With Training Camp mere days away I thought now would be a good time to put out my season predictions. I figure I'll start by saying who will make the playoffs and how they got there, and then move to the actual playoff games. So without further ado here is my list.
AFC East Division Champions: New England Patriots 14-2
No suprises here, after coming off a 16-0 regular season and a runner up finish the Patriots appear equally loaded to make another run. Returning is virtually the entire record setting offense which should continue to be the best in the league. Maroney should emerge into a 1000 yard back, and balance out the offensive attack. On defense arguably the best defensive line should be bolstered by a healthy Richard Seymour for the first time in several years. There is some fresh blood at linebacker which should improve the pass defense in that area. However, the secondary is an absolute mess with the departure of Asante Samuel. The starting corners are Ellis Hobbs and Fernando Bryant, and if the latter isn't good enough for the Lions than he definately isn't good enough for the Pats. The 2 losses will come from the Broncos and the Seahawks.
AFC South Division Champions: Indianapolis Colts 12-4
After a quiet offseason from Indianapolis the Colts return a strong team. Manning and company should be boosted by a healthy Harrison this year. Addai should emerge into an elite back with another year of seasoning. On defense Dwight Freeney returns from IR, and he will try to continue to continue to be a pass rushing force. They return the #1 ranked pass defense, and that should continue to be a strength for them. The improvement across the division, and dates with the Chargers and the Pats will lead to a few more losses this year for the Colts, but they will nonetheless stay atop the division.
AFC North Division Champions: Cleveland Browns 11-5
This one was an extremely hard choice between the Steelers and the Browns. While I personally believe the Steelers are stronger, they also have to face the Chargers and the Patriots which will be the difference. The young exciting offense of the Browns should put up points in bunches, especially with the embarrasment of riches at the skill positions. However, the real question is on defense with new parts being added to the mix. I believe the 2 new D tackles will dissapoint those who are expecting a huge improvement, since it is difficult to translate D tackles to the 3-4. Kamerion Wimbley should make a bigger impact like he did in his rookie year. The cornerback slot is a mess like the Patriots. They should split the season series with the Steelers and beat the Steelers in by 1 game.
AFC West Champions: San Diego Chargers 13-3
Make no mistake the Chargers are LOADED!! With Phillip Rivers leading the way they can expect to secure a bye while providing some of the most impressive performances of the season. They have drafted so well over the past couple of years that they have enough young talent to split over 3 teams. However, despite the talent they do have the great equalizer Norv Turner. He alone should account for 3 losses. They do need to win a Superbowl soon as their young talent will soon require contracts that are out of this world.
Wild Card: Jacksonville Jaguars 11-5
What isn't there to like about this team? Their two headed monster at tailback will continue to dominate this year. David Garrard is an extremely good game manager, who doesn't make mistakes. On defense they have some weapons with Henderson, Mathis, Nelson, and others. Despite all this they are relying on Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson to improve their passing game.(never gonna happen). Also they overpaid for Drayton Florence an extremely average corner. My big question with the Jags is why will this year be any different from the last couple? While they are always good they are never great, and I suspect the same is their destiny in 2008.
Wild Card: Buffalo Bills 10-6
Hold your laughter for a second please. The Bills have one of the easiest schedules I have ever seen. It's like taking the Patriots and removing the division champions. Plus, have you looked at the Bills roster lately? I'm naturally skeptical, but this has the look o####ood team. Marshawn #### can create an effective rushing attack, plus Lee Evans is always good for a big play. On defense they added Marcus Stroud who will create more opportunities for the gifted ends on the outside. Also, Mckelvin arrives culminating with the emergence of Whitner and the return of Pozluzney leading to an exciting defense. If this team could scrap together a 7-9 record last year adding 3 wins with an improved team and an easier schedule shouldn't be outside the realm of possibility. If they somehow hold a tiebreaker with the Steelers than they are playoff bound.
The Games: Wilcard
Buffalo@ Indianapolis: Final Score 48-13 Indi
So much for a Cinderella story. The Colts easily handle the inferior Bills at home with Peyton Manning throwing for 5 TD's.
Jacksonville@ Cleveland: Final Score 24-21 Cle
A tough fought game despite over 300 yards passing by Anderson. His mistakes lead to opportunistic points by Jacksonville. However, after Jacksonville ties it with 15 seconds left Cribbs returns the ball 67 yards leading to the GW field goal.
Divisional Round
Cleveland@ New England: Final Score 31-17 NE
New England jumps out to an early lead with twin deep strikes to Moss. Late in the game Cleveland closes to within a touchdown, but the Patriots ice it with a strike to Watson in the back of the endzone.
Indianapolis@ San Diego: Final Score 17-14 SD
Since the Colts couldn't beat the Volek-Turner Chargers their is no chance they beat next years version. The game is an unexpected defensive struggle which leads to defensive TD's by Cromartie and Sanders. At the end of the game with a chance to win it Manning fumbles and the Chargers subsequently drive and kick a GW field goal redeeming Kaeding after years of failure.
Championship
San Diego @ New England: Final 34-31 SD
This year is the year San Diego makes it over the hump. The offenses dominate the game as the defenses look helpless. Down 4 with less than 2 minutes Phillip Rivers leads the Chargers down to a game winning touchdown with LT on the sideline complaining because it is too cold outside. On the last play of regulation Rivers throws a bullet to Gates down the seam. As he catches it he is drilled by Harrison on the goal line resulting in controversy on whether or not the ball broke the plane. After review the refs rule it a touchdown and the game is over, leading to me on the floor screaming in disbelief as the Chargers are headed to the Superbowl for the 1st time in over a decade.
Wow. That's some specifics... and funny with giving one of the Pats losses too Denver. Shanahan always seems to have their number. It's weird.
Anyway, your picks all make sense, however, I would caution you that there are some x-factors. The Pats have a tough schedule, with the exception of their own division, and as you mentioned, no secondary. There will be shootouts galore, which usually leads to injury. Being that it's a largely vetern team adds to that risk.
The Colts simply did not improve, and are trusting the return of certain players to make the difference. Sadly, their division got stronger across the board. Could make a hard road for Peyton and CO.
Cleveland is the sexy pick that I actually have no disagreement with. Pit will be close though.
San Diego might have been given a lot of credit here. Again, they simply did not improve in the offseason, and the competition did. It would be a surprise if they don't take the West, but I really can't believe it will be won so handily.
I think Jacksonville takes the south. Garrard is the man, MJD should have an increased role, they have a couple of WRs now, and the D is always rough and tumble.
I think the Bills need ####, and if he gets in suspended, they won't have enough wins for the playoffs.
Keep your eye on Denver and Pittsburgh to slide into that last spot. It should be a tough year in the AFC.
Nice work.
Thanks for the comment, oddly enough this blog apparently was missed with all the hoopla surrounding Brett Farve. I disagree with your assesment that the Pats have a hard schedule though. They play the AFC and NFC West, those 2 conferences have 2 over .500 teams within them. So I don't think that there will be all that many challenging regular season games for them.
nice article patsrock. good predictions, my thing w/ the chargers in playoffs, i know we lost to volek and turner, but w/ a healthy freeney wreaking havoc in the backfield could be a different outcome. overall nice blog, cant believe you got the chargers beating your pats, just like we havent been able to beat the chargers, they havent been able to beat you guys. nice article, keep up the good work, no hard feelings over the team bashings, right, all in good fun
And jmacsmac, what the colts did to get better this year, was not lose anyone(besides Jake Scott) of signifigance, all the young players that were starting last year as rookies and first time starters, are now closer to vets, the colts will be better this year, with a healthy team of course
OK, certain parts of their regular season seems simple, but... they've got San Diego, Denver (who always seems to be tough for them...), Indy, Pit, Seattle, and I think possible challenges from Buffalo (if #### is in), St. Louis (yes, they sucked last year, but were injury riddled), and Arizona (good players, terrible team. Who knows?), who I wouldn't sleep on. All I'm saying is, there are quite a few possible stumbling points for the Pats. We'll have to see.
IDK. I wouldnt say the Pats have a tough schedule. Their division is ubber weak and the NFC West is pretty down. When some people are predicting the Cards to win the NFC West you know its bad,
Anyways, this statement here crossed over into bias land...Since the Colts couldn't beat the Volek-Turner Chargers their is no chance they beat next years version...At the end of the game with a chance to win it Manning fumbles and the Chargers subsequently drive and kick a GW field goal redeeming Kaeding after years of failure.
No chance they beat the Chargers huh? Its totally out of the question you say...though the Colts lost 2 games to them last year, with injuries a big reason, by a grand total of 6 points, they still have NO Chance, huh? Oh, and the loss is all Mannings fault too, Gimme a break!
Take your blatant bias out of your column and more people will read it then!!!
PS Bills have QB problems and #### has law problems. Steelers or Titans slide in as last Wild Card.
I agree with: NE, Indy, and SD as divisional champions, and Jacksonville as one wild card. The AFC North has the toughest schedule, and the division winner is 9-7. That would be Pittsburgh. (Cleveland also goes 9-7, but loses to Pittsburgh twice) Cleveland snags the final wild card spot.
While I think Buffalo will improve, they're still a year away from contending for a playoff spot.
I LIKE YOUR STYLE , BUT ALL YOUR PICKS ARE BOILER PLATE ... EVERY DUDE BEING PAID FOR THIS #### HAS THE SAME PICKS AND GENERALLY THE PUBLIC IS WRONG. I'M GOIN' ON THE LIMB AND THAT'S WHERE THE $'S AT IN VEGAS.
CLEVELAND BROWNS SUPER BOWL BOUND BURIED BY THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS IN THE BIG GAME 34-3
Last edited by tigervidmar on July 19th at 11:08 AM.
Looking at that schedule, not even a homer Browns fan could come up with 11 wins.
The Steelers will win the AFC North with a record of 11-5 or 10-6. Cleveland will not even make the playoffs. Mark my words.
I can't believe people are talking about Buffalo making the post-season! They are a team in shambles, and the injury problem is holding them back. Edwards is good, but he won't be able to lead a team to the playoffs. Leodis McKelvin is overrated, and he won't turn in that great of a performance this season, either. Even if he did, still no playoffs for Buffalo. I'd say Denver, Tennessee or Cincy have better chances than the Bills.
DezzNutz, there isn't bias in my coloumn. Did you notice I didn't pick my Patriots to win the AFC. No instead I picked the Chargers who have won virtually every game they played against the Colts. At this junction the Colts don't seem to be able to beat the Chargers. The thing you don't seem to realize is that the Colts aren't as strong as the Chargers, and the Chargers are a team that hasn't hit their ceiling yet. Just because I didn't pick your Colts to win the AFC doesn't mean I'm biased. As far as my coloumn goes, I think I am doing just fine. I'm going to write about what I want, and as biased as I want. If people choose to read it than fine, It's not all about traffic.
patsrock
I have read all your blogs and I applaud you for it, and I am not being biased cause I am a Charger fan. BTW I usually add your blogss to my favorites.
I forgot to add don't mind my username, kind of a spur of the moment thing, and I also like blogs from streetcred as well. Some of you guy's stuff is more perferrable to read.
I am a 17 year old kid from Massachusetts who loves football wth an unequivocal passion. During football season between my high school practices and games, BC games, and Patriots games I spend roughly 30 hours per week on football related activities. Thats not quite enough though so I write and comment on basically every NFL blog I can find.
