The Contenders:
Tennessee Titans-The Titans are 8-0, I am shocked. This is a very good football team that is modeled like the '85 Bears with a strong tough defense and a good run game. Chris Johnson and LenDale White might is a lethal 1-2 punch simular to how White and another speed back Reggie Bush was utilized at USC. The next few weeks will be tough for the Titans as they have to go to Chicago, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis. I see Tennessee finishing on top of the AFC.
New York Giants-Eli Manning is playing at his best, the run game is solid, and the defense is just as good as last year. Overall the New York Giants, in my opinion is the best team in the NFC. I see NYG staying solid and on top of the NFC.
Pittsburgh Steelers-The Steelmen have been doing quite well this season albeit struggling against NFC East teams(with the exception of Washington). Outside of Baltimore I feel Pittsburgh will easily win the AFC North.
Carolina Panthers-This is a team forgotten about. Not too many people think that they're deserving of it all. I feel with Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Hall, Jake Delhomme, and Steve Smith on offense and a very physical defense that the Carolina Panthers are back to 2003 form.
Washington Redskins-This is probably the best Redskin squad I've ever seen and the most dangerous. They have a fantastic run game and a good QB. The defense pretty much beat up Big Ben and the Steelers last night. However, I feel that they're more of a wildcard team.
Arizona Cardinals-The Cards seem to be finally turning it on behind the arm of Kurt Warner and the dawning of Tim Hightower. The defense is trying to improve but isn't quite there yet and no defense has shut them down so far. Look for the Cards to win the west.
The Deadsetters:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers-The Bucs are 6-2 but I feel its a weak 6-2. We'll learn more about them as the season keeps going.
Baltimore Ravens-The Ravs have looked good in some games and bad in others. Its clear the John Harbaugh has changed this team and improved them drastically. Joe Flacco is probably the best QB(outside of McNair) since Trent Dilfer in 2000. Overall I feel they can make the playoffs but they must demonstrate it full time.
Buffalo Bills-If this was 2 weeks ago they'd be in another category. However, following a 41-17 beatdown against Arizona and a loss to the Jets I feel this team is slipping. They could make it but at the same time they could crumble quick.
Chicago Bears-They're much better than expected but in all sincerity, with Kyle Orton out for a month 5-3 can turn into 5-7 fast. However, Sexy Rexy is a proven Super Bowl QB so lets see what he can do.
New York Jets-The Jets seemed like they were ready to take over the AFC East but they haven't been the 7-1 juggernaut that they've been saying. However, I feel the schedule is favorable with the Rams, Broncos, 49ers, Bills, and Seahawks coming up the Jets will finish strong.
Philadelphia Eagles-They were my dark horse in the NFC at the beginning of the year and they're still looking good but overall they need to recapture the NFC East from the Giants and Redskins...no easy task.
New England Patriots-Despite the loss of Tom Brady they're still winning the AFC East. However, the schedule has its difficult spots due to the fact they have to go to Miami, Buffalo(once at home), and face the Jets again.
Atlanta Falcons-They've been quite the surprise. All you had to do was replace Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich, Warrick Dunn, and Bobby Petrino with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, and Mike Smith and boom a winner.
Dallas Cowboys-The Tony Romo effect is in full force. Dallas is 1-2 since Romo left and they should've probably haven't won the one game. Romo should be back next week but if this gets worse and he isn't back by Thanksgiving expect them to be eliminated. Truth be told, however, even with Romo it wasn't working.
Indianapolis Colts-Peyton Manning and company have not seen anything this bad since Jim Mora was coaching. The team is getting up their in age and for this group it'll probably be their last chance to win the Super Bowl. However, there is something called the Titans in the way.
Minnesota Vikings-Gus Freorotte has somewhat fixed the team but he really hasn't been much of an impact let alone a star QB. This team is like the Titans with a tough run game and good defense. Even though Tennessee beat them in Week 4 a rematch would be interesting.
Miami Dolphins-Tony Sparano, Chad Pennington, and Bill Parcells has changed the culture of Miami. Last year they were 1-15 now they're 4-4. Truth be told they can still make the playoffs and they're a good football team especially with the re-emergence of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.
Green Bay Packers-Yes this isn't the good '07 squad but this team may be just as good contrary to what the record says. Aaron Rodgers is a good QB just as I said in 2005. If anything Green Bay I think will win the NFC North and return to the playoffs.
New Orleans Saints-This team should be better than 4-4 they should be at least 6-2 but theirs been some crucial mistakes. Like the recent bust of illegal substances. Hard to tell how much that will affect the team.
Denver Broncos-Ok that was a quick fall. Denver in the first 3 weeks looked like the team in the AFC now they're 4-4. Will they keep falling or be back on top?
San Diego Chargers-Its been rough for San Diego first Merriman gets hurt then they lose at the last seconds to Carolina and Denver and now they're 3-5. Somewhere Marty Schottenheimer is laughing.
Cleveland Browns-Usually any kind of change is bad especially during the season(or at least middle) but maybe the switch from Derek Anderson to Brady Quinn will save this team...maybe.
Jacksonville Jaguars-NO ONE expected this. I had Jacksonville as the best team in the AFC prior to the season. Now...not so much.
Houston Texans-I think the Matt Schuab experiment is over. Like I said I hate midseason changes but maybe Sage Rosenfels can save them...or not.
Eliminated(at least I think so)
- Oakland Raiders
- St.Louis Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- San Francisco 49ers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Oakland Raiders
- Detroit Lions
Best QB Rating:Philip Rivers(San Diego Chargers)-Quite the surprise that the only one playing well is the QB. I think Philip has shown the potential I talked about when he was at N.C. State.
Rushing Yards:Clinton Portis(Washington Redskins)-Portis has not been this good since 2003 when he was with Denver. He is the work horse for this team and he will continue it.
Receiving Yards:Andre Johnson(Houston Texans)-Andre has been the only light for the Texans in their dark history. He is one of the best receivers in the league. If he only had a legit QB.
Tackles:D.J. Williams(Denver Broncos) and D'Qwell Jackson(Cleveland Browns)-Just to see how many tackles each will get on Thursday makes the Broncos/Browns match worth watching.
Sacks:Joey Porter(Miami Dolphins)-Truth be told could you imagine if he was still at Pittsburgh? No one would be able to run on them. Porter is THAT good.
This is going to be a doozy...
Interceptions:Nick Collins(Green Bay Packers), Charles Woodson(Green Bay Packers), Cort Finnegan(Tennessee Titans), O.J. Atogwe(St.Louis Rams), Darrelle Revis(New York Jets), Michael Griffen(Tennessee Titans)-Yeah thats enough writing.
Most Touchdowns:LenDale White(Tennessee Titans)-The big man has 10 touchdowns this season all rushing.
Most Points:David Akers(Philadelphia Eagles)-The Eagles long time kicker has been kickin his way through special teams.
Most Yards of Total Offense:New Orleans Saints
Most Rushing Yards:Atlanta Falcons
Most Passing Yards:New Orleans Saints
Most Points:Arizona Cardinals
Least Yards Surrendered:Pittsburgh Steelers
Least Rushing Yards Surrendered:Baltimore Ravens
Least Passing Yards Surrendered:Pittsburgh Steelers
Least Points Surrendered:Tennessee Titans
Now and Then:My Predictions August 2008 vs the Current NFL:
August 2008:
NFC East:Philadelphia Eagles
NFC North:Detroit Lions
NFC South:Carolina Panthers
NFC West:St.Louis Rams
Wildcard 1:Dallas Cowboys
Wildcard 2:Tampa Bay Buccaneers
AFC East:New England Patriots
AFC North:Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South:Jacksonville Jaguars
AFC West:San Diego Chargers
Wildcard 1:Houston Texans
Wildcard 2:Indianapolis Colts
As of November 4, 2008:
NFC East:New York Giants
NFC North:Chicago Bears
NFC South:Carolina Panthers
NFC West:Arizona Cardinals
Wildcard 1:Washington Redskins
Wildcard 2:Tampa Bay Buccaneers
AFC East:New England Patriots
AFC North:Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South:Tennessee Titans
AFC West:Denver Broncos
Wildcard 1:New York Jets
Wildcard 2:Buffalo Bills
Analysis:Wow I am dead wrong so far on the NFC as the only division winner that has panned out is Carolina. Wildcard wise though Tampa Bay seems to be getting their. I felt the NFC West would not be as advertised on terms of every team(except the Rams) so far Arizona has came out looking damn good. I didn't expect Detroit to have a winning record(I so them as 7-9 in a weak division)so if anyone wants to try to figure out that one theres my answer.
The AFC predictions have somewhat panned out. I got half the division winners correct but wildcard is dead wrong. However, I feel my original scenario can still happen(albeit without Houston and Jacksonville who I had TONS of faith in going into the season).
My Predictions from November 4, 2008 until December 28th.
AFC:
East:New York Jets
North:Pittsburgh Steelers
South:Tennessee Titans
West:San Diego Chargers
Wildcard 1:Baltimore Ravens
Wildcard 2:Miami Dolphins
NFC:
East:Washington Redskins
North:Minnesota Vikings
South:Tampa Bay Buccaneers
West:Arizona Cardinals
Wildcard 1:New York Giants
Wildcard 2:Carolina Panthers
AFC Playoff Standings:
1.Tennessee Titans
2.Pittsburgh Steelers
3.New York Jets
4.San Diego Chargers
5.Baltimore Ravens
6.Miami Dolphins
NFC Playoff Standings:
1.Washington Redskins
2.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3.Arizona Cardinals
4.Minnesota Vikings
5.New York Giants
6.Carolina Panthers
Playoffs:
Wild Card:
Jets over Dolphins
Cardinals over Panthers
Ravens over Chargers
Giants over Vikings
Divisionals:
Titans over Ravens
Giants over Redskins
Cardinals over Buccaneers
Steelers over Jets
AFC Championship:Steelers over Titans
NFC Championship:Giants over Cardinals
Super Bowl XLIII:Giants over Steelers
MVP:Eli Manning
What 2 Watch 4:
November 9th:
Saints vs Falcons
Titans vs Bears
Bills vs Patriots
Colts vs Steelers
November 13th:
Jets vs Patriots
November 23rd:
Patriots vs Dolphins
November 27th:
Cardinals vs Eagles
Panthers vs Packers
Giants vs Redskins
Steelers vs Patriots
December 14th:
Bills vs Jets
Steelers vs Ravens
December 28th:
Patriots vs Bills
Giants vs Vikings
Dolphins vs Jets
Overall:The first half of the 2008 NFL Season has been quite interesting with new teams at the top(Tennessee and Washington) and the old guards of the decade fading(New England, Indianapolis, San Diego). Lets see what happens for the rest of 2008.
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