NFL 2007 Predictions

Hey everyone,
Just thought I would throw something together before the first game of the year begins. By no means do I expect my predictions to be perfect (see last year's results for proof of that), but who knows, maybe this year will be different. Everyone knows how hard the NFL is to predict and I think I have put this off long enough. Of course, that's because I don't have high hopes for my Dolphins this year. Let's hope their drafting was as smart as they think it was and not as dumb as everyone else thinks it was. Here we go:


AFC EAST

New England (14-2) - I'd be silly not to expect the Pats to be ridiculous this year. They have an amazing team and they are the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl.

Miami Dolphins (9-7) - Probably over-estimating them again this year but they still have one of the best defenses in the league. Defenses win championships, right? RIGHT???

New York Jets (8-8) - Many people have the Jets as a playoff team. I don't see it. Slightly above average defense and a QB made out of wood, glue and duct tape. Am I missing something?

Buffalo Bills (6-10) - You'll hear Losman-to-Evans a lot, and rookie Marshawn Lynch will be good someday, but I expect them to be a sleeper team next year. Not this one.


AFC NORTH

Cincinnati Bengals (11-5) - Everyone says it takes two years to come back from the type of injury that Carson Palmer had. Well, it's been two years. Expect a monster season.

Baltimore Ravens (10-6) - The Ravens hope that new RB Willis McGahee will put them over the top this year, but he's only one man...and their passing game still stinks. The defense will win them enough games to get them back in the playoffs.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) - I'm not a huge Steeler fan, but they are still a fairly good team. Everyone is healthy and they still get to play the Browns twice a year. If they stay healthy, they could win more.

Cleveland Browns (7-9) - This team is moving in the right direction and had a really good draft. They will be the team that nobody wants to play despite their record.


AFC SOUTH

Indianapolis Colts (12-4) - No change from last year. Great offense...suspect defense. First game against New Orleans will be a good test. They should go deep in the playoffs.

Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) - Another good team with a bad QB. They dumped their starter from last year and are going with his backup who isn't much better. They will be running...a lot.

Houston Texans (7-9) - Much like Cleveland, the Texans are moving in the right direction. Being improved on both sides of the ball should get them out of last place this year.

Tennessee Titans (5-11) - Vince Young is in for a rough year. Everyone knows what he can do, and they will be gunning for him. Then there is the Madden Jinx...ouch!


AFC WEST

San Diego Chargers (13-3) - Yes, they still have the best player in the league. As long as LDT (I refuse to call him LT) is healthy, the Chargers will win games...lots of them.

Denver Broncos (11-5) - Denver should be an improved team this year and will be the main competition for the Chargers. They aren't improved enough to take the division, though.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) - Um...they have a good RB that they will probably overwork like they did last year. That's about all I can say they have going for them.

Oakland Raiders (5-11) - Saying that they will be better than last year doesn't mean much. They only won 2 games in 2006. Improved QB situation should get them a few more wins.


NFC EAST

Philadelphia Eagles (12-4) - They won the division without McNabb last year, but if he and RB Brian Westbrook stay healthy, they are the team to beat in the NFC.

Dallas Cowboys (10-6) - Not many changes from last year on this team. An improved Tony Romo (who won't be the placeholder this year) should get them back in the playoffs.

New York Giants (9-7) - Can Brandon Jacobs be the RB that Tiki Barber was. Many people are saying he can't handle the workload. I disagree. Look for him to have a huge year.

Washington Redskins (5-11) - Did they do anything to improve this team from last year? I didn't think so. Another disappointing football season in D.C.


AFC NORTH

Chicago Bears (10-6) - Are they as good as last year? No, but they are still the best team in their weak division. Even with Rex Grossman as their QB. Did someone say Byron Leftwich?

Detroit Lions (9-7) - Most improved team in 2007. They got the best player in the Draft with WR Calvin Johnson, and QB John Kitna will be throwing so much this year, his arm might fall off.

Green Bay Packers (8-8) - Hey Brett Favre...retire already, will you? We know you are just staying in the league to break records. Too bad you are just causing more harm to a team that is actually pretty good.

Minnesota Vikings (4-12) - This is what many like to call a "rebuilding season" for the Vikings. They picked up a nice RB in the Draft, but they didn't really need one that bad. I'm not sold on Tavaris Jackson as the QB of the future, either.


NFC SOUTH

New Orleans Saints (12-4) - By the end of 2006, the offense was "jellin' like Magellan". This year, they could set some scoring records. Not a bad defense either. The Saints will be marching into the playoffs (pun intended).

Carolina Panthers (10-6) - QB Jake Delhomme needs to rebound from a poor 2006 season. When RB DeAngelo Williams takes over the starting job, it should relieve some pressure for his QB. Carolina could surprise some people this year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) - Jeff Garcia is not the QB of the future for this team, but he's still better than what they had last year. RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams should have a nice bounce-back season as well.

Atlanta Falcons (4-12) - Thanks to Michael Vick, the Falcons will switch places with the Bucs and will be fighting for the #1 pick in the next draft. Atlanta's QB of the future could be there waiting for them.


NFC WEST

St. Louis Rams (11-5) - I'm sure I just upset a couple of people (cough Jeff & Eric cough) with this pick, but the Rams are a good team. RB Steven Jackson could end up being the league MVP. An improved defense always helps, too.

Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - RB Shaun Alexander seems to be healthy and should get the Seahawks back in the playoffs. Not enough firepower to go all the way, though.

Arizona Cardinals (8-8) - The Cardinals always look good on paper, but for some reason, it never translates to wins. QB Matt Leinart is improving, but he needs another year. Look out for this team in 2008.

San Francisco 49ers (7-9) - Was RB Frank Gore a fluke last year? Probably not. He was good the whole year. He just needs a supporting cast in the passing game. It's not quite there yet.



PLAYOFFS

ROUND 1

Indianapolis over Baltimore
Cincinnati over Denver

St. Louis over Dallas
Seattle over Chicago


ROUND 2

New England over Cincinnati
San Diego over Indianapolis

Philadelphia over Seattle
New Orleans over St. Louis


ROUND 3

San Diego over New England

Philadelphia over New Orleans


SUPER BOWL XLII

San Diego over Philadelphia