2015 NFL playoff predictions (Part 1 - Wild Card)

With the NFL playoffs approaching, I thought I would make some predictions on the outcomes of the playoff games. This post will predict the result of the Wild Card games. Further posts will predict the winners of the Divisonal and Championship games and eventually the Super Bowl. This post also features picks from AT88TV.

Thunderbirds101's picks

AFC

#6 Pittsburgh Steelers vs #3 Cincinnati Bengals
Last month the Steelers pummeled the Bengals in Cincinnati. Now with Bengals QB Andy Dalton injured, it seems improbable that the Bengals could withstand the Steelers.

Prediction:
Steelers win, 35-17.

Result:
Steelers win, 18-16.

Thunderbirds101's comments after the game
WOW. What a game! Defense held strong through most of the first half, but the Bengals buckled first. The Steelers attacked with a touchdown and four field goals, including one field goal in the last fifteen seconds of the game. The Bengals defense held the Steelers to under twenty points and the Bengals offense exploded in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to stop the Steelers.

***

#5 Kansas City Chiefs vs. #4 Houston Texans
While most of the focus this season has been on either the almost perfect Carolina Panthers or the reigning champion New England Patriots, the Kansas City Chiefs have quietly gone on a ten-game winning streak, including convincing wins over the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs look like they all the momentum going into the Wild Card round, but Houston won't go down without a fight.

Prediction:
Chiefs win, 38-31.

Result:
Chiefs win, 30-0.

Thunderbirds101's comments after the game 
Houston, we have a problem. The Texans looked worse than the Broncos in Super Bowl 48. The Chiefs pulled off their most convincing win all season, while the Texans coughed up the ball five times in one of the most humiliating games in years. Houston went down without a fight.

NFC

#6 Seattle Seahawks vs. #3 Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have key defensive players back that they did not have during their brutal loss to Seattle. The Seahawks have Chancellor back, but Beast Mode remains sidelined. It may not be a thorough rout like last time, but it will be an interesting affair.

Prediction:
Seahawks win, 24-10.

Result:
Seahawks win, 10-9.

Thunderbirds101's comments after the game 

A game marked by bizarre plays, a Seahawks offense that did not show up until the fourth quarter, and a humiliating missed game-winning field goal by the Vikings. Unbelievable. The Seahawks survive the cold to fight another day in Carolina!

***

#5 Green Bay Packers vs. #4 Washington Redskins
This will be the most unpredictable game. The Packers find themselves in the aftermath of back-to-back losses: an absolute thrashing from Arizona and a disappointing loss to Minnesota. The Redskins enter the playoffs on a four game winning streak, but their record against stronger teams like Carolina and New England leaves much to be desired. The could go either way, but it will certainly be a close game.

Prediction:
Redskins win, 27-21.

Result:
Packers win, 35-18.

Thunderbirds101's comments after the game  
After a strong start, the Redskins derailed and allowed thirty-five points to the Packers. Despite entering the playoffs on back-to-back losses, the Packers exhibited strength all on fronts after a rough first quarter. The question now is whether Green Bay will be destroyed at the hands of Arizona like what happened not too long ago.  

AT88TV's picks

OK ladies and gentlemen, AT here with my own set of predictions for Part 1. It's my first season so if I am crap, then don't hate me.

AFC

#6 Pittsburgh Steelers vs #3 Cincinnati Bengals

Can't see past Pittsburgh. Beat them last month, should beat them again.

Winner: Steelers 38-10

Result: Steelers win, 18-16.

AT88TV's comments after the game
Holy shit. That was a great game if I ever saw one. That must be hard to swallow for Cincinnati. The Bengals fought as hard as they could but they simply couldn't hold Pittsburgh off; the Steelers advance. Fair play to both teams.

***

#5 Kansas City Chiefs vs. #4 Houston Texans

This will be very close. I predict Kansas too but it may be decided by the last second FG or OT.

Winner: Chiefs 38-35

Result: Chiefs win, 30-0.

AT88TV's comments after the game
Wow. I wasn't expecting that level of destruction. Houston put up no resistance. 

NFC

#6 Seattle Seahawks vs. #3 Minnesota Vikings

Not betting against my Hawks for this one. We may not have Beast Mode but we have Wilson, Lockett and Chancellor who should do a job on even Minnesota's improved defense.

Winner: Seahawks 32-7

Result: Seahawks win, 10-9.

AT88TV's comments after the game
Not as clearcut as I thought it would have and should have been but a win is a win.

 ***

#5 Green Bay Packers vs. #4 Washington Redskins

Definitely very unpredictable. I'm going Green Bay. Just.

Winner: Packers 31-28

Result: Packers win, 35-18.
  
AT88TV's comments after the game
This had all the makings of an even game until the second quarter when the Redskins imploded. Packers advance to face Arizona in potentially a close one.

PICK RESULTS

Thunderbirds101
Wild Card: 3/4
Divisional: TBD/4
Championship: TBD/2
Super Bowl: TBD/1
Overall: 3/4

AT88TV
Wild Card: 4/4
Divisional: TBD/4
Championship: TBD/2
Super Bowl: TBD/1
Overall: 4/4