NFL News, Opinions, Rants & More

Welcome to our blog here at NFLSeasonSchedules.com This is where we will be sharing news from around the league as well as some opinion pieces to get you thinking. We encourage an open discussion but please keep it civil and act as the adults we were raised to be. If you don't agree with our opinion or just have something to add to a story then by all means do so... but do so in a professional and courteous manner. We read all comments and do not allow: 1) profanity laden comments 2) spam. If your comment abides by these two rules, it will be published here.

Matt Ryan Gets Monkey Off His Back With First Playoff Win

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Bryan

For the first 30 minutes of the Atlanta Falcons NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks, things were going about as well as could have been hoped for, for quarterback Matt Ryan and company.

They were up 20-0, and he had thrown two touchdown passes already, albeit did have one interception in the first half. Fortunately that did not cost them.

And even when the Seahawks came out of the gate in the third quarter on the first possession to make it 20-7, Ryan and the Falcons offense marched right back down the field with a touchdown of their own to go back up by 20 at 27-7.

But then things started going wrong. Really, really wrong. Continue reading →

NFL Divisional Playoff Game Predictions

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Bryan

nfl-divisional Eight teams remain alive for the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans, as that will be dwindled down to four after the conclusion of the NFL Divisional playoff round. Let’s get right into the matchups and our picks for the week.

The Game

Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos – Saturday, 4:30pm ET, CBS

The Pick

Denver 27 Baltimore 20

The Reason

The Broncos come into this game riding an 11-game win streak to close out the season. Denver had a bye week through the wildcard round, and have had a chance to heal up a bit. That will play an important role. The home atmosphere for the Broncos should be rocking as well. Expect Manning to come in and pick apart the Ravens secondary to open up the run game for Knowshon Moreno. Denver wins this one, but it will be a close one. Baltimore is experienced and will be able to make plays. Continue reading →

2013 NFL Divisional Playoff Matchups Set After Entertaining Wildcard Weekend

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Bryan

Aaron Rodgers The 2013 NFL divisional playoff matchups are set for next weekend, after quite and entertaining wildcard weekend which saw the Texans, Packers, Ravens, and Seahawks advance to take of the top-two seeds in each conference who enjoyed Byes.

Let’s look at the NFC first.

On Saturday, the Green Bay Packers got quick revenge on a Minnesota Vikings team that defeated them in Week 17 to get into the postseason. That playoff run was short lived, as the Vikings came into frigid Lambeau Field on Saturday night without starting quarterback Christian Ponder and lost 24-10. And while Ponder isn’t known for his ability to throw the ball, it was certainly evident that Joe Webb and Minnesota were simply overmatched without him. It’s hard to say that the Vikings would have won with him in the lineup, but we know the result without him. The Packers’ win sets up a trip out west to San Francisco to take on the No.2 seed 49ers this upcoming weekend, in what will certainly be a highly anticipated match up.

The other NFC divisional playoff game this weekend will also be one to talk about. The Seattle Seahawks went on the road and beat the Washington Redskins to advance. The Seahawks will pay a visit to the Georgia Dome where the No.1 seed Atlanta Falcons await. The Falcons are hoping to erase bad memories in the postseason lately. Quarterback Matt Ryan had his best season in 2012, being elected to the Pro Bowl. However, an 0-3 record in the playoffs continues to pick at him. That will certainly be a storyline coming into this one.

Out in the AFC, it started on Saturday afternoon when the Houston Texans outlasted the Cincinnati Bengals in a hard-fought defensive battle. The Texans probably didn’t think they were going to have to play on wildcard weekend a few weeks ago, sitting at 11-1 on the season. But three losses in four games to close out dropped them to the No.3 seed in the AFC, and forced them to have to earn their way into the Divisional round. Their reward is a trip up north to Foxborough to pay Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

If you can call that a reward.

The Texans and Patriots will have some great stories and angles in that one to analyze, and looks like it has the makings for an offensive blockbuster. Only time will tell though.

Finally, we have the Baltimore Ravens defeating the surprise Indianapolis Colts to end Andrew Luck’s improbable rookie season run. The Ravens will go on the road to take on Peyton Manning and the top-seed Denver Broncos this weekend. The Broncos remain the favorites on Super Bowl XLVII Betting odds through the weekendRay Lewis returned to the lineup, and will get to play at least one more game in his storied career. Baltimore played inspired football on Sunday, and if they can bring that kind of intensity and emotion, they are a real threat to knock off the Broncos on the road to get back to a second-straight AFC Championship game.

Odds For Potential Matchups In Super Bowl XLVII Available From Online Sportsbooks

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Matt

The chapter on the 2012 NFL regular season has closed and now the page is about to flip to the postseason. With the postseason starting, talk of the Super Bowl is on the horizon. Going into Wildcard Saturday, there are twelve teams that remain in contention to make it to and win Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans come February 3rd, 2013.

So now, the million dollar question is who will be playing in the game? This is truly a big money question because if you predict the matchup, you could stand to make some serious cash on the side.

Bovada has taken to the odds and formulated betting lines for every possible matchup that could happen in Super Bowl XLVII. In case you are wondering, there are 36 possible matchups we could be watching come February 3rd… Super Sunday.

Ok, we have the number of potential games we could see, but which are the most likely ones to happen?

This will obviously stem from the Super Bowl betting lines, with the favorites from the NFC and AFC at the top of those odds having the best odds to face off against each other in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Let’s get into some of the odds for the teams in the NFL Playoffs this season:

Denver Broncos – We might as well start with the Super Bowl favorites, this at least according to the odds. The Broncos closed out the regular season with an 11-game win streak and earned home-field in the playoffs. Quarterback Peyton Manning looked like he was improving and clicking with the team more and more each week. Denver will have a bye through the first round, picking it back up in the Divisional round

Odds For Potential Denver Broncos Super Bowl Matchups

vs. San Francisco 49ers 13/2 (+650)
vs. Atlanta Falcons 7/1 (+700)
vs. Green Bay Packers 17/2 (+850)
vs. Seattle Seahawks 12/1 (+1200)
vs. Washington Redskins 22/1 (+2200)
vs. Minnesota Vikings 40/1 (+4000)

New England Patriots – The Patriots and playoffs seem synonymous don’t they? With little exceptions, New England has been a big player when it comes to the AFC postseason. As the No.2 seed in the playoffs this year, New England gets a first-round Bye. As for their Super Bowl Odds, they are right near the top of the list, behind only Denver.

Odds For Potential New England Patriots Super Bowl Matchups

vs. San Francisco 49ers 15/2 (+750)
vs. Atlanta Falcons 8/1 (+800)
vs. Green Bay Packers 10/1 (+1000)
vs. Seattle Seahawks 15/1 (+1500)
vs. Washington Redskins 25/1 (+2500)
vs. Minnesota Vikings 45/1 (+4500)

Houston Texans – The Texans have to come into the postseason a bit disappointed. They won 12 games this season, but were 11-1 and in the driver’s seat for home field and a bye, up until a loss in the final game of the regular season. Losing three of their final four games on the year put Houston as the No.3 seed, and they will host a playoff game in the wildcard round. It will be interesting to see how they respond. The Texans certainly have the talent to reach the Super Bowl.

Odds For Potential Houston Texans Super Bowl Matchups

vs. San Francisco 49ers 25/1 (+2500)
vs. Atlanta Falcons 28/1 (+2800)
vs. Green Bay Packers 33/1 (+3300)
vs. Seattle Seahawks 50/1 (+5000)
vs. Washington Redskins 75/1 (+7500)
vs. Minnesota Vikings 150/1 (+15000)

Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens won the AFC North division and will get a home playoff game in the wildcard round as the No.4 seed in the conference. Baltimore was largely under the radar all season, thanks in large part to the emergence of Denver, the performance of Houston, and then of course we can’t leave out the Patriots. There is no question that Baltimore has the makeup to reach the Super Bowl. Heck, they were within a breath of making it last year, losing in the AFC Championship game.

Odds For Potential Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl Matchups

vs. San Francisco 49ers 35/1 (+3500)
vs. Atlanta Falcons 40/1 (+4000)
vs. Green Bay Packers 50/1 (+5000)
vs. Seattle Seahawks 75/1 (+7500)
vs. Washington Redskins 100/1 (+10000)
vs. Minnesota Vikings 200/1 (+20000)

Indianapolis Colts – We don’t really care how wild of a bettor or big of a risk taker that you are… there is no way that you would have picked the Colts to win 11 games this season. We’re talking just one year removed from going 2-14 which earned them the No.1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Indianapolis took Andrew Luck, and pretty much haven’t looked back since. The Indianapolis Colts went 11-5 and are now sitting in the No.5 seed in the AFC as a Wildcard team but now must go on the road to face Baltimore in the opening round.

Odds For Potential Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Matchups

vs. San Francisco 49ers 70/1 (+7000)
vs. Atlanta Falcons 75/1 (+7500)
vs. Green Bay Packers 90/1 (+9000)
vs. Seattle Seahawks 125/1 (+12500)
vs. Washington Redskins 250/1 (+25000)
vs. Minnesota Vikings 350/1 (+35000)

Cincinnati Bengals – Cincinnati won seven of their last eight, and reach the playoffs as the No.6 seed in the AFC. Andy Dalton has led the Bengals to back-to-back playoff appearances in his first two seasons. Will that experience pay off this time? We will have to wait and see. But the Bengals looked about as good as any team in the NFL over the second half of the season. The odds are a bit longer for Cincinnati to make the Super Bowl, but there is definitely some room to make a big profit.

Odds For Potential Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl Matchups

vs. San Francisco 49ers 60/1 (+6000)
vs. Atlanta Falcons 65/1 (+6500)
vs. Green Bay Packers 85/1 (+8500)
vs. Seattle Seahawks 125/1 (+12500)
vs. Washington Redskins 175/1 (+17500)
vs. Minnesota Vikings 350/1 (+35000)

San Francisco 49ers – The 49ers might not be the No.1 seed in the NFC, but they are at the top of the list of favorites to win the Super Bowl when it comes to the conference. The 49ers lost in the NFC Championship game last season, and came into this one with something to prove. At times they have looked unbeatable. But then there were times when they looked pedestrian, that included a late and quite surprising blowout loss to Seattle. That knocked the 49ers from atop the overall Super Bowl odds.

Odds For Potential San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl Matchups

vs. Denver Broncos 13/2 (+650)
vs. New England Patriots 15/2 (+750)
vs. Houston Texans 25/1 (+2500)
vs. Baltimore Ravens 35/1 (+3500)
vs. Indianapolis Colts 60/1 (+6000)
vs. Cincinnati Bengals 70/1 (+7000)

Atlanta Falcons – The Atlanta Falcons are the No.1 seed and have the home field through the playoffs. But that hasn’t always meant good things for Atlanta. They had that two seasons ago and went 0-1 in the playoffs. Last year, they had to go on the road, but also dropped in their first postseason game. It certainly puts pressure on quarterback Matt Ryan and whether or not he would be able to win a big game come playoff time. We will find out again this season, but the Falcons have a week to heal up and get ready for whoever survives wildcard weekend.

Odds For Potential Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl Matchups

vs. Denver Broncos 7/1 (+700)
vs. New England Patriots 8/1 (+800)
vs. Houston Texans 28/1 (+2800)
vs. Baltimore Ravens 40/1 (+4000)
vs. Indianapolis Colts 65/1 (+6500)
vs. Cincinnati Bengals 75/1 (+7500)

Green Bay Packers – It wasn’t exactly a pretty start over the first few weeks of the season for the Packers, but Green Bay has looked like the team we thought they would for the most part. Week 17 might be an exception though, as they lost when a first round bye was at stake. They get to play the Vikings for the second time in six days, hosting Minnesota in the wildcard. The Packers won the Super Bowl a few seasons ago, and the odds have put a lot of faith in Aaron Rodgers and company since.

Odds For Potential Green Bay Packers Super Bowl Matchups

vs. Denver Broncos 17/2 (+850)
vs. New England Patriots 15/1 (+1500)
vs. Houston Texans 33/1 (+3300)
vs. Baltimore Ravens 50/1 (+5000)
vs. Indianapolis Colts 85/1 (+8500)
vs. Cincinnati Bengals 90/1 (+9000)

Washington Redskins – The Redskins defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the final game of the regular season, and won the the NFC East. They are the No.4 seed in the postseason, and are led by a rookie quarterback. By now, we all know his name. Robert Griffin III has been as advertised this season, leading the Redskins to their first division title in more than a decade. Expectations are high, as Washington hosts a playoff game on wildcard weekend.

Odds For Potential Washington Redskins Super Bowl Matchups

vs. Denver Broncos 22/1 (+2200)
vs. New England Patriots 25/1 (+2500)
vs. Houston Texans 75/1 (+7500)
vs. Baltimore Ravens 100/1 (+10000)
vs. Indianapolis Colts 175/1 (+17500)
vs. Cincinnati Bengals 200/1 (+20000)

Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks have been one of the surprises of the NFL this season, earning a wildcard berth as the No.5 seed in the conference. Seattle gave San Francisco a big run for their money at the NFC West title, but came up just short. They blew out the 49ers in Week 16, and put the rest of the conference on notice. They are a trendy pick to make some noise in the NFC postseason, with a stout defense, and a rookie quarterback who makes very few, if any, mistakes.

Odds For Potential Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Matchups

vs. Denver Broncos 12/1 (+1200)
vs. New England Patriots 15/1 (+1500)
vs. Houston Texans 50/1 (+5000)
vs. Baltimore Ravens 75/1 (+7500)
vs. Indianapolis Colts 125/1 (+12500)
vs. Cincinnati Bengals 125/1 (+12500)

Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings we able to lock up a playoff berth with a win in Week 17 over the Green Bay Packers. The reward? Another game with the Packers. Though this time it will be at frigid Lambeau Field at night during wildcard weekend. Minnesota is not a favorite of oddsmakers, by any stretch of the imagination. You will recognize this in terms of the odds that they have matching up with every AFC team.

Odds For Potential Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl Matchups

vs. Denver Broncos 40/1 (+4000)
vs. New England Patriots 45/1 (+4500)
vs. Houston Texans 150/1 (+15000)
vs. Baltimore Ravens 200/1 (+20000)
vs. Indianapolis Colts 350/1 (+35000)
vs. Cincinnati Bengals 350/1 (+35000)

Redskins And Seahawks Wildcard Showdown Highly Anticipated

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Matt

Redskins vs Seahawks Out of the four NFL wildcard playoff games this weekend, the one that most are probably looking forward to is the very last one on Sunday afternoon. That would be the game between the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks.

This is for a few reasons.

First, these two teams have passionate fan bases. The Seahawks are home to the 12th man, while the Redskins routinely sell out all of their games. But now we add in two hot rookie quarterbacks, and the way that these two teams finished the season, and it adds to the hype.

The Redskins closed with a seven-game win streak, defeating the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 to clinch the NFC East division, and ensuring that they would get at least one game at home during the postseason. Continue reading →

Rookie Quarterbacks Get Their Chance In The Playoffs

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Kyle

Andrew Luck There are three rookie quarterbacks who will be making their playoff debuts in the 2013 playoffs. Two of them were the top-two picks in the NFL draft, while the other came played his way into the starting line up, and has never looked back.

Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin, and Russell Wilson are the three quarterbacks from which we speak.

Of the three, Griffin led his team to a division championship, while Luck and Wilson each grabbed wildcard berths.

All three will be in action on wildcard weekend.

Griffin and Wilson will be matched up against each other when the Washington Redskins host the Seattle Seahawks. Washington grabbed the No.4 seed as the lowest seeded team to win a division. But the good news is that they get the home field. Griffin has been as advertised coming out from Baylor. He can pass, run, and has made great decisions in leading the Redskins to the division title. Continue reading →

A Look At Saturday’s AFC And NFC Wildcard Playoff Matchups

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Bryan

NFL Wildcard Weekend The NFL playoffs get underway beginning this Saturday, with an NFC wildcard matchup and an AFC wildcard matchup.

In the AFC, they get the postseason going with a late afternoon game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Houston Texans. The Texans probably didn’t expect that they would be playing this weekend, when looking back a few weeks. Houston sat at 11-1, but lost three of their last four games of the regular season and come stumbling in. Instead of a first-round bye and home-field advantage, the Texans will be hosting a playoff game against the Bengals in the wildcard round. Continue reading →

A Look At The NFL Playoff Picture Going Into Week 17

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Bryan

All six of the AFC playoff teams have been decided, so there is little drama going on in that conference other than with seeding. As for the NFC though, only four teams have clinched the possible six playoff spots. Coming into the final week, there are five teams competing for just the two playoff spots.

The Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and the Chicago Bears all still have a chance to make the postseason.

Of those five, there are three that control their own destiny. They would be the Redskins, Cowboys, and Vikings.

The NFC East division title will be at stake between Dallas and Washington when they face off against each other on Sunday night in Week 17. The Cowboys will be eliminated from playoff race with a loss, while the redskins could still find a way in if they lose. Continue reading →

Some Huge Games Headline Week 17 In The NFL With Playoffs On The Line

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Kyle

The AFC playoff picture is set in the sense that all six teams have secured their spots. What’s left now is the seeding. Most of the seeds are up for grabs in Week 17. But on the NFC side of things there are still a number of teams alive for the final wildcard slot. There are four teams in line and alive for that last spot going into the final week of the season.

But three of those four teams which are still alive all control their own destiny.

How is this possible?

Well, it’s pretty easy to understand actually.

The two most important games to watch for the NFC this week are the Packers and Vikings, and the Redskins and Cowboys.

In the first of the two between Minnesota and Green Bay, the Vikings control their own playoff destiny and will make it in with a victory. But at the same time, Green Bay is still looking for a first-round bye in the postseason, and would lock that down with a win over Minnesota.

The second game is in prime time, between the Cowboys and the Redskins. The winner will
win the NFC East division. If Dallas loses they are out of the postseason picture. If the Redskins lose, they could still potentially land in the final wild card slot providing that other teams they need to lose in fact lose.

So as you can see, there is still a ton that can happen.

We haven’t even mentioned the Chicago Bears either, who still have a chance at the playoffs. They will need a win, plus at least a Vikings loss along with a Cowboys loss.

It should be a fun final weekend in the regular season with these two games alone, which will begin in the late afternoon with the Packers and Vikings, and leading into the Cowboys and the Redskins as the NBC game.

Bengals, Colts, And Seahawks Reach Playoffs With Wins In Week 16

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Bryan

Ok folks, it looks like the world has not ended, and we will be playing Week 16 of the 2012 NFL Season.

Three teams enter this week knowing exactly what is in front of them. A victory on Sunday, and they will be in the playoffs.

The Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, and Cincinnati Bengals will all secure a playoff spot with victories on Sunday. Let’s take a look at these matchups.

Entering this season, many probably thought that the Colts would not be in the running for a postseason berth. This team won just one in 2011, and had the No.1 pick in the draft. Turnarounds in the NFL don’t usually happen that quickly. But rookie quarterback Andrew Luck has spearheaded a remarkable season in Indianapolis, where the Colts can make the playoffs with a win over woeful Kansas City on the road. Indianapolis is favored to win, which would be their 10th win of the season. Continue reading →

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