Prediction Notes
Let me add a few comments to the predictions I’ve posted below.
First, I know I picked the Minnesota Vikings to go to the Super Bowl, but I don’t like them. I really don’t. I had no idea who I thought would win the NFC before beginning my predictions. I also don’t think the Vikings are the best team in the NFC—I rank them third behind Philadelphia and Carolina. Mike Tice as a Super Bowl coach makes me cringe. But I think that, in a weak NFC North, Minnesota has the best shot at home-field advantage, and as a dome team, that is significant.
Second, I realized that I don’t really like many teams in the NFL. After the Patriots and Colts, there isn’t a team that I find attractive. In the AFC, Pittsburgh looks worse. Baltimore has no QB. The Jets have Chad Pennington’s health and Herm Edwards game management. San Diego is coming off an overachieving year and faces a tough schedule. In the NFC, Philadelphia has lost talent and faces turmoil. Carolina has questions in the running game. St. Louis has Mike Martz. Atlanta has no receivers. As you can see by how many teams I’ve picked to win between seven and 10 games (23), I think most teams are at least decent enough to make the playoffs but only New England and Indianapolis stand out as elite teams. I pick the Colts over the Pats for two reasons: first, I think the Colts will get home-field advantage because of their softer schedule; second, I will never choose my favorite team to win it all—it’s superstition and tradition.
The most interesting team besides those two is the Denver Broncos. My two Broncos friends—Dante and Nuprin—are trying to convince me that Denver is bound to make a step this year, if the Broncos could just avoid the Colts in the playoffs. They talk about how the Broncos were three plays from going 13-3 last season, how they’re 2-10 in close games the last two years. They speak of a healthy Trevor Pryce and Mike Anderson with reverent tones. They wistfully think of the possibilities of a defensive line that includes motivated former Browns. They gush at a secondary with Champ Bailey and John Lynch. They are convinced that “Jake Plummer is going to have a big year.” I guess they convinced me, too, because I picked them to win a talented AFC West, but we’ll see.
Teams ready to step up: Carolina, Jacksonville, Dallas, Baltimore
Teams ready to take a fall: Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Green Bay, San Diego
Teams that could surprise: Chicago, New York Giants, Tennessee
Note: Just remember that baseball is still better than football—always and forever. More baseball writing soon…
