Season Predictions
I went game by game. Pretty sure it comes out even. If it doesn't then it's close. Anyway, this is my look at the season.
AFC East
New England (3) 13-3
New York 8-8
Buffalo 8-8
Miami 5-11
Obviously the Pats are still head and shoulders above the rest of the league. Favre doesn't make the Jets a playoff contender. Buffalo is a sleeper, especially if Trent Edwards can just be a good game manager. Marshawn Lynch is capable of carrying that team.
AFC North
Pittsburgh (4) 9-7
Cleveland (6) 9-7
Cincinnati 7-9
Baltimore 6-10
I know. Two 9-7 teams is low for this conference. Look at the schedule of this conference, though. The only NFC division as good as the AFC is the East. The AFC North matches up with the East and Pitt and Cleveland's schedules are pretty nasty because of it.
AFC West
San Diego (1) 14-2
Denver 9-7
Kansas City 4-12
Oakland 3-13
San Diego will go 6-0 in this division. The Bolts will cruise through the regular season. Denver is a bit overlooked right now. Cutler was fantastic in the preseason. I think he'll have a very solid season provided the OL holds up.
AFC South
Jacksonville (2) 14-2
Indianapolis (5) 11-5
Houston 8-8
Tennessee 6-10
Tennessee is easily the worst team in this division to me. Vince is yet to show any ability to throw the ball consistently. I like the run game, but I don't like the defense as much this year. Houston is a playoff team in any other division but the NFC East. Jax ends the Indy tyranny placed on this division. David Garrard is a top 5 QB in my mind. He needs a fully healthy season, but I like the Jags to really emerge as Super Bowl contenders this season.
NFC East
Dallas (1) 13-3
Philadelphia (6) 10-6
New York 8-8
Washington 8-8
The loss of Umenyiora is worth two wins. After Eli, he's the most indispensable player on the Giants. Without him, the Giants secondary, the weakest part of the team, is exposed. There are five new starters in the front seven. Dallas' offense will be close to unstoppable as long as the Cowboys can just keep healthy. WR depth is an issue that has to be addressed. It will not surprise me if Philly wins this division.
NFC North
Minnesota (3) 12-4
Green Bay 8-8
Detroit 6-10
Chicago 5-11
I could see the Pack finishing as good as 11-5. It all depends on Aaron Rodgers' ability to conduct the offense. Personally, I think he'll be a bit inconsistent, particularly down the stretch of the season when games start to mean a lot. Detroit and Chicago simply don't figure into the equation. The Vikes are scary. Tavaris Jackson just has to be 6 out of a 10 for this team to be a contender.
NFC West
St. Louis (4) 11-5
Seattle 8-8
Arizona 4-12
San Francisco 3-13
I don't like Seattle's running game and Hasselbeck is quickly running out of options to throw to. He can function without a big name receiver, but eventually he'll need someone who can make plays for him. As long as the Rams OL is healthy, they'll be playoff contenders.
NFC South
New Orleans (2) 12-4
Carolina (5) 11-5
Tampa Bay 4-12
Atlanta 4-12
I think Tampa Bay has a tough time this season after making the playoffs last season. The Saints and Panthers will fight for the division title until Week 17. I like Delhomme. He'll be more than effective for Carolina, who has a good WR corps around him. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will turn out to be one of the better RB tandems in the NFL. I don't like the Saints in the playoffs, but they'll score enough in the regular season to be effective. Eventually, the lack of a running game will hurt them.
AFC Playoffs
Wild Card
3. NE over 6. Cle
4. Pitt over 5. Indy
Divisional
1. SD over 4. Pitt
3. NE over 2. Jax
Championship
1. SD over 3. NE
Strange to see NE have to play that many playoff games. Still, they're the team to beat for a true Super Bowl contender. I like the Chargers with or without Shawne Merriman. Their defense isn't based solely around his ability like the Giants' is with Umenyiora.
NFC Playoffs
Wild Card
3. Minn over 6. Phi
4. StL over 5. Car
Divisional
3. Minn over 2. NO
1. Dal over 4. StL
Championship
1. Dal over 3. Minn
The Cowboys finally win a playoff game. In fact, they win two on their way to the Super Bowl. Minnesota will be a popular Super Bowl pick next year.
Super Bowl
San Diego over Dallas
The Chargers have been the most talented team for the past two seasons. It just never translated into a championship. I think this is the season it finally does.
__________________
Jonathan Hull
Sports Editor
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