Yes, even though I didn't get these in prior to the season kicking off last night, these are my predictions for how the 2008 NFL season is going to turn out. I haven't gone through each and every game to do exact standings or anything like that, so I'm just going to do division placement, playoff teams, stuff like that. I know that something like this has already been started over in the FanPosts, but feel free to comment here as well.
National Football Conference
North
(3) Minnesota - Naturally. . .who else did you think I was taking?
Detroit - If they can get ANYTHING put together on defense, the Motor City Kitties could finally really surprise some people
Green Bay - Still not impressed with Aaron Rodgers. I don't expect that to change after Monday, either.
Chicago - Defense keeps getting older, and Marty Booker is their #1 receiver. Yeah,that Marty Booker.
South
(4) New Orleans - Offense could be downright scary. . .defense could be, too, but in a totally different way.
Carolina - Can Jake Delhomme stay healthy? The Panthers had better hope so. . .their primary backup broke his leg in the last pre-season game.
Tampa Bay - I never know what this team is going to do from one year to the next. I'm just waiting for Jon Gruden to come to camp one year with 53 quarterbacks on his roster.
Atlanta - The NFC South has had a team go from worst to first in the division the past few years. Don't bet on it happening in 2008.
East
(1) Dallas - Yes, on paper, they're the most talented team in the NFC, and possibly in the NFL. I'd be crazy not to put them here.
(5) Philadelphia - I'm curious to watch the McNabb/Kolb situation continue to develop in Philly. I still think McNabb holds him off this season. . .beyond that is anybody's guess.
New York Giants - Yes, they looked good in the opener, and Eli Manning is improved, but their D-line has taken a lot of hits already, and if they continue to do so, I don't know if I trust their secondary.
Washington - Can we let Jason Campbell have the same offensive coordinator for a couple years straight, please?
West
(2) Seattle - Is there a more consistent team in this conference than the Seahawks? Win 10-12 games a year, get to the second round of the playoffs, get beat. . .wash, rinse, repeat. Dont' see a reason for that to change.
(6) Arizona - Yes, I'm buying into the Cardinals. Again. If I keep doing it enough times, eventually I'll get it right.
St. Louis - Chris Long is only one man, and it's going to take a while to get that defense turned around.
San Francisco - J.T. O'Sullivan is a starting NFL QB, and Daunte Culpepper can't find a job? Really? Seriously?
American Football Conference
North
(4) Pittsburgh - Their schedule is absolutely freaking brutal. . .but I think if any coach has the temperment to guide his team through it, it's Mike Tomlin.
Cleveland - Everyone's chic pick, but I'm not totally sold yet. Are we getting the Derek Anderson from the first part of 2007. . .or the last part, where he was pretty bad?
Baltimore - Joe Flacco is getting thrown into the fire right away. I can't wait to see how he responds.
Cincinnati - There's no possible way that this ends well, is there?
South
(2) Indianapolis - Peyton Manning had knee surgery this off-season. It should take him all of five minutes to get re-adjusted.
(5) Jacksonville - They might eventually catch the Colts. . .but not this year.
Houston - Looks like Mario Williams over Reggie Bush and Vince Young might have been the right choice after all, eh?
Tennessee - Defense? Solid. Coaching? Outstanding. Offense? Ummmm. . .not so much.
East
(1) New England - I don't think they're going 16-0 again or anything, but they're still the best team in the AFC, as near as I can tell.
(6) Buffalo - My surprise AFC playoff entrant. I think Trent Edwards will continue to get better, their defense will solidify, and Lee Evans will continue to anger fantasy football owners everywhere.
New York Jets - I-N-T-S Jets Jets Jets!
Miami - Keep an eye on the Ricky Williams/Ronnie Brown situation at RB. I think there's a chance that one will be on the trade block before too long.
West
(3) San Diego - Shawne Merriman is making a mistake. I'm guessing that after his knee explodes, he'll say the same thing.
Denver - With all the drama from the off-season, maybe Brandon Marshall is more like Terrell Owens than everybody thinks.
Oakland - How much are they going to ask Darren McFadden to do here?
Kansas City - The youth movement has officially started in KC. . .it looks like it could be a long year for the Arrowhead faithful.
Playoffs
NFC
(3) Minnesota over (6) Arizona
(5) Philadelphia over (4) New Orleans
(3) Minnesota over (2) Seattle
(1) Dallas over (5) Philadelphia
(1) Dallas over (3) Minnesota
AFC
(3) San Diego over (6) Buffalo
(5) Jacksonville over (4) Pittsburgh
(1) New England over (5) Jacksonville
(2) Indianapolis over (3) San Diego
(1) New England over (2) Indianapolis
Super Bowl XLIII: New England over Dallas
Top 5 picks in 2009 NFL Draft
1) Kansas City
2) Atlanta
3) Miami
4) Cincinnati
5) San Francisco
So there they are. . .thoughts? Arguments? Feel free to discuss them here!
Back with more later on today. . .enjoy your Friday until then, ladies and gentlemen!