NFL Predictions 2009-AFC
The best teams are in the AFC, no doubt about it. The favorites going into this year are the usual contenders: Steelers, Patriots, Colts, and Chargers. The deepest teams all play in the AFC, and it should be a horse-race all the way till the end. Here's how I see it playing out.
AFC East
I like the Patriots and Dolphins to both post winning records. I'd like to see Miami win the division, but I'm going the conservative route and picking the Patricheats. The Dolphins have a much more difficult schedule this year, while New England has an easier one. I think that will proably be the difference.
New England Patriots 11-5 Brady won't be the same, and the lines are getting old, fast.
Miami Dolphins 10-6 Solid team, but things are going to be rougher this year.
Buffalo Bills 9-7 This team has steadily been improving.
New York Jets 5-11 Rookie coach plus rookie quarterback equals crappy season.
AFC North
There are only two teams in this division, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. I think the Ravens will miss Rex Ryan this season, and the defense will take a small step back.
Pittsburgh Steelers 13-3 All the pieces are back, and the schedule is easier.
Baltimore Ravens 11-5 Will lose to the Steelers twice.
Cinci Bengals 6-10 It's been fun Coach Lewis.
Cleveland Browns 4-12 Mangini and Quinn are both frauds.
AFC South
Jeff Fisher is rapidly becoming the next Marty Schottenheimer, he just can't win the big one, and he can't beat the Ravens. That's a shame, I like the guy. The Colts will win the division, but the Titans will challenge. I'm not drinking the Texans Kool-Aid quite yet.
Indianapolis Colts 12-4 Peyton continues to get it done.
TN Titans 11-5 Best running back stable in the NFL, not the best wide receiving corps though.
Houston Texans 8-8 Great players on offense and defense, it's just that the Colts and Titans are better.
Jacksonville Jaguars 6-10 Wow, what a collpase! Two years ago this was a playoff team.
AFC West
The Chargers will coast in this division. The Radiers and Chiefs would have trouble beating Arena League teams.
San Diego Chargers 12-4 The team is stacked, the coach is Norv Turner, which equates to failure.
Oakland Raiders 7-9 Finally, light at the end of the tunnel
Denver Broncos 6-10 Bad defense and Kyle Orton as a starter? Blech.
Kansas City Chiefs 5-11 I was going to say four wins, but Chuck insists it will be 5.
Playoff teams:
Steelers
Chargers
Colts
Patricheats
Ravens
Titans
Getting hosed: Dolphins
Round One
Patricheats 31 Titans 20
Ravens 24 Colts 21
Round Two
Steelers 38 Patricheats 21
Chargers 31 Ravens 24
AFC Championship
Steelers 31 Chargers 20
Super Bowl
Steelers 31 Eagles 20
Back to back baby!!!!
AFC East
I like the Patriots and Dolphins to both post winning records. I'd like to see Miami win the division, but I'm going the conservative route and picking the Patricheats. The Dolphins have a much more difficult schedule this year, while New England has an easier one. I think that will proably be the difference.
New England Patriots 11-5 Brady won't be the same, and the lines are getting old, fast.
Miami Dolphins 10-6 Solid team, but things are going to be rougher this year.
Buffalo Bills 9-7 This team has steadily been improving.
New York Jets 5-11 Rookie coach plus rookie quarterback equals crappy season.
AFC North
There are only two teams in this division, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. I think the Ravens will miss Rex Ryan this season, and the defense will take a small step back.
Pittsburgh Steelers 13-3 All the pieces are back, and the schedule is easier.
Baltimore Ravens 11-5 Will lose to the Steelers twice.
Cinci Bengals 6-10 It's been fun Coach Lewis.
Cleveland Browns 4-12 Mangini and Quinn are both frauds.
AFC South
Jeff Fisher is rapidly becoming the next Marty Schottenheimer, he just can't win the big one, and he can't beat the Ravens. That's a shame, I like the guy. The Colts will win the division, but the Titans will challenge. I'm not drinking the Texans Kool-Aid quite yet.
Indianapolis Colts 12-4 Peyton continues to get it done.
TN Titans 11-5 Best running back stable in the NFL, not the best wide receiving corps though.
Houston Texans 8-8 Great players on offense and defense, it's just that the Colts and Titans are better.
Jacksonville Jaguars 6-10 Wow, what a collpase! Two years ago this was a playoff team.
AFC West
The Chargers will coast in this division. The Radiers and Chiefs would have trouble beating Arena League teams.
San Diego Chargers 12-4 The team is stacked, the coach is Norv Turner, which equates to failure.
Oakland Raiders 7-9 Finally, light at the end of the tunnel
Denver Broncos 6-10 Bad defense and Kyle Orton as a starter? Blech.
Kansas City Chiefs 5-11 I was going to say four wins, but Chuck insists it will be 5.
Playoff teams:
Steelers
Chargers
Colts
Patricheats
Ravens
Titans
Getting hosed: Dolphins
Round One
Patricheats 31 Titans 20
Ravens 24 Colts 21
Round Two
Steelers 38 Patricheats 21
Chargers 31 Ravens 24
AFC Championship
Steelers 31 Chargers 20
Super Bowl
Steelers 31 Eagles 20
Back to back baby!!!!