the same, "Can Carolina Win?", "Can Philadelphia Win?", "Can Minnesota Win?" The Patriots are a dynasty because they are coached extremely well, and have players who care more about winning than their own personal fame and fortune. The Vikings do not have the former. Bill Belichick owns a paramount coaching advantage over Mike Tice. Tom Brady is a winner, while Daunte Culpepper has not proven that he can win on the big stage yet. The Patriots also possess a better rushing attack and defense. New England will claim its fourth Lombardi Trophy in five years. But, will the Patriots actually win by more than three this time? Doubt it.
New England Patriots 27, Minnesota Vikings 24.
2001 Season Preview
2002 Season Preview
2003 Season Preview:
AFC East / AFC North / AFC South / AFC West
NFC East / NFC North / NFC South / NFC West
Playoffs / Awards
2004 Season Preview:
AFC East / AFC North / AFC South / AFC West
NFC East / NFC North / NFC South / NFC West
Playoffs / Awards / Simulation
2005 Season Preview:
AFC East / AFC North / AFC South / AFC West
NFC East / NFC North / NFC South / NFC West
Playoffs / Awards / Simulation
2006 Season Preview:
AFC East / AFC North / AFC South / AFC West
NFC East / NFC North / NFC South / NFC West
Playoffs / Awards / Simulation
2007 Season Preview:
Buffalo / Miami / New England / New York Jets
Baltimore / Cincinnati / Cleveland / Pittsburgh
Houston / Indianapolis / Jacksonville / Tennessee
Denver / Kansas City / Oakland / San Diego
Dallas / New York Giants / Philadelphia / Washington
Chicago / Detroit / Green Bay / Minnesota
Atlanta / Carolina / New Orleans / Tampa Bay
Arizona / San Francisco / Seattle / St. Louis
Playoffs / Awards / Simulation
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