2007 Sports As Life NFL Preview - AFC Wrap-Up

Not much preamble today, we'll just get right to the meat of it....

However, I will say that I think I've probably overestimated the AFC North and underestimated the AFC East. So expect some differences there. Also I can't imagine that Pittsburgh is going to go 11-5, I have no confidence in that prediction at all. None.

I also want to say that it looks like I've found a new NFL arch-enemy in Brady Quinn. Through nobody's fault but the media's Quinn is now made out to be the second coming of Otto Graham and quite frankly I'm sick of hearing about him. So move over Tom Brady, there's a new #1 on my list.

And lastly, I think I've wildly underestimated the physical gifts and strength that Tennessee Titans' quarterback Vince Young has. Watching him in the preseason last week throwing the ball with 3 defenders draped all over him makes me re-think my prediction somewhat. Expect them to win more than 3 games simply because of Young, despite the total lack of talent around him.

Ok, enough with all that...here are the AFC playoff match ups and breakdown. The 4 division winners are: San Diego at 13-3, Baltimore at 12-4, Indianapolis at 11-5 and New England at 13-3. Then the two Wild Card teams are: Cincinnati at 11-5 and Pittsburgh at 11-5.

So the playoff seeding looks like this:

1. New England - first seed based on the fact that they beat San Diego in the regular season
2. San Diego
3. Baltimore
4. Indianapolis
5. Cincinnati
6. Pittsburgh

And then the games are:

1st Round - Wild Card Games

Pittsburgh @ Baltimore - if Baltimore gets even a little offence this year they should win a playoff game. Winner: Baltimore

Cincinnati @ Indianapolis - even though Indy sort of beats the Super Bowl hangover and wins their division again (mostly by default), they succumb to a hungrier team. Winner: Cincinnati

2nd Round - Divisional Games

Cincinnati @ New England - as much as I hate to do it, I just can't see the Bengals' defence stopping the Patriots' offence. Winner: New England

Baltimore @ San Diego - San Diego just has too many weapons and probably finds a way to get past Baltimore's defence. Winner: San Diego

3rd Round - AFC Championship Game

San Diego @ New England - this is a rematch of last year's Divisional game in which the Patriots beat the Chargers in a game San Diego really should have won. The Chargers get their shot at a rematch this year, however this year it's in New England...in January. Playing in San Diego probably doesn't prepare the Chargers for a game like this. So again, as much as I hate to do it...Winner: New England

And there it is, representing the AFC in the Super Bowl will once again be the New England Patriots. So look forward to another year of stories about how the Patriots think they don't get enough respect. I know I can't wait. Maybe I should start following bowling.......


Last but certainly not least, Madden 2008 is back with it's predictions for the upcoming NFL season. Now I should specify that the AFC predictions are based on the same simulation as last week's NFC predictions - so there is no foul play going on here.

AFC West

Denver..............Sports As Life: 10-6.........Madden: 12-4
Kansas City.........Sports As Life: 5-11.........Madden: 8-8
Oakland.............Sports As Life: 5-11.........Madden: 4-12
San Diego...........Sports As Life: 13-3.........Madden: 10-6

AFC North

Baltimore...........Sports As Life: 12-4.........Madden: 9-7
Cincinnati..........Sports As Life: 11-5..........Madden: 9-7
Cleveland...........Sports As Life: 3-13..........Madden: 6-10
Pittsburgh..........Sports As Life: 11-5..........Madden: 8-8

AFC South

Houston.............Sports As Life: 4-12.........Madden: 6-10
Indianapolis.........Sports As Life: 11-5........Madden: 8-8
Jacksonville.........Sports As Life: 8-8..........Madden: 6-10
Tennessee..........Sports As Life: 3-13.........Madden: 8-8

AFC East

Buffalo.............Sports As Life: 5-11.........Madden: 2-14
Miami..............Sports As Life: 6-10.........Madden: 13-3
New England......Sports As Life: 13-3.........Madden: 9-7
New York..........Sports As Life: 7-9..........Madden: 8-8

There you go - the game and I couldn't be farther apart I don't think. Quite a difference from the NFC where we were pretty close. I feel confident in saying that there's no way Miami is going 13-3 though. The Dolphins were Madden 2008's pick to go to the Super Bowl from the AFC. Well, at least we both agree on what division the AFC Champ is going to come from.

Tomorrow - the 2007 Sports As Life NFL Preview Review.