Roundtable: Bold Predictions For Remaining 2015 NFL Season
By Erik Lambert
Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs after breaking tackle by New York Giants middle linebacker Uani
The Mocks crew is at it again with another roundtable discussion. This time the subject has to do with the remainder of the 2015 NFL season in general. What do they see happening the rest of the year and what is a bold prediction they have for what is to come? The answers may surprise.
Nick Barlotta:
Both NFC and AFC wild card teams will beat the 3rd and 4th seeded division winners in their matchups. I believe whether it is the Jets, Chiefs, or Steelers they are all playing better football. The Broncos, Bengals and Texans aren’t healthy or playing well at this time.
Eric Robinson:
The Steelers will go further than the Panthers. Pittsburgh just handed the best defense in the league statistically a piece of humble pie. The Pats are banged up and we don’t know much about Cincy without Dalton. Meanwhile, Seattle is getting hot and the Vikes are a hungry, physical team. Plus Washington is playing great ball this time of the year. Carolina has shown plenty of holes the last few weeks. We’ll see.
Rodney Stokes:
The Vikings and Seahawks meet in the NFC championship while the Bengals and Patriots meet across the way. Teddy begins to gain some consistency as a passer which opens up the run game for Peterson and overall gets the defense going. The Seahawks are flying high with Russells play and the resurgence of the defense. I think the Bengals finally find a way to win but not because of Dalton.
I’m going with a game managing McCarron and a defense with a chip on their shoulder for this team to be carried on. The Patriots will do what they know best and that’s playing great football in January. To even consider someone else late in the playoffs is cheating yourself of what you already know.
Shawn Spencer:
I agree with Eric about the Panthers. They may go 16-0, but I see them falling to the Seahawks in their first playoff game. Seattle is getting hot at the right time and have a linebacking corps that will give Cam Newton fits. While the Panthers have ruled the regular season, the NFC will come down to the Seahawks and Cardinals.
Erik Lambert:
The Kansas City Chiefs, after years and years of bitter frustration, finally win a playoff game for the first time since 1991. A big part of the reason is they won’t have to play the Indianapolis Colts, who are out of the picture and who has been this franchise’s boogeyman for over two decades. This team is playing complete football right now. They have an identity and are sticking to it which is great defense and efficient, physical offense.
If the standings remain as they are they will beat the Houston Texans and then, to finish off the bold prediction, upset the equally playoff-woeful Cincinnati Bengals to reach the AFC championship.