Season 23 Playoffs
by Rich Eisen
Updated: April 4, 2013: 7:45am EST

Welcome to the Playoffs! This article will be updated after each round is completed. You will see the games being predicted by the experts as wel! Good luck to all and enjoy.

Divisional Playoff Weekend: April 4, 2013 - April 8, 2013
The divisional playoffs are here and we're seeing two rookies in the AFC make some serious noise! Can the Jaguars and Chiefs make history and meet in the first ever all rookie AFC Championship!? In the NFC, can the 49ers end the Bears perfect season? Or we will see the Panthers knock off the mighty Redskins? Tons of storylines, this is why the MOF is the best in the world.

4.) Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)	2.) Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)

Dypko: The matchup that Coach Pauly did not want so bad that he was lobbying for the Jets to defeat the Chiefs. The sad sound of desperation in Coach Pauly's voice tells me that he's very concerned about the extremely hot Jaguars, and he has every right to be. The Jaguars were taken over by Coach Hasn2k when the Jaguars were 0-7. Since then the Jaguars have gone 9-1 with Maurice Jones-Drew hitting 200 yards numerous times in the process. There is no question that the Jaguars running game is their bread and butter, and if you can slow down MJD you have a shot. The Jaguars defense also has caused some concerns for teams, including the Raiders last week. However, the Jaguars have not played anyone like Coach Pauly and the Steelers. Pauly's defense is in the top echelon of the league, and it is year in and year out. The offense of the Steelers has also been on a hot streak, so this game is highly anticipated by the entire MOF. Could we see two rookies in the AFC Championship? Or can we see a rematch of the incredible Pitt/Den game during the season? We'll have to wait and see. I think the Jaguars will get off to a fast start, but I'm going to go with Pauly's Steelers to edge out the Jaguars in the end. 
Dypko Prediction: Steelers 34, Jaguars 27

Pauly: Steelers have the pretty record but the Jags are a pretty team at this point in season coming in and totaly dominationg the MOF since taking over a 0-8 jags team, Jags have the best run game in the playoffs by far and a very aggresive Defense that is making the best offenses in the MOF stand still. This game wont be close as the new ringer in the MOF is the Jags coach and he will take care of Bussiness with ease
Pauly Prediction: Jaguars 30, Steelers 20

Result: TBP  

6.) Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)	1.) Denver Broncos (14-2)

Dypko: The schedule says that these guys played twice this season, but that's not the case. Coach Gidpent took over the Chiefs at 1-2 and has taken them to an 11-3 record since then, including a victory over the Broncos back in Week 13 that really turned some heads, as KC beat Denver 37-9. The Chiefs lost two out of their last 3 games to end the season, against the Redskins and Raiders and some people jumped right off their bandwagon. Not me. The Chiefs are one of the most impressive rookies we've ever seen here in the MOF, and the other one is in the other Divisional game. The Broncos have arguably the best offense in MOF history, with Manning throwing 52 touchdowns, and McGahee out performing his skill set. I expect this game to be a lot closer than the Week 13 game we saw the Broncos lay down for earlier this season. I expect the Chiefs to get out to a great start, but for Denver and Peyton to battle back and meet Coach Pauly in the AFC Championship.
Dypko Prediction: Broncos 45, Chiefs 35

Pauly: The chiefs killed the Broncos in the last meeting shocking the MOF world but somthing tells me Coach Brett will not be caught off guard in this game and will be a differnt team, Cheifs only scoring 13-0 points does not give me confidenve they can beat the highest scoring team in the MOF, so I'll take the Broncos in a not so close game
Pauly Prediction: Broncos 41, Chiefs 28

Result: TBP

3.) Carolina Panthers (13-4)	2.) Washington Redskins (12-4)

Dypko: Coach Peezy and Coach Betts did not meet this season, although they met last season, twice, and Peezy took down the Redskins twice! Although that was last season, I still think Peezy has Betts' number for whatever reason that is. The Panthers had a very convincing victory over the Buccaneers in the wild card round, and Peezy has all the confidence in the world going into this game against the all mighty Redskins. Speaking of the Redskins, the all-mighty part is starting to fade away. After the Redskins dropped 4 games this season, which is still a great feat, it seems like an off-season for Betts. Losing 2 in a row to end the season, to the Raiders and Chargers, some experts are questioning his skills. I think this game could be one for the ages, but I cannot go against the Redskins here at home in the divisional round of the playoffs. I expect the Panthers to keep it real close, and I wouldn't be shocked if Peezy won, but I am going with the Redskins in a close game.
Dypko Prediction: Redskins 41, Panthers 37

Pauly: Q and his Panthers are playing there best ball of the season at the right time and Betts and his redskins don't seem to be as dominant as they once used to be, I see this game being a high scoring affiar and the panthers taking it in the 4th QT
Pauly Prediction: Panthers 34, Redskins 28

Result: TBP  

4.) San Francisco 49ers (12-5)	1.) Chicago Bears (16-0)

Dypko: It seems like no one is talking about the amazing season that Youngcat has had with the Chicago Bears, or maybe people are just expecting it? Whatever the case, what Youngcat has done, has only been done by one other coach (in fairness with the rules) and that coach was Dan Dolan, who also did it with these same Bears. The difference is that Coach Dolan won the Super Bowl as well, capping off a 19-0 season. Can Youngcat do the same? Can he handle the pressure? It's not going to be easy that's for sure. I think the worst possible matchup for the Bears is the 49ers, and that's what happened to come about. The Bears obviously didn't lose a game all year, and the offense is so efficient that Jay Cutler broke the QB rating record this season. The 49ers are a very hot team right now, and Coach MMX has been proving that lately. The defense of the 49ers is impeccable, the linebacker play alone can take over a game. The 49ers will have to play flawless defense, and keep the ball away with Frank Gore. I honestly think the 49ers can do it, but EVERYTHING will have to fall for the 49ers, and then some. I think this game will be extremely close, and it will come down to a late touchdown, or late turnover that will seal the deal for the 49ers. Youngcat has been in this position too many times to fail, and I think this will be the first step to a 2nd consecutive championship for Youngcat.
Dypko Prediction: Bears 28, 49ers 27

Pauly: N/A
Pauly Prediction: Lions

Result:  TBP

Wild Card Weekend: March 31, 2013 - April 3, 2013
Well here we are! We are the Season 23 playoffs and wild card weekend is amongst us. We already had one game played, but that doesn't mean we cannot break down the other games! So here goes.

6.) Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)	3.) New York Jets (12-4)

Dypko: The Chiefs hired Coach Gidpent in the middle of the season, when they were 1-2. The Chiefs since then have been 10-3 and on a roll. They finished with the 3rd best rushing numbers, and a running back who is in the middle of the AFC MVP voting. These two teams did play during the season, and the Chiefs won 24-20 back in Week 8. Although that was about a month ago, I still think the Chiefs will continue to play well enough to get this victory. The Jets have been great all season, and their dynamic offense with Tebow and Sanchez, and McKnight's receiving skills pose a threat to any team facing them. Not to mention Darrelle Revis set the record for most interceptions in a season with 18, and LaRon Landry set the record for most forced fumbles in a season with 10. So their defense is definitely primed to cause some turnovers. However I think this game comes down to if the Jets can stop Jamaal Charles, and I do not think they can. Which is why i'm going with the Chiefs.
Dypko Prediction: Chiefs 28, Jets 24

Pauly:MOF game of the week this puts a MOF vet vs a MOF playoff rookie and unless you have been in the MOF Playoffs you will have no clue how much preparation that needs to be done in order to be ready to step it up can compete, Alex knows what it takes and will out smart the chiefs as I don’t expect this game to be close as Alex and his Jets will make the chiefs crumble under all the pressure and will show the rookie what the MOF playoffs is all about, Hail to King Alex and his Jets.
Pauly Prediction:Jets 44, Chiefs 28

Result:  Chiefs 13, Jets 0

5.) Oakland Raiders (12-4)	4.) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)

Dypko: Quite possibly the two hottest teams in the AFC right now. The Raiders turned it on at the end of the season, beating the Ravens, Chiefs, and Redskins on their way to clinching the 5 seed with a very impressive 12-4 record. Coach Trigrdan has went with Pryor all season long and he's proved to be a valuable asset to the team, but can he push them passed the Jaguars? The Jaguars are the story of Season 23. Coach Scholin took the Jaguars to an 0-7 mark before he was fired and then the Jaguars hired Coach Hasn2k, former HCML champion. He took the Jaguars to an 8-1 record in their final 9 games, clinching the AFC South in a shocking development. Now can the Jaguars continue their Cinderella run and defeat the Raiders? I think they can, I am going with the Jaguars to pull this game out with a huge game by MJD.
Dypko Prediction: Jaguars 31, Raiders 27

Pauly: Wow tough game for Dan and his raiders as they have been hot as of late beating a couple tough teams, and the new Jags owner really not an 8-8 coach and he can run, run and run the ball with MJD and like’s shorts as his main passing weapon but I think the raiders will outscore the Jags and will again win in a close affair.
Pauly Prediction: Raiders 38, Jaguars 31

Result: Jaguars 31, Raiders 28

6.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)	3.) Carolina Panthers (12-4)

Dypko: They always say one of the hardest things to do in football is beat a team 3 times in one season. That's what Coach Peezy and the Panthers are faced with here in the wild card round. 35-17, and 27-24 were the scores the Panthers beat the Bucs by. I love the way Cam Newton has played all season he is a serious MVP candidate in the NFC, and along with his 4,174 yards passing, he added 462 yards rushing for a total of 35 touchdowns. When you have a player like that, you are extremely difficult to defeat. The Buccaneers also have a player in Josh Freeman who will be in the MVP ballot. When you look at the Buccaneers, the only team they beat with a winning record this season, was the 49ers, which is impressive. However their other 8 wins came from teams with a combined record of 38-90. That's a staggering number. I believe in who you beat during the season making a difference, which is why i am going with the Panthers to win this game and travel to DC next week.
Dypko Prediction: Panthers 34, Buccaneers 30

Pauly: Is the 3rd time a charm for MR. Jfon or will he continue to wet his Diaaaaappppper under big conditions, and I think this is finally where he shocks the MOF world and slips past panthers in a close game, as its hard to beat a team 3 times in the same season .
Pauly Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Panthers 24

Result:  Panthers 45, Buccaneers 24

5.) Detroit Lions (10-6)	4.) San Francisco 49ers (11-5)

Dypko: The team that Pauly STILL does not believe in, the 49ers, have been one of the hottest teams in the NFC. The 49ers are also another team that has only defeated 1 team win a winning record, the Carolina Panthers, but the way they have been winning is different lately. The 49ers have a top rusher in Frank Gore who finished with 1,424 yards and 18 touchdowns. Their passing game can use some work, but when you have a running game like that, plus that 49er defense that only gave up 226 points all season, you don't need a passing game. The Lions finished 10-6 and surprised a lot of experts. Coach Ron is always a top coach every season, so I'm not surprised, but I do think the Lions will have a lot of trouble scoring points in this game, and I think Calvin Johnson will be a non-factor. Patrick Willis and company will shut down that Lions offense, and come out on top in this game.
Dypko Prediction: 49ers 28, Lions 23

Pauly: N/A
Pauly Prediction: Lions

Result:  49ers 36, Lions 21