@nategrayzone NFL Playoff Blog Series. Intro: Analysis of 2012 Season and Playoff Teams
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In the 2012 NFL season, I have noticed that the teams that started
50/50 or questionable have ended with a playoff spot. Vice versa for some teams
that started solid and looking promising, but didn’t earn a playoff spot. Some of these teams are mentioned below.
Green Bay Packers:
NFC North Champs. They had a rocky start 3-3, winning and losing every other
game. Their first half record was 5-3, which was part of their 5 game win streak
that started in week 6 at Houston Texans. Green Bay continued through a mid
season injury to quarterback, Aaron Rodgers who returned successfully. It
wasn’t too serious and it didn’t stop Mr. Rodgers from missing a game. The
Packers were on a roll, having only lost two games since week 5 when they were
2-3. Their final game and loss of the season came against Minnesota Vikings who
earned a 6th seed playoff spot with that win. Green Bay finished
their season 11-5. More on my picks and details in upcoming blog.
Washington Redskins:
NFC East Champs. Washington started the first half of their season 3-5, it was
too early to call if they would be a playoff team or not. Their potential was
great and they were a better team than their division as the season progressed.
New York Giants were atop the NFC East at the first half (6-2), with the rest
of the NFC East open, mainly between the Redskins and Cowboys. Rookie
quarterback, Robert Griffin III, has had a super season, performing above
threshold! He set an NFL record, and is my pick for rookie of the year. See my
blog on RG3 from week 7. I like the Redskins and their style of play. They have
a balanced attack and a solid running game, with a quarterback that can
coordinate and manage the ball well. The Redskins also have a solid second
string quarterback in another rookie, Kirk Cousins, 101. 6, QB rating. Washington
has a comfortable offense. I can breathe easy when I watch them play. I’m not
worried if they can execute and make crucial downs. They have nice options in
their playbook and a healthy offense. There is room to tighten and enhance
their defense. SEA VS WAS,
SUN JAN 6 4:30pm EST. Both teams finished strong with win streaks WAS (7) SEA (5,
this includes winning 7 of their last 8 games). I like Washington in this one. More
on picks and details in upcoming blog
Minnesota Vikings:
The Minnesota Vikings started 5-3 and were up and down weeks 8-13, starting
with a shocking loss to Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Minnesota also finished their
second half 5-3. The Packers and Vikings were both 5-3, while Chicago Bears led
the NFC North 7-1. GB and MIN are in and CHI is out! Adrian Peterson came 9
yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s record for single season rushing yards.
@deionsanders said on NFL Network regarding Adrian Peterson, “Knowing the type
of guy he is, I know him personally. He’d rather have that playoff spot than
that record.” I am a fan of the rushing attack, and I believe you need to have
a solid run game in order to have balance and open up room for more
plays. I like what Peterson is doing and. He and the Vikings have that edge
over the Packers in their bout. This game will be interesting because the
Vikings are fighting to stay alive again versus the Packers.@NFLN_Playbook, Minnesota may be right!
They defeated
Green Bay in week 17 to earn a wild card. MIN
VS GB SAT 8PM EST. I like Minnesota in this one. More on picks and details
in upcoming blog
How about the Denver
Broncos!? AFC West Champs: The Broncos started 2-3 and haven’t lost a game
since week 5! They embarked on an eleven
game winning streak. Some people weren’t sure about Payton Manning after his
ups and downs early in the season, including perhaps the scariest of them all
with his interceptions versus the Atlanta Falcons in a week 2 loss. I always knew
Peyton was back. See my blog on Manning, and another blog about Peyton against
the Falcons here. His level of play has proved that he was a clear solution for
the Denver Broncos. My picks are not in yet, but they just might win the AFC.
Stayed tuned for my picks on Denver @nategrayzone
New England Patriots:
AFC East Champs. Pats were in the same boat with a lot of teams that started 3-3 and it
was immeasurable to determine how well any team would finish the season. They
went 9-1 since week 6 and came right behind Peyton and the Broncos by a loss.
The Patriots recently had two shots at the Super Bowl in the past 4 years, but
fell twice to the New York Giants. They are still a high power team in areas,
and are not an easy match for any opponent they face. They are not the same
powerhouse they once were. Stayed tuned for my picks on New England
@nategrayzone
Indianapolis Colts: They
lost their first game to the Chicago Beats in which was rookie quarterback
Andrew Luck’s debut NFL game. He has since then, continued to improve, help the
Colts win games, set an NFL record, and earn a playoff spot. The Colts started
3-3, and put together two sets of winning streaks, and persevered through the
illness of coach Chuck Pagano throughout the season.. They were discussed by experts and media their
regarding playoff ability. I have picked them to be a good team and a playoff
seed. I like the Indianapolis Colts. It will be interesting to see how their
playoff run goes. Stayed tuned for my picks on Indianapolis @nategrayzone
Cincinnati Bengals:
The Bengals started 3-5, then went on a four game losing streak weeks 5-9, and
picked up a 4 game win streak weeks 10-13..They’ve only lost one more before
closing out their season with three straight wins. I like the Bengals and this
year seems to me that they are one of them teams that were quiet and “snuck up”
on me. Stayed tuned for my picks on Cincinnati @nategrayzone
Seattle Seahawks:
Seattle's halftime record was 4-4. At this time you couldn’t tell if they were a surprise team
again as they were in Pete Carroll’s debut. They've won 7 out of their 8 last
games. They have been on a win streak since week 13. Seattle also has one of the most
controversial victories that came in week 3 versus Green Bay. I never
counted them out. I know they are a team capable of executing and winning
football games. More on my picks and details in upcoming blog @nategrayzone
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