NFL.com: AFC Playoff Predictions

[Daytona Fin]

On the cusp of the 2015 NFL season, our analysts provide their predictions, including the winners of individual awards, playoff teams for each conference and Championship Sunday/Super Bowl forecasts.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ff-predictions-threeteam-race-in-rugged-north

AFC EAST
Judy Battista: New England Patriots. It doesn't matter who they lost from their secondary. The Patriots are the pick until Tom Brady and Bill Belichick retire.

Jeffri Chadiha: Patriots. You can't pick against them as long as Brady and Belichick are together.

Brian Billick: Buffalo Bills. New England has won the division in 11 of the past 12 seasons, but ... In Rex Ryan's first season in Buffalo, I like him to do what he never could in New York: win the AFC East.

Michael Silver: Bills. Fifteen years is long enough. Sexy Rexy, Fly Ty and Super Shady take these loyal fans on a long-awaited thrill ride.

Colleen Wolfe: Patriots. Has to be. I don't want to go with the Patriots, but how do I not go with the Patriots?


Steve Wyche: Patriots. There are holes -- but not in motivation, coaching or Tom Brady's focus and execution.

Gil Brandt: Patriots. The other teams in the division have improved, but the Pats will maintain their supremacy. This is a quarterback's league, and New England's doing pretty well in that department. But it's also a coach's league, and the presence of Bill Belichick counts for a lot.

Adam Schein: Patriots. Tom Brady is about to embark on the greatest middle-finger tour in sports history.

Charley Casserly: Patriots. Still the class of the division. It's just a fight for second place.

Elliot Harrison: Patriots. New England wins the division with a healthy -- if not sterling -- 10-6 record. The Patriots will find the opposing defenses in their division are all top-10-caliber (at least).

Marc Sessler: Patriots. Super Bowl winners often struggle for motivation, but the Deflategate-addled Pats roll into September with an us-against-the-world mentality. Look out.

Dave Dameshek: Miami Dolphins. My only concern is Joe Philbin losing the locker room with a slow start to the season, but a relatively breezy early slate reduces that risk.

Bucky Brooks: Dolphins. Miami's stifling defense sparks a surprising run to the division title. The stellar D-line, featuring Cameron Wake, Ndamukong Suh and Olivier Vernon, is simply too much for opponents to handle.

AFC WILD CARD 2
Judy Battista: Pittsburgh Steelers. They have the league's toughest schedule and will be without Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), Le'Veon Bell (suspension) and Martavis Bryant (suspension) at the start. The defense is undergoing a massive transition, so the Steelers will rise and fall with Ben Roethlisberger.

Jeffri Chadiha: Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore isn't the sexiest team, but the Ravens find ways to get the job done.


Brian Billick: Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals will go to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, but the question remains: Will they finally be able to survive wild-card weekend?

Michael Silver: New England Patriots. Martyred and written off after a midseason swoon, Belichick and Brady will rise again -- and scare the heck out of everyone in the playoff field.

Colleen Wolfe: Miami Dolphins. What? Yes. Not a typo. The defense was really good last year and it added Ndamukong Suh. Oh, and Joe Philbin finally knows who Dr. Dre is.

Steve Wyche: Denver Broncos. Might end up with the best defense in the NFL.

Gil Brandt: San Diego Chargers. With Melvin Gordon leading an improved running game and the defense playing at a higher level, the Bolts claw their way back to the playoffs.

Adam Schein: Dolphins. Suh will make a gigantic impact. And I believe in Ryan Tannehill and think he takes a step forward. I'll take Miami just ahead of Houston.

Charley Casserly: Dolphins. They edge out Cincinnati and Buffalo, as Suh and Tannehill lead the Dolphins to postseason.

Elliot Harrison: Bengals. The Bengals lose out on the AFC North late in season, just like 2014. Yet, Andy Dalton makes it 5-for-5 in leading his club to the playoffs.


Marc Sessler: Dolphins. Ndamukong Suh will change the defense. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor will exit the season as a hot head-coaching candidate -- maybe even for the Dolphins.

Dave Dameshek: Buffalo Bills. This team is loaded ... and Rex is worth an extra win or two.

Bucky Brooks: Chargers. The Bolts' D sparks a run to the playoffs behind the emergence of Melvin Ingram and Jason Verrett as budding stars. With Philip Rivers thriving down the stretch, the Chargers get hot at the right time to claim the final postseason spot.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Damesheck's take is very odd. He picked Philbin as the 2015 Coach of the year. :confused:

 

[Hayden Fox]

The Bills are so overrated. Rex is writing checks his DB's can't cash. Big plays given up by that defense.

Plus, the RB's are not a fit for what they do. I like Taylor at QB, but I think they are far from complete.

 

[AphexPhin]

Can't wait for the Fins to prove a lot of those "experts" wrong.

 

[AEGBRG]

Colleen Wolfe: Miami Dolphins. What? Yes. Not a typo. The defense was really good last year and it added Ndamukong Suh. Oh, and Joe Philbin finally knows who Dr. Dre is.

You got to love this person. She is picking us as if we have went 3-13 the last couple seasons. Talk about going out on a limb and picking us to win the last wild card spot. :rolleyes2:

 

[maralieus]

The Bills are so overrated. Rex is writing checks his DB's can't cash. Big plays given up by that defense.

Plus, the RB's are not a fit for what they do. I like Taylor at QB, but I think they are far from complete.

I agree. As long as we can keep tannehill fairly clean we should do fine against them on offense. Then hit lesean McCoy in the backfield on every single play on defense. Make whoever their qb is beat us.

 

[ChrisTRD]

The Bills are so overrated. Rex is writing checks his DB's can't cash. Big plays given up by that defense.

Plus, the RB's are not a fit for what they do. I like Taylor at QB, but I think they are far from complete.

I completely agree with this. My brother is a huge Buffalo fan and he has been talking so much crap. I see 9-7 at best.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

The Bills are so overrated. Rex is writing checks his DB's can't cash. Big plays given up by that defense.

Plus, the RB's are not a fit for what they do. I like Taylor at QB, but I think they are far from complete.

You're funny. Funny in a wishy washy fickle kinda way.

This is perfect fit for the Bills and that fan base.

Bills make the playoffs next year. Sorry boys. This is a great hire.

Report: Rex Ryan to Bills as head coach - http://www.finheaven.com/showthread.php?362585-Report-Rex-Ryan-to-Bills-as-head-coach

 

[Daytona Fin]

Damesheck's take is very odd. He picked Philbin as the 2015 Coach of the year. :confused:

I guess he doesn't think Joe will have a slow start :idk:

 

[fishfanmiami]

Colleen Wolfe: Miami Dolphins. What? Yes. Not a typo. The defense was really good last year and it added Ndamukong Suh. Oh, and Joe Philbin finally knows who Dr. Dre is.

probably thinks he's one of the interns on staff :idk: