This is my last post before I leave tomorrow for 3 days in Las Vegas. I'll try and keep up. For now, here are my predictions!
AFC East
1. Patriots (#2 Seed) 11-5- I like the moves New England made, but they have a potentially tricky schedule.
2. Jets 10-6 (#5 Seed)- Plaxico and Mason will be good WR end-zone targets, but I think they'll regret not keeping Braylon Edwards
3. Bills 8-8- No more Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick had some monster games last year- serious optimism for my Bills this fall.
4. Dolphins 5-11- Who's gonna pound the rock in Miami without Ronnie and Ricky? Also, they have serious QB issues
AFC North
1. Ravens (#1 Seed) 13-3- This team is hungry, and Ricky Williams/Vonte Leach are nice additions. Baltimore seems stacked on both sides of the ball
2. Steelers 9-7- The Super Bowl loser jinx looms large.
3. Browns 9-7- Showed promise with Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis- and this year, they get an easier schedule (NFC West, not so scary AFC South)
4. Bengals 7-9 With the young offensive players they have, they'll be this year's 'team with a losing record that plays above its heads.'
AFC South
1. Texans (#3 Seed) 10-6- Wade Phillips can't do any worse for their defense than last year, they strongly rebuilt last year's godawful secondary, and Houston's electric offensive talent finally breaks through to the playoffs in year #10.
2. Colts (#6 Seed) 10-6- They'll break the record for consecutive playoff appearances, and Peyton Manning is on pace for some passing milestones ala Favre in 2007- but it won't be easy.
3. Jaguars 9-7- Don't underestimate the effect the departure of Mike Sims-Walker will have.
4. Titans 7-9 Hasselbeck isn't gonna set the AFC South on fire, and Chris Johnson's holdout could set the team back a bit ala Revis last year
AFC West
1. Chiefs (#4 Seed) 10-6- Adding McClain and Breaston to a stacked offense impressed me- they would have been my no-brainer to run away with the division if they still had Weis.
2. Raiders 9-7- Sorry, Salsa, but losing Asomugha and Zack Miller hurts their playoff chances. They can probably pound away with McFadden ala the Browns did w/Hillis.
3. Chargers 9-7- The Bolts have burned me one too many times- if they couldn't make the playoffs with last year's statistical prowess and an easier schedule, can't see it this year.
4. Broncos 4-12 Regardless of who is the QB, they still have to figure out what to do defensively. They gave up the most points in the NFL last year.
NFC East
1. Eagles (#1 Seed) 13-3- I love the offseason moves they made. Loaded everywhere.
2. Cowboys 9-7- Without the bullseye on their backs they had a year ago, they'll be better but not as good as they were a few years ago.
3. Giants 8-8 Their December collapses are just as bad, if not worse, than the ones Dallas used to have.
4. Redskins 8-8- Easier schedule, no McNabb/Haynesworth black cloud, less primetime games means Washington will look like a football team more than an offseason All-Star acquisition roster.
NFC North
1. Packers (#2 Seed) 12-4- The champs bring back most of their key parts and injured players.
2. Lions (#5 Seed) 10-6- They look like a complete team on both sides of the ball and are poised to end their playoff drought.
3. Bears 10-6- I like the Williams and Barber signings, but the schedule will be tough and losing Kreutz could hurt a lot.
4. Vikings 8-8- McNabb won't bring the headlines and distractions of Favre, but he won't bring the touchdowns and big passes.
NFC South
1. Saints (#3 Seed) 11-5- Love the Sproles acquisition, and the offense is still loaded with talent.
2. Falcons (#6 Seed) 10-6- I think Atlanta takes a step back this year (tougher schedule, bit of a playoff hangover)
3. Buccaners 9-7- Like the Bucs, but they'll get squeezed out of the NFC playoff logjam.
4. Panthers 6-10- They can't be any worse than last year.
NFC West
1. Seattle (#4 Seed) 10-6- The Seahawks have assembled a nice collection of talented offensive playmakers- Rice, Lynch, Forsett, Mike Williams, Carlson.
2. Cardinals 8-8- I think Kolb will play well in the desert, but defensively, they don't have a lot I like
3. Rams 8-8- The schedule looks really tough and I have a feeling Bradford will hit the sophomore wall
4. 49ers 6-10- As long as Alex Smith is the QB, San Fran won't be breaking through anytime soon.
Playoff Teams
AFC- Ravens, Patriots, Chiefs, Texans, Colts, Jets
NFC- Eagles, Packers, Saints, Seahawks, Lions, Falcons
AFC Playoffs
#5 Colts defeat #4 Texans (Sat. 8 p.m. ET, NBC)
#3 Chiefs defeat #6 Jets (Sun. 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
#1 Ravens defeat #5 Colts (Sat. 8 p.m. ET, CBS)
#3 Chiefs defeat #2 Patriots (Sun. 1 p.m. ET, CBS)
#1 Ravens defeat #3 Chiefs (Sun. 3 p.m. ET, CBS)
NFC Playoffs
#5 Lions defeat #4 Seahawks (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
#3 Saints defeat #6 Falcons (Sun. 1 p.m. ET, FOX)
#1 Eagles defeat #5 Lions (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
#3 Saints defeat #2 Packers (Sun. 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
#1 Eagles defeat #3 Saints (Sun. 6:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
Super Bowl XLVI
Philadelphia Eagles 28, Baltimore Ravens 21 (Sun. 6:whenever p.m. ET, NBC)
Awards
Off. ROTY: Mark Ingram
Def. ROTY: Von Miller
Off. POTY: Drew Brees
Def. POTY: Terrell Suggs
Coach: Jim Schwartz
Comeback: Matthew Stafford
MVP: Drew Brees
Feel free to comment on my predictions.
11 am, 2 pm & 6 pm games ... 
