NFL Week 1: Bandwagon Hard, Bandwagon Early.

[Tyche]

Moment of silence for the resurrection of the greatest sport in the world.

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Ok, now that that's over and done with, let's get to some action. The first thread is always a busy busy thread. We'll do division prediction, wildcard predictions, and top it off with the superbowl predictions "guaranteed to go wrong". I'm not going to waste a lot of time with palaver here, so I'll start off with the futures.

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles. They've lost more this offseason than they've gained, most notably, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. The locker room backbone of that D is also gone in Dawkins. Still, they have the best QB and the best coach in the division. That's a combo I love. If anyone is going to push them, I think it'll be New York. I don't see either Dallas or Washington being a factor. Mostly because of terrible coaching.

NFC North: Green Bay Packers. You thought I was going to go Minnesota here didn't you. DIDN'T YOU?!? Well, I'm not. Aaron Rodgers is a stud. I think the wildcard will be how the defensive transition works out and if Ryan Grant can have a half decent year. I still think Minnesota AND Chicago are going to put up a hell of a fight. All three teams could finish .500 or better.

NFC South: New Orleans Saints. When you have an offense as prolific as the Saints is, the first thing you look at is the defenses they play. They play some pretty damn decent defenses this year. They have to go through the NFC east, which is no defensive picnic. I still think they can manage to win the division on a record as stagnant as 10-6.

NFC West: Seattle Seahawks. Ok, so they have some lingering injuries still, I get it. They have a brand new coaching staff, I get it. Arizona still has all the key positions returning, I get it. Nonetheless, last year was a trainwreck due to injuries at every single skill position. It was a disaster. The hawks have owned this division over the recent past. History tells us that Arizona will erode. I'm banking on history and straying from rational thought and taking Seattle.

AFC East: New England Patriots. Is there really much thought required here? Brady has the best offensive pieces around him that he's ever had in his career. Even his 3rd wideout has posted several 1,000 yard receiving seasons. That offense is going to be beyond absurd.

AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers. I really, truly, madly, deeply want to pick the Bengals here. I think they are going to be a good team, but they aren't Pitt. I do think they'll fade a bit from where they were last season. I'm not completely convinced that Ben will be able to be completely void of distraction off the field. Still, they should have no problem cleaning up this division.

AFC South: Houston Texans. One of my few somewhat surprise picks. It isn't so much that I like Tennessee more than I just don't like Indy and Tennessee as much as last year. Indy is going through a pseudo coaching change, and Tennessee lost their best player on defense. They did gain an actual receiver in Washington, but he's banged up. If Schaub can stay healthy (unlikely), I think Houston will sneak in and take the division.

AFC West: San Diego Chargers. lol

Wild Card Picks.
AFC: Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans
NFC: New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings

Superbowl: New Orleans Saints v New England Patriots

I know, crazy right?

WEEK 1

SEP 10

Tennessee at Pittsburgh (-5.5)- Tennessee beat Pitt last year and, in blasphemous disrespect of Steeler nation, stomped on the terrible towel. Pittsburgh will avenge that loss and beat Tennessee. Pitt to cover.



SUN, SEP 13

Miami at Atlanta (-4) - Miami is a better team than last year, but Atlanta has made personnel improvements as well. I honestly think that Miami is a better team than Atlanta, and much improved over last year. I like Miami to win outright, 4 points is just icing.

Denver at Cincinnati (-4) - Cinci is going to surprise some people this season if Palmer stays healthy. He's got a great WR corp, although neither the #2 or #3 is as good as housh, it shouldn't deteriorate. If the defense can make some stops, I like cinci to cover. Denver is in disarray. Lay the points.

Minnesota at Cleveland (+4) Minnesoat is just a better team than cleveland right now. As long as Favre doesn't make mistakes, and just dumps off short passes with a few bombs to keep the defense honest, Minnesota should be pretty good. Minnesota wins, but take Cleveland and the four points. Minnesota to win and fail to cover.

Jacksonville at Indianapolis (-7) - This game is such a wildcard for me. I don't know how the start f the season is going to go for the Colts. I'm sure they'll be just fine, but last year showed that when a rift happens, it could spell bad news until things settle in after a few weeks. I still like INdi in this game, but take the points with Jacksonville.

Detroit at New Orleans (-13) - Largest point spread this week, and I still like New Orleans. Detroit, despite actually posting wins, hasn't looked great in the preseason. I like nawlins', lay the 13.

Dallas at Tampa Bay (+5.5) - I don't think Dallas will be a total disaster this year, but I don't think they'll be that great either. Tampa is just dreadful. Beyond dreadful. Dallas will win this game and easily cover the 5.5.

Philadelphia at Carolina (+1) - Now this will be a good game. A virtual pickem. How will Clutch rebound from his terrible performance in his last game? Will Williams be as prolific as he was late last season? How will Philly's D cope with key losses. I like Philly, and to cover.

Kansas City at Baltimore (-11) - Although Baltimore is the easy pick to win this game, I don't know how good that offense is going to be. 11 points is huge for a team that doesn't historically score a lot. I like Baltimore to win, but take KC and the 11.

NY Jets at Houston (-4.5) - As I stated, I really like houston. I think the have the weapons both offensively and defensively to go pretty far this year. Take houston and lay the 4.5, while the Jets adjust to the offseason changes and rookie QB in the first few weeks.

Washington at NY Giants (-6.5) - Jim Zorn has spent all offseason trying to revamp his offense and he's failed to do so. When a QB coach tries to get rid of his QB several times, I don't think that's good news. Despite losing their defensive coordinator to St. Louis, they do return Osi. I like New York to win and cover.

San Francisco at Arizona (-6.5) - Arizona had a hell of a run at the end of last season. They were just minutes from possibly winning a superbowl. Still, San Francisco should improve, although the QB situation isn't great. Arizona on the other hand, they have a fantastic offense. I like Arizona, and I like them to cover.

St. Louis at Seattle (-7.5) - Again, I think Seattle, despite injuries, is going to be a very good team. St. Louis, though, have 2 weapons on offense. Avery (hurt), and Jackson. I like Seattle in this game, at home, but I think St. Louis may keep it close. Seattle to win, St. Louis +7.5.

Chicago at Green Bay (-3.5) - Green bay's home opener is against chicago. I would have really liked to see this game played later in the season, but oh well. Actually, I'd like to see all of green bay's games played in december. Chicago takes time to adjust to the changes and Green Bay fires on all cylindars. Green Bay to win and cover the 3.5.


MON, SEP 14

Buffalo at New England (-10.5) - New England is the obvious choice here, but they are laying a big number. Trent Edwards isn't a bad QB, and they have some really good WRs in Owens (1 year contract, he's been great) ad Evans. Their RBs are thin with Lynch suspended however. New England will put up 30+ and the defense should hold Buffalo under 20. New England and lay the 10.5.

San Diego at Oakland (+9) - A big number for a home dog. Oakland is going to be better than they have been in the recent past, or Cable will beat some bitches down. The chargers will winthis game, but I think Oakland will make a statement and keep this game very very close. San Diego to win, and take Oakland with the 9.

So there you have it. The futures and week 1 predictions. If you read all of this, congrats, I wouldn't have. Welcome all newcomers to the NFL threads of awesome.

[Qalbert]

Moment of silence for the resurrection of the greatest sport in the world.

Calvinball is back?

[wipers]

Your picks for divisions are pretty good. I have a feeling that the Steelers are going to suffer from the "super bowl hangover" and not do very well this year. I mean I think they will make the playoffs but not go very far in. As far as your Super Bowl pick of Saints vs. Pats that would be a very interesting Super Bowl indeed. My only question is how well Brady will come back from his injury.

[Kaslo]

Your picks for divisions are pretty good. I have a feeling that the Steelers are going to suffer from the "super bowl hangover" and not do very well this year. I mean I think they will make the playoffs but not go very far in. As far as your Super Bowl pick of Saints vs. Pats that would be a very interesting Super Bowl indeed. My only question is how well Brady will come back from his injury.

Which injury?

His legs seems to be fine, I am interested in how that shoulder is effecting him though.

[tyven]

lolmerriman

Shawne Merriman busted for battery, false imprisonment | ProFootballTalk.com

[Headspace]

He should be suspended on the basis of dating 12 year old asians.

[recuperi]

My projections:

NFC East: Philadelphia. There's a fairly simple reasoning behind this too. They have too many receivers, and the Giants don't have much at all. The two defenses both lost their coordinators, so it's really a matter of the run vs. the pass. I like Philly winning the division by a game.

NFC North: Chicago. Cutler was the biggest move of the offseason for them obviously, but the bigger story is their defense stepping back up during the preseason. Rex Grossman took that defense to the super bowl, so I can't see why Cutler couldn't at least lead them to a division title.

NFC South: New Orleans. It'll mainly be a fight between them and Atlanta. And while Atlanta picked up a missing piece on offense, they've also lost part of what got them to the playoffs last year: a solid defense. New Orleans actually made some moves to improve their secondary, which was part of the main reason they got left out of the playoffs last year. The wild card here is what ends up happening with the suspensions on the DLine. If it's enforced at a bad spot in the schedule, they could easily drop 4 straight.

NFC West: Arizona. I'm sure the Seahawks will be much improved over last year, but The Cardinals are fairly stacked on defense, even though they didn't do a whole lot to improve the OLine. I've got the cards by 2 games at the end of the year.

AFC East: Patriots. I know in the last thread I said it was possible for them to lose the division, but they're definitely the most likely to win it. Another RB to help keep the whole corps fresh, another veteran receiver, and they've got Brady back by the way. This division will look like the AFC North of last year: two teams (Dolphins) at the top and a huge gap between second and third place.

AFC North: Baltimore. I obviously didn't pick them because of improved defense, since they lost one of their strongest LBs and their DC. But I see Flacco to Heap and Rice being more familiar as the year goes on, and Pitt's gonna lose the division via tiebreakers.

AFC South: Houston. Eventually this pick has to work, and they've got Dan Orlovsky as a starter for week 3 and up, so its pretty much a lock, right?

AFC West: Chargers

AFC Wild card - Pittsburgh and Miami
NFC Wild card - Giants and Packers

Super Bowl - San Diego vs. Green Bay (!)
winner: Chargers







I can dream can't I?

[wipers]

Is Shawn Merriman going to have to choke a bitch ? Wait he already did that.

[Tyr]

Posting here to gloat when the Vikings (or Eagles) win the Superbowl









(in 2013)

[Rydir]

My predictions

NFC East: New York Giants.

NFC North: Minnesota Vikings.

NFC South: New Orleans Saints.

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers.

AFC East: New England Patriots.

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens.

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts.

AFC West: San Diego Chargers.

Wild Card Picks.
AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans
NFC: Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers

Superbowl: Minnesota Vikings v Baltimore Ravens

WEEK 1

SEP 10
Tennessee at Pittsburgh

SUN, SEP 13
Miami at Atlanta

Denver at Cincinnati

Minnesota at Cleveland

Jacksonville at Indianapolis

Detroit at New Orleans

Dallas at Tampa Bay

Philadelphia at Carolina

Kansas City at Baltimore

NY Jets at Houston

Washington at NY Giants

San Francisco at Arizona

St. Louis at Seattle

Chicago at Green Bay

MON, SEP 14
Buffalo at New England

San Diego at Oakland

[Conrad]

Division picks:

NFC East: E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES! Homer pick, but it looks like I'm going with the majority on this anyway.
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons
NFC West: San Francisco 49ers, if only because they're on the cusp of being a decent team again and they're going to win eventually.
NFC North: Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers
NFC Wild Cards: New York Giants, Carolina Panthers

AFC East: New England Patriots
AFC South: Houston Texans
AFC West: Denver Broncos. Neckbeard ftw
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC Wild Cards: Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens

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Tennessee at Pittsburgh
Miami at Atlanta
Denver at Cincinnati
Minnesota at Cleveland
Jacksonville at Indianapolis
Detroit at New Orleans
Dallas at Tampa Bay
Philadelphia at Carolina
Kansas City at Baltimore
NY Jets at Houston
Washington at NY Giants
San Francisco at Arizona
St. Louis at Seattle
Chicago at Green Bay
Buffalo at New England
San Diego at Oakland

[Ishido]

Da Bears Da bears Da Bears etc.

Living in CO I get to hear and see all of the delicious tears from Denver fans that now hate that trade.

Devin Hester finally gets used to the WR position and he catches 700 TD passes from Cutler. In the Superbowl Da Bears are down at halftime versus the Raiders, and Lovie gets a call from Mike Ditka with a game plan. Da Bears go on to win in a miraculous come from behind blowout, 84-21.

The Bears defense is also the first defense to ever be in the top 10 scoring offenses at the end of the season.

[Conrad]

You're doing Bill Swersky's Superfans proud with that one.

[Vade]

Go Cowboys (and Texans)!

[pohibaba]

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...baba/49ers.jpg!!!!!!!

[Rhinox]

Da Bears Da bears Da Bears etc.

Living in CO I get to hear and see all of the delicious tears from Denver fans that now hate that trade.

Devin Hester finally gets used to the WR position and he catches 700 TD passes from Cutler. In the Superbowl Da Bears are down at halftime versus the Raiders, and Lovie gets a call from Mike Ditka with a game plan. Da Bears go on to win in a miraculous come from behind blowout, 84-21.

The Bears defense is also the first defense to ever be in the top 10 scoring offenses at the end of the season.

^

MEGAVIDEO - I'm watching it

[sekaran]

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...baba/49ers.jpg!!!!!!!

Only when Nate Davis starts.

[Theraven]

You guys are all clearly Panthers haters.

[Akiyama]

NFC East: Eagles seem like the popular pick. Therefore, I'm going with the Giants.

NFC South: Falcons

NFC West: Seattle

NFC North: Packers

NFC Wildcard: Eagles, Cowboys

AFC East: Patriots

AFC South: Honestly.. I don't know. Not sure if the Titans can repeat what they did, and I don't like the Colts at all this year. Therefore, coin flip. Aaaand.. Heads. So Colts.

AFC North: Steelers

AFC West: Chargers

AFC Wildcard: Titans, Ravens

Eff picking every round of the playoffs. Super Bowl = Steelers vs Eagles in a Super Bowl that will cause me to hurl myself over a bridge.

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Tennessee at Pittsburgh
Miami at Atlanta
Denver at Cincinnati
Minnesota at Cleveland
Jacksonville at Indianapolis
Detroit at New Orleans
Dallas at Tampa Bay
Philadelphia at Carolina
Kansas City at Baltimore
NY Jets at Houston
Washington at NY Giants
San Francisco at Arizona
St. Louis at Seattle
Chicago at Green Bay
Buffalo at New England
San Diego at Oakland

[Fryte]

Every year, I hope and pray the Patriots finally lose it. I don't see any reason not to hope the same this year. Go Fins. /insanebias off