NFL predictions

[german]

Its finally here, preseason is over and with only days to go to kick off there's no better time to see what the other experts here predict.

AFC EAST
This division is anybodies; the Patriots will be up there but it is yet to be seen if Branch will be playing at 110% like he was in previous seasons and there is some age questions about their defense. The Dolphins and Bills will be looking for Brown and McGahee to have big seasons which they are capable of. The Jets still dont have a starting QB set, who knows how good Chads shoulder really is. I give the Dolphins the division, Culpepper + Brown + Chambers = explosive offense.

AFC NORTH
Unfortunately for the Browns the loss of LeCharles Bentley takes them out of the division race, they built the o-line around him this off season and with him gone there is a massive hole. I dont think McNair is the answer for the Ravens at QB but their season really depends on if Lewis can regather his previous form. That leaves the Bengals and Steelers, I dont know if Palmer will be the same in the early parts of the season which might be what decides this division. I think the Steelers will be the team to beat, "to be the best you have to beat the best".

AFC SOUTH
You can take out the Titans and Texans straight away. The Jaguars will be leaning on their front four again on defense, I would love them to beat the Colts but their lack of offense is a concern. Saying all that the Colts did nothing to make themselves better rather they lost a key player - yet I still think they will take out the division.

AFC WEST
Crunch time for Rivers, he will have no excuse for lack of tools - but I still think he will have problems in his "rookie" season. The Chiefs have the league MVP in Larry Johnson but again doesn't matter what they do in the off season who they buy their defense is their weakness. I think the Broncos will be hard to beat but with a RB controversy who knows. Oakland will I think push for a wild card spot, their defense is a lot better then what people give them credit for plus with Moss on offense a TD is only seconds away. I give the Broncos the West.

NFC EAST
I think the hardest division to pick a winner from. Three of the four teams could reach the Superbowl and no one would be suprised and the fourth is a team that most definitely rebound and compete this season. I dont like the Cowboys QB as a player which is why I give the division to the Redskins. With the Giants being in the wild card hunt for sure.

NFC NORTH
Wide open, I like the Bears and I like the Packers to win it. The Bears offense is still a worry and with players not wanting to play for Benson that could spell trouble. The Packers defense got two big up grades with Hawk and my boy Woodson but how much has Favre got left? The Vikings have their QB of the future in Tarvaris Jackson - this kid impressed me during pre season and with the age question mark over Johnson is he ready to lead the Vikings this season and again the Lions are here to make up the Numbers.

NFC SOUTH
Three of the four have a shot. The Saints will struggle so take them out, I think the Bucs will challenge but being one dimensional on offense can Williams handle it? Vick will win games and he will lose games for the Falcons but a wild card spot isn't out of the question. That leaves the Panthers to win the division and go the whole way and take out the Superbowl.

Kust

[FlockOfSeagulls]

my Superbowl Prediction

Carolina Panthers VS Cincinnati Bengals

Carolina wins and are Superbowl Champs

[slacker2114]

I'm just gonna keep it simple...

AFC EAST--Miami takes the division, Pats get a strong wild card run.

AFC NORTH--Pittsburgh takes the division. I don't think anyone else in the division will make a wild card.

AFC SOUTH--I believe Jacksonville will take it this time, with the Colts dropping back to get the second AFC wild card. But beware of the Texans.

AFC WEST--This division is always a chaotic one to pick, but when the smoke clears this year, I say Denver gets it by the skin of their teeth.

NFC EAST--Hooboy, another tough one. Anyone got a 4-sided coin? Dallas gets the division this year but loses the NFC championship in a heartbreaker against Carolina. New York gets the wild card.

NFC NORTH--I think the Vikes are gonna be strong this year. The division goes to them. Chicago battles with other divisions for a wild card spot.

NFC SOUTH--Carolina, hands down, crushes their division, leaving the Bucs and the Falcons fighting for wild card spots with da Bears.

NFC WEST--Seattle will probably get their division, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Arizona finally step up. I think these two will be fighting for the division title this year.

THE SUPER BOWL--Pittsburgh vs. Carolina. Honestly, this is what I wanted to see last year. This will be one hell of a game, but the Steelers eke it out in the end.

[Illtcklu]

AFC EAST
I agree with German. This division is anybodies. Flock made an interesting observation about Miami some weeks back and they may be a surprise this season. However I favor the Jets for taking this one.
AFC NORTH
I think the real team to beat here will be Pittsburgh. The Bengals appear to be the only other team that can come close. This division won't be too competitive I'm afraid. Nine wins will be enough to put you in contention.

AFC SOUTH
I'm not so quick to dismiss Houston. I think the Titians have lost too many of their talented players to remain competitve right now. They are simply rebuilding. I agree with Slacker about Houston. I don't know as they will break out, but I think they're going to turn some heads.
I still say the Colts have this one sewn up.

AFC WEST
Denver and Kansas City. San Deigo will be lurking around come crunch time too. Oakland has to many interior problems. In close games they will do what they always do........ self destruct. Moss is too much like T.O. He just causes problems.

NFC EAST
Giants and Redskins. That's what the division will come down too. I actually favor the Giants slightly.

NFC NORTH
Another division where Nine wins will put you in the running. I favor the Bears, but the Pack won't be far behind.

I agree with German about the Vikings QB. Late in the season the Vikes will make a push..

NFC SOUTH
Carolina's got this one. However a SuperBowl prediction might be a bit much. I think Seatle still has a better team.

NFC West
Seatle has this one too.

[maniactickler]

Ill just comment on the AFC east. Pats. no brainer. miami could be pretty tough, but jets and bills will suck.

[Dave2112]

Well, it's always hard to pick this early in the season...plus there's always major-player injuries that no one counts on. So, you have to lok at team depth when picking this early. Not to mention strength of schedule, coaching changes and all the other variables. That being said, it's always fun to look back at these threads in December and see who was close.

AFC East - Miami has arguably the best talent on paper, but depth is a problem. One key player goes down and they're gonna have troubles. New England is always dangerous no matter who's playing, but the loss of Deion Branch will be felt. (As of now, he's a hold-out and that's a distraction.) Seeing as how sleepers come out of the discount bin, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Buffalo backs into the division title.

AFC North - If Carson Palmer stays healthy (and he looked great in preseason), I give this division to Cincy. A better defense than anyone gives them credit for and Pro-Bowl level talent in key offensive positions. Pittsburgh could challenge that and it's hard to tell about them until crunch time toward the end of the season. I go with Cincy.

AFC South - Indy. No other real competition in that division. However, look for Peyton and Co. to bow out of the playoffs after, say...a 13-3 season. Sleeper pick from this division: Jacksonville.

AFC West - San Diego or Denver. Broncos are the Conventional Wisdom pick, and they've got the talent. However, I've got this "feeling" about the Chargers. Defense has been slightly upgraded and all it will take is for Phillip Rivers to fit in well, which I think he will.

NFC East - Tough division to pick. I don't really see Philly, to many losses of key players and Donovan seems to be going through his "streaky" phase these last two years, regardless of his injury. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Washington.

NFC North - Not a good division, but there's some talent that could step up this year. Don't expect Brad Johnson to finish the season with Minnesota, thier QB of the future should be on the field by about Week 7. With a new coach and little real talent around, look for Brett Favre to have a long (final?) season. My heart, of course, says Vikings in a weak division, but my head says Chicago.

NFC South - Everyone's picking Carolina to go all the way this year, and they probably would have last year without all those key injuries. I think that's probably going to happen, but I'm keeping my eye on Atlanta this year. They're in thier "on" year this season after a bad outing in 2005.

NFC West - Seattle should repeat here, but Arizona is a real sleeper pick. The talent is there, if they can just get it together. Matt Leinart, Edgerrin James and arguably the best receiving duo in at least the NFC. Lack of playoff experience could really hurt them come January, but 'Zona's got a realistic shot at the division should Seattle stumble.

[maniactickler]

C'mon guys! picking buffalo or the jets to win the AFC East? theres a better chance of lightning hitting the same spot 50 times in a row. those are two garbage teams to say the least. id be surprised if either of them even came close to an 8-8 record.

[Tickle Fiend]

NFC East- Dallas
NFC North- Minnesota
NFC South- Atlanta
NFC West- Seattle

NFC WC's: Chicago, NY


AFC East- New England
AFC North- Cincy
AFC South- Colts
AFC West- San Diego

AFC WC's: Jacksonville, Pittsburgh

NFC Champ:America's Team
AFC Champ:Cincy

Super Bowl Champ: America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys

[Krokus]

NFC north going to Vikes? Gimme a break. Nobody stops chi-town in this division.