It is time to make your predictions for the season.  We can review it at the end of the year to see who came closest.  I will list the order of how I think team will finish in their division from first to last. Then I will do the playoff matchups and eventual Super Bowl winner.

So here goes ...

NFC North - Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota
NFC South - Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Carolina
NFC East - Philadelphia, Dallas, NY Giants, Washington
NFC West - St Louis, Arizona, Seattle, San Francisco

Playoff teams in order - Atlanta, Green Bay, Philadelphia, St Louis, New Orleans, Dallas

Wildcard - Philadelphia vs New Orleans & St Louis vs Dallas
Semifinal - Atlanta vs Dallas & Green Bay vs Philadelphia
Conference Final - Green Bay vs Atlanta

AFC North - Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati
AFC South - Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee
AFC East - New England, NY Jets, Miami, Buffalo
AFC West - San Diego, Kansas City, Oakland, Denver

Playoff teams in order - San Diego, New England, Pittsburgh, Houston, NY Jets, Baltimore

Wildcard - Pittsburgh vs Baltimore & Houston vs NY Jets
Semifinal - San Diego vs Houston & New England vs Pittsburgh
Conference Final - San Diego vs New England

Super Bowl - San Diego vs Green Bay

Champion - San Diego
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Now this is what my mind is telling me.  But if I look at the Vikings schedule closer and try very hard to be as hopeful as possible then I could see the Vikings doing this ...

@San Diego - Loss
Tampa Bay - Win
Detroit - Win
@Kansas City - Loss
Arizona - Win
@Chicago - Loss
Green Bay - Loss * first home loss
@ Carolina - Win * first road win
@ Green Bay - Loss
Oakland - Win
@Atlanta - Loss
Denver - Win
@Detroit - Loss
New Orleans - Win *critical win here
@Washington - Win
Chicago - Win

... if the Vikings can pull off a 9-7 then I think they MAY be able to sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard.

But my mind is saying to me that they could start out 3-5 with the only wins in the first 8 games coming against Detroit, Arizona, & Carolina.  I think they finish up 3-5 as well with wins against Oakland, Denver, & Washington.  That puts them at 6-10 for the year.

It is hard to be very optimistic with the offensive line a serious question mark and the secondary too.

I am going to be rooting very hard for some surprise performances and a couple of wins snatched from the jaws of defeat.  The Vikings can do this and if they do not give any games away they stand a good chance of being above .500 and making the dance!

Therefore my final HOMER prediction for the 2011 season is ...

NFC North - Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit, Chicago
NFC South - Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Carolina
NFC East - Philadelphia, Dallas, NY Giants, Washington
NFC West - St Louis, Arizona, Seattle, San Francisco

Playoff teams in order - Atlanta, Philadelphia, Green Bay, St Louis, Minnesota, New Orleans

Wildcard - Green Bay vs New Orleans & St Louis vs Minnesota
Semifinal - Atlanta vs Minnesota & Philadelphia vs Green Bay
Conference Final - Philadelphia vs Minnesota

AFC North - Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati
AFC South - Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee
AFC East - New England, NY Jets, Miami, Buffalo
AFC West - San Diego, Kansas City, Oakland, Denver

Playoff teams in order - San Diego, New England, Pittsburgh, Houston, NY Jets, Baltimore

Wildcard - Pittsburgh vs Baltimore & Houston vs NY Jets
Semifinal - San Diego vs Houston & New England vs Pittsburgh
Conference Final - San Diego vs New England

Super Bowl - San Diego vs Philadelphia

Champion - San Diego

Should I have went with my mind or is going with the heart better?

Feel free to step up to the plate and offer your own predictions!