NFL is finally back. Last season left such a sour taste in my mouth with the fluke Giants putting together a miraculous run. They needed (1) a drop from Patrick Crayton (and Jessica Simpson perhaps???); (2) Brett Favre to literally freeze on the field; (3) the Patriots to completely overlook them; and (4) the luckiest escape/catch in NFL history to squeeze out a 17-14 Super Bowl win. As previously stated, I believe the Giants are still a mediocre team at best. I still do not have confidence in Eli and I think they will have a let down year.
Giants -4 (I had the Giants (see WendySue Fanpool/Yahoo Pickem)
Rams +7.5
Texans +6.5
Lions -3
*Seahawks +1
Bengals -1.5
*Jaguars -3
*Jets -3
Patriots -16.5
*Saints -3
Chargers -9
49ers +2.5
*Cowboys -5.5
Colts -9.5
Vikings +2.5
Raiders +3
*Best Bets
Rams + 6.5 @ Eagles: Truth is I really like the Eagles to win this game. After watching the offenses perform (or not perform) last night I'm not ready to lay that many points to a team without any receivers.
Texans +6.5 @ Steelers: The Texans might surprise people this year because they have potential to score and the defense has improved. The Steelers won't lose a home opener but this game could be close.
Lions -3 @ Falcons: Until the Falcons win a game this year pick against them. This is a good place for rookie Matt Ryan to start his career but the Lions can still score in bunches.
Seahawks +1 @ Bills: Trend of taking road teams continues. If this game were later in the year when cold outside I might reconsider. The Bills will be a good team this year but Seattle is always overlooked.
Bengals -1.5 @ Ravens: The Ravens are starting rookie Joe Flacco (like Ryan - good place to start career against a bad defense) and their defense is aging. While I don't like the Bengals too much this season the Ravens are in for an even longer year.
Jaguars -3 @ Titans: If this game were played later in the year the Jags would be favored by more than a touchdown. This line makes no sense to me. The Jaguars are going to have a great year and I am very down on Vince Young and the Titans.
Jets -3 @ Dolphins: The Jets should be able to come out and really control this game. Many expect the Jets to contend for the playoffs this year and a loss to the lowly Dolphins before they play NE and SD in weeks 2 and 3 would be devastating.
Patriots -16.5 vs. Chiefs: I would be slightly concerned about the Pats covering this big a line if Larry Johnson is healthy and plays well. I also do not think the Pats will be looking to blow teams out this year. Rather, the main focus is on winning and staying fresh. Despite all that, I cannot go against the Patriots in week 1 at home against a bad team. The Pats will put up 30+ points and cover.
Saints -3 vs. Bucs: Big divisional game right off the bat. The Saints were very disappointing last year and will get off to a much better start this season.
Chargers -9 vs. Panthers: This spread is very high but without Steve Smith, the Panthers do not have many weapons this week.
49ers +2.5 vs. Cardinals: By some miracle, the 49ers actually beat the Cards in the opener the last 2 seasons. Now they have an offense (maybe) to go along with a good defense.
Cowboys -5.5 @ Browns: The Cowboys should have a field day offensively against the Browns defense. This game could get into a shootout but the Cowboys pass defense will be much improved if Adam Jones' return is successful.
Colts -9.5 vs. Bears: Peyton Manning will not be rusty despite missing the pre-season. He knows how to prepare for games and the Bears cannot score anyway. Game will be over at halftime.
Vikings +2.5 @ Packers: Aaron Rodgers in his first start at home on a Monday night. He'll be too nervous this week against a very strong Vikings defense. Expect a close, low scoring game.
Raiders +3 vs. Broncos: I like the Raiders at home in night games. They will probably split with Denver this year which each team winning its home game. Debut of McFadden will excite the Raider fans and it will be a tough game for the Broncos.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
NFL - Team by Team
PREDICTIONS FOR PLAYOFFS AND STANDINGS in separate posts below....
Patriots: Best player + best coach + disappointing Super Bowl = watch out this year.
Jets: Must go 2-2 before the bye. Will contend for wild card spot if Favre of 07 is back.
Bills: Mediocre schedule will help but not enough talent.
Dolphins: Ronnie Brown still hurting....team has no talent.
Steelers: Toughest schedule in football (Away: Eagles, Jags, Pats; Home: Colts, Chargers).
Browns: Upgraded the defense but secondary is still suspect to big plays. Offense will carry them.
Bengals: Health is main factor for offense. Horrific defense will cost this team some games.
Ravens: Aging defense and no offense....long year ahead.
Jaguars: Strong defense and efficient offense might be able to finally overtake Colts.
Colts: If Manning is 80% or better this team is one of the best in the league.
Texans: Tough schedule and not enough talent to compete this year.
Titans: Young is a horrible passer and the team has no offense. Defense won't win many games.
Chargers: Rivers played better than expected in 2007 playoffs and defense is fantastic. If Merriman and LT stay healthy they could win the Super Bowl.
Raiders: Will be better than last year and McFadden could be this year's Peterson. Defense is solid. If Russel plays well this team could win up to 9 games.
Broncos: Mediocre team with fairly light schedule. Cutler needs to be more consistent.
Chiefs: Larry Johnson needs to carry this team but they have no QB and a poor defense.
Cowboys: Will bounce back after disappointing playoffs. Enough talent to win the Super Bowl.
Eagles: Another bounce back team IF McNabb and Westbrook stay healthy.
Giants: Loss of both defensive ends this year will be devastating. Will contend early but drop off late as schedule toughens.
Redskins: Always look better on paper than they perform. This year they don't even look so good on paper.
Vikings: Easy schedule 2nd half of the season will propel them into the playoffs. Defense looks strong and Peterson is a stud. Only question mark is QB.
Packers: Way too much pressure on Aaron Rodgers. Defense is good and team has weapons on offense. If Rodgers plays well they could make playoffs ahead of the Bucs.
Bears: No QB, again, and defense is older. Hester is a playmaker but will he succeed with Kyle Orton throwing him the ball? Probably not.
Lions: Losing Martz will crush the offense despite nice talent. Defense still stinks.
Saints: Were disappointing last year and will bounce back. Reggie Bush will have a breakout year and Shockey (although not a top TE) will have a career year.
Bucs: Garcia is a winner and defense is still strong. Garcia's health is major concern and Bucs wanted to get Favre to replace him.
Panthers: Will win games due to easy schedule but Steve Smith is out and defense not as good.
Falcons: Rebuilding.....first pick in next year's draft will help.
Seahawks: Easy schedule until Week 13 and 14. If Hasselbeck plays well they can win 12 games.
49ers: Defense is much improved over last 2 years. If Martz can do now what he did for Rams and Lions, niners can compete with Seattle. Maybe next year.
Cardinals: Always disappointing. Tough schedule doesn't help.
Rams: Defense is poor and O-line is a question. If Bulger, Holt , and Jackson perform to capability the Rams can be a surprise. First 7 games are brutal but schedule gets lighter.
Patriots: Best player + best coach + disappointing Super Bowl = watch out this year.
Jets: Must go 2-2 before the bye. Will contend for wild card spot if Favre of 07 is back.
Bills: Mediocre schedule will help but not enough talent.
Dolphins: Ronnie Brown still hurting....team has no talent.
Steelers: Toughest schedule in football (Away: Eagles, Jags, Pats; Home: Colts, Chargers).
Browns: Upgraded the defense but secondary is still suspect to big plays. Offense will carry them.
Bengals: Health is main factor for offense. Horrific defense will cost this team some games.
Ravens: Aging defense and no offense....long year ahead.
Jaguars: Strong defense and efficient offense might be able to finally overtake Colts.
Colts: If Manning is 80% or better this team is one of the best in the league.
Texans: Tough schedule and not enough talent to compete this year.
Titans: Young is a horrible passer and the team has no offense. Defense won't win many games.
Chargers: Rivers played better than expected in 2007 playoffs and defense is fantastic. If Merriman and LT stay healthy they could win the Super Bowl.
Raiders: Will be better than last year and McFadden could be this year's Peterson. Defense is solid. If Russel plays well this team could win up to 9 games.
Broncos: Mediocre team with fairly light schedule. Cutler needs to be more consistent.
Chiefs: Larry Johnson needs to carry this team but they have no QB and a poor defense.
Cowboys: Will bounce back after disappointing playoffs. Enough talent to win the Super Bowl.
Eagles: Another bounce back team IF McNabb and Westbrook stay healthy.
Giants: Loss of both defensive ends this year will be devastating. Will contend early but drop off late as schedule toughens.
Redskins: Always look better on paper than they perform. This year they don't even look so good on paper.
Vikings: Easy schedule 2nd half of the season will propel them into the playoffs. Defense looks strong and Peterson is a stud. Only question mark is QB.
Packers: Way too much pressure on Aaron Rodgers. Defense is good and team has weapons on offense. If Rodgers plays well they could make playoffs ahead of the Bucs.
Bears: No QB, again, and defense is older. Hester is a playmaker but will he succeed with Kyle Orton throwing him the ball? Probably not.
Lions: Losing Martz will crush the offense despite nice talent. Defense still stinks.
Saints: Were disappointing last year and will bounce back. Reggie Bush will have a breakout year and Shockey (although not a top TE) will have a career year.
Bucs: Garcia is a winner and defense is still strong. Garcia's health is major concern and Bucs wanted to get Favre to replace him.
Panthers: Will win games due to easy schedule but Steve Smith is out and defense not as good.
Falcons: Rebuilding.....first pick in next year's draft will help.
Seahawks: Easy schedule until Week 13 and 14. If Hasselbeck plays well they can win 12 games.
49ers: Defense is much improved over last 2 years. If Martz can do now what he did for Rams and Lions, niners can compete with Seattle. Maybe next year.
Cardinals: Always disappointing. Tough schedule doesn't help.Rams: Defense is poor and O-line is a question. If Bulger, Holt , and Jackson perform to capability the Rams can be a surprise. First 7 games are brutal but schedule gets lighter.
NFL PREDICTIONS - PLAYOFFS
Wild Card Round
Jaguars over Browns
Colts over Steelers
Vikings over Bucs
Seahawks over Eagles
Divisional Round
Patriots over Colts
Jaguars over Chargers
Cowboys over Seahawks
Vikings over Saints
Championship Game
Patriots over Jaguars
Cowboys over Vikings
Super Bowl
Cowboys over Patriots
Jaguars over Browns
Colts over Steelers
Vikings over Bucs
Seahawks over Eagles
Divisional Round
Patriots over Colts
Jaguars over Chargers
Cowboys over Seahawks
Vikings over Saints
Championship Game
Patriots over Jaguars
Cowboys over Vikings
Super Bowl
Cowboys over Patriots
NFL PREDICTIONS - STANDINGS
| AFC | ||
| East | Win | Loss |
| Patriots | 14 | 2 |
| Jets | 9 | 7 |
| Bills | 8 | 8 |
| Dolphins | 2 | 14 |
| South | ||
| Jags | 12 | 4 |
| Colts | 12 | 4 |
| Texans | 6 | 10 |
| Titans | 5 | 11 |
| North | ||
| Steelers | 10 | 6 |
| Browns | 10 | 6 |
| Bengals | 8 | 8 |
| Ravens | 5 | 11 |
| West | ||
| Chargers | 13 | 3 |
| Raiders | 7 | 9 |
| Broncos | 7 | 9 |
| Chiefs | 3 | 13 |
| NFC | ||
| East | ||
| Cowboys | 12 | 4 |
| Eagles | 10 | 6 |
| Giants | 9 | 7 |
| Redskins | 7 | 9 |
| South | ||
| Saints | 11 | 5 |
| Bucs | 9 | 7 |
| Panthers | 7 | 9 |
| Falcons | 2 | 14 |
| North | ||
| Vikings | 11 | 5 |
| Packers | 8 | 8 |
| Bears | 6 | 10 |
| Lions | 6 | 10 |
| West | ||
| Seahawks | 10 | 6 |
| 49ers | 7 | 9 |
| Cardinals | 6 | 10 |
| Rams | 4 | 12 |
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