Here are 10 things that I predict will happen in the NFL this year:
1. A quarterback not named Manning will win the Super Bowl. Hey, this is only my first one-I need a gimme to get me going.
2. Ladainian Tomlinson will not lead the NFL in rushing. In fact, I predict a down season for LT and the Chargers. However, they have no competition from their division so they will still make the playoffs-maybe at 8-8 or 9-7.
3. Detroit will make the playoffs. Yes-I'm going out on a limb on this one, but if there was ever a year to win their division, it's this one. With the Bears still deciding on a QB, Green Bay still adjusting to LAF (Life after Favre), and the Vikings still without a QB, the Lions are ready to win the NFC Central. Remember where you heard it!
4. Dallas will win a playoff game for the first time since 1996. The NFL schedule makers made a horrible mistake by making the last regular season game in Texas Stadium a Saturday night game vs. the Ravens on NFL Network. So, Dallas will have to get home field advantage and say goodbye to their old digs in style.
5. Lane Kiffin will be out as coach of the Raiders. I don't know any Raider fans personally, but they must be beside themselves having your hopes ride on Jamarcus "I never met a buffet I didn't like" Russell. Trust me-I've seen this story before (i.e. Byron Leftwich in Jacksonville).
6. Vince Young will be replaced as starting QB in Tennessee. I think Titan fans are getting a little impatient with Vince. Look for a change around Halloween.
7. Buffalo will be back in the playoffs for the first time since 1999. This Bills team is very underrated and I think they will challenge the Patriots for the AFC East title.
8. There will be a tie this year. There hasn't been a tie in the NFL in many many years-I'm saying it's going to happen this year, and when it does people will be screaming for rules changes.
9. Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson tie the knot. I predict that they will marry on the Cowboys' bye week. Tony's best man will be T.O. (who will be crying as the ceremony is taking place), and Cowboys fans will forgive the blonde beauty as the Cowboys go deep in the playoffs.
10. Your 2008 NFL MVP is going to be .........
BEN ROETHLISBERGER!!!
I know-I'm probably crazy on this one, but hear me out. This guy does one thing consistently-win. He said during the offseason that he wanted a tall play-making wide receiver. In the draft, Limas Sweed fell into their lap-he's a playmaker. The schedule is tough for the Steelers this year, but I think Ben is going to carry this team to the playoffs. The fashionable pick to win the AFC North this year is the Cleveland Browns-but I'm not buying it. As Deion Sanders says, "if you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you play good". Cleveland-you just don't look good!
With a name like jaguarjoe, it sounds like I should agree with most of what you say, but I definitely have some difference in opinion.
1-4 I don't have a problem with, but I'll start with number 5. To compare J. Russell to Leftwich is really reaching. Leftwich is injury-prone that's why Jax let him go and it turned out to be the right decision. Russell hasn't played enough for you to even compare them and besides, he's more mobile than Leftwich.
6. V Young needs weapons. If Titans' fans expect him to do it all himself, then they need to put on a jersey and try out at WR. Can you name their number 1 and 2 WRs?
7. Buffalo challenge the Patriots for the division title?? What? The Patriots have the EASIEST schedule in the NFL after coming off a 16-0 regular season. They will be 13-3 at the least. So you think the Bills will beat that?
Big Ben MVP?? The Steelers will be lucky enough to make the playoffs with the schedule they have and as long as the Jaguars are on it, he LOVES our DBs so expect 2 or 3 INTs when we play...and more than likely we'll meet in the playoffs again and it'll be a repeat performance. His offensive line didn't improve this off season, I would be seriously surprised to see him get MVP.
Interesting. But I dont buy Vince getting replaced. 17 and 11 during regular season starts without a big target to throw to. He is 2-2 versus Peyton. While I am not sold on him being a "pick you apart" kind of guy, he is and always has been a winner. He can throw for 87 yards and still get a victory (Oct. 29 against Houston.) And led the Titans back to the playoffs.
jagjoe...I have to agree with TUDE'S takes on your list.
Vince Young is pathetic. His numbers are pitiful. I don't know how the Titans went to the playoffs last year in the toughest division in the NFL. I'm not being sarcastic here. I'm serious. Anyone know how they made the playoffs?
10. The Steelers just drafted another big name back and their gonna run the ball. They dont play the type of football that would allow Ben to win the MVP anyway.
1. A quarterback not named Manning will win the Super Bowl.
-Ish. Both play in the toughest divisions in football (AFC south and NFC east), but on teams that still compete. Not a gimmie. If they make playoffs, either can win it all. The major hurdle is the division.
2. Ladainian Tomlinson will not lead the NFL in rushing.
-No, he won't. You are mostly correct, but don't count out all of San Diego's competition, either. I doubt the schedule will be the cakewalk it's made out to be.
3. Detroit will make the playoffs.
-No they won't. No running game. D has less consistancy than last year. They will be 3rd in their division.
4. Dallas will win a playoff game for the first time since 1996.
-That's what we said last year. What's your key? Pac Man?
5. Lane Kiffin will be out as coach of the Raiders.
-This I agree with, and if I were a Raider fan, I'd be angry. Kiffin is the best thing not to impact that team in years.
6. Vince Young will be replaced as starting QB in Tennessee.
-It's never been Vince's fault. It won't be Vince's fault (even when it was Vince's fault). Fox will be gone long before Vince.
7. Buffalo will be back in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
This could be true, but as a distant second to the Pats. But they are competitive, and I could see them spliting the regular season with NE. But their record won't match. Wildcard at best.
8. There will be a tie this year.
-When was the last time this happened? I doubt it between fast paced Offenses and too few stalwart Ds
9. Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson tie the knot.
-This shouldn't be an NFL prediction. I'm sure TMZ has a blog site.
10. Your 2008 NFL MVP is going to be .........
BEN ROETHLISBERGER!!!
-Cold day in hell. Ben will try hard. Cleveland is too strong, as is the Pittsburgh schedule (hardest in the NFL). I don't see them claiming a wildcard.
1. Correct it will be Drew Brees
2.Corect again it will be Adrian Peterson
3. LMFAO! You don't really believe that do you?
4.Probably so but one at the most.
5. Agreed
6. Not likely, I mean who is going to replace him?????
7. That I can see but beating out the Pat's lol! dude you killing me with the jokes.
8.Maybe but that's has about a 1/2% chance of happening.
9.Yeah he's stupid but hey she does have nice boobs.
10.No way to much of a running team it'll be Drew Brees.
Sorry I am a bit of a homer.
1) Don't want it to happen again.
2) Willie Parker should win it. Injuries prevented him last season to.
3) Will be awesome if they do and get 10 wins. Sucks they collapsed in the 2nd half last season.
4) They were the number one seed last season and still choked. Don't see as that is how the reason they will win a playoff game.
5) Al Davis will probably want to coach so he will kick Kiffin out lol.
6) Would be interesting if that does happen but no. Fans aren't impatient with him just the franchise.
7) Can happen but they WON'T challenge the Pats for the AFC East title.
8) People forget that one happened in November 10, 2002. Pittsburgh vs. Atlanta 34-34. Will be great one happened.
9) Marry during the bye week divorce at the end of the playoffs. Celebrity way of Marriage.
10) Never liked making award predictions so I'll won't answer.
imacsmac - Do you realize how silly that sounds/reads to say that Cleveland is too strong?
Too strong for what? Hey, maybe the Browns will win the division and make the playoffs. But your basing a prediction on something that hasn't happened in 19 years. So they upgraded their team on paper - that means they are going to win the division?
You must lose a lot of money whenever in Las Vegas...
Attitude70 and Hanahan - We seem to have had a nice rivalry going on between the Steelers and the Jags for 13 years. But Pittsburgh doesn't have to beat Jacksonville to win the AFC North. It would be great to play them again in the playoffs. But, if the Steelers make the playoffs, luck will have nothing to do with it. And Jacksonville really needs to focus on beating the Colts, Titans and Texans. Your record against the AFC South is not very stellar and that's why you haven't won that division title yet.
Now that you all have commented on my predictions-let me add some more. First of all, I tried to have fun with these. I didn't want to say the same things that every other hack writes about. As far as the tie-I forgot about the PIT/ATL tie in 2002. I thought the last one was the Gus Frerotte self inflicted concussion game against the Giants. My sister actually went to that game-she has been a Skins fan for as long as I can remember and she was mad that that game turned out the way it did. Also, as a Jaguars fan, I hate to say that Roethlisberger will win MVP-but this guy is the real deal and Steeler fans should thank their lucky stars that they finally got a quarterback.
jaquarjoe72 - We do thank our lucky stars everyday. He is already the 2nd best QB to ever play for Pittsburgh. And, if he stays off motorcycles, will eventually be the best. Maybe not with the same amount of Championships, but he will obliterate the Steeler record book.
Moseby - Looking from outside the rivalry in, I think Pittsburgh is in for a tougher year, and yes, I think the Browns are a major contributor to that. On paper, they have improved quite a bit. In reality, they've been very smart about how they've improved. I think there ability to compete works in swings, unlike the Steelers who are pretty consistent competitors. I just think this is one of those cycle years when the Browns have it.
moseby...very true, Pitt does not have to beat Jax to win the division, however, seeming as though the Browns have improved big time "on paper" and both teams visit "The Jack" this year, it may come down to the difference in one or two victories...so beating Jax just may be the win you need to win the division/make the playoffs.
As far as our division goes, its the toughest in the league in my opinion. The way that Jax has Pitt's number lately, just imagine if they were in the AFC South and play twice a year, with the Colts twice, Titans twice, do you think the Steelers would win the division then? Think long and hard before you answer that one....
jaguarjoe...thank you for letting me know that you are a Jags fan! I was beginning to wonder, you know, with the Big Ben prediction and all. I like Big Ben too, but not enough for him to be the MVP of the league. I actually wished that Garrard would have had that pro bowl spot instead of him. The only stat he led Garrard in was TDs...popularity contest I tell you. Jones-Drew gets snubbed for rookie of the year, and Fred Taylor had to beg and plea his way to the pro bowl. Where's the love????
jmac - You could be right about that. I'm not trying to undermine anything that the Browns have done. They have one of the best GMs in the game. My point is that last year was a great turnaround for them. They probably should have been the sixth seed in the playoffs. But we've seen this before with Cleveland - 1994 and 2002. They got a wildcard berth but then couldn't translate that to anything in the following years. My point is that Cleveland needs to show they can consistently compete before they should be made favorites, and they have to start beating the Steelers. Forget about schedule strength. The AFC North will be determined by one team winning at least 5 divisional games.
Tude70 - Are you asking me that questioned based on 2007 and 2008? Or are you talking about since they rescrubbed the divisions in 2002? The Steelers wouldn't be the favorite currently or last year. So I would say no. Does that mean they can't compete with those teams? No. They are a better team than either the Titans or Texans, point blank. Still have to beat them on the field, but they are better. Steelers have a lot of success vs. the Colts. They've lost one game to them in about 20 years. They match up well vs. Colts offense. Do they beat them twice a year - probably not. The Jags have won 4 in a row vs. Pittsburgh. But let's take each in circumstance. 2005 - Tommy Maddox, playing for Ben, handed the game to the Jags, twice(Fumble & Int) . Steelers beat Indy in playoffs and win SB, so I'll go with Pittsburgh on that one. 2006 - Monday Night in Jax, 3-0 game with 6 minutes to go, Jags wear down Pitt in 4th and win 9-0. Good win. But Jags lose last 3 games and finish 8-8, while Pitts wins 6 out of last 8 to also finish 8-8 AMD eliminate Bengals on last day of regular season in Cinn. I'll call that a push. 2007 - Jags clearly better in regular season and dominate Steelers in Pittsburgh. Playoff game? Well they got a big lead early, but Steelers were one 3rd and 6 conversion away from giving the Jags maybe their worst loss (losing a 28-10 lead) in their history. Pretty tight deal. I'll say the Jags were a better team last year. BTW, Steelers had a three game winning streak on Jags (2001,2002,2004), two in Jacksonville before current streak and the Steelers were a better tea
VY's not going anywhere. He's not had any weapons to give him a hand. He's got Crumpler now as a release valve for the redzone and the young WRs have a bit more experience. I don't expect him to have phenomenal passer ratings but they'll be improved and the Titans will return to the playoffs.
1. I agree. (Right now, I'm picking Jags over Dallas)
2. LT will still get 1,300 yards and around 20 TDs. San Diego will go around 11-5 and win the AFC West.
3. You're kidding, right? The Los Angeles Clippers of the NFL go 5-11.
4. Very likely. Although I wish Washington would have closed out Texas Stadium.
5. Not likely. JaMarcus has been spending a LOT of time in the film room and weight room. He's around 260. He (JaMarcus) is serious about being the face of the Raiders franchise.
6. Not if the Titans are winning while Young's the starting QB.
7. They'll make a run, but come up just short.
8. It's possible--in a couple of games (Oakland at Denver comes to mind) the games were won with less than a minute to play in OT, including one on the last play of OT. And in 2006, San Francisco upset Denver on the last play of OT on a short Joe Nedney FG.
9. Not happening. I was reading that according to one of Romo's closest friends, he and Jessica are DONE. She's a free agent now. He's focused on leading the Cowboys to the Super Bowl.
10. I'm going with AP. He's going to have a MONSTER year while leading the Vikings to the NFC North title. Big Ben will be a factor, though.
I could care less about all of the predictions if no. 10 comes true! and the Jags are only a little better than the Steelers in the last few years, but it all goes to the Jags o-line and d-line play and Special teams, but Pittsburgh is a lot better in the linebacker and reciever areas.
Two of the funniest statements I've read this year have come from the same guy...jmacsmac...omg you are freakin hilarious.
1st one "Cleveland is too strong" and the 2nd one (they go hand and hand) "On paper, they have improved quite a bit. In reality, they've been very smart about how they've improved." Just how do you justify these ridiculous statements? Bringing in other teams' clubhouse cancers is your big solution? Rogers...too fat. Stallwart's on his 4th team in 3 years (I'll let you figure out why). And you did it all and gave away your BEST DB in Bodden...yeah really smart moves. You got two games against us, the Steelers and two against the Ohio Correctional Team from Cincinnati and I expect you to give up, oh about 350 passing yards average for those 4 games. I'll even throw in an average of 4TD's and .25 Ints for those games. You may have suprised a lot of teams last year playing your WEAK schedule, but your in almost the same boat as us this year with a vastly improved schedule. We are going to have a good year. It'll be tough and rough, but honestly you guys have NO chance. I see a 4-12 record for Cleveland this year, and thats with me giving you both Baltimore games. Enjoy.
I think the Raiders are gunna blow you Away this year!!! They finaly got the right talent and Jamarcus is a ticking time Bomb and Move out the way Julian Peterson cuz We just released a Best and His Name Is Darren Mcfadden. OH yeah Ladainian Tomlinson I hope The Raider Brake you Leggs This year and lets not Forget #### The Niners Have fun with That Fossile they Call Isaac Bruce.
WOLFF6 THE 4-12 BROWNS COMMENT MUST COME THE THREE STREAMS OF MUD IN PITTSBURG. GRANTED THE SCHEDULE IS MUCH TOUGHER THAN LAST YEARS, BUT SO IS THE REST OF THE DIVISIONS! TO BOOT THE STEELERS PLAY NEW ENGLAND. I'LL BE SITTING OUT WEST IN VEGAS AND ENJOYING A VAST IMPROVED BROWNS DEFENSE AND A OFFENSE THAT HAS NOTHING BUT UPSIDE. THE TERRIBLE TOWL GETS CLEANED THIS YEAR, THE DAWG POUND RULES!
