Ladies and gentlemen, the NFL playoffs are upon us once again. The 'second season', as some call it, is what I personally describe as one of the most exciting times in the sports year. You'll hear predictions from experts and amateurs alike, see various news networks reporting on the games, and read countless opinions and reactions. You'll hear so many updates on Le'Veon Bell's knee that you'll consider yourself a minor orthopedist. You'll read so many articles on picking against the spread that you'll know the odds better than Vegas. You may even watch so many Marshawn Lynch press conferences that you start answering every question with a Lynch-esque, "thank you for asking that question." But most importantly, you'll read Sports Gab's predictions, and you'll thank me. These predictions here? They're the most correct thing you'll read, hear, or see in the next 4 weeks. You can thank me later.
Panthers vs. Cardinals
In a very untraditional playoff matchup, we see a team with a losing record take on a team that is quickly losing credibility for one simple reason: Ryan Lindley will be starting for the Cards. The Panthers may have a losing record, but they've been looking very hot of late, winning four in a row. Granted, those games were against the Buccaneers, Saints, Browns, and Falcons, but Newton has looked sharp and the defense has looked vastly more like 2013's Panther defense. The Cards, on the other hand, have been struggling since backup QB Drew Stanton went down, and is unlikely to return. The Cardinals have been dealing with injuries all year, but the 'Next Man Up' mentality has fizzled out since Lindley took the reigns at QB. The Cardinals defense will certainly limit the Panthers, but if the Cardinals can't put up more than 17 points (which they haven't done since November), I can't see them winning. I predict that a tire Cardinals defense will allow two fourth quarter TDs to SuperCam and the Panthers, putting the game out of reach.
Prediction: 27 - 10
Steelers vs. Ravens
This game is sure to be a hard-hitting brawl between two teams who absolutely despise each other. Gone are the players like Hines Ward and Ray Lewis who made this rivalry enormous in the 2000's, but the animosity and the toughness remain. This season, Ben Roethlisberger has had his best season ever. The Roethlisberger-Antonio Brown combination has yielded 13 TDs, and the dynamic duo looks to prey on a very weak Ravens pass defense. Missing for the Steelers will be Le'Veon Bell, which will certainly be a tough loss to overcome. On the Ravens side of the ball, they have tons of experience being an underdog (see 2013), and have Joe Flacco, who arguably throws the best deep ball in the league. Being able to challenge the Steelers secondary often, and getting at least one huge pass or pass interference call, could change the tide of the game. However, I just think that the Ravens secondary is too weak to contain Antonio Brown. Additionally, the Ravens are still suffering from karma stemming from the Ray Rice incident, in my opinion. The Steelers win a close one.
Steelers 33 - Ravens 30
Bengals vs. Colts
In the Andrew bowl (Dalton vs. Luck), two young quarterbacks will try to bring their teams to the second round. On one side we have Andy Dalton, who has tried to do this three times, and has failed every time. Dalton has struggled in the playoffs in years past, always seeming to through a crucial interception. Or two. Or even three. This year, Dalton has the lightning-and-thunder duo of Jeremy Hill, a big bruiser, and third-down elusive speedster Giovani Bernard. If the running backs can take over the Colts' average rush defense, the Bengals could come out with a win. The Colts have a very poor running game, so they will be forced to rely on Andrew Luck. Of course, that means relying on a Pro Bowler with a great pocket presence and the most passing yards this year. For the Colts to win, Luck needs to avoid making mistakes, as the Bengals secondary is very adept at taking advantage of poor throws. Even without AJ Green, I predict that Jeremy Hill will have a huge game to take pressure off of Dalton, and Cincinnati pulls off the upset.
Bengals 24 - Colts 14
Cowboys vs. Lions
In a marquee matchup featuring big arms and athletic receivers, this game has the potential to be a shootout. The Cowboys' best player is DeMarco Murray, but in drawing the Lions, the Cowboys face the number one rush defense. With arguably the best offensive linen football, it'll be a real battle in the trenches in that regard. If the Lions win the battle at the line of scrimmage, the Cowboys can always air it out to superstar wideout Dez Bryant. The Lions can do the same to their own superstar receiver, Calvin Johnson, but Stafford has been shaky recently. I don't know if this sentence has ever been said, but I think that Tony Romo is the much more trustworthy option. That's right: I'm trusting Tony Romo in a playoff game. Don't make me regret it, Tony.
Cowboys 34 - Lions 21
