2007 Season Predictions

On the eve of the start of the 2007 NFL season, it is now time for me to break my silence and give you my take on how this year will unfold. After digesting the prognostications from all the "experts", here is how I think the year will play out including playoffs and award winners. Why would I pick my own team last? Well, I think they still need a lot of help. What do you think? Let me know!!

AFC East
1. New England Patriots (11-5) - Brady and company have retooled and will contend again
2. New York Jets ( 9-7) - "Mangenius" has a good young group and has added Thomas Jones
3. Miami Dolphins (8-8) -Trent Green will improve the QB spot and the "D" can still make plays 4. Buffalo Bills (5-11) - GM Marv Levy is past his time but Lynch pick will pay off

AFC North
1. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) Carson Palmer will lead the troubled, but mega-talent group ahead
2. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)* Steve McNair has just enough left, but it will be the "D" that wins
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) It will be a better passing attack for Big Ben, but thats not enough
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12) Brady Quinn will be the man by season's end, but too late for Romeo

AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts (10-6) Peyton and the "O" roll on, but too many players lost on "D"
2. Houston Texans (6-10) Matt Schaub will help them move ahead, but still a year or two away
3. Tennessee Titans (5-11) Vince will have some sophomore growing pains to work through
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13) Decision to shed Leftwich will put Del Rio on the street

AFC West
1. Denver Broncos (9-7) Culter will manage the "O" and get the Broncos back to the top
2. San Diego Chargers (9-7)* Turner transition sets them back, but with LT, they just squeak in
3. Oakland Raiders (6-10) Kiffin and co. take strides forward and will be headed the right way
4. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) "L.J." isn't enough- uncertain QB situation will leave the "Chefs' out


NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) - McNabb is back and even at 75%, he can lead the way
2. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)* - Romo better get "T.O." the ball alot or else there'll be trouble in big D 3. Washington Redskins (7-9) -Campbell will be "the guy",but both sides of the ball need help
4. New York Giants (5-11) - Put up or shut up time for Manning, Coughlin.... and they won't

NFC North
1. Chicago Bears (10-6)- Good "D" is still there, but "Sexy Rexy" will still cost them some games 2. Detriot Lions (6-10)- Kitna's prediction will be kinda right- there will be a 10 in their record
3. Green Bay Packers (5-11)- Only Favre's will, and the Vikings will keep GB out of last place
4. Minnesota Vikings (2-14) - Unproven QB and no back-up = "on the clock" in April's draft

NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints (13-3) - Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and team will only improve on last year 2. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)* - One player doesn't make a team, and the rest of this group will rally
3. Carolina Panthers (6-10) - If Delhomme, (or Carr) mess it up, John Fox is out of a job.
4. Tampa Bay Buccanneers (4-12) -Pinning his hopes on Garcia will be a big regret for Gruden

NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - They got better in off-season & their window to win is closing fast
2. St. Louis Rams (9-7) - Talented "O" will almost get them there alone but "D" needs more help 3. Arizona Cardinals (8-8) - Weisenhunt, Leinart and crew make a statement for 2008
4. San Francisco 49ers (7-9) - New faces will help, but Smith's development will hold them back

Playoffs
* Denotes Wildcard Team

AFC
Seeds: 1. New England 2. Cincinnati 3. Indianapolis 4. Denver 5. Baltimore 6. San Diego
First Round
6. San Diego over 3. Indianapolis - 5. Baltimore over 4. Denver
Divisional Round
1. New England over 6. San Diego - 2. Cincinnati over 5. Baltimore
AFC Championship
2. Cincinnati over 1. New England

AFC CHAMPION - CINCINNATI

NFC
Seeds: 1.New Orleans 2. Philadelphia 3. Seattle 4. Chicago 5. Dallas 6. Atlanta
First Round
3. Seattle over 6. Atlanta - 5. Dallas over 4. Chicago
Divisional Round
1. New Orleans over 5. Dallas - 3. Seattle over 2. Philadelphia
NFC Championship
1. New Orleans over 3. Seattle

NFC CHAMPION - NEW ORLEANS

Super Bowl XLII - New Orleans (NFC) over Cincinnati (AFC)

Awards -
MVP- Carson Palmer, Cincinnati
Defensive Player of the year - Shawn Merriman, San Diego
Offensive Rookie of the year - Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo
Defensive Rookie of the year - Adam Carriker, St. Louis
Coach of the Year - Bobby Petrino, Atlanta
Super Bowl MVP - Deuce McAllister, New Orleans