Our 2016 Super Bowl Predictions like last year’s finalists to return, but there’s no agreement on the champion. The Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts win it all baby! 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.
TODD:
We each selected our crop of 2015 NFL playoff squads. We had some disagreements, especially with who wins divisions, but not many. Here was the group we ended up with (with discrepancies in parentheses):
AFC: Patriots, Steelers, Colts, Broncos, (Chiefs-Todd), (Ravens-Todd), (Dolphins-Dan), (Jets-Dan)
NFC: Packers, Falcons, Seahawks, Vikings, Eagles, (Lions-Todd), (Dallas-Dan)
As we move through the playoffs with our predictions, the cream rises to the top. Out of the AFC, I like the Steelers and the Colts to advance to the championship game. Both will have dominating offenses but questionable defenses. That used to be a death sentence in the playoffs, but that is no longer the case.
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Besides, there won’t be any dominating defense in the AFC playoffs. Kansas City (who I picked to win the West) will be good, as could my wildcard picks of Baltimore and Denver. Overall though, the AFC will be controlled by offenses and by quarterbacks.
In that championship matchup, Indianapolis advances behind the best quarterback in the conference, Andrew Luck, and a deeper crop of skill players than what Pittsburgh can toss out.
In the NFC, the story is vastly different. While I do have a few playoffs teams who could have good or even excellent offenses (Philadelphia, Green Bay, Atlanta), defenses will actually control this half of the playoffs.
The injury to Jordy Nelson was devastating and debilitating. It takes the Packers’ main strength, which had been arguably the best single unit in all of football, and drags it back to the pack, no pun intended. That leaves the door open during the playoffs for two defensive teams to peak through: Seattle and Detroit.
Seattle is the best all-around team in the conference and will advance to the Super Bowl during this roster’s last hurrah. Detroit though will possess great balance between an elite pass attack and great defense to give the Seahawks a challenge.
When Indy faces Seattle in the Super Bowl, the Seahawks fall short once again. Defense no longer wins championships, and Luck and company will prove that, earning their first title under this regime. The Indianapolis Colts win the 2016 Super Bowl.
Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) on the sidelines during game against the Philadelphia Eagles in a preseason NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Colts, 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
DAN:
The main difference between our AFC picks is all about defense. It’s what gets both the Dolphins and Jets into the playoffs, and throws a wrench into an otherwise offensive conference.
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I like a rematch in the AFC Championship game from last season, with the Colts and Patriots overcoming some strong defensive and offensive opponents to hang on for victory. Defense knocks out the Steelers early, and the Broncos are a step below both Indianapolis and New England.
Ultimately New England looks like a more balanced team than the Colts, and is able to shut down what Andrew Luck and company bring to the table. In an era where returning to the Super Bowl is harder than ever, let alone winning back to back, it’s the smallest of margins that pushes one team past another. For the Patriots that edge is an enormous chip on their shoulder, placed their by the NFL and a bogus label as cheaters. Tom Brady will not stop until he once again puts the football world on notice.
Out in the NFC, we have very different ideas of dominance. I do not envision a Super Bowl rematch, with the Seahawks making their third straight title game. They fall to the Packers early in the playoffs. This opens the door for Dallas to squeak by the likes of Atlanta and Philadelphia. It’s the Packers and Cowboys in the NFC Championship game.
The loss of Jordy Nelson is a big one, but if any team can pull another star wide receiver out of their asses, it’s the Green Bay Packers. They stifle an excitable Dallas offense, and Aaron Rodgers proves why he’s the best by taking his team to the Super Bowl.
When the Patriots and Packers face off in the big game, it’s no longer New England who holds the edge over its NFC competition. The losses in their secondary finally come back bite them, against the league’s top passing attack. The Green Bay Packers win the 2016 Super Bowl.
Dan Salem is a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone. He’s also Lead Editor, 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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