July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
NFL picks are in
Rays of Insight
In the past week, the Indianapolis Colts have announced Peyton Manning will miss the season opener. And the Jacksonville Jaguars have released starting quarterback David Garrard.
These news items are prime examples of why it’s a good idea to wait as long as possible before making predictions.
More information is always better.
That being said, more information hardly means that any of the following picks will be correct.
NFC West
My first inclination was to take St. Louis. Then I looked at the Rams’ schedule. They’ll be lucky to get out of the first two months with more than one win.
Honestly, that could be true for all of the teams in the NFL’s most depressing division. But, I like former Colts and Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh so I’m going with the 49ers to win the division.
AFC East
I’ll get this out of the way early so as to try to avoid the wrath of the New England-hating Colts fans. The Patriots are the best team in the division and are going to win it.
Beyond that, it comes down to whether or not the Jets get in the playoffs. I can’t stand the constant boasting from Rex Ryan, think Mark Sanchez is a below average NFL quarterback and dislike the team in general. But I still think they’ll probably win 11 games and earn a wild-card spot.
NFC East
The Eagles with Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are one of the most dangerous in the league, and they added perhaps the best defensive back in Nnamdi Asomugha.
They’ll win the division, but the Cowboys with a healthy Tony Romo and Jason Garrett at the reins will pick up a wild card.
AFC West
The San Diego Chargers pulled off an incredible feat last season. They finished first in the NFL in total offense and total defense, and still managed to miss the playoffs.The team dealt with a lot of injuries, but more important almost always seemed to find a way to shoot itself in the foot. That’s unlikely to happen again, and San Diego will win the division.
I was on the Chiefs’ bandwagon last year, but I think the defending division champs fall short this season and miss the playoffs.
NFC South
I consider this the toughest division in football, with three serious playoff contenders. That said, I already put the Cowboys in as a wild card, which means one of the worthy teams here is being left out — and probably not the one you’d think.
New Orleans has gotten even better offensively with the additions of Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles in the backfield. The Saints are my pick to win the division.
To earn the other wild card, I’m taking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I love Josh Freeman and think this team is well-coached and on the rise.
That means I’m leaving Atlanta out. It’s not the safest pick, but it’s no fun making predictions if you’re not willing to take a few risks.
AFC North
However, I won’t be taking any risks here.
Even as a die-hard Browns fan, I can’t believe Cleveland could overtake the two power teams of the division to earn a playoff spot.
Pittsburgh is just too good. Ben Roethlisberger made it through an offseason without injury or scandal, which usually bodes well for the Steelers. And they also have a bunch of weapons for him to use on the way to another division title.
Baltimore will be hang right with the Steelers, as usual, and end up earning a wild-card berth.
NFC North
Bears fans, your team got better in the second half last year. I’ll give you that.
But I still think the division title was a fluke. It won’t happen again.
Instead, Green Bay, which dealt with a rash of injuries last season and still won the Super Bowl, will climb to the top.
With apologies to super-fan Chris Snow and the many, many experts picking Detroit to make the playoffs, it’s not quite time. The Lions are improving, but it won’t happen this year.
AFC South
If Colts fans are hoping I will tell them everything is going to be OK without Peyton Manning, they’re going to be disappointed. He’s out for week one, and, at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if he misses the season.
And without him, I can’t pick the Colts.
Most would probably assume the pick should then be Houston, but I just don’t believe in the Texans.
Instead, I’ll take Tennessee with some very simple reasoning. If Matt Hasselbeck could take the no-talent Seahawks to the playoffs, and win a game, last season, why can’t he do the same for the Titans?
Super Bowl
For me in the AFC it comes down to two teams — Pittsburgh and New England — and I’ll take Big Ben and the Steelers to return to the big game for the third time in four seasons.
The NFC is wide open, and I could legitimately see any team, other than the NFC West winner, going all the way. I’d love to go off the board and take Tampa Bay, but I think the Bucs are a year away.
Instead, I’m going with Philadelphia to beat the Steelers in an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl.[[In-content Ad]]
These news items are prime examples of why it’s a good idea to wait as long as possible before making predictions.
More information is always better.
That being said, more information hardly means that any of the following picks will be correct.
NFC West
My first inclination was to take St. Louis. Then I looked at the Rams’ schedule. They’ll be lucky to get out of the first two months with more than one win.
Honestly, that could be true for all of the teams in the NFL’s most depressing division. But, I like former Colts and Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh so I’m going with the 49ers to win the division.
AFC East
I’ll get this out of the way early so as to try to avoid the wrath of the New England-hating Colts fans. The Patriots are the best team in the division and are going to win it.
Beyond that, it comes down to whether or not the Jets get in the playoffs. I can’t stand the constant boasting from Rex Ryan, think Mark Sanchez is a below average NFL quarterback and dislike the team in general. But I still think they’ll probably win 11 games and earn a wild-card spot.
NFC East
The Eagles with Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are one of the most dangerous in the league, and they added perhaps the best defensive back in Nnamdi Asomugha.
They’ll win the division, but the Cowboys with a healthy Tony Romo and Jason Garrett at the reins will pick up a wild card.
AFC West
The San Diego Chargers pulled off an incredible feat last season. They finished first in the NFL in total offense and total defense, and still managed to miss the playoffs.The team dealt with a lot of injuries, but more important almost always seemed to find a way to shoot itself in the foot. That’s unlikely to happen again, and San Diego will win the division.
I was on the Chiefs’ bandwagon last year, but I think the defending division champs fall short this season and miss the playoffs.
NFC South
I consider this the toughest division in football, with three serious playoff contenders. That said, I already put the Cowboys in as a wild card, which means one of the worthy teams here is being left out — and probably not the one you’d think.
New Orleans has gotten even better offensively with the additions of Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles in the backfield. The Saints are my pick to win the division.
To earn the other wild card, I’m taking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I love Josh Freeman and think this team is well-coached and on the rise.
That means I’m leaving Atlanta out. It’s not the safest pick, but it’s no fun making predictions if you’re not willing to take a few risks.
AFC North
However, I won’t be taking any risks here.
Even as a die-hard Browns fan, I can’t believe Cleveland could overtake the two power teams of the division to earn a playoff spot.
Pittsburgh is just too good. Ben Roethlisberger made it through an offseason without injury or scandal, which usually bodes well for the Steelers. And they also have a bunch of weapons for him to use on the way to another division title.
Baltimore will be hang right with the Steelers, as usual, and end up earning a wild-card berth.
NFC North
Bears fans, your team got better in the second half last year. I’ll give you that.
But I still think the division title was a fluke. It won’t happen again.
Instead, Green Bay, which dealt with a rash of injuries last season and still won the Super Bowl, will climb to the top.
With apologies to super-fan Chris Snow and the many, many experts picking Detroit to make the playoffs, it’s not quite time. The Lions are improving, but it won’t happen this year.
AFC South
If Colts fans are hoping I will tell them everything is going to be OK without Peyton Manning, they’re going to be disappointed. He’s out for week one, and, at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if he misses the season.
And without him, I can’t pick the Colts.
Most would probably assume the pick should then be Houston, but I just don’t believe in the Texans.
Instead, I’ll take Tennessee with some very simple reasoning. If Matt Hasselbeck could take the no-talent Seahawks to the playoffs, and win a game, last season, why can’t he do the same for the Titans?
Super Bowl
For me in the AFC it comes down to two teams — Pittsburgh and New England — and I’ll take Big Ben and the Steelers to return to the big game for the third time in four seasons.
The NFC is wide open, and I could legitimately see any team, other than the NFC West winner, going all the way. I’d love to go off the board and take Tampa Bay, but I think the Bucs are a year away.
Instead, I’m going with Philadelphia to beat the Steelers in an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD