Dallas, Patriots to play for title

I was right.

Remember way back in September when I told you the Dallas Cowboys would win the NFC East despite starting rookies at quarterback and running back?

Well, I was right.

Remember when I told you the New England Patriots would win yet another division title despite Tom Brady’s four-game suspension, Green Bay and Seattle would climb back to the top of their divisions and Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Detroit would be playoff teams?

Right, right and right.

So, there you have it. I was right.

You may ask: But wait, aren’t there 12 playoff teams? He only listed seven.

Well sure there are. But I’m not super interested in talking about the other five.

I mean, I got more than 50 percent of my picks right. Isn’t that enough?

No?

Fine. Fine.

I suppose in addition to the good predictions it’s fair to also admit I had Carolina, Arizona, Denver, Cincinnati and Indianapolis as playoff picks as well. (And the choice of the Cardinals to win the Super Bowl isn’t looking too good.)

OK, OK, my picks were mediocre. But that’s not going to stop me from making more for the playoffs.



Wild card

Oakland at Houston — If Derek Carr were playing, this one would be easy. The Raiders were a real Super Bowl contender with him. Thanks to his injury, they will be gone in the first round. The Texans will win an ugly game.

Detroit at Seattle — With apologies to our sports editor, the Lions are not very good. They eked out a bunch of close wins, but rank 21st in total offense and 18th in total defense. And they lost their last three games. They will make it four in a row.

Miami at Pittsburgh — Miami was playing well, but I would have picked Pittsburgh even if Ryan Tannehill had not gotten hurt. With him out, the high-powered Steelers will roll.

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers — Aaron Rodgers played at an MVP level during the second half of the season. Combine that with the fact that I’m not sold at all on the Giants and it makes for a home team sweep in the opening round.

Divisional

Houston at New England — Bill Belichick and Tom Brady must be living right. This is about as easy a game as they could have asked for in the divisional round. We’ll see the Patriots in the AFC title game.

Seattle at Atlanta — These two played earlier this year and the Seahawks won, although there was some controversy about a no-call on what could have been a pass interference against Julio Jones. No matter. I pick Seattle again anyway.

Pittsburgh at Kansas City — Though I chose the Chiefs to make the playoffs, I’m still not a believer in quarterback Alex Smith. Pittsburgh is just better. Ben Roethlisberger and company will find a way to win.

Green Bay at Dallas — Now this is playoff football. Packers at Cowboys. It feels like the mid-’90s. It’s hard to pick against Rodgers, but Dallas has been the best team in the NFC all year. I don’t think the spotlight will be too big for Dak and Zeke.



Championship

Pittsburgh at New England — Not much surprise here. Though my NFC Super Bowl pick flamed out, the Patriots were my AFC selection in the preseason. I’m sticking to my guns and saying Brady and Belichick head to the Super Bowl.

Seattle at Dallas — This is easily the toughest game for me to pick. Dallas has been amazing this year, but Seattle has the Super Bowl pedigree. My head is telling me to pick the Seahawks, but I just have a feeling about the Cowboys.



Super Bowl

New England vs. Dallas

Can the Patriots really win a championship without Rob Gronkowski? That seems unlikely.

But then I remember that they once won a Super Bowl with Troy Brown — a receiver — starting at cornerback. There seems to be no limit to what Brady and Belichick can do together.

They will each pick up win No. 5 — Brady surpassing Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana and Belichick stepping ahead of Chuck Noll — to solidify themselves as the greatest quarterback/coach duo of all time