It's been a long long time since I made a blog entry. I guess I'll make a more update one about me later in the month, but for now, FOOTBALL is back in 2 days and thought I'd make some bold (or not so bold) predictions for the upcoming season. I had discussed doing this my friend, Lalit Golani (he also has a Blog on this site called "Around the World -2010", its a great read, strongly suggested) almost a year ago so i decided to do one. Let's see what I get right and what I certainly will get wrong:
12 to 16 Correct answers -- Tom Brady introduces me to Giselle and she in turn introduces me to Victoria Secret models....
7 to 11 -- Mark Cuban buys the Baltimore Ravens...assures me Deion will return and will focus on bring Megatron and others to win a Superbowl for Ray Lewis!
4 to 6 -- Aman calls me on my birthday to tell me Kobe has been injured for the season, that I'm 30 and he just won the Main Event of the World Series of Poker.....but before he hangs up, he mentions "oh yeah...3PEAT in Fantasy Football"...what could be worse???
0 to 3 -- Al Davis and Daniel Synder are both FIGHTING to hire me as a coach for their team, making me realize, I must be bad at making any sort of decisions!!
1. AFC North (Order of finish)
Baltimore Ravens -- This team is too good at the key positions. Lee Evans was a great pick up and will take pressure off Boldin. I also think Rice WILL have a monster year.
Pittsburgh Steelers -- I think Tomlin maybe a genius...the team didn't change much and now have a healthier Big Ben.
Cleveland Browns -- Mccoy to Massaquoi will be heard alot this season....Hillis will have to be a workhorse for them to have ANY shot in a tough AFC....actually, AFC North!!
Cincinnati Bengals -- My mom always told me if I can't say anything good, don't say anything at all....
2. MVP Finalists --
Tom Brady -- He's going to be better than last year...which means more than 33TDS, he can't possibly throw less than 4 INTS....can he??
Philip Rivers -- This IS the best offence on paper and by head coach. Norv knows how to move the ball, and Rivers threw for the most yardage last year! A full season with V.Jackson back is scary to think...
Matt Ryan -- I was debating between him or Vick here and I just don't see Goodell allowing the voters to pick Vick. Not to mention, in preseason anyway, Ryan was throwing the ball alot...ALOT. 47 times in 1 half!!! He has the weapons, so if he's puts it together...
Ray Rice -- Like I mentioned earlier, I think he's going to have a MONSTEROUS year. Honestly, think it might resemble the Marshall Faulk one of 1999 (1381 yd Rushing; 1048yd Receiving) or his MVP 2000 season (1359yd Rushing; 830yd Receiving).
Adrian Peterson -- ADP can do anything....I swear I saw him fly once just to save a someone. He may not save the Vikes, but damn he's going to try...and post big numbers along the way...
3. MVP -- Tom Brady
Brady will get his 3rd and the debate between him and Manning will just continue to be fueled...
4. AFC EAST
NE Patriots -- I know what the Eagles did this offseason, but I think the moves the Pats made were more logical. Plus, why would I vote against the MVP.
NY Jets -- I'm not a fan of Rex, but the guy knows how to win...Plax better not shot himself cause I think Ryan WILL kill him....
Miami Dolphins -- They will be competitive, but they'll soon realize Reggie Bush isn't a really HB...
Buffalo Bills -- It's sad that they haven't reached the playoffs in more than a decade now...lots of upside from being that bad for that long....
5. AFC South
Houston Texans -- This is the year. FINALLY!!! They got the right guy in Wade Phillips...because he's coaching the D, not the team...!!
Jacksonville Jaguars -- Why did they release Garrard?? My friend, Rishi, texted me that and I was baffled! They D is solid and is the new guy (I don't even know his name?!?!) is good enough to cut Garrard...I can't write anymore, they're was a week till season began! ......
Indy Colts -- Sorry Em, but Peyton is done! I'm almost 84.5% sure the Colts are lying about this injury and that Manning won't be back for atleast 6 more weeks. In that time, Collins won't be QB and the D will be ranked 31st in the league....
Tennessee Titans -- They're schedule is relatively easy, atleast thats what ESPN tells me, but the problem is....so are they...
6. Dead Coach Walking
Honestly, I think its Tom Coughlin in NYG-ville! We've been hearing it for years and I don't think missing the playoff again for the 3rd year will do in NYC.
Honorable mention: Norv Turner, Chargers - IF the Chargers start 0-3 or something...they just can't keep playing from behind...that being said....
7. AFC WEST
SD Chargers -- What a team!! I just say that cause when November hits, they decide to play! The remind me of my Lakers alot....they have a tough schedule though...again, according to ESPN.
Oakland Raiders -- I'm not crazy, I swear!! Well, maybe a little, I did draft Ray Rice again! I just believe they're offence is good enough. The D is really bad...wait didn't they lose that CB that went to Philly
?? Too late, I still believe, as Guido would say!!
?? Too late, I still believe, as Guido would say!!KC Chiefs -- Could win the division, could falter horribly...i'm going with the latter! Charles doesn't get the ball as much as he should and Cassell holds the ball more than he should!
Denver Broncos -- Why do they want to start Tebow so bad?? Was Orton that bad last year, cause I had him on my team and he put up solid numbers. I think the D needs to be re-vamped.
8. NFC NORTH *I'm starting to get tired....I will continue tomorrow.
You won't know it, but i'm back now....well, i guess me telling you would make you know.
GB Packers -- I think the odds on favorite to repeat. Only the Pats have repeated in recent memory...but Pack have the pieces to do it. Pov should be happy, A-Rodg is a sick player.
Detroit Lions -- Yeah, i'm all-in on these guys. I remember texting Lalit sometime in the summer saying "Is it wrong that I think the Lions will be good this year" and he laughed. IF Stafford can stay healthy and Javid Best too, they could play spoiler to many teams in the NFC.
Chicago Bears -- I just don't like Jay Cutler. He's overrated. He's got a strong arm....that's it. I like Forte, but not enough to think he'll make a difference.
Minnesota Vikings -- Donovan is getting, what, his 3rd chance to prove he's elite. I think he's good, i don't know if he's great anymore. ADP will get them some wins, but they are in revamp mode.
9. Comeback Player of the Year
I'd love to say Peyton Manning (now that Aman has told me he's gone for 3 months confirmed) but honestly, I think it'll be Donovan Mcnabb (see how I did the seg-way there :P). I don't think he'll throw for 4500yds or 50tds, but I do think he'll have numbers like 3000-3500yds, maybe 30tds and 15-20ints with a 65% completion. He'll be efficient...
10. Runner-Up
Ryan Matthews will comeback this year from a dismal rookie year last year. He was suppose to rush for like 250atts. NOPE. This year, he will and run for 1200-1500yds. Maybe even some tds if Tolbert doesn't keep stealing them!!!
11. NFC EAST
Philly Eagles -- The Dream Team. The NFL's Miami Heat. Vick will not be a great as last year, almost impossible really, but he won't have to be. The D looks so solid on paper that he may only need to be solid, not spectacular! Guido's going to love this: Mccoy is going to have a BREAKOUT year!
Dallas Cowboys -- I really feel like this is the year they do something or everything just gets dismantled. I also, finally, think Romo is going to be a difference maker and in a positive way. Somewhere, Rishi is smiling :-D
NY Giants -- Eli is not in the same breath as Brady, don't care what he thinks. He does win though, but so does Sanchez!! The D isn't getting better and the Offence is basically the same.
Washington Redskins -- Mike Shanahan has screwed this team up. I only know Santana Moss on this team. Oh wait, they have Daniel Synder too right???
12. NFC South
NO Saints -- They get back to the top here. Have a tough schedule, but they have a great coach who knows how to move the ball around and their D is better than most think. They will actually run the ball really well this year I feel.
Atlanta Falcons -- I thought about putting them 1st, but they have a tough schedule. Offence is better, Julio Jones is a great WR and will likely be ROY. They will make a strong run in NFC.
TB Bucs -- Young great team, with all the upside to over take Atl at #2. They could go 9-7 and still not make it in.
Carolina Panthers -- Cam Newton is a great QB. But he's young and in a bad situation. D.Will and Stewart will carry this team to...well, not far unfortunately...
13. NFC WEST
STL Rams -- Worst division in football. Had to be said. The Rams are the best thing in this division. Bradford will be good, real good.
Arizona Cardinals -- Kolb will be better than all the critics think, but not that much better. Kinda makes you realize just how good Warner was!!
SF 49ers -- How is Alex Smith still the QB here? The team actually isn't that bad with a solid WR core and D. The just find ways to lose close...
Seattle Seahawks -- Pete Carroll, you should have never left USC. Lynch was a bright spot last year, especially his playoff run. But this team is very week...
14. NFC Championship Game
Atlanta Vs Green Bay.
Atlanta goes into playoffs hot and run into the beast of GB. Epic NFC game, WHICH goes into over time with the winner being.....
15. AFC Championship Game
Baltimore Vs. NE Patriots.
Baltimore winning the division and getting a 1st round bye makes all the difference here. Brady and co. coast through the season and get to where they wanted!
16. Super Bowl Champs are....
Atlanta Vs. NE Patriots.
Atlanta wins a stunner in OT up in GB. Where as NE beats Baltimore in the 4th Quarter.
The easy pick here is the PATS....so that's who i'm going with.
Brady makes up for last year's lose to the JETS and wins #4!!
