Contenders and pretenders

NFL playoffs are here so here is a quick look into who I think are contenders for the Super Bowl and who are just pretending.

NFC
1. Atlanta Falcons: Not many 1 seeds have ever been called pretenders but that's what I'm calling them. Mike Smith and Matt Ryan have never won a playoff game, they have lost their unbeaten record at home to fall back on and most of all they have been found out in recent weeks. The defence is slow and has holes at linebacker and in the secondary and I still do not believe Ryan can produce when it matters.

2. San Francisco 49ers: Contenders, they have been deep in the playoffs recently have the best all round defence in the game and have a game plan that works. With their rookie QB they can even be dynamic and a little explosive an element they were missing last year.

3. Green Bay Packers: Packers are similar to the 49ers in the fact they have been to the playoffs recently and winning it a couple of years ago. They still have Rogers which makes this offence one of the most complete offences around. They do have holes on the defensive side of the ball but they get it done when it counts. That's why I'm counting them as a contender.

4. Washington Redskins: What a change around from a year ago this defence was real last year and is again this year they know how to make plays when it counts. RGIII has bought the option read offence to life and looks just as advertised a year ago. In the future they are going to be contenders when they add a few more pieces defensively and RGIII is a bit more experienced but this year they are pretenders.

5.Seattle Seahawks: Absolute 100% contenders. Know one wants to meet them in the playoffs even though the likely hood of them playing at home is slim to none. The defence is young and quick and can shutdown anyone ask the 49ers. The offence is balanced with Wilson they will run off the play action Lynch can bring and Wilson throws a good deep ball. Be aware of the Seahawks.

6. Minnesota Vikings: offensively they do not have enough play makers and will not be able to open up any of these top ranked defences. Their defence is under estimated but they could be playing catch up a lot. Vikings are pretenders.

AFC

1. Denver Broncos: Manning is clicking with the offence which looks totally different and so dangerous with him at the commands. The defence has always been a top 10 D consistently for years plus they have home field advantage through out. They are really contenders for the big prize.

2. New England Patriots. Belicheck and Brady have never been called pretenders and I'm not going to start here. When it comes to playoff football there is no franchise better, Brady even looks hungry recently plus going to Fox borough in January is not an easy thing.

3. Houston Texans. The Texans are ravaged by injuries especially on defence when fully fit they are up there as a contender. However with all the injuries on defence it puts them at a disadvantage one I do not think they can over come. Unfortunately they are pretenders but they will be back next year.

4. Baltimore Ravens. My heart says yes they are a contender and Ray Lewis will bow out on the biggest stage as a two time world champion. Yet my head says they are pretenders that defence could be the leakiest against the run in the playoffs and the offence can be pushed off balanced at times. Please Flacco and co stand up and do it for number 52.

5. Indianapolis Colts. The great franchise returns to the playoffs after a one year absence and they will stay in it for a while. Luck is legitimately elite and will have his chance at the big prize. This year they are too young and in experienced resulting in a pretender card from me.

6. Cincinnati Bengals. If they were in the NFC they would not be in the playoffs. This offence is horrible they will not compete with any one in the playoffs. Their defence front four is what has got them here they are brilliant and should not be under estimated. Bengals though are the biggest pretenders.

Those of you that have been following my bowl predictions. I predicted 6 games last night and went 5-1 to make me 7-3 through the bowl season. Tomorrows prediction is as follows.
Fiesta Bowl: Oregon win and send Chip Kelly to the NFL with a bowl win.