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Here are 75 Predictions for the NFL Season. I’m standing behind all of these predictions, and at the end of the season, I’m going to check myself.
Fill free to list your own predictions at the bottom of the list.
1. Chad Henne throws for 25+ touchdowns
2. Miami beats the New York Jets twice
3. Jets fall to 7-9 and miss the playoffs
4. Miami and New England split their games
5. Miami wins the division; New England gets the Wild Card
6. Louisville QB Brian Brohm starts for Buffalo at some point this season and plays well
7. It doesn’t matter, Buffalo falls to 3-13, get a top three pick, and gear up to take a QB next April
8. Fred Jackson rushes for 1000+ yards and five touchdowns
9. CJ Spiller is underwhelming
10. Joe Flacco becomes the best QB in the AFC North
11. Anquan Boldin doesn’t stay healthy, but still records 1000+ yards
12. Ray Rice tops 2000 total yards
13. Baltimore wins the division over Cincinnati
14. There is no more entertaining team than Cincinnati; they get the final wild card spot
15. Pittsburgh wins three out of the six games that Byron Leftwich starts, but still miss the playoffs
16. Cleveland improves to 5-11
17. Indianapolis locks up the division in week 12
18. Reggie Wayne takes a step back; Pierre Garcon takes two steps forward
19. Houston, once again, underwhelms their fans and the rest of the football world, missing the playoffs
20. Matt Schaub misses at least one game because of injury
21. RB Arian Foster finishes in the top 10 in rushing.
22. Chris Johnson tops out around 1500 rushing yards, 800 receiving yards
23. Vince Young plays well enough to get the Titans close, but they don’t make the playoffs.
24. Maurice Jones-Drew breaks down.
25. David Garrard plays poorly enough that he is replaced for next season.
26. Jacksonville underperforms and ownership starts to seriously contemplate moving the team.
27. Kansas City wins the AFC West
28. Eric Berry is Defensive Rookie of the Year
29. Kansas City leads the league in running the ball
30. San Diego Chargers miss the playoffs.
31. Oakland Raiders improve on their record from last year.
32. Jason Campbell becomes a Pro Bowl quarterback.
33. Denver Broncos don’t win more then five games.
34. Tim Tebow is the starting quarterback by week 10.
35. McDaniels is fired at the end of the season.
36. Knowshon Moreno proves to be a huge bust at running back.
37. The New York Giants win the NFC East
38. Hakeem Nicks is the leading wide receiver on the team and makes the Pro Bowl.
39. Ahmad Bradshaw rushes for 1000+ yards; Brandon Jacobs doesn’t.
40. Kevin Kolb throws for 25+ touchdowns and 20+ interceptions.
41. Philadelphia has a winning season, but they do not make the playoffs.
42. Dallas Cowboys get the final wild card spot on the final day of the season.
43. Felix Jones misses at least eight games due to injury.
44. Washington Redskins finish below .500.
45. Donovan McNabb has the worst stats out of every quarterback in the NFC East.
46. Albert Haynesworth records fewer than 30 tackles.
47. Green Bay Packers win the division and represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
48. Aaron Rodgers is the NFL’s MV
49. Jay Cutler figures it out, and Chicago grabs a Wild Card spot.
50. With Julius Peppers’ arrival and the return of Brian Urlacher, the Bears have the best defense in the division.
51. Matt Forte tops 1500 total yards.
52. Brett Favre underperforms and doesn’t finish out the season due to injury.
53. Adrian Peterson cuts back on his fumbles but finishes fifth in rushing
54. The Detroit Lions win six games.
55. Jahvid Best outperforms every running back in the division.
56. New Orleans doesn’t make the playoffs behind Brees’ subpar season.
56. Atlanta Falcons make the playoffs and grab the second seed in the conference.
57. Tampa Bay outperforms last season and finishes in third place in the division.
58. The “Josh Freeman to Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn” hookup has shockingly good results.
59. Carolina finishes last in the division despite winning seven games.
60. Jimmy Clausen is starting by week eight, and plays well to finish out the season.
61. Matt Leinart leads Arizona to the playoffs in his first full year as a starter.
62. Steve Breaston and Larry Fitzgerald combine to form the top receiving tandem in their division.
63. Michael Crabtree suffers from a bad quarterback and puts up weak numbers; Vernon Davis falls back to earth.
64. Frank Gore misses at least four games due to injury.
65. Seattle wide receiver Mike Williams enjoys a good comeback season and catches eight touchdowns.
66. Charlie Whitehurst is starting by week eight.
67. Seattle wins six games in Pete Carroll’s first year.
68. LB Aaron Curry breaks out.
69. St. Louis is once again selecting in the top five in 2011
70. Sam Bradford starts in week 12 of this season.
71. The wild cards are Cincinnati, New England, Chicago, and Dallas
72. The AFC division winners are Miami, Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Kansas City
73. NFC division winners are New York Giants, Green Bay, Atlanta, and Arizona
74. Baltimore over New England; Atlanta over Green Bay in the conference games
75. Baltimore beats Atlanta in the Super Bowl
Also remember that I do a Friday mailbag. Email questions to sherwoodanderson@rocketmail (or league them on my page) and they might, just might, make the cut.
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Who Wants a Job?
It has been an interesting 48 hours for Bears GM Jerry Angelo and his staff, as they tried several times to land a backup QB for Jay Cutler before apparently finding a taker in former Michigan quarterback Matt Gutierrez.
Since Caleb Hanie went down with a shoulder sprain, the Bears offered contracts to (and were rejected by) Trent Green and Todd Collins.
Technically, this is just a temporary position anyway, mainly because the Bears don’t want Cutler to play extended minutes in preseason and have only rookie Dan LeFevour in camp.
Still, if the team had been able to sign a veteran with a solid track record, Mike Martz is known to prefer that to a guy like Hanie. But you can’t blame a guy for not wanting to risk getting hurt in camp without a guaranteed contract in place.
Meanwhile, Brett Basanez and Mike Teel are both unavailable after receiving injury settlements from the Bears.
So enter Mr. Gutierrez, who, if signed today, will have just a few precious days to pick up Martz’s complicated offense, as he will likely see playing time Saturday night against the Raiders.
Given that Gutierrez was on the verge of joining the UFL’s Omaha Nighthawks before the Bears called, you’d have to assume that he is excited for the opportunity.
Hanie’s injury may be a blessing to LeFevour, whose workload has greatly increased in practice, though he threw six picks in Monday’s practice.
Major Wright is Right Again
Bears rookie safety Major Wright had his fractured left index finger surgically repaired and is back with the team in practice. Coach Lovie Smith reiterated that the team has not ruled him out for the season opener, though that seems like wishful thinking to me.
Wright showed promise in his first game before hurting the finger, and he could be a valuable piece in the Bears otherwise very shaky safety situation.
Fullbacks Need Not Apply
Unlike previous years when the Bears reserved a roster spot for a blocking fullback, under the Martz offense a fullback is not required.
After the release of Jason McKie in March, the Bears now technically have two fullbacks on the roster, Will Ta’ufo’ou and Eddie Williams.
But both are long shots to make the team, as the Bears might decide to keep just four tight ends and no fullbacks on the final 53-man roster.
Brian Iwuh Impresses Lovie in Camp
If the Bears keep seven linebackers on the final roster as expected, one of those spots could go to Brian Iwuh, who returned to practice Monday after suffering a knee injury and ankle sprain on the fifth day of training camp.
Iwuh has impressed Lovie Smith in practice and had two of the six picks against LeFevour on Monday.
But it’s his play on special teams that will likely earn Iwuh a spot on the team. In four seasons with Jacksonville, Iwuh recorded 61 special-teams tackles.
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Tim Tebow announced today the opening of the brand new TimTebow.com, a website with premium paid access for reporters and members of the media who just can’t get enough of the Broncos QB.
For only $19.99 per month, ESPN commentators and talk radio hosts can get a behind the scenes look at Tebow’s most personal information, just in case there is no trivial Tebow news they can use that day to shoehorn in another discussion of the quarterback.
“Wow, if there’s one thing I love, it’s talking and watching Tebow,” said ESPN radio host Colin Cowherd. “As a member of the media, I just can’t get enough! I signed up for the new site membership immediately, and can now debate whether or not he can be successful in the NFL, at any time and anywhere!”
Just then, Cowherd got a tweet, “Wow! He just tweeted to all us premium members that he made eggs for breakfast! He’s already adjusted to breakfast in the NFL! He’s ready to take over this team now!”
The new website features a store where fans can continue to buy Tebow’s No. 1 selling jersey, as well as jerseys of all the other popular third string QBs.
You can pick up a Luke McCown jersey from the Jacksonville Jaguars, a Zac Robinson jersey from the New England Patriots, or a Chiefs jersey that just says Kansas City on the back. As even the league office and the actual Chiefs team don’t really know who their third string QB is.
Stunningly, not many Zac Robinson jerseys have been sold so far.
The site is also causing a stir because of its XXX section, which has photos and videos of a nude Tim Tebow working out and running fake combine tests. Many regular fans are confused about why the website is even in existence, as well as why the media is so in love with a good college QB who most agreed before the draft wouldn’t do well in the pros.
“You tell them to shut up!” yelled Cowherd, when he heard of the public’s skepticism. “It’s not something we can explain here at ESPN, we just can’t get enough Tebow. Sure, I’ve checked out the XXX section. Sure, I’ve seen the entire crew of NFL Live gathered around a laptop, and taking notes to break down his nude films.”
Cowherd continued, “I say to everyone, don’t judge me. It’s just something I must watch, as it’s in some way related to Tim Tebow. Let me just add that based on what I’ve ‘seen’, he’s definitely a ‘big leaguer’, and ready to take over from Kyle Orton…”
The message boards on TimTebow.com are filled with ESPN analysts discussing with each other, everything about the QB.
Current popular threads are “How sure are we he’s a lock for Hall Of Fame first ballot?”, “Should we fight to the death to see who gets to interview him if he ever comes in the ESPN offices?”, and finally “Tim Tebow: Erotic Fanfic”.
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It has been two seasons since we faced the Bengals, our starting quarterback learned something very important lesson that day:
Games can end in ties.
This time it will be much different. Yes, it is preseason but the Eagles hold a 4-1 preseason record against Cincinnati. However, the Bengals have already played two games and they look to improve their 1-1 preseason record.
This game should prove to be a test to our pass rush and corners. The Bengals have a pretty stiff offensive line. Last year the Bengals O-line was rated 9th overall, whereas the Eagles were rated 21st.
Although the Bengals had such a stellar Line, they were 26th in passing last year. They have remedied this by adding T.O. to their lineup. The Eagles’ young secondary are going to have to face two of the most experienced (and dramatic) wide receivers in the league. The Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Terrell Owens tandem could easily play games with they youth in the Eagles backfield.
The Eagles pass-rushers have to come out pumped and charged and ready to sack to disrupt Palmer and his passing attack. But this cannot be the primary focus, The Bengals were also 9th in rushing last year as well.
If the Eagles can concentrate on shutting down the running game early like they did to Jacksonville they will have a better time concentrating on the pass game.
Things to Look for in this Game:
1. Look to see how the Eagles Corners cover against TO and Ochocinco.
2. See if the Eagles Pass rush can “get to” or put pressure on Carson Palmer.
3. Watch for the linebackers to plug gaps and stop the run.
4. See if Kevin Kolb makes good decisions when he is hurried.
5. See if Colt McCoy can break away from the #7 Rush Defense from last year.
6. Last but not least… no more injuries.
See you on Friday!
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Before I start, I’d like to remind you that this series will run through this Monday. Tomorrow, I start my freshman year of high school, so each day both previews will come after 3:00.
This idea originated from ESPN’s Mike & Mike. Same format, my answers. I will now preview the Jacksonville Jaguars.
1. Have we already seen the best from QB David Garrard?
David Garrard might be on his last legs as a starting QB in the NFL. However, if you take a look at what’s around him, there is not much. Maurice Jones-Drew is the best weapon he has, but he is a running back. When has David Garrard ever had a legit No. 1 wide receiver? Jimmy Smith, I guess. The problem is that Smith retired, and nobody has replaced him yet. Garrard needs help before I can say he isn’t the guy.
2. Can the Jaguars make the team’s passing attack more formidable?
This is the problem. Mike Sims-Walker broke out last season and is supposed to be the No. 1 wideout. In the past, he has been very injury prone, playing just 24 games since 2007. Troy Williamson is pure speed, no hands. Mike Thomas has accrued good yards after the catch and is also a good kick and punt returner, but not a No. 1 guy. Jarrett Dillard and Tiquan Underwood are very unproven to this point. The Jags still need a No. 1 target.
3. Can former Packer DE Aaron Kampman revive the pass rush (NFL-low 14 sacks in 2009)?
He’s coming off a season-ending knee injury, which brings a lot of questions. Is he healthy? Derrick Harvey had 5.5 sacks in 2009; that doesn’t scream top 10 pick to me. Tyson Alualu was a reach, but he is a relentless pass rusher and run stuffer. Terrance Knighton is emerging, but isn’t a pass rusher.
The pass rush will improve, but not as much as it needs too.
4. Is time finally running out for coach Jack Del Rio?
Believe it or not, Del Rio actually has a winning record (57-55). He needs a new start. Since Mike Smith left for the Falcons, this defense has really suffered. It makes you wonder who the brains behind that once great defense really was. Call me a Falcons homer, but I’m starting to think it was Mike Smith. Jack Del Rio needs a few years as a defensive coordinator before stepping into a head coaching job with a team committed to winning.
5. Record?
4-12, last in the AFC South.
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