Speaking of Odds....

One of my Insider features at www.scout.com is access to WhatIfSports . Their latest feature is a projection of the 2006 season.  Projections for the 2006 playoffs were created by their award winning simulation engine.  The engine uses every team and individual statistic available, from a running back's average yards-per-carry, to a team's third-and-short tendencies, to a breakdown of historical player improvement from year-to-year, to determine the outcome of every play.  I'd link directly to the projections but it'd be a violation of their polcies since it's 'paid insider' content.  

Without further ado, your 2006 playoff teams and Super Bowl winner...drum roll please:AFC

Wild Card Round
#6 Miami Dolphins 28
#3 Denver Broncos 44
Game Recap

#5 Cincinnati Bengals 27
#4 New England Patriots 24
Game Recap

Divisional Playoffs
#3 Denver Broncos 28
#2 Indianapolis Colts 38
Game Recap

#5 Cincinnati Bengals 14
#1 Pittsburgh Steelers 20
Game Recap

Conference Championship
#2 Indianapolis Colts 25
#1 Pittsburgh Steelers 33
Game Recap

NFC

Wild Card Round
#6 Philadelphia Eagles 23
#3 Carolina Panthers 30
Game Recap

#5 Arizona Cardinals 37
#4 New York Giants 18
Game Recap

Divisional Playoffs
#3 Carolina Panthers 23
#2 Chicago Bears 10
Game Recap

#5 Arizona Cardinals 17
#1 Seattle Seahawks 29
Game Recap

Conference Championship
#3 Carolina Panthers 25
#1 Seattle Seahawks 34
Game Recap

Super Bowl XLI

#1 Pittsburgh Steelers 10
#1 Seattle Seahawks 16

First of all, do you notice the 'game recaps' below each score?  Those are links to the game's boxscores and full play-by-play.  Yes, they actually do simulate each and every play of the games. One other note. The Cardinals as the #5 seed in the NFC and the Eagles at #6? I'm sure Redskins fans out there would have something to say about their team being left out of the playoff picture. Same with the Cowboys. I'm going to keep this site in my 'favorites' and check in on it throughout the year.  Pretty bold endeavor on their part.  Pretty cool as well.