NFL Playoff Predictions

The NFL Playoffs are just about ready to kick off, with eight teams battling for a chance at Super Bowl glory this coming weekend.  In order to prepare you for it, we’ve decided to simulate all this weekend’s games, as well as the playoff games and the possible Super Bowl match-up.  It was long and taxing, but we’ve got the results right here at GamePlayBook!

FIRST ROUND

Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

There’s no question the Ravens are a team of contention, as you could see from its decimation of the New England Patriots.  But what are its chances against Peyton Manning and the Colts?  Actually, very good.  In the first half of this game, Baltimore went up 14-7 over the Colts on Joe Flacco’s impeccable passing and an impressive punt return.  Indianapolis tried to come back in the second half, with Manning throwing for two touchdowns, but Baltimore kept up with two scores of its own.  In the end, the Colts narrowly lost by three points.

SCORE: Baltimore Ravens 28, Indianapolis Colts 24

 

New York Jets vs. San Diego Chargers

The Jets have found new life behind the arm of Jose Sanchez, but the Chargers have gone through a resurgence as well, with Ladanian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers leading the pack.  This makes for quite a match-up.  San Diego led the charge in the first half, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal against the Jets’ two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.  In the second, however, San Diego scored off another 7-point run and two field goals, cementing the lead and taking the victory in a close victory.

SCORE: New York Jets 22, San Diego 30

 

Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have come a long way this year, thanks to the return of legendary quarterback Brett Favre.  But would that be enough to cool the power of Tony Romo and his Cowboys?  Nope.  Despite valiant efforts by both teams (including some incredible touchdown passes and a whopping run-back by the Vikings), Dallas took command by slight point advantages in both the first and second half.  Even the running speed of Adrian Peterson wasn’t enough to keep the Cowboys from moving to the next round.

SCORE: Dallas 34, Minnesota 29

 

Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints

Midway through this football season, many believed that the Saints could go all the way to the Super Bowl with an unbeaten record.  However, near the end, they eventually collapsed with a few losses.  Would this throw off their momentum against Kurt Warner and the Cardinals?  According to Madden, it looks that way.  Despite some impressive charges led by Drew Brees and Reggie Bush, Warner and his crew pulled off yet another surprise victory in New Orleans.  This quarterback’s career isn’t over yet…at least, not according to the game.

SCORE: Arizona 34, New Orleans 23

So...the Saints, gone.  The Vikings, history.  And the Colts?  Buh-bye.  How will round 2 go?  Let's kick it off!

SECOND ROUND

Baltimore Ravens vs. San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers looked like they could handle anything after cleaning house on the New York Jets in round one.  However, someone forgot to tell them about Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens.  The first half of the game ran pretty close, with both teams scoring big numbers and interceptions.  In the second, however, Baltimore ran with the ball and didn’t look back.  In the end, all of Rivers’ trash talk is for naught, as the Ravens move on to the big dance.

SCORE: Baltimore 47, San Diego 31

 

Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals

There’s no doubt that Tony Romo was expecting a battle on his hands when he stepped into Arrowhead Stadium.  Kurt Warner and his boys weren’t looking forward to letting down a house packed with Cardinal fans.  Unfortunately, despite the valiant efforts of the retiring quarterback, Romo proved too much, going toe-to-toe with Warner’s passing game, even though he had two interceptions.  Credit an early fourth quarter touchdown runback that would push the Cowboys to eventual victory.  Au revoir, Warner.

SCORE: Dallas 41, Arizona 31

 

What?!  Arizona defeated on its home turf?  And the Chargers' surging run dropped to a halt?  Hey, that's the way Madden NFL 10 sees it. So now, it's time for...

THE SUPER BOWL

And this is for all the marbles, gang.  Both Flacco and Romo came out in sheer shootout fashion, throwing passes like they were bullets and letting their defenders run their courses.  By the end of the first half, it was a real slobberknocker (as Jim Ross would put it), with the Ravens barely leading 24-21.  The second half, however, was even closer.  Tony Romo and his team put two touchdowns on the board, and they were destined to win it all at one point.  Then came the fourth quarter, however, and Flacco working a comeback like you wouldn't believe.  Two touchdowns and a pair of successful two-point completions gave them the edge to win it all, 40-35.  Congrats, Ravens, you are the virtual champions.  Now let's see you do it again in real life, huh?  (Cue "We Are the Champions").

SCORE: Baltimore 40, Dallas 35