Let's see...you live in Dallas...you have Dallas with the best record in football...and you have them winning the Super Bowl. Home spun loyalty at its finest...if not...perhaps...a bit unrealistic. Question for you. What brilliant criteria did you use to have the Vikings finishing last in their division after all they did to fill holes in the off-season? Or...do you even know what the Vikings did in the off-season? And please don't be so cliche and tell me it has to do with their QB. I'm not picking them to win the Super Bowl...but...c'mon...last place in that division with the talent they have?
Pretty much every NFC division is wide open which makes this season more exciting. Even in the AFC, outside of the East, there are at least two viable picks for each division crown.
However, I will say unless your name is Jon Kitna, the Lions at 10-6 is highly doubtful considering the state of that defense and an unsure running game. I would argue that the NFC North is the toughest division to pick a winner.
It's a good post and it's always gutsy to do this. I think you may be right about Jacksonville. Their "window of opportunity" opens a bit more and Indy's is beginning to decline. Still two great teams and I can see Jax finishing one game better.
I can give you almost anything you've predicted because after all, it's an opinion. The only thing that glaringly jumps out is Minnesota finishing 6-10. It took Purple Jesus a few games to become the dominate runner he became. I saw them as a playoff team and possible division winner BEFORE the improvements they made in the offseason.
Dallas has one of the most talented teams ever assembled in the salary cap era. Still, I'm not sold on them until they have a meaningful December and at least win one game in January. They have no excuse for not winning the division. Any other praise stops there until proven otherwise.
I have to say that I was completely bored today when I did this. I have to admit something-I'm a Jaguars/Cowboys homer. That being said, I think they are both legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Now the Vikings.... I'll start off by saying that their defense is great. But, let me get to the negative. I'm going to start at the obvious-quarterback. I'm not sure what Viking fans see in Tarvaris Jackson, but I see another Quincy Carter. Second, who does he have to catch the ball? I know they picked up Berrian from the Bears, but I don't think that's enough. Third, I think Adrian Peterson is THE MOST overrated player in the league. I'm not saying that he's not good, but Viking fans talk about him like he's the savior and I don't think he's at that level. Also, he has been injury prone-if he misses significant time, then it's gonna get ugly. One final thing-I don't think Brad Childress is liked by his players. Troy Williamson-now with the Jaguars has commented on how he loves the atmosphere of his new team-that they are like a big family. He wouldn't go into detail about his time in Minnesota, but what he said along with the whole bereavement pay thing last year kind of tells you that Childress is kind of a jerk.
Detroit at 10-6? In the WORST division in football? Are you freaking kidding? Green Bay will slip, Minnesota has a lot of questions, Chicago and Detroit both suck. And in the NFC South, there has NEVER been a team that's won back to back division titles. I expect that trend to continue. Arizona will be better, but I see them 8-8 at best.
In the AFC, I wholeheartedly agree with three of your four division champions. I think you're spot on with Pittsburgh winning the AFC North at 9-7. Although I disagree with the Jags' pick in the South, I could also make an argument for them.
I think you'll see a much improved Jackson this year. Peterson is the real deal and if he does get hurt or slowed down it ain't bad having Chester Taylor picking up the slack. Berrian helps and Rice gives them a go to guy in the red zone. I wouldn't hang my hat on what Williamson says. They screwed up on the bereavment pay and made good on it but...seriously...he couldn't catch a cold hanging out with pre-schoolers for a week and then standing naked outside in the freezing cold in MN after a hot shower. Personally, I don't think much of Childress as a head coach but if he lets his coordinators and assistants do their job the Vikes will be fine. And just so you don't think I'm too strange...pre-schoolers are always sick passing this cold or that cold around all year long.
ttthomas23456789012- I love the constructive criticism, ####.
jaguarjoe- I like most of your picks. I disagree with my Steelers going only 9-7, but as long as we win the division.
I also disagree with Detroit winning the NFC North. Minnesota and Green Bay will both have good teams, and I doubt Detroit can pull that off.
Dallas vs. Jakcsonville would be a great Super Bowl 43, however, if it were up to me, (from an entertainment standpoint) I would rather see Seattle and San Diego.
Good picks, except for maybe the Lions one. Oh well, see ya! Enjoy your weekend!
