NFL Predictions, 2008-2009 Midseason

Current Mood: Carnac

Here's a midseason look at the state of the NFL...in my head.

Predictions:

Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
Best coaching job: Bobby Petrino (Falcons)
Worst coaching job: *sigh* Marvin Lewis (Bengals)
Rising star: Kyle Orton (Bears)
Falling star: Donovan McNabb (Eagles)
Best game left: Panthers @ Packers (Sunday November 30th)
Worst game left: Lions @ Packers (Sunday December 28th)
Most improved: Jason Campbell (Redskins)
Least improved: JaMarcus Russell (Raiders)
Comeback player of the year: Ronnie Brown (Dolphins)

Biggest Fantasy Surprise: Matt Ryan (Falcons)
Biggest Fantasy Disappointment: Tom Brady (Patriots)

Playoffs:

AFC

North: Steelers
South: Titans
East: Bills
West: Chargers
Wildcards: Colts, Patriots

Champion: Steelers

NFC

North: Packers
South: Buccaneers
East: Giants
West: Cardinals
Wildcards: Bears, Panthers

Champion: Packers

Super Bowl Winner: Packers 28-17


Now, for comparison, here are my predictions from the start of the season. Most of them seem pretty laughable now. In my defense, however, the NFL HAS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN, more or less.

My previous worst coach prediction has moved up to best coach, because the Falcons (who I thought were done for before the season started) are on fire. Worst coach could go to any of the SIX coaches fired already, but I decided to look ahead. Da Bears have picked Purdue's finest to carry them ahead, and as much as I don't like Chicago's teams - it's nice to see my school doing well. I'm done with Donovan, and Vince Young is RIGHT behind him. I see the best game as important for both teams to try and close out playoff berths, whereas the worst game is going to be a meaningless thrashing of of the Lions by the Packers B-Squad. Redskins have been keeping it close in the NFC East on the arm of Campbell. Ronnie Brown gets the comeback nod for having a very tough surgery last year and bouncing back (remember his 5 TD game?). At least my Tom Brady disappointment prediction stays put.

I feel like all my playoff picks are trendy "pick-the-team-with-the-best-record-right-now" choices, but really, I feel like NOBODY is stepping up as a legitimate contender. The Pats lost Brady and Cassel is barely hanging on. Peyton Manning the Robot is having Vista problems. Favre is all over the place. Browns have gone from Cinderella to ...shit. Steelers are decimated with injuries. I'm not sold on the QB play of Tennessee or the Bills. LT and AP have yet to impress, and Cutler apparently needs more insulin. God knows what's going on in the NFC South...it's like a cartoon dust cloud. Eli showed he's more than capable of falling apart (on Monday Night, no less!). Hell, even the Seahawks, a virtual lock for the NFC West for the past half of a decade, have dropped the ball.

Some comments on my 3 favorite teams:

1. The Packers are one of my picks to go the distance. I'm really happy Aaron Rodgers has stepped up and shown that Green Bay didn't do wrong sticking with him. He's got a cannon arm, a slew of young agressive recievers, and they'd be crushing if it weren't for so many injuries (mostly on defense). Dear Ryan Grant: please stop fumbling the ball.

Go Pack Go.

2. Say what you want about the Cowboys, I still love them. Well, I mostly just love Tony Romo (get well soon, Tony!). That said, I'm amazed how they have self-destructed so fast and so spectactularly. They started so great, and now are dangerously close to slipping out of contention in a very competitive divison. They've also had some injuries, and I don't think Marion Barber will last more than a few seasons the way he plays.

3. Bengals.


Where to begin...



Let's try this?

With a 38-10 loss to Pittsburgh last week, Cincinnati (0-7) remained winless through seven games for the fifth time since 1991. No other team has experienced that kind of futility more than twice in that span. -NFL.com

Yeah. If we win the rest of the season, we'll move to .500. Woo! Early round draft pick, comin' up!

SPEAKING OF

I know Hines Ward (Steelers) is a dominating player. Still, there is no excuse for our 1st round draft pick this year (Keith Rivers) - a middle linebacker to get absolutely mauled by a wide reciever like that. Guy broke his jaw, and he's out for the season (happened a few years ago to the Bengals 1st pick, too). Marvin Lewis at this point should consider sacrificing his job - protect Carson Palmer and let him heal back to 100% by not playing him, lose the rest of the season to get a good draft position, and then get fired.

I'm just frustrated. You know it's bad when Ocho Cinco won't talk shit anymore.

Also, Dear Chris Perry: PLEASE stop fumbling the ball.


Sidenotes:

College Football

I think I have taken for granted that Purdue has reached *a* Bowl Game 10 of the past 11 years (even if we it was a terrible bowl and/or we lost). Purdue has played some crazy good opponents this year, and at times looked pretty good, but we are now 2-5 and things don't look good. So much for sending Coach Tiller out on a good note.

And my brilliant prediction that Tim Tebow would be the second 2-time Heisman Winner... yeah, maybe not :D

Fantasy Football

Last year I did okay, then grabbed Ryan Grant and rode that train to our Super Bowl. This year, I'm in the basement saddled with a slew of horrible injuries (welcome to football, Ryan!) and multiple single digit losses. *snarl* I'm gonna have to find some miracle kid if I want to turn this around and even make the playoffs.