Broncos Hump Day Hot Reads: Second Half Predictions
By Derek Milder
Oct 28, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles (43) is tackled by Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey (24) and linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos went on to win 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Byron Hetzler-USA TODAY Sports
The Broncos were off this week getting some much needed rest. The Kansas City Chiefs won again to move to 9-0 and are now a game and a half up on the Broncos in the AFC West. John Fox had surgery and will miss 4-6 weeks, so defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio will be taking over as interim head coach until Fox gets back. Next week the Broncos will travel to San Diego to take on the Chargers.
Last week I promised that I would update my predictions for the 2013 NFL season. So without further adieu here they are. Whoop! Whoop!
*= Playoff Team
() = Seeding for Playoffs
NFC East
Eagles (9-7)* (4)
Cowboys (7-9)
Giants (7-9)
Redskins (6-10)
NFC North
Packers (10-6)* (3)
Lions (9-7)
Bears (9-7)
Vikings (6-10)
NFC South
Saints (13-3)* (1)
Panthers (9-7)* (5)
Falcons (8-8)
Buccaneers (2-14)
NFC West
Seahawks (12-4)* (2)
49ers (9-7)* (6)
Cardinals (7-9)
Rams (6-10)
AFC East
Patriots (12-4)* (2)
Dolphins (8-8)
Jets (7-9)
Bills (5-11)
AFC North
Bengals (10-6)* (4)
Ravens (7-9)
Browns (7-9)
Steelers (7-9)
AFC South
Colts (11-5)* (3)
Titans (8-8)* (6)
Texans (7-9)
Jaguars (1-15)
AFC West
Broncos (13-3)* (1)
Chiefs (11-5)* (5)
Chargers (7-9)
Raiders (5-11)
NFC Wild Card Round
(5) Panthers over (4) Eagles
(3) Packers over (6) 49ers
AFC Wild Card Round
(4) Bengals over (5) Chiefs
(3) Colts over (6) Titans
NFC Divisional Round
(2) Seahawks over (3) Packers
(1) Saints over (5) Panthers
AFC Divisional Round
(3) Colts over (2) Patriots
(1) Broncos over (4) Bengals
NFC Championship Game
(1)Saints over (2) Seahawks
I believe the Saints and Seahawks are the two best teams in the NFC this year. The Packers can also be in the conversation, but I don’t see them going into Seattle with everything on the line and getting a victory. Both the Saints and Seahawks are great at home and just ok on the road and I believe whoever has home field advantage in this game will march on to the Super Bowl. I think the Seahawks will beat the Saints in Seattle in the regular season but I believe the Saints will get the last laugh in the playoffs.
AFC Championship Game
(1)Broncos over (3) Colts
This game will have all sorts of story lines and would be a rematch of the Broncos only regular season loss so far. While that game was in Indy, this game will be played in Denver with the Super Bowl on the line. I believe the Colts are on the right track and Andrew Luck is the real deal, but the Broncos take advantage of being at home to get past the Colts and move on to face the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl
Broncos 47
Saints 38
This was my Super Bowl pick at the beginning of the year and I am sticking to it.
Peyton Manning and the Saints meet in the Super Bowl for the 2nd time. The Saints got the best of the Manning-led Colts the first time but this time Manning and the Broncos outscore the Saints. Both teams have good offenses so this is bound to be a shootout. The Broncos have been an offensive juggernaut all year and it will be tough for the Saints to keep up. I believe this is a close game until the 4th quarter but a defensive stop for the Broncos seals the deal and Manning gets his 2nd ring.
The Broncos and Chargers kickoff at 2:25 p.m. MDT on Sunday.
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