The Hail Mary - Looking Back on My 2013 Predictions

NFC East (My Predictions)

1. *New York Giants 10-6, 2. Washington 9-7, 3. Philadelphia 7-9, 4. Dallas 7-9

NFC East (Actual Results)

1. *Philadelphia 10-6, 2. Dallas 8-8, 3. New York Giants 7-9, 4. Washington 3-13

The Verdict: Came close on Dallas and that was about it.


NFC North (My Predictions)

1. *Green Bay 11-5, 2. *Chicago 9-7, 3. Minnesota 8-8, 4. Detroit 6-10

NFC North (Actual Results)

1. *Green Bay 8-7-1, 2. Chicago 8-8, 3. Detroit 7-9, 4. Minnesota 5-10-1

The Verdict: Correctly predicted Green Bay as division champions and the Bears to finish second. Was correct about Vikings miss out on playoffs.


NFC South (My Predictions)

1. *New Orleans 10-6, 2. Atlanta 10-6, 3. Carolina 7-9, 4. Tampa Bay 6-10

NFC South (Actual Results)

1. *Carolina 12-4, 2. *New Orleans 11-5, 3. Atlanta 4-12, 4. Tampa Bay 4-12

The Verdict: Was correct about the Saints bouncing back, but underestimated the Panthers and overestimated the Falcons.


NFC West (My Predictions)

1. *San Francisco 12-4, 2. Seattle 9-7, 3. St. Louis 7-9, 4. Arizona 6-10

NFC West (Actual Results)

1. *Seattle 13-3, 2. *San Francisco 12-4, 3. Arizona 10-6, 4. St. Louis 7-9

The Verdict: I know my Niners well as I hit their record. Unfortunately, my bias against Seattle led to me underestimating them. I don't think anyone expected the Cardinals to win 10 games.


In the NFC I correctly predicted 3 (San Francisco, Green Bay, New Orleans) out of 6 playoff teams. I predicted Green Bay and San Francisco to meet in the NFC Championship game, but they will play each other in Lambeau on Sunday in the Wild Card round. My Super Bowl pick of the 49ers is still possible.


AFC East (My Predictions)

1. *New England 10-6, 2. * Miami 9-7, 3. Buffalo 7-9, 4. New York Jets 6-10

AFC East (Actual Results)

1. *New England 12-4, 2. New York Jets 8-8, 3. Miami 8-8, 4. Buffalo 6-10

The Verdict: Came pretty close record wise for all four teams. I almost hit on my outside the box prediction of Miami making the playoffs.


AFC North (My Predictions)

1. *Pittsburgh 10-6, 2. Cincinnati 8-8, 3. Cleveland 7-9, 4. Baltimore 6-10

AFC North (Actual Results)

1. *Cincinnati 11-5. 2. Pittsburgh 8-8, 3. Baltimore 8-8, 4. Cleveland 4-12

The Verdict: I went against the grain when it came to the Bengals and I ended up being wrong. Was correct about the Ravens not making the playoffs.


AFC South (My Predictions)

1. *Houston 12-4, 2. Indianapolis 8-8, 3. Tennessee 7-9, 4. Jacksonville 4-12

AFC South (Actual Results)

1. *Indianapolis 11-5, 2. Tennessee 7-9, 3. Jacksonville 4-12, 4. Houston 2-14

The Verdict: I was wrong to underestimate the Colts and I was brutally wrong about the Texans. Though, I don't think you would find anyone that predicted Houston to win just 2 games this year.


AFC West (My Predictions)

1. * Denver 13-3, 2. *San Diego 8-8, 3. Kansas City 6-10. Oakland 6-10

AFC West (Actual Results)

1. *Denver 13-3, 2. *Kansas City 11-5, 3. *San Diego 9-7, 4. Oakland 4-12

The Verdict:  Spot on with the Broncos, and also correctly predicted the Chargers would make the playoffs. Chiefs peaked a year before I expected them to.


I correctly predicted 3 (Denver, New England, San Diego) of the 6 playoff teams in the AFC. I was way off on my choice of Houston to be AFC Champions, but did have the Broncos making it to the AFC Championship, which remains a possibility.

My Super Bowl pick was San Francisco/Houston, which of course can't happen. But my pick of the 49ers to win it all remains in play.