My 2nd Annual NFL Predictions!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

As I did last year, I went through every game on the NFL schedule and picked a winner and a loser. I compiled took their records to fill in the playoff bracket and then picked winners. Let me know what you think or how insane you think I am. My record for last year was 58%.

[LeftNYC]

1. The Jets will be better than 8-8...nt

[marbuc]

2. The Washington Redskins (can they please change the name?)

will make the playoffs this year! My only prediction, and it will happen.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

18. I think you stand alone in that one, but best of luck!

:hi:

[marbuc]

22. I think they will surprise.

If not, at least they'll have a high draft pick next year. Wait, they traded it to Denver for the right to select a backup QB. :crazy:

[KamaAina]

27. Chesapeake Bay Region Indigenous Persons

Gregg Easterbrook ("Tuesday Morning Quarterback") at nfl.com has a host of revised team names: the Persons' neighbors to the north are the Baltimore Nevermores, the three-time Super Bowl champs are the Flying Elvii, the Giants and Jets are Jersey/A and B respectively, and so on.

[rinsd]

3. You have more 3 wins or less teams that ever in history...

...and my Giants will be 9-7 this year possibly sneaking into the playoofs.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

15. Like I said elsewhere

Picking every game head-to-head will naturally produce more extremes than what will really happen. But I'll sell my kidneys if the Giants wind up 9-7. They're still atrocious.

[Jersey Devil]

39. Then you haven't been paying attention

The Giants have improved every phase of the team and though their record in the 2nd half last year was atrocious, Manning improved every game and the team had so many injuries that in the 2nd half they sometimes had only 5 or 6 starters on both sides of the ball lining up.

If they stay relatively healthy they will improve, especially in the NFC East, a very weak division after the Eagles.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

43. You make it sound like I'm the only one picking them to be in last.

Eli may be getting better, but he's still a LONG way off. Tiki Barber is over 30, when RBs age in dog years. You're relying on a 4th round rookie as your power back. Plax Burress is a team cancer and Amani Toomer is also damn old. Shockey's inconsistent (except for his mouth). The OLine could be good, but they'll need time to coalesce. The DLine is also unproven and Strahan is coming off of injury. Their Linebacking corps is barely adequate. Their secondary has a bunch of question marks.

They'll be fighting for 3rd with the Skins at best.

[DaveinMD]

48. There is so much wrong here I don't know where to start

1. Tiki Barber is coming off not only the best season of his career, but the best season of any Giants running back in their history.

2. That 4th round rookie is a first round talent. He's a 265 back with the moves of a 210 pounder and runs with great power. He's the steal of the draft. Many outside observers have marveled over him.

3. Toomer is 32 years old. Lots of receivers his age do very well. He's coming off a season where he played thru a torn hammy. A return to form is likely. That form was that of a very good receiver.

4. Burress is a bona fide deep threat. Hardly a cancer. He draws deep coverage. Hines Ward did a lot worse over the years with him out of the lineup than in it.

5. Shockey's problem has been injuries. He's still coming off a very productive year despite being hurt, and having a pass block a lot more than he should have. He's healthier than ever and won't have to block as much.

6. Antonio Pierce is a top notch middle linebacker and may have been the best signing of any team this offseason.

7. What makes Dallas so much better. They had the same record as NY and the Giants beat them twice. They have added stop gaps, while the Giants have added young core players and will see great improvement from their young QB. The Giants will be in the playoffs.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

52. I think Dallas sucks too.

But their defense is superior to the Giants', which will earn them a few more wins.

And a lot of those "observations" I made came courtesy of Scouts Inc. Do I totally trust them? No. But I trust them more than an overly hopeful Giants fan.

[DaveinMD]

55. Scouts Inc.

Another media service that bases predictions based on the previous year. Hardly a worthy source. I can throw back Adam Schein and John Riggins of NFL Radio who both predict a good year out of the Giants.

[rinsd]

91. What does a kidney go for these days? ;-) (nt)

[Jersey Devil]

38. Providing Manning stays healthy

He improved in just about every game once he started last year though the win-loss record might not show it.

OL is better, linebackers better, DBs healthy and improved, a real power running back now, Shockey healthy, everything pointing to much improvement imo.

I want to see how they do tonight against the Jets in the first half (without Manning) to see how they match up with them since I think the Jets have a very good team this year.

[On the Road]

51. 9-7? The Original Poster predicted 3-13 for the Giants

and I have to say they are greatly improved. I will be amazed if they are not AT LEAST 9-7.

There were no free agent losses, but significant gains at linebacker (Pierce), defensive tackle (Clancy), offensive tackle (McKenzie), receiver (Burras), and kicker (Feeley), plus backup improvements like OT Whitfield. Plus rookies such as HB Brandon Jacobs, CB Corey Webster, and DE Justin Tuck, all of whom have looked great in preseason. It will all depend on Eli Manning, but he has looked excellent in limited preseason time.

To make predictions, you have to follow the teams' progress.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

53. Hope does spring eternal, doesn't it?

[DaveinMD]

63. what condescending crap

That is all.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

64. That's pretty much all the Giants crowd's been spewing, yes.

Sorry, but there's only so much "you're an idiot if you don't think the Giants are a playoff team!" a man can take, especially when there's little reason to believe that.

[DaveinMD]

66. the tone of your posts is completely condescending

no problem arguing about football. But your opinions aren't any better than anyone else despite anything you say. Yet you act like you are the only one with an opinion of value. Maybe that's why you have been greeted in such a manner. Tone it down and people will talk football in a reasonable way.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

67. Look at my original post and then the others posts.

My original post has NOTHING condescending in it, yet I'm referred to as insane or an idiot repeatedly by other original replies. And the ones that do greet me with a better attitude are met in return with a better attitude.

Your attitude has sucked. And the attitude you will be greeted with will continue to suck.

[DaveinMD]

68. your tone is one of a know it all

I will continue to call you on this. Your football knowledge isn't any better than most of the people who responded to you. You'd get better responsed if you treated the discussion in a different way. But you'd rather have a nasty argument. Makes no sense at all.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

69. Well, let's take a look at non Giants subthreads, shall we?

See posts 4, 5, 16, 17, 19, 28, 29, 32, and 57.

I repeatedly tell people their predictions, which usually conflict with mine, might be right. There is only one other sub thread in which I "fight" with someone. That was on the Bears, and he said I was "high" for pretty much all of my predictions - which is a bellicose attitude so far as I'm concerned. And I ended that one by simply saying "Best of Luck!"

Sorry, but like your Giants prediction, your analysis is not based in reality at all.

edited typo

[DaveinMD]

70. and there you go

you were rude throughout this thread. And you can't defend anything you say except by saying you saw some guy say that or you read it on some website. You were rude to that Bears fans just as you were rude to many others. You don't have a monopoly on football knowledge. Stop acting like you do.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

71. Did you read them??

Of course you didn't! Why would you? It'd contradict your argument!

Maybe you're unaware, but citing sources is called "research". It's supporting your argument with those of respected experts. That's what you're SUPPOSED to be doing.

And I was NOT rude to "many others". Try proving that one.

Or don't. I'm probably just going to put you on ignore anyway.

[DaveinMD]

72. and I refuted all your points

and brought up other sources. But you know, I actually watch football instead of just reading what other people say. Try it sometime. Or try talking nicely about players and teams. That's what I did with my rebuttal. Of course you didn't even address that. You just got it from Scouts Inc because you don't have knowledge of those players.

[rinsd]

65. Well we did lose Lance Legree ;-)

Jacobs looks like a real stud even though he didn't play much on Fri nite.

[the other one]

4. Nice Work.

AFC
East - Jets
North - Bengals
South - Colts
West - Bolts
Wild Cards: Bills, Ravens

NFC
East - Eagles
North - Vikings
South - Panthers
West - Cards
WildCards: Rams, Packers

AFC Championship: Jets at Colts
NFC Championship: Panthers at Eagles
Superbowl: Eagles 41 - Colts 19


What? No Patriots or Steelers? No Falcons? Sorry folks, but its going to be a long year for some fans.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

13. I dunno about the Bengals.

They didn't really add anyone to a team that was mediocre last year. And they've got to deal with the Ravens and Steelers. I'm not saying they'll be bad, but I can't see them winning that division. But hey, your prediction is just as good as mine! :hi:

[the other one]

58. Bengals by default. Steelers go 7-9, Ravens 9-7

So a 9-7 by the tiggers could be good enough to win the division.

[Tafiti]

79. As a huge Bengals fan, I must interject...

...but I'll (try to) be objective.

Consider:

Carson Palmer hadn't taken an NFL snap before Week 1 last year, and by Week 9 or 10 (or so), was throwing less interceptions and more TDs, not to mention a higher completion percentage. Witness his 3-TD 4th quarter comeback against the Ravens AT BALTIMORE late in the year. Not to mention the near comeback against the Patriots AT NEW ENGLAND, but left the game with an injury, not to return for the last 3 games of the season. So, he hasn't even played a full NFL season yet, and finally has a healthy starting O-line (that was riddled with injury all last year), which obviously brings a better running game (better than last year's club-record-breaking year from Rudi Johnson) and pass protection. Their should be at least no-change with wide receiver production, and at best some reason to believe they will be better (especially if they keep Peter Warrick and he returns to old form - but that's a huge question mark). But then you have the Chris Perry X-factor (1st rd draft pick in '04, injured all year). Everyone absolutely loves him and says he looks awesome. Apparently, he catches the ball out of the backfield really well. Could be a huge compliment to Rudi Johnson. We'll see if he holds up.

Having said that, it all looks great "on paper", as they say, but that all too often doesn't mean shit once they actually play all 16 games. I'm not too optimistic on taking the division, primarily because their defense is a pretty big question mark itself. However, I think that I think they will have a winning record, which, depending on what happens, could squeeze them into a wild card spot. Basically, I think Boller will never turn into what they hoped he would, but he's not terrible either. And I was not happy when Baltimore acquired Derrick Mason. That scares me. But Pittsburgh, I'm not sold on their defense. Yeah, they had a great fuckin' year last year, but so did Dallas in 2003. What happened in 2004? And without that #1 D, you gotta wonder how the over-hyped (IMO) "Big Ben" will perform. But hey, maybe these are the naturally-occuring negative thoughts about divisional opponents. Can someone back me up on any of this, or am I just a delusional, overly-optimistic Bengals fan?

[timber84]

85. idiot

[Neocondriac]

5. Parity....

Will no longer allow that many teams with 12+ wins.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

11. You're probably right.

But I picked on a per game basis, which is going to lead to more extremes than there would be in real life.

[Call me Deacon Blues]

6. Baseball is my sport, but

The Titans 4 and 12? Geez. No offense, but I think you're way off, Vash. (And I'm a New England fan myself.)

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. The Titans had a huge roster purge.

I'm not sure if you missed that during the offseason. They're in full rebuilding mode.

[LeftNYC]

7. Are the Cardinals supposed to be any good this season...

10 wins seems like a lot...

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

10. They're supposed to be better.

But their division is terrible. Someone could win it with an 8-8 record.

[LeftNYC]

12. I agree with that. I just cant see them winning 10 games...nt

[Politically_Wrong]

76. That's a shame...

That the Cardinals (the oldest NFL team) have yet to appear in a Super bowl...its a shame really...:cry:

[Botany]

8. Browns Undefeated!

Undefeated in all games that they outscore their opponents

[LeftNYC]

14. ...in their bye week

:applause:

[getmeouttahere]

16. Oh, you're insane if you think the Raiders will finish last...

in their division. They will be in a lot of shootouts, for sure, but they have too much offense not to win at least 9 games. In fact, I'll place a bet that they beat KC, Denver and SD at least once.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

23. I'll give you that they'll be better than what I've got them at.

But 9 wins? With what defense? And an unproven running game? And Norv Turner coaching? Somehow I don't think that's feasible for them. I'd be willing to go up to 6 wins, but not much more.

[getmeouttahere]

24. I'm not a big Norv Turner fan either...

but the defense will be improved, certainly enough to win the 9 games. Is Lamont Jordan unproven? He's like a bigger version of Charlie Garner because he can catch out of the backfield as well. I predict he will have one of the highest yards per carry averages, behind an excellent offensive line. It's the receiving corps that will be making things tough for even the best defenses.

And BTW, I'm sure no one noticed but the NFL saw fit to schedule the Raiders to play both New England AND Philly in 2 of their first 3 games. Considering Oakland won only 5 games last year, doesn't sound like a 4th place schedule to me!

[Politically_Wrong]

75. Raiders lighting it up!

I am a Raiders fan...I've always been a Raiders fan...but chances are they aren't going to make it to the playoffs...Offensively they will be THE TEAM...But defensively...the will be horrible...Raider games should be very fun to watch because of the new running back LaMont Jordan...and of course because of the new Collins-Moss connection...they will be lighting up the score board...but so will the opposing team because of the Raiders "D." Sure they made huge improvements this off season, but I don't think they are going to be able to stop big plays...

[getmeouttahere]

80. They must not be your number 1 team...

or you would have the Raiders logo in place of the Buffalo logo. No true Raiders fan would have another team's logo anywhere, anytime. I appreciate your post, however. I think the defense will be improved. The guy to watch is Grant Irons. I predict he will have a great year. And I think overall they will have enough of that high octane offense to win 9 games, which may not be enough to make the playoffs, but with their schedule, it might be the best they can do.

[Politically_Wrong]

81. I do LIKE the Raiders...but I LOVE the Bills

As a fan of two of the greatest teams ever, it was very hard for me to select either the Raiders logo...or the Bills logo...in the end I figured I would go with the Bills because they will probably have a better season...But thats the good thing about have two favorite teams...if one sucks...hopefully the other won't...

[xynthee]

17. No way! Dallas all the way!

Patriots will do well, but I'm boldly predicting that they're NOT going to win the frickin' Super Bowl next year.

Minnesota winning the NFC? I doubt it. Their MO is to go 8-0, then 0-8, losing their last game of the season to some loser team and missing the playoffs.

Eagles have a very aggressive form of Team Cancer (T.O.), and I don't think they're going to survive very long without becoming incapacitated by it. They'll be able to keep it at bay for maybe the first 4 games if they're lucky. If they just cut the Cancer out now, that could change; they could actually make it all the way to the NFC championship again (they'll lose, of course).

Dallas had better make it to the playoffs. I'm sick of having a crappy and/or inconsistent QB!! We should be dramatically improved at all other positions. I have lotsa doubts about Bledsoe, and I hear rumors we're contemplating Testaverde again!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I think this is my longest post ever, by the way.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

20. Glad I could get your longest post ever!!

Yeah, the Pats might not win the Super Bowl. But as a native New Englander AND with all the talent they have coming back, I can't pick against them. It won't be as easy as it was in the past with all those LBs gone, but they won it all without a secondary last year...

Minny's defense should be much improved this year. I do think losing Moss will hurt the offense a bit, but with the overall balance they've achieved, I think their up and down days are over for a little while.

The Eagles... I actually think it'll work out in reverse. I think they're going to struggle through the first 4 weeks. Then they're going to realize losing sucks and they should put away their pride. Plus the NFC is bad enough that they don't need much to win a lot of games.

Dallas... well, I don't see them having a lot. They've got decent talent on defense. I think Julius Jones is going to have too much on his shoulders though in carrying that offense. Their O-Line isn't what it used to be, and with the dinosaurs they've got at QB, that's going to make for a lot of negative yardage this year.

[Ravenseye]

19. Not unbelievable

I mean...hey who knows right, but looking at that I don't think you're making any unreasonable predictions. Sure people will disagree with you here and there, but hey...it's just a prediction right?

So I'll just throw my 2 cents in. I think that you're probably right about most things in the AFC but I would change it to the Steelers beating Indy in Pittsburgh then heading to New England for a redux of last year but on opposing Turf. Who wins that depends on too many factors to contend with but the money would proabbly be on New England just from experience sake, though New England always has won their AFC championships on the road in Pittsburgh when they beat them. It'd be funny if Pittsburgh finally went up there and did the opposite.

Other than that I like your picks, and even that one nitpick isn't inconcievable.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

21. Thanks!

There's a lot of things about my predictions that could go either way. I agonized over a number of games. The only real reason I picked the Colts over the Steelers is that I don't know if the Steeler's offense is good enough. To be fully honest, I'm not so sure the Steelers will be as good as I'm predicting them at all. Losing Bell and Burress isn't going to be easy (especially Bell). And I think Staley is injured.

[nickgutierrez]

25. If every division winner in the AFC wins at least 12 games...

...I'll eat my hat.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

26. It probably won't happen...

Perhaps you should read some of my posts instead of just looking at the graphic...

On edit: Although, every division winner in the AFC had 12+ wins in 2004...

[Callalily]

28. Although I'm a die-hard

Packers fan, I think you were exceedingly kind to them.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

30. Sadly, I'm not so sure I was!

Their schedule is very kind this year. Tampa, Cleveland, and Chicago twice are a solid 4 wins right off the top. Toss in Seattle and New Orleans because they're at home. You're already at 6 wins. Next comes the annual split with Minnesota. Probably split with Detroit. 8 wins. I think they're juuuuuuuust good enough to steal another win or two. But I agree - they're certainly not contenders anymore.

[theHandpuppet]

29. Your AFC North predictions are amusing

But if Baltimore and Pittsburgh go 13-3 this year then George Bush is the greatest intellect since Einstein.

GO BENGALS!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

31. Pittsburgh probably won't.

Baltimore I think has a strong chance too, however. They finally added some receivers to a sick defense and a solid running game. Now Kyle Boller just has to step up... I realize that's an all or nothing proposition, but here's thinking that he will. After all, in the games I've seen him play, he really hasn't been THAT bad. Either way, they both have good defenses while the Bengals? Well, they don't. That said I thought they'd emerge last year as a surprise team and they certainly have potential to be better than I have them listed. I just think the two teams ahead of them are a little better at this point. Stay tuned!!

[theHandpuppet]

34. I've seen nothing from Boller that makes me think he'll improve

At least not enough to carry Baltimore to 13-3. Methinks it's time for Baltimore to groom a new QB. This is where Pittsburgh and Cincinnati have it all over Baltimore -- the QB position.

Have to agree with you about Cincy's defense though -- their run defense sucks and their special teams play this preseason has been some of the sloppiest I've seen!

[akarnitz]

32. Flip the Packers and Lions

and I think you've got it right.

As a Pack fan in Michigan's Lower peninsula, I hope your right. My team just doesn't have enough talent on the defensive side. Detroit'
s coming hard this year.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

33. I could easily see that flip.

But I think the Lions need to hit .500 first. Too many losing years to overcome all at once.

[akarnitz]

36. If Kevin Jones stays healthy

they're there, easy.

[DaveinMD]

35. lots of folks will be eating crow

when the Giants go to the playoffs this year.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

37. If you can ride Eli's zero QB rating into the playoffs

I will actually cook a crow and eat it.

[DaveinMD]

41. he had an QB rating over 80

the last three games of the season. Lots of QBs struggled in their first few weeks. Eli will be fine. In fact, he'll be very good. The Giants will make the playoffs this season.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

44. See this post above:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=215&topic_id=22380&mesg_id=22478

[Jersey Devil]

40. Cardinals in the playoffs?

LOLOLOL

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

42. Have you seen the rest of that division?

[bnr65432]

45. the browns are better than 3-13

they will be at least 6-10
they suck but not that much

[theHandpuppet]

46. Yep, I agree

In these predictions the Browns and Bengals have been underrated and the Steelers and Ravens overrated.

[MKR]

47. You must have been smoking some good stuff

4 teams finishing 2-14? With the possible exception of the 49ers, I don't see anybody finishing that poorly this year. Certainly not the Dolphins and the Bears.

2 teams finishing 3-13? Maybe the 49ers or the Bucs, and that's about it.

3 teams finishing 13-3? Two of them from the same division? I like the way the Steelers play, but 12-4 would be an amazing season for them given their schedule. Same for Baltimore. Philadelphia might hit 13-3 because they have an easy schedule, and that's about it.

1 team finishing 14-2? Even after losing both their coordinators and interior linebackers, and given the schedule they play? If Beisel and Brown can't step it up inside, good running teams are going to eat them alive. I bet they lose 2 of their first 4 games, then drop a few more as the season goes on.

For the record, I see the NFC North shaking out like this:

The Vikings are without Birk for most of the year, and so are playing a couple guys out of position and starting a rookie on the line. That will hurt them against teams with good defensive lines, which includes Chicago and Detroit. I see them going 9-7, maybe 10-6 if they can avoid their trademark late season collapse.

The Bears are without Grossman, which means the quarterback carousel is back at full tilt. I'm guessing they settle on Kyle Orton as their man sooner rather than later. Provided they can sign Benson, Orton will be fine because they'll run the offense like Pittsburgh or Carolina. Which is fine, because their defense is of the same caliber...that's right, last year they won games on the strength of their second string defense. This year, that defense is getting their star linebacker, safety, corner, and end back from injury. I see them going 9-7, maybe 8-8.

The Lions have put together an almost respectable offense, now they just need a quarterback who can make it work. Their line, at least the interior 3, should be able to spring Kevin Jones regularly, which should take pressure off of Harrington. And when he's not pressing, he has plenty of talented receivers to throw to. Their defense is better than people think. They can stop the run, and depending on how fast Shaun Cody acclimates, they should be able to get a decent rush from the nickel. 9-7 or 8-8.

The Packers will bring up the rear this year. Oh sure, they still have Favre and Green in the backfield, but they lost both starting guards. If you watch them much, you'd understand that their line makes the offense go, and their guards were their best linemen. Considering the kind of defenses they'll face in the division alone, I expect Favre and Green to have possibly the worst seasons of their careers. Their defense is down a run stuffing tackle, a starting linebacker, a stud safety, and has two young corners who can't defend much. This will be the "surprise" team of the year for anyone who thinks Favre is invincible. 6-10, maybe 5-11.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

49. I'm high and YOU think the Bears will win more than 4 games?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[MKR]

50. Why not?

They won 5 games last year with a bad guard playing left tackle, no receiving threats at tight end or wideout, a generally bad line, an offensive coordinator who was hopelessly overmatched, and a defense that was missing it's best 5 players.

This year they have a left tackle playing left tackle, they have at least one receiving threat at wideout and a pair of younger guys who look good so far, a much better overall offensive line, an offensive coordinator who took a team quarterbacked by Steve Walsh to the playoffs, and their defense gets all of it's talent back.

It's one thing to just look at a team's record from the last year and say "They suck," it's something else to look at why they sucked and how things are different this year. If they lose MORE games with all their starters healthy and a couple talented free agent aquisitions plugging holes, while playing a weak schedule...I don't know, that just doesn't seem at all logical.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

54. I'm going to keep this one simple.

In the words of Tom Jackson, Cedric Benson should end his holdout and NOT sit out the whole season (a real possibility now) because, and I quote, "He could rack up a ton of yards because the Bears have NOTHING else."

I understand you're probably a Bears fan, but I think your hopes are way too high for this season. This team has very, very little to believe in this season.

[MKR]

56. Tom Jackson...

Yeah, I know network analysts have problems reading team rosters. That's probably why they can never predict the surprise teams. Didn't they have the Steelers going something like 6-10 last year because Bettis was too old and they didn't have a quarterback? I generally put as much stock in what they say as what a magic 8 ball would say.

Take the Benson comment, for example...he's missed all of the preseason, which has given the team a chance to look at other RBs on the roster. Those other guys have performed well, even against first string defenses, giving the coaches little reason to fret about Benson not being there other than mild concerns about depth. Were Benson to sign today, he'd probably not start until midseason. Even then, they DO have receiving threats on the roster and it looks like they are addressing the quarterback problem finally, so the offense probably would not run solely through Benson even when he finally does start.

As far as having little to believe in this season, review some tape of their first team defense and their running game.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

59. Preseason is a horrible predictor of a team or player's ability.

If that's what you're basing your comments on, I think you're going to be in for a crude awakening.

[MKR]

61. If all you look at is scores, that's right

But given a deeper analysis of rosters, which players they've lost, which players they've signed, and how their first team O and D are playing at the beginning of preseason games, you can make reasonable predictions about where most teams are headed for the season.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

62. Well, best of luck to you.

:hi:

[friesianrider]

57. No way. Panthers won't beat Atlanta...ever.

And, if they did, Philly would easily defeat them. If Philly gets bested by anyone it will be Atlanta.

That being said, I predict Eagles/Pats once again, Eagles the Champs.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

60. That COULD happen, but no way would I say Carolina can't beat ANYONE.

They've got a tough defense and a good running game. That makes them capable of beating anyone.

[Politically_Wrong]

73. Although I wish it were the Bills...

I unfortunately have to say the Super bowl will feature the Indianapolis Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles...Both teams have Super bowl worthy offenses and Super easy schedules...Of course if it were my choice it would be the Bills and Cowboys...

[DaveinMD]

74. Indy and Carolina

with Indy winning.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

78. As a Bills fan, you really want to relive THOSE Super Bowls?!

As a Pats fan, I certainly don't long for Super Bowl XX!!

And don't count out your Bills! They could catch lightning in a bottle this year. It all rides on Losman though. But hey, it wouldn't be the first time a 2nd year rookie won a Super Bowl.

[WilliamPitt]

77. Looks good to me

:)

[nolabels]

82. The Vikings? and sucking up the trendy pick of the bird-men

I think I will bookmark this so I can laugh even harder in a couple months :hi:

[Hawkeye-X]

83. Smoking crack.

Denver will be 18-0. Taking away everything from New England. And first undefeated season since 1972.

[DaveinMD]

84. just thought I'd kick this thread

Especially in light of the Giants huge win yesterday.

[kick-ass-bob]

87. You sir, are evil.

:evilgrin:

:rofl:

[DaveinMD]

89. yes

I am.

[underpants]

86. Okay not to be picky ...but....

I thought these were pretty good but that shows why I don't bet on anything especially football.

The Vikes are imploding
The Bengals .....just leave it at that
The Broncos are (to my eye) the strongest team in the League. I know I know Plummer and all that so we will see.

That guy who stole the ball from Favre on Sunday would be the teams second leading rusher. SPeaking of which the Packers are proof that one guy can in no way carry a team anymore or even come close no matter how good they are.

The Pats have stroke victims playing for them for crying out loud. They are barely holding it together.

The Chargers appear to be only in existence for the fantasy leagues and no other reason.

Denver looks really strong.

[DaveinMD]

88. I argued

with the starter of this thread quite loudly at the time that he was wrong about the Giants. And he was. But now I know why. I found out he's a Cowboy fan.

[underpants]

92. So Vash is a 'boys fan huh?

Well he has that going for him (I am too)
From what I have seen Denver and Pittsburgh looked to be the strongest in the AFC. Indy, no don't buy into that one they are weak. A home field stay might help them but in the end (note my admitted gambling record) I suspect they will falter somehow someway (football gods hate the IRsays).

Looks to be Atlanta and Carolina to my eye in the NFC. I'm not buying the Giants, sorry. Vick is the only guy left who can really take a team on his back....IF he stays healthy. Atlanta does have a great ground game. Carolina is a good team and last year was a blip due to freakish injuries.

[DaveinMD]

93. The Giants are a very good team

you will see that eventually. They find ways to score each week and will get better as eli continues to progress. Dallas will go into a swoon as Bledsoe goes into his usual disappearing act in December.

Vick needs to be able to throw the ball better for Atlanta to go further. I think Carolina will win that division. Indy is the best team in football by far. This is their year.

[Hobarticus]

90. Vikes and Pats??? And why is there a "G" anywhere in this bracket?

Carolina/Indy in SB...I'm rootin' for Carolina.

[Ganja Ninja]

94. Now with hindsight I could make fun of those picks but ...

I didn't have the balls to post any before the season started so I won't.