Canto VII

Pro Football Predictions!

Here's a quick list of my picks for winners this year. I'm curious to see how it pans out.

AFC
West: Denver Broncos (12-4)
Still the best team here. Chargers may see some improvement with an easier schedule, but they will also be starting a new quarterback. If Drew Brees were still taking the snaps I think I would be picking the Bolts. KC's offense, even with LJ, will see a dramatic decline as age, injuries and retirements take their toll. The Raiders will lead the league in penalties.

South: Indianapolis Colts (13-3)
Again, still the best team. I don't think Jacksonville will compete with a tougher schedule (they were rather lucky to go 12-4 last year) and finishes a dissapointing 9-7 this year. The Titans and Texans both have a long road ahead.

North: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
Not much change from last season. But then again, the top teams didn't have enough happen to make me question their playoff potential, and the teams at the bottom have a lot to do to prove themselves. This division probably has the most interesting questions around it. Will Big Ben be ready to play at the level he was at to close the season (Superbowl excluded)? And will Carson Palmer play at the level of last year or two years ago? Will Steve McNair finally give the Ravens any semblance of an offense? And the Browns behind Charlie Frye are looking a little frisky, with the exception of their centers.

East: New England Patriots (11-5)
Still the best of the division, but the Dolphins will be making gains on them this season. The Pats defense should be better than last year, but I just don't think it will be good enough to get past the divisional round of the playoffs. The Jets and Bills... Well, at least the Jets seem to be building towards the future, not sure you can say that about the Bills.

Wild Card: Baltimore Ravens (10-6) and Miami Dolphins (10-6).
Really no team is perfect in the NFL, and both of these teams have their share of question marks, but the only other teams I really see competing for a playoff berth are the Chargers, Bengals and Jaguars. The AFC is really full of Haves and Have-Nots. Parity, RIP.

NFC
West: Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
Finally breaking the Superbowl Losers curse. The 49ers and Rams are not good football teams, and while the Cardinals may be moving into the vicinity of actual professional football play, the offensive line needs a lot of improvement. Good luck, Edge. You're going to need it, given the only way you're going to be able to find a hole there is by taking a shovel into your backyard.

South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4)
Everyone is high on the Panthers, and I'm making them a wild card team, but I think the Bucs were looking pretty good by the end of the season, and if Chris Sims keeps progressing the offense will be alright. The defense is OLD, but should be able to make it one or two more seasons before completely hitting the wall. The Falcons are making some improvements, but I don't really trust Micheal Vick as a QB and their run defense is still extremely suspect. The Saints will have a few highlight reel screen passes to Reggie Bush to brighten an otherwise abysmal season.

North: Chicago Bears (12-4)
Someone has to win this division. The defense is the same as last year, and the offense can't be any worse than it was, so they should repeat. The Lions are looking to improve everything, and they may, but they still will have a hard time clearing 7 wins. The Packers are in a similar situation. The Vikings looked good down the stretch thanks to an easy schedule, but haven't done enough to improve into a playoff contender.

East: Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
Lots of questions about their offense, especially the recievers, but they'll be back from first-to worst-to first. The Cowboys made some moves, and I think even with their offensive line questions will be a good team. The Redskins keep doing a salary cap dance, but will it really translate into some playoff wins? Eli Manning is another QB I'm just not sold on yet, and as he goes, so go the Giants.

Wild Card: Carolina Panthers (11-5) and Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
The Cards win a tie-breaker with the 10-6 Redskins to scratch their way into the playoffs.

And now for the whole tamale...

Super Bowl: Indianapolis Colts defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-17.
Does the Dungy/Manning effect finally wear off this year?