NFL Week 1 - Tyche is laughed at, Miz still doesn't post, and Rhinox gets banned

[Tyche]

The annual start to the [real] NFL season is here, so you know what that means...prediction time! We'll break down everything from division winners to rookie award winners before finally wrapping up with the week 1 picks.

AFC East: New England Patriots

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts

AFC West: San Diego Chargers

Wild Cards: Houston and Miami

Notes: The NFL has, since '96, at least 5 new playoff teams from the previous year, so yeah, I reached on Houston and Miami. Also, Pitt has failed to reach the playoffs the season following their last three superbowl births.

NFC East: Philadelphia

NFC North: Green Bay

NFC South: Atlanta

NFC West: St. Louis

Wild Cards: Detroit and New Orleans

Notes: I'm all in on the Detroit hype. The offense has the potential to be electric if both Stafford and Best can stay healthy. This seeding will give us 5 new playoff teams from last season in Houston, Miami, San Diego, St. Louis, and Detroit.

Coach of the Year: Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions
Comeback POY: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
Defensive ROY: Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Offensive ROY: Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
Defensive POY: Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
Offensive POY: Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
MVP: Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

AFC Championship: Houston v San Diego
NFC Championship: Atlanta v New Orleans

SuperBowl: San Diego defeats New Orleans

THU, SEP 8

New Orleans at Green Bay - The target on Green Bay's back is going to be shot at immediatly when New Orleans comes to visit. There's been a lot of offensive changes for the Saints with Bush gone, and replaced by a rookie RB and Darren Sproles. The Saints may have quietly had the best off-season, not by acquiring players, but by managing to keep the vast majority of 20-something free agents they had coming out of 2010. Green Bay, getting healthier after a super bowl win, will come out with a home win.

SUN, SEP 11

Atlanta at Chicago - Off the heels of an NFC championship game birth, the Bears are poised to do big things in 2011. With huge signings of formor Cowboy greats Marion Barber and Roy Williams, the offense should be exponentially greater than last year. Atlanta, on the other hand, was throttled in their first playoff game just one year ago. The Bears were able to shut out Rodgers, what do you think they'll do to Matt Ryan throwing to mediocre talent like Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Harry Douglas? Now that I went ahead and made Rhinox's next 3 pages of posts, we should have a quiet NFL thread. Atlanta wins, big.

Cincinnati at Cleveland - I think Cleveland is ready to play some big boy football this season. I don't know (or I don't think) Hillis will be as good as he was last year, but I do think they'll get much better QB play if a WR such a Little can step up. Cinci is young on offense, lost one of their best defensive players; they'll likely trend down sharply. Cleveland should take this game handily.

Buffalo at Kansas City - I really want to take Buffalo here, I think they'll be marginally better than last year, but KC may have the toughest NFL stadium to play in in the NFL. I suppose Cassel is the x-factor here. Is he going to be healthy enough to start? If so, I like the Chiefs, if not, Bills.

Philadelphia at St. Louis - Philly is a 5 point favorite here...five. That seems like a pretty damn big number to me, but maybe I'm just too high on McDaniels and Bradford pairing up. I don't think Philly is going to start off quickly and theyre probably going to hit a road bump in their first game. St. Louis takes this one.

Detroit at Tampa Bay - Tampa played really well last season, they did. I don't think Freeman's excellent TD:INT ratio was simply a product of a weak schedule. With that said, the preseason superbowl winners are coming to town with their unblockable front line. Freeman will probably be on his ass more than his feet. I like this game to be a shootout with Detroit eventually taking the cake.

Tennessee at Jacksonville - One of the more irrelevant games of the week. Couldn't really care less about the game. Prediction? CJ pulls a hammy. Mike Thomas goes for over 100 and 2 TDs. Jacksonville wins.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore - As I stated earlier, Pitt has not returned to the playoffs the season following a superbowl appearance in their last 3 attempts. Mendenhall carried the ball over 380 times last season, and history tells us that he'll deteriorate this season because of that load. I think Flacco will be much better in another year with Boldin. Rice may be stuffed in rushing this game, but could make something happen receiving out of the backfield. Ravens win.


Indianapolis at Houston - Even if Manning does start, and I expect he will, he could start very slow. After missing camp last year, he didn't exactly light up the stat column in the beginning of the season. By most accounts, Houston improved they're biggest weakness with big signing at the safety and CB position and picking up Phillips as a DC. Will Mike Williams transtion to the new defense howeever? That remains to be seen. Regardless, I like Houston to open with a big win against a division rival.

NY Giants at Washington - If the preseason is any indication, this could be the most interesting unwatchable game this season. The Giants are a 3 point favorite, as they probably should be, but damn, the Washington first team has been pretty impressive in the preseason, and Eli Manning has looked like...well...the Eli we all used to know. He's been atrocious. It looks like losing Boss and Smith may have a bigger effect on the offense than we imagine. Calling for the upset here, Washington takes it.

Seattle at San Francisco - Say what you want about this being a terrible game to watch, we have the potential to see T JAX run helpless all over the field and Gore to blow up into a cloud of bone marrow and muscle tissue. That counts for something, right? I don't really know, nor care, who wins this game. Let me flip a coin...Seattle.

Minnesota at San Diego - As you may have noticed, I have some high hopes for SD and Phillip Rivers. As much as I think McNabb will be better this season, I don't think the offense is going to be great, and with Williams sitting out of the game, I don't think Rivers is going to be pressed for time when getting the ball out. Yeah, San Diego starts slow, historically, but I think they'll have to make some significant mistakes to manage to lose this game. San Diego to win.

Carolina at Arizona - It seems for every good game this week, there's one as equally bad. Again, not a lot to say here. I think we'll see the start of a damn fine season by Fitzgerald here, and Patrick Peterson will probably pick off Newton no less than 5 times.

Dallas at NY Jets - Game of the week. I think Romo should be safe through at least week 1 with the very mediocre front line of the Jets. They only get to the QB through blitzes, and Romo has been very very good against the blitz. If Romo can pick apart the DBs, which won't be easy, Romo could have a very good game. I actually like Dallas in this game, a lot. I don't know how well Sanchez is going to do with his new crop of WRs and a limited camp. Dallas to win.

MON, SEP 12

New England at Miami - I have all the biased reasons in the world to take Miami here, but I can't. Miami, with Jason Taylor, typically play very competitively with New England, who hasn't exatly lit it up in the preseason. Regardless, I don't think Wilfork and Haynesworth are going to give and inch to an underperforming Daniel Thomas or Reggie Bush running up the middle. If Miami wants to win this game, it will have to be on the arm of Chad Henne, and that's scary as hell. Daboll's offense has beaten NE with less talen on the offense, and the Miami defense is certainly more talented than the cleveland crew, but I cannot trust Henne until he proves me wrong. Patriots win in a game closer than most expect.

Oakland at Denver - Well, at least it's the late MNF game. Another bad game alongside a good one. I think Denver is going to be largely terrible again this season, and Oakland...probably terrible as well. I don't understand why some media members are showing love for Oakland. I think they're going to be as much worse than they were under Cable. We'll see though. Denver open up with a win at home.

[archibaldcrane]

Green Bay beats NO week 1, and wins the North, but you have NO in the Superbowl?

Interesting...

[AidenCarby]

I don't see the Chargers going to the SB lol.

[Tyche]

I think NO goes into the playoffs off of 4 or 5 strait wins and it carries them.

[Tyche]

Actually, looking at the schedule, NO could be favored in every game after their bye week. Only two of their final 6 games are away, and it's against Minnesota and Tennessee.

[Chun Liroy]

AFC East: New England Patriots

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

AFC South: Houston Texans

AFC West: San Diego Chargers

Wild Cards: Indy and Jets

NFC East: Philadelphia

NFC North: Green Bay

NFC South: Atlanta

NFC West: St. Louis

Wild Cards: Detroit and TB Bucs



Coach of the Year: GARY KUBIAK
Comeback POY: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
Defensive ROY: Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Offensive ROY: Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
Defensive POY: Demarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
Offensive POY: Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens - gonna have a bounce back year
MVP: Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

AFC Championship: Houston v Patriots
NFC Championship: Lions v Rams (YEAH I SAID IT)

SuperBowl: Houston > Lions

THU, SEP 8

New Orleans at Green Bay

SUN, SEP 11

Atlanta at Chicago

Cincinnati at Cleveland

Buffalo at Kansas City

Philadelphia at St. Louis

Detroit at Tampa Bay

Tennessee at Jacksonville

Pittsburgh at Baltimore

Indianapolis at Houston

NY Giants at Washington

Seattle at San Francisco

Minnesotaat San Diego

Carolina atArizona

Dallas at NY Jets

MON, SEP 12

Patriots at Miami


Oakland at Denver

Me and Tyche have near identical views on how shit shakes out <_<

[Conrad]

ctrl+f "strait" - not found
You're slacking, Tyche. Unless "birth" is the 2011 version.

AFCE: New England
AFCN: Baltimore
AFCS: Indianapolis
AFCW: San Diego
AFCWC: NY Jets, Houston

NFCE: Philadelphia
NFCN: Green Bay
NFCS: New Orleans
NFCW: St. Louis
NFCWC: Tampa Bay, Dallas

AFC Championship: New England over Baltimore
NFC Championship: Green Bay over Philadelphia
Super Bowl: Green Bay over New England - REPEAT

I think Atlanta plays well, but their defense loses them a few games and they fall behind TB for the Wild Card. I'm all in on JAAAAAAASH FREEMAN. Detroit finishes at .500 but misses the playoffs...this year. And I hate myself for picking Dallas, but they'll have a better year. And GB is stacked as HELL.

New Orleans at Green Bay
Atlanta at Chicago - BURRS
Cincinnati at Cleveland - HILLIS
Buffalo at Kansas City - UPSET SPECIAL
Philadelphia at St. Louis - Bradford: 15/33, 2 TD, 5 INT. NAM/DRC
Detroit at Tampa Bay
Tennessee at Jacksonville - JAX secondary pass rush, lol
Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Indianapolis at Houston - Texans break their Colts cherry.
NY Giants at Washington - SHOOTOUT
Seattle at San Francisco - Only picking this because SF is the home team.
Minnesota at San Diego
Carolina at Arizona - KOLBBERIN' TIME
Dallas at NY Jets - c'mon son
New England at Miami
Oakland at Denver

edit:

I think NO goes into the playoffs off of 4 or 5 strait wins and it carries them.

oh never mind

[archibaldcrane]

Lol. NFL Week Two - Going Strait to a Playoff Birth!

Also fuck you Skirkle, Eagles are the dream team, don't try to put that bullseye back on the Packers.

[Chun Liroy]

idgi

Also, Bradford throwing for 4TDs now that you said that.

SJAX

[Lucavi]

Texans will win. Skins will win.

[recuperi]

Atlanta at Chicago - Not enough homefield advantage yet - still summerish weather - and Turner is more of a N/S runner. Their passing game is a bit overrated though, so I see Chicago keeping it close.

Cincinnati at Cleveland - And it actually feels obvious this year

Buffalo at Kansas City - Swiss cheese of a defense against one of the top rushing offenses last year. As sad as it is, they could run every play and still have a good chance of winning this

Philadelphia at St. Louis - Short offseason, more of a loss defensively than offensively, though I don't see it being a huge trend.

Detroit at Tampa Bay - Impossible to pick, but gut says Tampa. It's amazing how these teams went from being two of the worst a couple seasons ago to (assumingly) playoff contenders now, and people might actually be scared to play Detroit lol

Tennessee at Jacksonville - CJ's not had enough time with Hasselbeck to be on the same page, so he'll probably be one dimensional for this game alone. Playing in Jacksonville though, they might not even need it. That secondary was awful and has been, and I can only assume it won't change much. Blind prediction: Tennessee

Pittsburgh at Baltimore - Not sure what to expect here tbh. there wasn't a lot of huge movement on either team, but Pitt went to the Super Bowl last year with that team, so yeah.

Indianapolis at Houston - It's like week 17 of last season. Peyton sitting out and the other team looks amazing because of it. Won't know how good Houston really is until week 3 at the least

NY Giants at Washington - Not a believer in Rexy, sorry

Seattle at San Francisco - This matchup is why people make fun of the NFC West

Minnesota at San Diego - As much as I like the team, their run defense hasn't been too convincing thus far. And AD is kind of a big deal in that respect. Can't say I want them to lose, but I'm not going in with high expectations for them to win this one.

Carolina at Arizona - The main defense for the NFC West

Dallas at NY Jets - I think the Jets win this one, but Dallas actually gets better from this game. Rex won't lose to Rob, didn't last year either.

MON, SEP 12

Patriots at Miami - Again, not a trend, but I see Miami's defense doin some work. Final score - 3-2. Safety comes from Bush trying to do too much, and saving Daniel Thomas's job in doing so.


Oakland at Denver - Expecting big things from Orton this year, hopefully he doesn't give the starting spot away later in the season

[Ksandra]

I don't see the Chargers going to the SB lol.

^ They have a tendency to start out strong and give high hopes, but then lose steam around the playoffs. I'll believe it when I see it.

[Rhinox]

vaginas aren't allowed to post here

[Chun Liroy]

^ They have a tendency to start out strong and give high hopes, but then lose steam around the playoffs. I'll believe it when I see it.

Are you retarded? As a woman, you shouldn't talk about sports unless asked your opinion.

[Tyche]

Tyche has been laughed at...check
Miz hasn't posted...check

That just leaves...

[Flarega]

^ They have a tendency to start out strong and give high hopes, but then lose steam around the playoffs. I'll believe it when I see it.

ur dumb

[Chun Liroy]

Tyche has been laughed at...check
Miz hasn't posted...check

That just leaves...

i don't get the strait thing...

[Tyche]

it's straight, a habitual grammar mistake I make.

[Conrad]

Lol. NFL Week Two - Going Strait to a Playoff Birth!

Also fuck you Skirkle, Eagles are the dream team, don't try to put that bullseye back on the Packers.

Listen, Philly may be the nexus of professional sports right now, but there's no way this is our year. Packers win huge again, Rodgers becomes a first-ballot HOF candidate, and the state of Wisconsin simultaneously orgasms when all available Lions QBs go down by Week 4, and Jim Schwartz is seen traveling to Hattiesburg, Mississippi..

[archibaldcrane]

^ They have a tendency to start out strong and give high hopes, but then lose steam around the playoffs. I'll believe it when I see it.

2010: Started 2-5, finished 9-7.
2009: Started 3-3, finished 13-3
2008: Started 3-5, finished 8-8

....need I go on?