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2015 NFL Predictions: AFC Playoffs March Madness Sweet 16

By Dan Salem

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The AFC now shines in the Sweet Sixteen of NFL Playoffs March Madness. Anyone can make 2015 NFL Predictions, so we seeded all 32 NFL teams a la March Madness. Only one will be champion. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Check out more of the brothers in Seesaw Sports Debate on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

DAN:

We threw the entire National Football League into a seeded bracket tournament a la NCAA March Madness, and here are the results so far.

Round of 32:
1 – Cortez Kennedy/Seattle Seahawks division
2 – LeRoy Butler/Green Bay Packers division
3 – Steve Atwater/Denver Broncos division
4 – Mike Vanderjagt/Indianapolis Colts division

Sweet Sixteen – Part one

Here is how the NFL Playoffs Bracket looks halfway through the Sweet Sixteen:

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We ordered each team by their 2015 over/under line, then settled all tiebreakers with each team’s 2014 point differential. Check out Round one for full seeding and explanations.

TODD:

Moving on to the Steve Atwater Region, our first matchup pits the Denver Broncos against the Detroit Lions. Although the region is named for the top-seeded Broncos, I have the underdog Lions moving on to the elite eight.

Denver is a good football team, but it strikes me as a bit overrated. Last year ended so horribly, there was a falling out with a head coach that had won 12 or more games for three straight years. Peyton Manning looked past washed-up to boot. In 2015, most would expect a rebound from Manning, but how long can that last? He will also be playing without tight end Julius Thomas, who moved on to Jacksonville in the offseason. Most people think Demaryius Thomas is the star of stars for this team, which he is, but Julius was exceptional. Even during an injury-riddled 2014, he caught 12 touchdowns to lead the team.

The offensive line is going to be much worse this year as well, which doesn’t help alleviate what might be a crowded backfield. C.J. Anderson was special last year, but Ronnie Hillman looked almost as good before he went down. And Montee Ball is also back healthy this season. It remains to be seen how that timeshare will affect each player’s psyche. At least the Broncos defense should be very good this year but so should the Lions’.

Matching up the two squads head-to-head by position may make Denver still seem superior, but as a collective, it’s hard to argue the Broncos are superior to what Detroit has to offer. A healthy Calvin Johnson makes all the difference in the world for the team’s offensive attack, which was the lone shortcoming of the team last year.

In the other matchup remaining in this region, I like another upset when the Dallas Cowboys face the Pittsburgh Steelers, but this one doesn’t feel like as crazy of a pick. Dallas is going to be pretty good on offense despite the loss of DeMarco Murray. Where it will not be pretty good is on defense. It could be argued that Pittsburgh will be equally bad on defense, although I don’t believe that to be the case. Nevertheless, the Steelers will have the superior offense once Le’Veon Bell returns from his shortened suspension.

The seeding may over-inflate the differences between these two clubs. I don’t think they are very far off from each other, but I do think Pittsburgh is better.

Who do you have rounding out our final eight teams?

Nov 3, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back

Stevan Ridley

(22) is congratulated after his touchdown by his teammates wide receiver

Danny Amendola

(80) and wide receiver

Julian Edelman

(11) in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Steelers 55-31. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

DAN:

My first matchup of the Mike Vanderjagt region is surprisingly straight forward. The Indianapolis Colts face the Buffalo Bills in a battle of opposing strengths. Yet no matter how good the Bills’ defense is, I believe Andrew Luck is better. He continues to improve each year, which is a scary thought for someone who is already at the top of his game.

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I like what Rex Ryan brings to Buffalo, but I hate their quarterback situation. This feels like a gritty battle with one obvious outcome. The Colts advance to the Elite Eight.

The final Sweet Sixteen matchup is the Houston Texans versus the New England Patriots. Since Tom Brady is at most missing four games of the season, he is a huge factor in this matchup. The deciding factor.

I’m firmly on the Texans bandwagon this season. I actually like what Brian Hoyer has to offer. With a competent set of offensive weapons, he can excel in Houston’s offense. Plus, the Texans’ defense isn’t half bad. The Patriots are just better in every conceivable aspect of the game. Not much better, but better still.

Tom Brady is the ultimate nail in Houston’s coffin. New England’s defense may be suspect, especially in the secondary, but Brady makes the offense a near sure thing. The Patriots advance into the Elite Eight.

Here are your NFL Elite Eight, a potential playoffs foreshadowing perhaps?
Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and New England Patriots.

Dan Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also Lead Edit0r, Staff Writer, and Featured Vlogger at BuzzChomp, and a New York Jets Analyst for Pro Football Spot. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Instagram.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also a Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp, a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, and an Analyst for Tipster Labs, among others. Follow him on Twitter.

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