2015 NFL playoff predictions (Part 2 - Divisional)

Welcome to Part 2 of NFL playoff predictions by Thunderbird101 and AT88TV! The Wild Card games have concluded, with home field advantage proving itself worthless. The Chiefs obliterated the Texans. The Steelers slipped by the Bengals with a last-second field goal. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings because of a missed twenty-seven yard field goal in the last moments. Finally, the Packers thumped the Redskins after a sluggish start.

Here are our picks for the Divisional games.

Thunderbirds101's picks

AFC

#6 Pittsburgh Steelers vs #1 Denver Broncos
After narrowly escaping in Cincinnati, the Steelers must engage the Broncos in a high-altitude, potentially cold game. These teams met in December, where the Steelers won by a touchdown. The Broncos will be hungering for revenge with Peyton Manning back at the helm.

Prediction:
Broncos win, 31-21.

Result:
Broncos win, 23-16.

Thunderbirds101's comments after the game
Good game. Defense again kept the score fairly low. Not much else to say.

***

#5 Kansas City Chiefs vs. #2 New England Patriots
The Chiefs continue to be an unstoppable force, more so after obliterating the Texans. The Patriots, meanwhile, lost four of its last six games heading into the playoffs, shattering their perfect record. Once again, the Chiefs have momentum, while the Patriots not so much. The Patriots will not repeat as Super Bowl champions, while the Chiefs will continue their insane winning streak.

Prediction:
Chiefs win, 24-20.

Result:
Patriots win, 27-20.

Thunderbirds101's comments after the game 
After pummeling the Texans last week, the Chiefs found themselves unable to overcome the Patriots. A costly fumble by the Chiefs sealed their fate. The Chiefs could not stop Brady and Gronk, and the winning streak has come to an abrupt end. The Patriots await the winner of the Broncos-Steelers game.

NFC

#6 Seattle Seahawks vs. #1 Carolina Panthers

A heartbreaking/incredible missed field goal by the Vikings gave the Seahawks the miracle they needed to survive in bitterly cold Minnesota. Now the Seahawks must face one of the most dangerous teams in the league: the Panthers. These teams met early in the season, and the Panthers won after the Seahawks imploded in the fourth quarter of that game, which ended 27-23. Russell Wilson's Seahawks must step up and score in all quarters to hold the line against Cam Newton's Panthers. The bitter cold will not be a problem in Charlotte, but the Seahawks cannot be complacent. Beast Mode will return after missing the Wild Card game.

Prediction:
Seahawks win, 30-24.

Result:
Panthers win, 31-24.

Thunderbirds101's comments after the game 

A disastrous first half marred by turnovers and poor defense proved to be the dagger in the heart for the Seahawks hopes for a third consecutive appearance in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks played great in the second half, but nothing excuses the abysmal performance in the first half.

***

#5 Green Bay Packers vs. #2 Arizona Cardinals
The Packers came out strong against the Redskins after a slow start, and now they must face a team that destroyed them just weeks ago: the Cardinals. Despite a solid victory over the Redskins, the Packers may face a repeat of that horrible game last month.

Prediction:
Cardinals win, 41-27.

Result:
Cardinals win, 26-20 in OVERTIME.

Thunderbirds101's comments after the game 

WOW.

JUST.

WOW.

Easily the most intense playoff game of the year so far. A seesaw game that saw costly turnovers, unbelievable plays, and a Green Bay Hail Mary at the end to extend the game into overtime. Unfortunately for the Packers, their luck ran out immediately: first play in overtime they surrendered seventy-five (!) yards. Two plays later, the game is over. Touchdown Cardinals. Larry Fitzgerald will be hailed as the overtime hero, while the Packers end another season in overtime on the road. The Cardinals await either the Seahawks or the Panthers.

AT88TV's picks

AFC

#6 Pittsburgh Steelers vs #2 Denver Broncos

~

Prediction: 

Broncos win.

Result:
TBD

AT88TV's comments after the game
TBD

***

#5 Kansas City Chiefs vs. #4 New England Patriots

~

Prediction
Chiefs win.

Result:
Patriots win.

AT88TV's comments after the game
TBD

NFC

#6 Seattle Seahawks vs. #1 Carolina Panthers

~

Prediction:
Seahawks win.

Result:
Panthers win.

AT88TV's comments after the game
TBD

 ***

#5 Green Bay Packers vs. #2 Arizona Cardinals

~

Prediction:

Cardinals win.

Result:
Cardinals win.

AT88TV's comments after the game
TBD

PICK RESULTS

Thunderbirds101
Wild Card: 3/4
Divisional: 2/4
Championship: TBD/2
Super Bowl: TBD/1
Overall: 5/8

AT88TV
Wild Card: 4/4
Divisional: 2/4
Championship: TBD/2
Super Bowl: TBD/1
Overall: 6/8