NFL Preview and Picks

Finally. We are two days away from the NFL season opener. It’s time to take some unnecessary predictions. Feedback welcome.

AFC East:

1. New England Patriots 12-4

Tough to imagine the Pats losing many games this year, however, I feel like they could easily lose early on in the season to the Chargers at home, at Cincinnati, and at Dallas while they’re waiting to get Harrison and Seymour back. They will win at least one of those three, but will lose to the Colts in Indianapolis late in the season.


2. New York Jets: 9-7

Rough schedule for the Jets. With the addition of Thomas Jones, I imagine they will play teams extremely tough, however, facing a schedule that includes the Patriots (twice), the Ravens, the Bengals, and the Cowboys on the road, and the Steelers at home...it’s not going to be peaches and cream.

3. Buffalo Bills: 5-11

Not sure what people expect out of these guys...they have an atrocious schedule, and are completely dependant upon two unproven guys in J.P. Losman and rookie Marshawn Lynch. They need to beat the Broncos at home in the opener, or things could get ugly fast as their next seven games include the Steelers and Patriots on the road, the Jets twice, and the Cowboys, Ravens, and Bengals at home.

4. Miami Dolphins: 4-12

Old defense and an old quarterback. A team in complete transition with a new coaching staff in place, led by Cam Cameron. I feel like we might be seeing John Beck at some point this season, which isn’t a good thing for the Fins fans.

AFC North:

1. Baltimore Ravens 11-5

Can Steve McNair stay healthy? Will the loss of Adalius Thomas hurt them immensely, or will Terrell Suggs and Bart Scott pick up the slack? Maybe they should be taking a look at Byron Leftwich, just in case, or just hand the ball off to Willis McGahee 25 times a game.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6

If Ben Roethlisberger gets back to his previous form and the transition from the coaching change goes as smoothly as it seems to be, this team could make some noise. Dick LeBeau is still calling the defensive plays and Troy Polamalu is healthy again. Couple that with “Fast” Willie Parker and you’ve got a recipe for a playoff team.

3. Cincinnati Bengals 9-7

They have got to figure out a way to stop other teams from scoring. With that said, this offense is going to be one of the best in the league, even though Chris Henry will miss half the season. The Bengals will go as Carson Palmer goes. He’s got to be an MVP candidate for this team to make the playoffs.

4. Cleveland Browns 4-12

This team is awkward and comical. Coin flips to decide starting quarterbacks, a holdout over $250,000 on Brady Quinn’s contract, and a coach on the hot seat. It sounds like a team looking forward to the draft...or not. Ouch. On the bright side, they do have a promising young core on the rise, and they did add Jamal Lewis. Look for them to play teams tough, but lose most of them.


AFC South:

1. Indianapolis Colts 11-5

They lost so many guys, it hurts to think about. But they do have the same offense, and a more experienced Joseph Addai to go along with it. Hard to question Polian’s ability to create a championship team anymore, and it’s tough to say that Tony Dungy can’t patch up their defensive shortcomings. And they got that guy Peyton Manning, you may know him from Saturday Night Live and Gatorade commercials, the best quarterback in the game today.
Tough schedule. Have to play the Jags, the Panthers, the Pats, and then the Chargers in 4 straight weeks.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7

David Garrard? Get out of here. Jack Del Rio had it in for Byron Leftwich from day one, and I hope he catches on somewhere, because I’ve always thought he can throw the ball with the best of them. Jacksonville fans should get excited about watching MoJo making some magic again this season. Problem with this team, is they never seem to play to their ability, just their opponents.

3. Houston Texans 7-9

Love Matt Schaub. After being my “fantasy sleeper” for years while waiting for Vick to get hurt, his time has finally come. With the addition of both he and Ahman Green, they’ll be one of the more improved teams in the league. Watch out for Jacoby Jones opposite Andre Johnson, who should have his best year yet. Fairly easy opening schedule which gives them an opportunity to gain early momentum.

4. Tennessee Titans 6-10

Sophomore slump is in store for Vince Young and the Titans. They lost a lot of playmakers and they’ll be hard pressed to cover up for them. Although I find it hard to doubt Vince Young because he always makes everyone look stupid afterwards, they won’t get back to the .500 mark this year.

AFC West:

1. San Diego Chargers 12-4

Norv Turner will make Phillip Rivers better, get the ball to Antonio Gates, and LT will touch the rock 30+ times in each playoff game. I said each. This team is stacked with talent and is on the verge of a Super Bowl season. Barring injury, I don’t see why not. Thing is, they’re not winning 14 games this year, their schedule is far too tough. I can see them pulling out 12 though and gaining home field advantage with a tiebreaker over New England from the week two showdown.

2. Denver Broncos 9-7

This all hinges on Jay Cutler, they will go how he goes. Travis Henry is one of the best pickups of the off-season and should thrive in Mike Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme. Look for him to end up with at least 1400 yards this year.

3. Kansas City Chiefs 5-11

Thankfully they signed Larry Johnson, because that’s all they’ve got. He’ll have to run for 150 yards a game to give them a chance in most games. Chiefs fans better pray they don’t see Brodie Croyle this year, because he has looked nothing but horrible so far.

4. Oakland Raiders 5-11

Why isn’t Daunte Culpepper starting? The man looks good and healthy and he’s their only shot to do something this year. If Culpepper can get a handle on the offense soon, these guys might surprise some people with a resurgent running game and a stellar defense. No more bed and breakfast offense or that damn Art Shell blank stare.

NFC East:

1. Dallas Cowboys 11-5

Must win more divisional games than they have in recent years. Tony Romo will be better than good, but they will only contend if their defense can wreak havoc. Look for Demarcus Ware to have his breakout season. Biggest concern right now is Terrence Newman’s heel which could be a hindrance all season long. They have the “fifth hardest schedule” but their talent level matches up with anyone, anywhere. Watch their offensive line come together because of “Bigg” Davis.
2. Philadelphia Eagles 11-5

They will go as McNabb does. If they utilize Westbrook like they should and keep the play-calling out of Andy Reid’s hands, they will be there come playoff time. Key is to not get too pass happy and utilize their weapons...err Westbrook. Defense is another year older and that should worry some.

3. New York Giants 7-9

I’m pretty sure it’s always do or die for Eli Manning, but this time, the bell tolls for Coughlin. This team seems to always be a distraction disaster, however, they do have very good skill players. Their defensive backs are horrible and will be eaten all year long. Even in the weaker NFC, they will not make the playoffs.

4. Washington Redskins 7-9

With as many head/assistant/whatever coaches as they have, they need results. Look for Jason Campbell to be more than serviceable, but to experience growing pains as well. He will be a good quarterback for years to come. Couple that with what should be a good running game and solid defense, and you’ve got a competitive team.

NFC North:

1. Chicago Bears 10-6

No way will they win as many games as they did last year. They will win based off of defense, again. Grossman can barely field the snap, hard to trust the guy to win some meaningful games on his own. They will be there in the playoffs, the goal for the rest of the NFC is to keep homefield advantage out of their hands. Chicago’s merciless in January.

2. Green Bay Packers 9-7

The Brett Favre retirement tour. Too bad he throws as many gunslings (INTs) as he does touchdowns most of the time. I like Brandon Jackson, the rookie out of Nebraska, but he’s a year or two away from becoming a good NFL back. Watch out for James Jones, Greg Jennings, and Donald Driver. Their defense is getting very good, but it’s hard to imagine them making too much noise.

3. Detroit Lions 6-10

No, they’re not winning 10 games. They’ll score some points, but won’t be able to stop teams from doing the same thing. And considering they have games in Chicago, Green Bay, Philly, Washington, and San Diego, they’ll lose plenty. Here’s to hoping Calvin Johnson is the real deal.

4. Minnesota Vikings 5-11

Man, Tavaris Jackson looks horrible. I maintain they made the right decision by taking Adrian Peterson over, well, anybody. That guy’s going to be a handful. Unfortunately, Bill Simmons is right...they’ll face the first ever 11-0-0 defensive formation until Tavaris learns how to throw. Could be a long year.

NFC South:

1. New Orleans Saints 11-5

Drew Brees is great. Reggie Bush should be better. Marques Colston is no longer Mr. Irrelevant! Things are going great here, and their directed by one of the most exciting coaches in the league in Sean Payton. Look for these guys to be right back in the thick of things this year. Their schedule isn’t anything to write home about so they’ll have a chance at home field advantage.

2. Carolina Panthers 9-7

I hate Jake Delhomme. Always have, probably always will. And as long as their running back carousel keeps going, their offense will rely solely on Steve Smith. But, that’s not a good thing. Dan Morgan’s back which should help out their defense, but I can’t see this team doing much more than another up and down roller-coaster type season.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-10

Jeff Garcia will make the offense run, and if Cadillac returns to his rookie year form, these guys could be a handful every Sunday. Defense is getting so old it’s sad, but, at least they won’t make rookie mistakes! Jon Gruden might get the axe if he can’t get any one of his dozen quarterbacks to perform.

4. Atlanta Falcons 3-13

I can barely pick them to win a single game this year. Michael Vick was never really human when running the ball, and well, not much has changed off the field. Bad luck for new coach Bobby Petrino, but...do you guys smell Brian Brohm? I do. Unless Joey Harrington mans up and drops the ‘Y’ and becomes Joe...they’ll be atrocious this year.

NFC West:

1. St Louis Rams 9-7

Steven Jackson will steamroll this division. Marc Bulger’s got his money, he will be as good as he always is. However, how much their run defense improves will be the key to the playoffs for them. It’ll be a knock-down drag out battle in the NFC West all season long.

2. San Francisco 49ers 9-7

How much will they miss Norv Turner? One of the major players throughout free agency, their defense should be much improved. The problem here, is this team can only go as far as Frank Gore can take them, so best not to run him into the ground too early on. Look for Vernon Davis to finally break out onto the scene.

3. Seattle Seahawks 8-8

Don’t trust these guys. Never seem to make any significant moves and they’re going to have a lot of close games in the division. Shaun Alexander should be healthy, but when a guy sets his goals at 32 touchdowns and 2100 yards...he’s probably going to have his ACL sliced by the football gods. They’ll be right in every game, but they won’t be winning the division this year.

Note: This opinion is heavily biased based on the results of a certain playoff game last season in Seattle where a certain quarterback of a certain country’s team...well...you get it.

4. Arizona Cardinals 7-9

The Cardinals are headed in the right direction! I know, I know, it’s hard to believe. But with Leinart, Boldin, and Fitzgerald, these guys WILL score. You can crown their offense, but their defense is going to get manhandled again. Watch for a lot of depressing, long, clock-killing drives against their defensive eleven.

AFC Wild Card NFC Wild Card

Colts (3) over Bengals (6) Eagles (3) over Panthers (6)

Ravens (4) over Steelers (5) Bears (4) over Rams (5)

AFC Divisional Playoffs NFC Divisonal Playoffs

Chargers (1) over Ravens Saints (1) over Bears

Patriots (2) over Colts Cowboys (2) over Eagles

AFC Championship NFC Championship

Chargers over Patriots Saints over Cowboys

Super Bowl XLII

Chargers 34 Saints 27