Thursday, September 10, 2009

NFL '09 Predictions

I failed to mention my 10 picks last week for the college openers. I will reveal my 10 picks for the ESPN College Pick 'em Challenge (and the Mizzou game if it's not there) every week. I was 7-3 last week, missing Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, and Georgia. While I picked Oklahoma, I really wanted to take BYU... and let it be known that I knew Bradford would get hurt behind that new o-line, just didn't think it would be this early.
So for the NFL in '09... we better enjoy this because we may be headed for a cheap-o '10 and a lockout in '11, because the new Collective Bargaining Agreement talks could go south quickly by the end of this year.
Here is how I figure the divisions will shape up (playoff teams in italics):
AFC West - Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders, Broncos
AFC East - Patriots, Bills, Dolphins, Jets
AFC North - Steelers, Ravens, Browns, Bengals
AFC South - Titans, Colts, Texans, Jaguars
NFC West - Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks
NFC East - Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins
NFC North - Vikings, Packers, Bears, Lions
NFC South - Falcons, Saints, Panthers, Buccaneers

AFC Playoffs - Chargers over Ravens, Steelers over Colts, Patriots over Chargers, Steelers over Titans, Steelers over Patriots.
NFC Playoffs - Eagles over Vikings, Saints over Cardinals, Cowboys over Saints, Eagles over Falcons, Cowboys over Eagles.
Super Bowl - Cowboys over Steelers

It pains me to say it, but, yeah, the Cowboys... my third-most-hated team (behind Broncos and Raiders). That redo punt rule because of the video board will make a huge difference (unless they change the rule mid-season).
For week one, my picks go like this...
- Steelers over Titans... expect this game to jump start the Titans to another 12+ wins but lay the ground work for a Steelers road playoff upset on the way to the Super Bowl.
- Falcons over Dolphins... I have Matt Ryan as my fantasy back-up. I am fully prepared to promote him if at any point he outplays Aaron Rodgers.
- Bengals over Broncos... the Broncos are this year's Lions... no, seriously.
- Vikings over Browns... a wise man once said "If you have 2 quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks." Plus, it's early and Favre's not playing injured yet.
- Colts over Jaguars... Peyton Manning does not like to lose at home... period.
- Cowboys over Bucs... no TO, no PacMan, great team.
- Eagles over Panthers... I can't stand Michael Vick anymore, what he did is unforgiveable. Unfortunately, he will help make the Eagles VERY dangerous... seriously, McNabb, Westbrook, Vick, Machlin, Jackson, Baskett... who gets the ball? All of them.
- Ravens over Chiefs... it's almost laughable that we spent soooo much money on a career back-up (for like the 10th time in franchise history, I might add) and he'll miss the first couple of games... not like we had a shot at the playoffs anyway.
- Texans over Jets... I feel bad that the Texans could go 10-6 and miss the playoffs. If they were in the West instead of the South, they'd go 12-4, like the Chargers will.
- Giants over Redskins... can't pick the 'Skins for dumping their second-best quarterback, good luck with Todd Collins.
- Cardinals over 49ers... just like last year for Kurt & Co., expect everyone can see it coming and they will be prepared for you in the playoffs.
- Rams over Seahawks... totally a "what the hell" pick. I have no idea which team is worse.
- Packers over Bears... welcome to the NFC North Jay Cutler! Remember when Bears/Packers games were like 13-9 slugfests... if the over-under on total points was 100, I'd take the over.
- Patriots over Bills... welcome to the AFC East (but will feel like the North) Terrell Owens! Buffalo football weather is brutal. Have fun catching rocks and landing on concrete. Maybe one ball will hit your helmet just right it'll convince you to leave football alone!
- Chargers over Raiders... if I were the Chargers and I was expecting to get 6 free wins from divisional games (they will), I wouldn't play my starters in the second half of any of those games. They'll still win by 20. Plus I'm hoping Darren Sproles fantasy value goes up so people will want to trade me for him... cause he may just collect dust on my bench.

See you tomorrow for College Picks

1 comment:

Unknown said...

No Love for the Packers to at least make the wild card? That's harsh.

At least you're give Favre some credit.