2015 NFL Playoffs Predictions: Seattle Seahawks will win it all

Aug 28, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback

(22) follows the run by Arizona Cardinals running back

(30) as tight end

(85) blocks during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

AFC: 

No.6: San Diego Chargers, 11-5 

The Chargers starting 22 players are very good. Despite a tough schedule, the Chargers will be able to pull out a 11-5 season due to the great balance they will be able to have on offense due to the addition of Melvin Gordon. Their defense is very balanced as well as their front seven will be quite solid and I really like their secondary  because they have three solid cornerbacks in Flowers, Verrett and Robinson. This team needs to be healthy to be able to make a deep playoff run, as their team really is a few injuries away from being a mediocre team.

No.5: Kansas City Chiefs,  11-5

Kansas city avoided a No.6 seed by having the tie-breaker in my predictions. They will have to be a run first offense to have offensive success. This should open up room for Smith to get the ball to Maclin, Kelce and Charles in the receiving game and then they could put up some points. On defense this team is good, especially with the return of Eric Berry who should be able to get back to 100 percent by the end of the season. With a terrifying pass rush and just a great defense all around, they will have to rely on them to win the games for them.

No.4: Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-6 

As the worst of the division winners, Pittsburgh falls into the four seed. This is largely due to their incredibly hard schedule. This schedule against a lot of pass heavy teams will expose their weaknesses in the secondary, and I think a lot of those games will turn into shootouts during the regular season. The Steelers are looking to make up for their disappointing playoff loss to Baltimore last year. Everyone knows the offense will be very good if the three B’s can be healthy, but the defense will have to stop opposing teams otherwise they will not have success.

No.3: Denver Broncos, 12-4 

To me the Broncos may be the most talented team in the AFC, especially if Manning will play like his old self, but a rigorous schedule will have them fall below the Colts and Patriots into the third sead. This team is extremely good as their only real flaw is their offensive line.

If Peyton plays like he normally does, the offense will be able to put up points against most of the defenses of the AFC playoff teams and the defense should be able to stop most teams as well, as they will have a great pass rush and secondary, which is the key against so many pass heavy opponents. This is the best chance Peyton is going to get, but can he use it?

No.2: Indianapolis Colts, 13-3 

The Colts have  the easiest schedule and honestly if they don’t get the No.1 seed it should be a disappointment, if you compare their schedule to Denvers and the fact that New England will most likely be without Tom Brady for the first four weeks. Still I have them only at the No.2 seed as I think they are a bit overrated.

Luck has struggled against very good secondaries and he will face a couple during the regular season. In the playoffs it will be the defense that must step it up if they want to win. Luck also has to show that he can utilize the plethora of targets that he has and lead his team to a Super Bowl, as this is his best chance.

No.1: New England Patriots, 13-3 

It will be a tough for the Patriots to get to a 13-3 record without Tom Brady, as they realistically could start 1-3 without him if Garappolo doesn’t produce. I think they won’t start that poorly and I think when returning  from his suspension, Tom Brady will let all his anger out on opposing defenses and dominate the league.

The defense and especially the secondary has the potential to not be as bad as most people think they will be, especially with Bill Belichick as their coach. If they get home-field advantage, the Patriots are in a great position to make another Super Bowl appearance, as they really don’t lose much at home, but I think if they get themselves  in a situation where they have to go to Denver, I think they will be in trouble.

Why don’t the 11-5 Miami Dolphins make it? 

While I did predict the Dolphins to get to an 11-5 record, they will sadly fall just short of the playoffs. I have them losing the tie-breaker with San Diego I think they will lose their week 15 matchup with them, and they will have a worse record in common games as Kansas City. The Dolphins are definitely  good enough to be a playoff team, but sadly they fall just short.