2017 NFL Playoff Predictions

Another season, another reason me and my fellow Bears fans have reason to look forward to other sports seasons (Maybe my Angels can get a good season rolling?)

Regardless, it's time to act right but be incredibly wrong about the NFL postseason, hooray.

Game 1: AFC Wild Card 2 - Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans
Man, the Raiders were almost good this year. Despite their #5 seed entry, the Raiders were a force to be reckoned with, but that all changed when play maker Derek Carr was carried off the field Week 16. The bright side Oakland: The Texans suck. The AFC South Championship Title might as well be a participation trophy, because all those teams are just straight up bad. While there is reason to be happy in Nashville (the Titans finished above .500 and have the 5th overall pick from the hapless Rams) Houston won the most pathetic division in the NFL, and they may do so without their garbage backup QB, or their slightly less garbage starter. And that defense, well, they can only do so much.
Raiders 21 - Texans 3

Game 2: NFC Wild Card 1 - Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks
This one's actually tough. This Seahawks team is almost always good this time of year, but they've looked uninspired this year. The Lions however, have found ways to win. But the talent leads me to believe that Seattle walks away with a win easy. But is it easy? No, but the 12th Man makes their presence known.
Lions 35 - Seahawks 38

Game 3: AFC Wild Card 1 - Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
Miami has been rolling this year, and a match up of a game they won this year should be the recipe for success, correct? Well, Jay Ajayi and Matt Moore may be able to work the Pittsburgh defense, but their own defense struggles against one of the toughest offenses in the league. Big Ben wasn't present for Miami's smack down of the Flimsy Curtain, and his presence makes all the difference.
Dolphins 28 - Steelers 41

Game 4: NFC Wild Card 2 - New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
The Packers are red hot. They "ran the table" to end the post season on a 6 game win streak, and their offense is clicking once again. But we've been here before, correct? The Packers start slow, roll into the postseason, rattle off a nice round 1 win before being stuffed by one of the top defenses the very next week. Well, the Giants pass rush may not provide too much pressure to the nimble Rodgers, but A-A-Ron will have issues throwing into that secondary. Can the Giants offense do just enough to walk out of Lambeau with a W and a ticket to Dallas? Odell Beckham sure thinks so.
Giants 10 - Packers 7

Game 5: NFC Divisional Round 2 - Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons
I'm not going to sugarcoat this, the Seahawks dynasty is over. The cracks in the LoB are showing, and if Colin Kaepernick can put up more than 20 with a bunch of Wal*Mart greeters, you better believe Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are going to have a field day. Question is, can the Seahawks offense keep up? Vic Beasley says otherwise.
Seahawks 16 - Falcons 35

Game 6: AFC Divisional Round 1 - Oakland Raiders at New England Patriots
Raiders at Patriots in Foxboro for the playoffs. Now when was the last time I heard that? Oh yeah, that game where the all-time worst NFL rule kick-started a dynasty 15 years strong. Well, with back up McGloin starting for the electrifying Carr, I think it's safe to say that New England won't be needing any help from obscure rules to make their way to the AFC Championship game. Sorry Oakland, maybe next year, or maybe not, we'll see how that Las Vegas plan is progressing.
Raiders 10 - Patriots 35

Game 7: AFC Divisional Round 2 - Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are really good. I mean, it should be self-explanatory since they're the 2nd seed, but it think it's easy to underestimate them. They may not enter this game with the better offense, but their superior defense my have what it takes to pull it off. Or will Big Ben, AB and Bell be able to run up the scoreboard? My money's on Tyreek Hill.
Steelers 21 - Chiefs 31

Game 8: NFC Divisional Round 1 - New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
The Giants have had the Giant's number this year, going 2-0 against their rivals, being the only team to really contain Dak and Zeke (the only other loss Dallas suffered this year was with Mark Sanchez so I'm not counting that). The Giants have a great defense and have silenced some of the best offenses this season, but will the 3rd time be the charm? Will Zeke and Dak breakout in their first ever playoff game? Only if Jason Garrett can learn from their past mistakes.
Giants 6 - Cowboys 10

Game 9: NFC Championship Game - Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys
If there was one team that could pull the Cowboys down, it was the stone wall defense of the Giants, but I feel that Jason Garrett can rally his troops for the 3rd match up. So with that said, their match up against the Falcons would be in their favor, but it still won't be easy. Especially with Vic Beasley on the pass rush. Can he penetrate the best offensive line in the NFL? Can the Falcons' defense slow the leagues hottest offense? I think there is a shot.
Falcons 41- Cowboys 38

Game 10: AFC Championship Game - Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots
It's hard for me to set aside my anti-Patriots bias to try and have them as a legitimate contender once again. I want to say that the absense of Gronkowski is felt. I want to say that the surprisingly dominant Chiefs offense can pull off a marvelous upset. I want to say that the slight edge that the Chiefs have on defense will be enough to punch their Super Bowl ticket. But I have a feeling, and that feeling says that Patriots win a close one.
Chiefs 24 - Patriots 31

Game 11: The Pro Bowl - AFC vs. NFC
WHO CARES

Game 12: Super Bowl LI - Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots
I've had my eyes on the Falcons making a run ever since that 300 game Julio put up. Because outside of some defensive personnel needs, the Falcons have the pieces necessary to take home the Lombardi. But they have to get past a stalwart opponent constantly contending this millennium. Not to diminish the job the Patriots defense has done this year, but the offense is as good as it's always been, deflated balls and cameras not-withstanding. Both offenses will put on a show, but which defense will make the plays necessary to keep their team in it? Perhaps the defense with the 2016 sack king will do.
Falcons 24 - Patriots 21