Time for some predictions

[Rob0729]

Ok, with the season starting in less than 36 hours, time to put the cards on the table and make some predictions. I will do it more in random thoughts:

Right off the bat, I predict the Pats' record will be 12-4. It was 13-3 before Seymour left. I will say that his loss may make the Pats lose a close game that they might have won with him in. He may make no difference in the wins and loss column though.

Surprise teams (in a good way):
Green Bay - although after their preseason they aren't such a surprise since they have become a trendy pick)
Houston
Denver (not that they will contend for anything, but they will be around 8-8 which is far better than people expect)
Jacksonville - Their season last year was bombed before it started since they lost almost all of their starting o-line before the season started. Derrick Harvey lost his rookie season because he held out until the eve of the season.

Surprise teams (in a bad way):
Miami - Not much of surprise since they are a trendy pick to take a step or two or three back.
Indy - I know this will get me accused of being a Colt hater by the Colts weren't as good as their record last year and are going into the season with a lot of holes without Dungy there to work around them. Caldwell is trying to get his defense bigger which means that at least short term, that doesn't mean better. The LT situation could be scary for Manning.
Titans - Can Kerry Collins keep it together for another year?
Dallas - Again, not much of a surprise. This team has implosion written all over it.

Playoff teams

AFC
Patriots
Steelers
Chargers
Texans

Wild cards:
Ravens
Jags

NFC
Eagles
Cards
Saints
Packers

Wild Cards
Vikes
Falcons

League MVP: Aaron Rodgers (finally silencing critics that blasted Ted Thompson for trading Brett Favre and going with Rodgers)
Offensive POY: Adrian Peterson
Defensive POY: Mario Williams (finally silencing the critics that blasted the Texans for taking him over the overrated Reggie Bush)
OROY: Jeremy Maclin (not loving anyone for this award yet, but I will say that with McNabb throwing to him he has a great chance. I know Percy Harvin is a trendy pick, but I don't know if the Vikes are going to want to toss it up all that much)
DROY: Aaron Curry
Comeback Player not Brady: David Garrard (Now that his o-line has stablized a bit, he should be able to go back to being more efficient. Also, adding Holt won't hurt although he doesn't have a lot left).
Coach of the Year: Mike McCarthy

First coach fired: Tom Cable (Al is too quick with the ejector seat in Oakland)
How many weeks before the first TO incident - 6


AFC East standings

Pats 12-4
Miami 8-8
Jets 7-9
Bills 6-10

Super Bowl pick:

Patriots over the Packers - I know this is the homer in me considering the defense is a question mark, but I think the Pats have some unfinished business to tend with.

 

[WhiZa]

I pretty much agree with all of it. Houston I am unsure about, and as much as I hate to say it I think Sanchez will be OROY just based on the fact he won't have to do much on that team and a lot of people sympathize for him.

 

[mayoclinic]

Ok, with the season starting in less than 36 hours, time to put the cards on the table and make some predictions. I will do it more in random thoughts:

Right off the bat, I predict the Pats' record will be 12-4. It was 13-3 before Seymour left. I will say that his loss may make the Pats lose a close game that they might have won with him in. He may make no difference in the wins and loss column though.

Surprise teams (in a good way):
Green Bay - although after their preseason they aren't such a surprise since they have become a trendy pick)
Houston
Denver (not that they will contend for anything, but they will be around 8-8 which is far better than people expect)
Jacksonville - Their season last year was bombed before it started since they lost almost all of their starting o-line before the season started. Derrick Harvey lost his rookie season because he held out until the eve of the season.

Surprise teams (in a bad way):
Miami - Not much of surprise since they are a trendy pick to take a step or two or three back.
Indy - I know this will get me accused of being a Colt hater by the Colts weren't as good as their record last year and are going into the season with a lot of holes without Dungy there to work around them. Caldwell is trying to get his defense bigger which means that at least short term, that doesn't mean better. The LT situation could be scary for Manning.
Titans - Can Kerry Collins keep it together for another year?
Dallas - Again, not much of a surprise. This team has implosion written all over it.

Playoff teams

AFC
Patriots
Steelers
Chargers
Texans

Wild cards:
Ravens
Jags

NFC
Eagles
Cards
Saints
Packers

Wild Cards
Vikes
Falcons

League MVP: Aaron Rodgers (finally silencing critics that blasted Ted Thompson for trading Brett Favre and going with Rodgers)
Offensive POY: Adrian Peterson
Defensive POY: Mario Williams (finally silencing the critics that blasted the Texans for taking him over the overrated Reggie Bush)
OROY: Jeremy Maclin (not loving anyone for this award yet, but I will say that with McNabb throwing to him he has a great chance. I know Percy Harvin is a trendy pick, but I don't know if the Vikes are going to want to toss it up all that much)
DROY: Aaron Curry
Comeback Player not Brady: David Garrard (Now that his o-line has stablized a bit, he should be able to go back to being more efficient. Also, adding Holt won't hurt although he doesn't have a lot left).
Coach of the Year: Mike McCarthy

First coach fired: Tom Cable (Al is too quick with the ejector seat in Oakland)
How many weeks before the first TO incident - 6


AFC East standings

Pats 12-4
Miami 8-8
Jets 7-9
Bills 6-10

Super Bowl pick:

Patriots over the Packers - I know this is the homer in me considering the defense is a question mark, but I think the Pats have some unfinished business to tend with.

Nice job. I like a lot of your predictions, including Houston making the playoffs. I think that they have a lot of young talent, have just missed several times in the past, and can hopefully put it together. I also think Connor Barwin will be huge for them as a situational pass-rusher opposite Super Mario. Indy makes it as a wild card over Jacksonville, though.

Some other thoughts:

1. I pick the Pats to finish 14-2, with losses to Baltimore and Tennessee. Once the defense comes together (around the bye week), this team will be very hard to beat.

2. I like Adrian Peterson as OPOY and Mario Williams as DPOY. Not sure I see Aaron Rogers having that kind of a season. I see a guy named Brady being the MVP.

3. Patriots over the Giants in a SB rematch - vengeance will be ours. Minnesota, Philly and Chicago will compete, but the Giants still have the nastiest defense in the NFC, and just enough offense.

 

[everlong]

1. I pick the Pats to finish 14-2, with losses to Baltimore and Tennessee. Once the defense comes together (around the bye week), this team will be very hard to beat.

I see this as just the opposite. They showed in the pre-season they could stop the run but still cannot stop the pass. I think around the bye week the young secondary will start to pull it together and then they'll be very hard to beat. The Pats are lucky in that they don't play any offensive juggernauts in the first half of the season. Atlanta, Tenn and Baltimore offer problems but they are all run first team. If you only do one thing well Bill will take it away. These teams don't do well in long yardage situations but our secondary is still scary on 3rd and any distance. Luckily these are all at home.

Second half of the season Indy and NO are the two games where we'll see where the secondary is at.

 

[mayoclinic]

I see this as just the opposite. They showed in the pre-season they could stop the run but still cannot stop the pass. I think around the bye week the young secondary will start to pull it together and then they'll be very hard to beat. The Pats are lucky in that they don't play any offensive juggernauts in the first half of the season. Atlanta, Tenn and Baltimore offer problems but they are all run first team. If you only do one thing well Bill will take it away. These teams don't do well in long yardage situations but our secondary is still scary on 3rd and any distance. Luckily these are all at home.

Second half of the season Indy and NO are the two games where we'll see where the secondary is at.

Read my post again - that's what I said. I said that we would lose 2 of our first 6 games (Baltimore week 4 and Tennesee week 6) while the secondary came together, and then they would be very hard to beat and would win out.

I agree that Indy and NO are the two teams who will test the secondary the most. Neither has enough of a running game to do much damage against us on that front, however. I'm glad those 2 games are in the 2nd half of the season, after the secondary has had time to come together.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I make no bones about it, I am picking the Patriots to win the SB. I think Brady stays healthy all year, if he is now. And the offense carries us while the defense grews some legs for a nice playoff run.

Here is why recurring nightmare prediction: At some point during the year, we will lose at least 4 DB's to injury and guys like Ventrone, Spann and Richardson will find their way back to us.

My "you don't have what it takes to go all out" prediction: All three of the old guys we brought in, Galloway, Taylor and Springs are on the IR when Mr. Kraft is giving his SB winning speech.

And finally my BB draft prediction. BB will take a WR in the next draft.

 

[mgcolby]

Teams that will not live up to the hype:

1. Dallas - as noted by OP they have implosion written all over them.

2. Philly - They will struggle early and then implode from within. Their O-line is terrible which coming into the season looked like their strength. They are dinged up all over the place. And McNabb is already seemingly annoyed by Vicks role.

3. Houston - Matt Schaub end of story. When he actually plays more than 11 games in a season then I will believe the hype. He *****es out again and the Texans linger around 8-8 despite all of the talent on their team.

Teams that will raise some eyebrows:

1. Cincy - They have added to their defense that despite the numbers was playing very well at the end of last year. They brought in Roy Williams and Tank Johnson, they drafted USC Ray (not trying to spell his last name) and they get Keith Rivers back. Their offense was simply terrible. Now they hope that Palmer can stay healthy (yes I know he has a high ankle sprain) for 16 games. They have a recommitted Chad Johnson and Chris Henry, who I think will have a monster season for them. Benson has actually looked good for them. Their weak link is the O-Line, its not terrible but not great either. I would say it is average. But I look for them to surprise some folks and push the 10 win mark.

2. Seattle - no one seems to be talking about them. They already have a solid defense and then add Curry to the mix. They signed TJ to bring them a consistent receiver, Burleson has had a solid camp and preseason beating out our hometown favorite Deion Branch for the 2nd receiver role. Hasselbeck seems to have his back issues under control and Julius appears primed to have a great year. IF both of those guys stay healthy I think they take the NFC West.

3. NY Jets - I think they will be better than most think. I don't see them winning 10 games, but I can definitely see them winning 8 and being a tough out every week.

 

[QB12]

I don't see us losing.

19-0, with us beating Minnesota (13-3) in the Super Bowl.

 

[bostonia3333]

Ravens over Seahawks in Super Bowl

 

[everlong]

Read my post again - that's what I said. I said that we would lose 2 of our first 6 games (Baltimore week 4 and Tennesee week 6) while the secondary came together, and then they would be very hard to beat and would win out.

I agree that Indy and NO are the two teams who will test the secondary the most. Neither has enough of a running game to do much damage against us on that front, however. I'm glad those 2 games are in the 2nd half of the season, after the secondary has had time to come together.

My bad I read it as run defense coming together for whatever reason. So we agree across the board.

 

[mgteich]

pats over philly in the SB

I also think Indy or th titans make the playoff over the jags, probably indy.
In the NFC. I can't see ATL in the playoffs; giants instead.

I have us 11-5. Seymour is a difference maker. And this not an unbeatable team after a few weeks as mayo predicts.

 

[fgssand]

See you all in Miami in Feb - we will trounce the Giants 44-10

 

[mayoclinic]

pats over philly in the SB

I also think Indy or th titans make the playoff over the jags, probably indy.
In the NFC. I can't see ATL in the playoffs; giants instead.

I have us 11-5. Seymour is a difference maker. And this not an unbeatable team after a few weeks as mayo predicts.

I'm not predicting that it's an "unbeatable team after a few weeks". I'm predicting that IF the defense (particularly the pass defense) comes together, which I'm predicting will happen around the week 8 bye week, then we will be a VERY hard team to beat, and I think we will win out. Not unbeatable, but unbeaten the last 8 weeks.

 

[mgteich]

If the patriots were 9-1 favorites in every one of the last 8 games, they still would most likely lose a game. Just give us your probabilities on each of the last 8 games, and we can all do the math.

I'm not predicting that it's an "unbeatable team after a few weeks". I'm predicting that IF the defense (particularly the pass defense) comes together, which I'm predicting will happen around the week 8 bye week, then we will be a VERY hard team to beat, and I think we will win out. Not unbeatable, but unbeaten the last 8 weeks.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Playoff teams

AFC
Patriots
Steelers
Chargers (if Seymour shows up, it could be the Raiders pretty easily...)
Colts

Wild cards:
Ravens
Texans

NFC
Eagles
Seahawks
Saints
Packers

Wild Cards
Giants
Redskins

League MVP: Drew Brees
Offensive POY: Adrian Peterson
Defensive POY: DeMeco Ryans
OROY: Mark Sanchez (would be Crabtree if he had decided to show up)
DROY: Brian Orakpo
Comeback Player not Brady: (insert random guy who got hurt, then got healthy and led a crappy team to an 8-8 record). Won't be Vick.
Coach of the Year: Jim Caldwell. Media's dying to crown Tony Dungy 2.0, and will feign shock when the Colts win their division (again) on the strength of Manning.

First coach fired: Jones will be dying to find a scapegoat when he realizes that no matter how nice the stadium is, a ****ty team on the field is still a ****ty team on the field. Wade Phillips has my vote, although Cable and Jauron are both on incredibly thin ice too.


AFC East standings

Pats 11-5 (had us at 13-3 before the Seymour trade)
Jets 10-6
Phins 9-7
Bills 5-11

Super Bowl pick:

Steelers over Eagles - I hate the Steelers, but what have they lost since last year? As always barring injury, the Pats and the Ravens are probably the only real threats to knock them off.

 

[mayoclinic]

If the patriots were 9-1 favorites in every one of the last 8 games, they still would most likely lose a game. Just give us your probabilities on each of the last 8 games, and we can all do the math.

The Pats are favored by Las Vegas in every game this year, but of course the odds of them going 16-0 are miniscule. Of course they'll likely lose a game. Nevertheless, as this is a predictions thread, I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that the defense will gel around the bye week and that this team will win out their last 9 games after the bye. That's all it is, a prediction. I wouldn't lay odds on it. It's not about doing the math, it's about making a guess, with all guesses this early in the season being pretty much a crapshoot. Of course the odds are against it. Duh.

 

[SidelineSid]

Hey, I gave this some thought and these are my Week 1 predictions. Let me know what you think. I'll try to keep posting them through the season.

Week 1
TEN vs. PIT winner: Pittsburgh
DET vs. NO winner: New Orleans
KC vs. BAL winner: Baltimore
MIN vs. CLE winner: Minnesota
MIA vs. ATL winner: Miami (Upset Alert!) *
PHI vs. CAR winner: Philadelphia
NYJ vs. HOU winner: Houston
DEN vs. CIN winner: Cincinnati (Upset Alert!) **
DAL vs. TB winner: Dallas
JAC vs. IND winner: Indianapolis
SF vs. ARZ winner: Arizona
WAS vs. NYG winner: Giants
STL vs. SEA winner: Seattle
CHI vs. GB winner: Green Bay (Upset Alert!) ***
BUF vs. NE winner: New England
SD vs. OAK winner: San Diego

* I know people will think I'm crazy but Atlanta's D is very, very young. If this game is close, I can't see Atlanta's secondary preserving a lead. Even though Pennington does not have the strongest arm, he knows his limitations and can be very effective while operating within his means. I'm predicting that Ryan keeps them in it, but Miami's run game keeps him off the field for long stretches.

Worst case for the Dolphins: Their young secondary, (I'm looking at you Shawn Smith and Vonte Davis), falls severely short. If that is the case, Miami has a deeper offensive backfield to grind out the game. Jerrious Norwood has been hurt all preseason and may not be able to keep Michael Turner fresh.

**Kyle Orton is injured. I don't think there will be much of a difference in his performance (and I don't mean that in a good way). Moreno is already banged up and may be relied upon to bail Orton out. If these two can't, can anyone see Denver's D hold up against Caron Palmer, Ocho Cinco, and Chris Henry? I don't think so. Also, look out Cincy's young linebacker core. I don't think Orton has the veteran savvy and accuracy to get anything past these speedy defenders.

Worst case for the Bengals: Their offensive line takes the night off and allows Denver's D to tee off on an already banged up Carson Palmer. If that offensive line can't keep him up, it won't matter what weapons they have on offense. If that becomes a constant theme throughout the season, it could get very ugly (see Owens, Terrell).

*** The media has been falling all over themselves over Cutler. He looked fine in the preseason against vanilla defenses, but the Packers looked even better. While the Packers D will live and die by the big play, Cutler is prone to taking many Favre-like chances when under pressure.

Worst case for the Packers: It becomes a shootout. If that's the case, I can't see the Chicago D stopping Aaron Rodgers this year, (they have no secondary). I think the Green Bay D can hang on, wait for Cutler to get impatient and capitalize on his mistakes.

 

[Aßßynormal]

Kansas City wins the West.

Seattle wins the NFC

Pats get #4

 

[patsfan-1982]

playoff teams

AFC

#1 seed steelers 13-3

#2 seed patriots 12-4

#3 seed colts 12-4

#4 seed raiders 10-6

WILD CARD

#5 seed titans 11-5

#6 seed ravens 11-5

NFC

#1 seed seahawks 12-4

#2 seed vikings 11-5

#3 seed eagels 11-5

#4 seed saints 10-6
WILD CARD

#5 seed packers 10-6

#6 seed cardinals 10-6

League MVP Adrian Peterson 1900 yerds and 22 TD


Offensive POY payton manning 4600 32 TD 7 INT with out harrison



Defensive POY marcus ware 93 tackels 19 sacks and 3 INT


Offensive ROY matt stanford QB lions 3600 19 TD 12 INT


Defensive ROY ron brace DT patriots 45 tackels 6 sacks and 3 FF and 1 int

Comeback Player chad johnson 1600 yerds and 17 TD

SUPER BOWL

patriots over eagels 35 to 17