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10 Bold Predictions for the 2015 NFL Playoffs Stretch Run

By @petahrahgas

10 Bold Predictions for the 2015 NFL Playoffs Stretch Run

Tony Romo
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There are four more weeks until the playoffs start and not a single team has clinched a playoff stop. What this means is there is still so much football to be played and crazy scenarios to occur. Here are 10 bold predictions that will occur leading up to the NFL postseason.

10. We Haven’t Seen the Last of Johnny Football

Johnny Manziel
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10. We Haven’t Seen the Last of Johnny Football

Johnny Manziel
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Johnny Manziel had his first taste of NFL quarterbacking last Sunday against the Bills and it was glorious. From fumbling the snap into the end zone to scrambling on a broken play for a touchdown, Manziel was as crazy as we’d expect him to be. Despite not getting the starting nod this week, Manziel will certainly have his chance at the starting job in the near future.

9. Someone Won’t Clinch a Playoff Spot Until Week 16

Andrew Luck
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9. Someone Won’t Clinch a Playoff Spot Until Week 15

Andrew Luck
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Right now, only the Broncos and Colts can clinch a playoff spot in Week 14, but the probability of that is small. It likely won’t be until Week 15 that any team in the NFL is assured a playoff spot, which, when you think about it, is pretty ridiculous. But that’s just how good this season has actually been.

8. Super Bowl Champs Won’t Make the Playoffs

Russell Wilson
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8. Super Bowl Champs Won’t Make the Playoffs

Russell Wilson
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While the Seattle Seahawks are currently in second place in the NFC West, they won't get any higher than that since they have a tough schedule ahead of them. First they face the Eagles on the road, which will be an extremely tough challenge, but they then play the Niners, Cardinals and Rams. That’s a rough end to the schedule, especially since every loss helps the other NFC West teams. Not good.

7. Patriots, Broncos and Packers Will Win Out

Aaron Rodgers
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7. Patriots, Broncos and Packers Will Win Out

Aaron Rodgers
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All three teams have very manageable schedules remaining with maybe the Broncos having the most difficult. But none of these power houses will lose a game and will cruise into the playoffs ready to battle for a free ticket to Arizona.

6. Andy Dalton Plays Bengals Out of Playoffs

Andy Dalton
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6. Andy Dalton Plays Bengals Out of Playoffs

Andy Dalton
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The AFC North is going to be one of the most exciting divisions to watch over the next four weeks, simply because three teams (Ravens, Steelers, Browns) are 7-5, while the Bengals barely lead at 8-3-1. But Andy Dalton will pull an Andy Dalton and start throwing away games until the Bengals fall out of the playoffs.

5. Atlanta Falcons Get Hot At Just the Right Time

Julio Jones
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5. Atlanta Falcons Get Hot At Just the Right Time

Julio Jones
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While I do hate that the 5-7 Falcons are in the playoffs now, they will not have a losing record once the playoffs being. It seems as though the Falcons have finally started to awaken with a huge win over the then 9-2 Cardinals last weekend. With a relatively easy schedule ahead of them, since most of it is against the NFC South, the Falcons have a shot at actually being good heading into the postseason.

4. San Diego Chargers Lose Everything

Philip Rivers
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4. San Diego Chargers Lose Everything

Philip Rivers
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The Chargers were once the treasure of the NFL and Philip Rivers was the bolo-wearing King. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Even worse, the Chargers face the Patriots, Broncos, Niners and Chiefs. Bold prediction: Chargers lose all those games and fall out of the playoffs. And Rivers loses his favorite bolo tie.

3. J.J. Watt Wins MVP

J.J. Watt
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3. J.J. Watt Wins MVP

J.J. Watt
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While I really wanted to predict Watt carrying the Texans into the playoffs, I just don’t see that happening with so many AFC teams above them. But Watt will continue to single-handedly destroy opposing offenses while scoring more touchdowns than most wide receivers to a point were it will be impossible not to award the man MVP.

2. Mark Sanchez Will Kick the Seahawks and Cowboys Out of the Playoffs

Mark Sanchez
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2. Mark Sanchez Will Kick the Seahawks and Cowboys Out of the Playoffs

Mark Sanchez
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The Sanchise has been strong since taking over for the injured Nick Foles and will now start ending playoff chances with no remorse. First, he’ll end the Super Bowl champs' hopes and dreams, beating the Seahawks this weekend Then, he’ll sweep the Cowboys, which will make Romo and his horse riding crew’s job of getting into the playoffs much more difficult.

1. Cleveland Browns Make It to the Dance

Cleveland Browns
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1. Cleveland Browns Make It to the Dance

Cleveland Browns
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It’s a Cleveland miracle! The Browns will make the playoffs, and then be immediately eliminated. But like any bad gift you get for Christmas, it’s the thought that counts. The AFC North is still wide open and ripe for the Browns’ taking. While I think the Steelers will end up winning the AFC North, the Browns will sneak in on the Wild Card and make every Cleveland fan happy for once.

Peter Rogers is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @petahrahgas, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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