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All of my predictions lately, regardless of how good or bad they sound on paper, seem to backfire instantly. For proof, refer to Louisville losing to Rutgers and Indy losing to Vince Young. To make my task even more difficult, I have to go ahead and make some educated guesses on who will end up in the NFC playoffs. Should be as easy as it sounds right? I doubt it. Turns out, my job might be as difficult as Rex Grossman compiling a passer rating of more than two.
1. Chicago – To be honest, they are 10-2 right now, and their defense IS that good. While on the theme of defense, their opponents are thrilled that Grossman is still their quarterback. At one point, I felt he was the most inconsistent QB in the league, but after the last three weeks, I just think he is the worst. If anyone puts some pressure on Grossman, he’ll crumble like your mother’s famous apple pie.
Prediction: Conference championship loss to New Orleans
2. Dallas – Right now Dallas and New Orleans are comparable. They are nearly equal opponents, and would make a great match-up in the conference championships. However, they will probably face each other in the second round this year. Expect a fully recovered New Orleans squad to beat the Cowboys in a shootout by playoff time.
Prediciton: Second-round loss to New Orleans
3. New Orleans – Drew Brees is the second hottest QB in the league without Marques Colston and sometimes without Joe Horn. Add to that dangerous passing game a consistent Duece McAllister and the potential of Reggie Bush, and you have trouble for most defenses. While the New Orleans defensive unit may give up a few too many yards from time to time, they should be consistent enough to allow Mr. Brees and company to take care of business on the offensive side of things.
Prediction: Super Bowl loss to Indianapolis
4. Seattle – How can Seattle not win the NFC West? One win in their next four games should guarantee them a playoff spot and with a healthy Shaun Alexander, a playoff berth is almost a no-brainer. There’s not much else to say though. You can pass on the Seahawks, you can run on the Seahawks, and Matt Hasselback has looked less than stellar in the past two weeks, to say the least.
Prediction: First round loss to Atlanta
5. Atlanta – As Mike Vick tries to become the first QB to outrush his running back in recent history, the Atlanta Falcons will look to win a few more games. I guess it’s no surprise, but the Falcons’ performance is very closely related to the performance of Vick as a passer, and if Vick has a good game with his arm it’s a safe bet that Atlanta will win the game. They should be able to win against Tampa Bay and Philly, which should push them into the playoffs. However, this team has too many holes, and can’t beat New Orleans, which won’t get them too far in the playoffs.
Prediction: Second round loss to New Orleans
6. New York Giants – OK, to be honest, I’ve just been guessing for the last two picks, and the same goes for the Giants. Could we see sixth-place in the NFC? Who knows? Green Bay and Minnesota are still potential sixth-place NFC picks if both teams win. So, the Giants are my “don’t actually listen to me” pick of the conference. Really, this is a write-in vote.
Prediction: First-round loss to New Orleans
I am a big Drew Brees fan. One Super Bowl match-up I would love to see would be New Orleans and San Diego. It would have everything a championship game needs: Brees trying to stick it to his old team who left him for dead in the off-season, the Cinderella story of New Orleans and how bad the city needs this win, the first meeting of LT and Bush, etc. In all reality, New Orleans is a long shot to make the Super Bowl, and if they do, I would expect the AFC team to take the game handily.
It’s still Indy’s year until San Diego or New England can prove otherwise, and if the Colts get home field advantage, they should be in good shape to challenge for their first title with Peyton leading the way.
