Predictions sure to go incredibly right!

The NFL season is officially underway as the defending Super Bowl champs edged their nemesis from a year ago, the Minnesota Vikings 14-9. With the rest of the week 1 games ready to take center stage, I am inclined to finally divulge the surest thing in regards to picks that you can ever lay a buck on. So without further ado, here are my 2010-2011 NFL division by division champions, playoff picks and my Super Bowl predictions!

Let us start in the American Football Conference.

AFC

Eastern Division

1-New England Patriots- The Pats have the most reliable player in this division at the most important position, quarterback. Tom Brady has some new weapons to play with and if you think Bill Belichek is going to allow mediocrity from his defense again this season, you have another thing coming. Book it, Patriots get to 11-5. How you like them apples?

2-New York Jets- They will play fierce defense and run the ball down the barrel of any defense with confidence and guile fit of a Rex Ryan coached squad. But Mark Sanchez is still to inconsistent and erratic for my liking and if he plays anything like he did in the preseason moving forward, look for another 9-7 finish.

3-Miami Dolphins- This could be a team to be reckoned with a year from now, but I see an offense revving up for an identity crisis. The Dolphins are built to run yet with the acquisition of receiver Brandon Marshall this off season, there is a feeling that they have big things planned for quarterback Chad Henne. Yea….I do not see it. I believe in Chad Henne as much as the Arizona Cardinals believed in Matt Leinart. 6-10, enough said.

4-Buffalo Bills- When CJ Spiller gets the ball this season, I will be mesmerized for sure. It is when Trent Edwards drops back to throw it that I cringe along with Bills fans alike. I give them 4 wins based on a pretty stout defense, but when Edwards drops back to throw it…I start cringing again.

Southern Division

1-Indianopolis Colts- Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning and did I mention Peyton Manning? They will drop off a bit due to an ever improving division but did I mention the Colts have Peyton Manning? 12-4 folks!

2-Tennesse Titans- VY is becoming the quarterback that everyone envisioned following his national championship victory over USC and the player the Titans envisioned when they drafted him. Vince Young can run, pass and create opportunities when defenses seem to have him boxed in. Combine that with Chris Johnson, an improving receiving core and a strong defensive unit and the Titans are right in the thick of things. At 10-6 they will be on the cusp of a playoff berth, but I will touch on that later.

3-Houston Texans- They cannot beat the Colts or the Titans, so what makes anyone believe they can truly challenge for the division? They won’t which is why I have them once again finishing at 8-8.

4-Jacksonville Jaguars- Maurice Jones-Drew is already banged up and as long as David Garrard is their quarterback, they will never truly compete for a championship. Too many wholes to fill which puts their finishing mark at 5-11.

Northern Division

1-Cincinnati Bengals- This Bengals team is the best defensive unit in the division and now own the best receiving core as well. If Carson Palmer can regain his true form from his early years, this team can compete for it all. The Bengals have a running game and some added youth to enhance their 2009 success, which is enough to repeat as AFC north champs with a 12-4 record.

2-Baltimore Ravens- The Ravens aura of defensive excellence is now just a distant memory. Ray Lewis is great, but not the man anymore. That distinction belongs to Patrick Willis of the 49ers. Ed Reed will miss half the season and their best defensive back outside off Reed, Dominique Foxworthy is on IR. Love Ray Rice and the addition of Anquan Boldin to the Ravens offense but Joe Flacco is no Joe cool. With opportunities to beat the Colts and Steelers last season he crumbled under the pressure. That is not to say that he will again, but this is a show me league right? I give them 11 wins based largely on the Steelers demise this season and the Browns futile attempt to be competitive.

3-Pitsburgh Steelers- With Big Ben out with a four game suspension and no running game to speak of, sets up for a rough season for the steel city. A big part of me is rooting for Dennis Dixon mostly to show Big Ben he’s not needed, but that’s just wishful thinking. The Steelers will fight and claw but in the end will be good for only 8 wins and miss the post season again.

4-Cleveland Browns- If Browns fans thought they could take Solis in the departed decision of Lebron James to Miami with high hopes for the up coming NFL season, well then their in for more disappointment. The Browns will turn to Jake Delhomme to lead an offense who’s best weapon is a returner in Josh Cribbs. This season is setting up to be really bad for Browns fans, and with a 3-13 record on the horizon, LBJ may not end up being the most hated man in Cleveland after all. OK well maybe he still will be.

Western Division

1-San Diego Chargers- By default. Even without Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeil and an injured Shawn Merriman, what does that say about this division if the Chargers can win it with some of their best players…well not playing. The super Chargers will get to 9-7 and make the post season because someone has to go from this division.

2-Oakland Raiders- The addition of Jason Campbell has certainly raised expectations since the Jamarcus Russell experiment went to hell. The Raiders have nice pieces on defense and a decent enough rotation in the back field with Michael Bush and Darren Mcfadden, but the offensive line is still in limbo and would you trust Darius Hayward-Bay? Pencil in Raider nation for 7 wins and I am out of here before I get stabbed by an Oakland fan.

3-Denver Broncos- The Broncos schematically have a good defense and serviceable receivers in Eddie Royal, Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Stokley. As crazy as it may sound, the house cleaning of Jay Cutler did not look that bad after watching him throw nearly 30 interceptions last season. Now the Brandon Marshall and Tony Sheffler moves will have to wait and see how that works out but there is no question that Denver will struggle this season. With the Broncos staring at a 6-10 season, the Tim Tebow era maybe near!

4-Kansas City Chiefs- I may get hunted down being that I am a KC resident, but before week 3 Chiefs fans will turn their attention to slaughter on Matt Cassel. How Cassel got 60 million to be the franchise quarterback is beyond my understanding but Brodie Croyle maybe the man to keep the boat afloat. KC looks like a 4-12 team to me but hopes for the Jake Locker sweepstakes may ease Chief fans pain.

National Football Conference

Eastern Division

1-New York Giants- The Giants are as good up front on defensive as any team in the league. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs anchor an in your face running attack and I trust Eli Manning more than I do Tony Romo of the Cowboys. Speaking of the Cowboys, they routinely get owned by New York and this season will be no different. Love the Keith Bullock pick up and those filled holes are enough to get the G-men to 11-5.

2-Dallas Cowboys- All I keep hearing is how talented the Boys are, yet every year they let everyone including yours truly down. I will not be party to their hype machine anymore. The offensive line is in shambles, their two best running backs are injury prone and their “star” quarterback must have hands wrapped around his neck because boy does he choke. Now that Dallas defense is pretty darn good, which is why I have them in second place with a 10-6 record.

3-Washington Redskins- If Kevin Kolb flops in Philly so will Andy Reid’s tenure as Eagle head coach. With the Eagles trading Donovan McNabb to the skins along with the arrival of Mike Shanahan as the man in charge, the immediate future of the Redskins is less bleak. With an array of quality, albeit aging running backs Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson to turn to, McNabb already has a running game he did not enjoy in Philly. The Skins have a talented defense as well which puts them over the top of the Eagles for now with an 8-8 finish.

4-Phiadelphia Eagles- Think the Eagles will be missing McNabb this season? You’re darn right they will, and Eagle fans will suffer all the indignities they placed on Donovan. The Eagles still have no running game and their defense is relatively small upfront and lacks the intensity it once had. The Eagles will be toting the line of mediocrity this season and win 5 games and finish 5-11.

Southern Division

1-New Orleans Saints- This is a team intact and now schooled on what it takes to win it all. Drew Brees is now the best in the game and has an unlimited amount of weaponry to choose from. The Saints also proved Thursday night against the Vikings that they can be physical on both sides of the ball. This year the Saints will blow teams out and grind out wins with their new found versatility. Who dat say that the Saints going to win 14 games? Well that would be me!

2-Atlanta Falcons- This division is pretty easy to dissect and the Falcons are just as predictable. They will run with Michael Turner and work off the play action with an improving Matt Ryan at quarterback. Ryan has plenty of targets to throw to and the defense has made some upgrades. The Falcons will be doing the dirty bird often this season to the tune of 11-5.

3-Carolina Panthers- There is no better running attack in football then the combination of Deangelo Williams and Jonathon Stewart. There is no better receiver in the league when he is right than Steve Smith. But a depleted defense and an unproven signal caller in Matt Moore does not bode well for the Panthers in this division. Jimmy Clausen is no savior at the moment and Steve Smith cannot be the passing game all by his lonesome so, give them 7 wins and let’s call it a season in Carolina.

4-Tampa Bay Buccaneers- They say you can never go home again, but the Bucs are back to futility so anything is possible. There just bad and uneventful to talk about so 2-14 and let us move on.

Northern Division

1-Green Bay Packers- I know you have all been waiting for it and wondering how it will end this season between the Pack and Favre. Aaron Rodgers is unconsciously good and his growth could spawn the NFC version of the Brady/Manning rivalry with Rodgers and Brees. The Packers running game isn’t scary but the receiving core that now will feature a lot more Jermichael Finley is nightmare quality. The Green Bay defense is good but not Viking good, which begs the question. Why did I choose the Packers over the Vikings? Simple arithmetic really, the Vikings started out hot last season and built a big lead over the Packers that allowed them to hold off their nemesis. This season with injuries looming for the Vikes, it will be the Pack off and running and the Vikings peaking late to make things interesting. With that being said, Packers clinch the North with a 12-4 record.

2-Minnesota Vikings- With Sidney Rice out till mid season, Brett Favre will have to get acquainted with a lot of new faces and get reacquainted with Percy Harvin. It is a tough opening stretch for Minnesota but once through the fire, the Vikings will finish hot and formidable. I of course love Adrian Peterson in the backfield which makes it easier for me to give this year’s version of the Favre Vikings 11 wins.

3-Detriot Lions- I know you’re probably chuckling as you’ve noticed my third place choice. I really like the Lions defense upfront and with Louis Delmas anchoring the secondary they will be a handful for any offense. Mathew Stafford has won me over and apparently Calvin Johnson as well. Johnson has made it known that Stafford is his guy and a happy Calvin Johnson is a dangerous Calvin Johnson. With the arrival of rookie running back Javid Best and receiving additions Nate Burleson and Tony Sheffler, Stafford has toys to play with and Coach Jim Schwartz is defensive minded enough to game plan to their strengths. The motor city has hope as the Lions pick up 6 wins. You can stop chuckling now.

4-Chicago Bears- Jay Cutler is the second coming of Jake Plummer in my opinion. Talented but missing the intangibles needed to succeed long term in the NFL. So Cutler has a strong arm, so does Jamarcus Russell. So his new offensive coordinator is Mike Martz. What has he really done since Kurt Warner? Julius Peppers didn’t care in Carolina why would he now all of a sudden? Matt Forte is good on some days but on others you don’t even know he is on the field. The Bears will be ready to implode at 5-11 and Bears fans will have no more love in their hearts for Lovie Smith when it’s all said and done.

Western Division

1-San Francisco 49ers- What a difference a year makes, imagine two under Mike Singletary. Before Singletary took over for Mike Nolan as head coach mid way through the 2007 season, they had a bust at quarterback, no discipline from its players and were in the midst of a downward spiral. Then the 49ers fired Nolan and appoint Singletary interim head coach. Vernon Davis gets first dibs on Mike’s example meter, the speech heard around the world follows and Patrick Willis evolves to prime Ray Lewis status. The Niners play great defense, bulked up their offense of line and the once bust at quarterback is playing for pride as this years 49ers look like a playoff team. If Alex Smith can be serviceable as the Niners signal caller, look for the golden boys to advance to 10-6 this season. Halle Ulla!

2-Arizona Cardinals- The Cardinals decided against Matt Leinart and will turn to Derek Anderson to replace Kurt Warner at quarterback. Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower will be the focal point of the offense as the Cards look to transition to power running and defense to be their calling card. The defense is what gets me though, as they have some talent upfront but am I the only one that witnessed Rogers-Cromartie get burned for eight quarters in the playoffs last season? The Cards can slow but not stop running attacks on weekly basis which gives the 49ers a huge advantage this season. I am going to have to deal the Cards an ugly hand and send them off with 7-9 as their finishing record.

3-Seattle Seahawks- If Matt Hasselbeck is still playing by week 4 it will be a miracle and a welcomed change for Seahawk fans. The injury prone quarterback has been an absentee leader on the field and with the Seahawks bolstering their roster with top tier draft picks, his presence is a must. I like Pete Carroll and some of the additions made to the Seahawk roster but they are either too young or too old at key positions. Not enough substance to compete with the Niners and Cards, so I have the Carroll lead Hawks finishing with a 5-11 record.

4-St Louis Rams- The Sam Bradford era begins for Ram faithful but not much else to get excited about. Bradford’s best target Donnie Avery is out with an injury and Steven Jackson can run it as well as anyone in the league but can’t platoon as a wide out as well. The Rams defense is non existent which will prevent them from stopping anyone including the three teams ahead of them in the west. Look for the Rams to build off of last seasons 1-15 record with a 3-13 finish.

So here is my playoff breakdown based on my division by division predictions. AFC division winners are the Patriots, Colts, Bengals and Chargers with my wild card picks being the Titans and Ravens. AFC title game will feature a week one rematch between the Patriots and Bengals. My AFC champions are…..the Cincinnati Bengals!

Now on to the NFC where the Giants, Packers, Saints and 49ers are my division picks while the Vikings and Falcons are the wild cards. NFC title game will feature the defending champion Saints taking on their week one foes, the Vikings. My NFC champions are….the New Orleans Saints!

Super Bowl match up featuring the New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals will be an epic battle to everyone’s surprise ending on a Drew Brees touchdown pass late giving the Saints the repeat and Brees his second SB MVP award. Enjoy the season everyone and feel free to comment and share your thoughts and picks. Until next time good luck to you and your teams and fantasy picks this season, lord knows I will need all the luck I can get!

By Ephraim Vega
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