2009 NFL Predictions

September 10, 2009, 6:21 pm
NFC

>East (2 postseason teams)

Breakdown: Arguably the toughest division in all of football (or usually the most hyped), there is a very good chance a team could finish with a 10-6 record and be left out of the playoffs.  The Giants defense somehow gets even better than last season and while they lost some pieces on offense, the G-Men will be strong.  Pundits are sleeping on the Redskins, which could be a good thing, but I can see Jason Campbell breaking out and leading the offense with Brian Orakpo bringing home the NFC Defensive POY award.  The Eagles are built like a Madden team, tons of weapons on both sides, but are very injury-prone and will miss defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.  As for the Cowboys postseason chances, just like Tony and Jessica, they are over.

Projected finish: Giants, Redskins, Eagles, Cowboys
 
>North (1)

Breakdown: It will all come down to Brett Favre’s new team vs. Brett Favre’s old team.  It’s really that simple.  If the gunslinger can stay healthy and mesh with his new locker room buddies, all should be well on the Viking ship.  If not, except Aaron Rodgers and company to snatch the division.  The Bears are not deep enough to compete and let’s just pretend the Lions don’t exist.

Projected finish: Vikings, Packers, Bears, Lions
 
>South (2)

Breakdown: This division was tough to predict; outside the Buccaneers, every team has a chance to win.  I think the Falcons are even better than what people are giving them credit for … second year quarterback Matt Ryan is going to go down as an all-time great (yeah, I said it) and now he has an elite tight end to throw to in Tony G.  I like Drew Brees and the Saints, although the defense still is iffy, but he should propel them to the 1st round of the playoffs.  Panthers are pretty solid, but we’ve seen what Jake Delhomme can do – and can’t do – in the big game.  It’s a rebuilding year for Tampa.

Projected finish: Falcons, Saints, Panthers, Buccaneers
 
>West (1)

Breakdown: I think we’ll see a down year for the Super Bowl runner-ups, but they should be able to survive in that division.  Although with a healthy Matt Hasselbeck and a new receiver friend in T.J. Houseisagoodshow, I wouldn’t sleep on the Seahawks.  I like Terps QB Shaun Hill manning the Niners, but not enough to pick them for the playoffs.  And finally, the Rams, eh, enough said.

Projected finish: Cardinals, Seahawks, 49ers, Rams


 
NFC Champions: Falcons

Sleeper: Seahawks
Coach of the Year: Jim Zorn (WSH)
Offensive POY: Adrian Peterson (MIN)
Defensive POY: Patrick Willis (SF)
Offensive ROY: Beanie Wells (ARI)
Defensive ROY: Brian Orakpo (WSH)


 
AFC

>East (1)

Breakdown: Pats are back, Boston gets yet another winner, while I and the rest of the US root against the city that always wins.  In all seriousness, it is good to see Tom Brady back.  The darling Dolphins of last year are back, but won’t surprise as many folks as they did in ’08.  I like the marriage of rookie Mark Sanchez and the Jets, but I think they are a year or two away from becoming a contender.  As for the Bills, well, enjoy the show that is T.O.

Projected finish: Patriots, Dolphins, Jets, Bills
 
>North (2)

Breakdown: It’s Pittsburgh’s division until someone can stop them.  Will it be Baltimore?  They are the most likely dethroners, but I can’t see it happening.  The Bengals will be a lot better thanks to the return of Carson Palmer, but are a few pieces away.  I can see the Browns finishing the year off strong behind Brady Quinn, but it’s too early for Browns being sleepers talk.

Projected finish: Steelers, Ravens, Bengals, Browns
 
>South (2)

Breakdown: Yeah, the Colts lose a lot in not having Tony Dungy around anymore.  I mean a lot.  But let’s not forget Peyton Manning is still there and this is the Colts after all.  The Titans are still a boring team to watch – other than Chris Johnson – but they are still a very sound football team.  I see those two squads playing ball in January, and I kid you not, that I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Texans finally finish over .500 and make the postseason.  Their offense is young and exciting and their defense is fairly strong.  The Jaguars should be better this year, but will continue to make you scratch your heads and think “how the mighty have fallen”.

Projected finish: Colts, Titans, Texans, Jaguars
 
>West (1)

Breakdown: As LaDainian Tomlinson goes, so do the Chargers.  And he can be 60 percent if he wants, because this division is theirs, no question about it.

Projected finish: Chargers, Broncos, Raiders, Chiefs

 

AFC Champions: Chargers

Sleeper: Texans
Coach of the Year: Norv Turner (SD)
Offensive POY: LaDainian Tomlinson (SD)
Defensive POY: Ed Reed/Haloti Ngata (BAL)
Offensive ROY: Mark Sanchez (NYJ)
Defensive ROY: Rey Maualuga (CIN)

 
Super Bowl Champs: Falcons