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The MMQB’s 2014 Predictions Extravaganza
Playoff Predictions Peter King: Broncos vs. Colts Greg Bedard: Chargers vs. Patriots Jenny Vrentas: Broncos vs. Colts Robert Klemko: Chargers vs. Patriots
The MMQB’s 2014 Predictions Extravaganza
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The MMQB’s 2014 Predictions Extravaganza
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Playoff Predictions
| AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | AFC Wild Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Peter King | Patriots | Ravens | Colts | Broncos | Bengals & Chargers |
Greg Bedard | Patriots | Bengals | Colts | Broncos | Chargers & Jets |
Jenny Vrentas | Patriots | Ravens | Colts | Broncos | Chargers & Steelers |
Robert Klemko | Patriots | Bengals | Colts | Broncos | Chargers & Steelers |
Emily Kaplan | Patriots | Ravens | Colts | Broncos | Dolphins & Steelers |
Andy Benoit | Patriots | Ravens | Colts | Broncos | Dolphins & Steelers |
Peter King:
Broncos vs. Colts
Greg Bedard:
Chargers vs. Patriots
Jenny Vrentas:
Broncos vs. Colts
Robert Klemko:
Chargers vs. Patriots
Emily Kaplan:
Colts vs. Patriots
Andy Benoit:
Colts vs. Patriots
| NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | NFC Wild Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Peter King | Eagles | Packers | Saints | Seahawks | 49ers & Buccaneers |
Greg Bedard | Eagles | Packers | Saints | Seahawks | 49ers & Buccaneers |
Jenny Vrentas | Eagles | Packers | Saints | Seahawks | 49ers & Bears |
Robert Klemko | Eagles | Bears | Saints | 49ers | Packers & Seahawks |
Emily Kaplan | Eagles | Packers | Saints | Seahawks | 49ers & Buccaneers |
Andy Benoit | Eagles | Packers | Buccaneers | Seahawks | 49ers & Saints |
Peter King:
Packers vs. Saints
Greg Bedard:
Saints vs. Seahawks
Jenny Vrentas:
Packers vs. Saints
Robert Klemko:
49ers vs. Bears
Emily Kaplan:
Packers vs. Seahawks
Andy Benoit:
Packers vs. Seahawks
The MMQB’s 2014 Predictions Extravaganza
Who will play for the Lombardi on Feb. 1 in Glendale, Arizona? The MMQB writers have a few guesses ...
Seattle’s the best team I saw in training camp (I saw 27 teams live), but with no Super Bowl winner in the last nine years going on to win a playoff game the next year, I sense a trend. Green Bay will get a lively Julius Peppers and a more durable Clay Matthews, along with a big-time secondary, to help Aaron Rodgers, who won’t have to score 33 points every week to ensure victory. Look out for Philadelphia, though. I see the Eagles winning home-field in a weakened NFC East, and they could be the team that gets hot down the stretch and takes advantage of playing at home to win the conference. — Peter King
I think the Patriots will get some breaks in the injury department this year, but I still have a tough time seeing them edging Seattle for the Lombardi. Yes, I know all the stats about defending Super Bowl champions being unable to actually defend the title, but that was before the new CBA. We’ve never had a recent defending champion with a quarterback making a mere $662,434. That makes all other comparisons moot, because it has allowed the Seahawks to maintain the core of their roster like few defending champions ever have. They will join the Broncos and Patriots as the only repeat champions in the salary cap era. — Greg Bedard
Putting the Broncos back in the Super Bowl has less to do with them being driven by last season’s bitter ending and more to do with the fact that this is a better team than it was in 2013. Denver lost Eric Decker but gained Emmanuel Sanders; lost Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie but gained Aqib Talib; gained DeMarcus Ware, and returned left tackle Ryan Clady. Aaron Rodgers is the league’s most talented quarterback, and with a no-huddle offense and a talented running back to complement, he has the means to get back to the Super Bowl. The difference for Denver this year will be its defense. — Jenny Vrentas
There isn’t a lot of faith being put in San Francisco by NFL pundits, which is part of the reason why I like them. Though they’re staring down the barrel of an Aldon Smith suspension, the 49ers’ three straight seasons of playoff disappointment are firmly in the rearview. If this team can stay in contention long enough for NaVorro Bowman to return from his knee injury, San Fran could hit its stride and be dangerous in the second half of the season. One thing to note about this schedule: The first meeting with Seattle isn’t until Nov. 27, and the second isn’t until Dec. 14, leaving the Niners plenty of time to get everyone on the field. I’m watching the early season for how well Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Johnson connect, which could be the element that lifts this team. — Robert Klemko
Tempted to pick the Seahawks (they’re the same as last year, if not better) but history tells me to choose otherwise. That’s why I’m going with the Patriots, who have a revamped and dominant defense, a healthy (for now) Gronk highlighting a balanced offense and Tom Brady still throwing the ball. The Pats will skate through an easy division, claw through the playoffs and win one more for Brady as he enters his twilight. — Emily Kaplan
The Packers are the deepest, most diverse team in the NFL. Eddie Lacy gives them a sustainable rushing attack, though it’s Aaron Rodgers’ explosiveness through the air, highlighted by the diversity Randall Cobb provides, that will propel this team. Defensively, if Clay Matthews is healthy, they’ll be able to rush the passer. And they have a litany of talent in the secondary. The Patriots are a product of deductive reasoning to make it this far. I like the Colts to make a tremendous leap forward and probably even capture the No. 1 seed, but I’m not sold on their defense being Super Bowl-caliber. The Broncos are clearly the most talented AFC team, but it’s been 43 years since a reigning Super Bowl loser won the Lombardi the next year. The Ravens are good but not great, and it’d be silly to pick a wild-card team to win it. That leaves the Patriots, a borderline offensive juggernaut with an improved defense. But they can’t top the Pack. — Andy Benoit
Who got it right? Who got it wrong? Join the debate!
The MMQB’s 2014 Predictions Extravaganza
KING: Emmanuel Sanders (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
BEDARD, VRENTAS AND KAPLAN: Darrelle Revis (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
KLEMKO: Josh McCown (Vaugh Ridley/Getty Images)
BENOIT: Steve Smith (Larry French/Getty Images)
The MMQB’s 2014 Predictions Extravaganza
KING: Peyton Manning and Brett Favre (John Biever/SI/The MMQB :: 2)
BEDARD: Russell Wilson (John W. McDonough/SI/The MMQB)
VRENTAS: Jadeveon Clowney (Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
KLEMKO: Robert Griffin III (Larry French/GettyImages)
KAPLAN: Blake Bortles (Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
BENOIT: Andrew Luck (Elsa/Getty Images)
The MMQB’s 2014 Predictions Extravaganza
KNG AND BENOIT: Jamaal Charles (Al Tielemans/SI/The MMQB)
BEDARD: LeSean McCoy (Al Tielemans/SI/The MMQB)
VRENTAS: Earl Thomas (Al Tielemans/SI/The MMQB)
KLEMKO: Justin Houston (David E. Klutho/SI/The MMQB)
KAPLAN: Sammy Watkins (Fred Vuich/SI/The MMQB)
The MMQB’s 2014 Predictions Extravaganza
KING: Keenan Allen (Orlando Ramirez/Icon SMI)
BEDARD: Chandler Jones (Damian Strohmeyer/SI/The MMQB)
VRENTAS: Zach Ertz (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
KLEMKO: Andre Ellington (Jed Jacobsohn/SI/The MMQB)
KAPLAN: Markus Wheaton (Jeremy McKnight/Icon SMI)
BENOIT: Andre Holmes (Bob Levey/Getty Images)
The MMQB’s 2014 Predictions Extravaganza
KING: Andre Johnson (Jack Dempsey/AP)
BEDARD: Jamaal Charles (Michael Conroy/AP)
VRENTAS AND KLEMKO: Cam Newton (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)
KAPLAN: Reggie Bush (Jed Jacobsohn/SI/The MMQB)
BENOIT: Daryl Washington (Stephen Brashear/AP)
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