NFL 2009 Predictions

I had to get these down somewhere...

NFC
1. Bears 11-5
2. Falcons 11-5
3. Giants 10-6
4. Seattle 8-8
5. Packers 11-5
6. Vikings 10-6

Just missed: Panthers (10-6) Eagles (9-7), Redskins (9-7), Saints (9-7).

The NFC rolls deep this year, with a lot of really good teams and then a couple stinkers (Lions, Rams, Bucs, I'm looking at you). Seattle should bounce back a bit with a healthy offensive line and TJ Housman-zode (championship!) to beat out a Cardinals team coming off a Super Bowl hangover to win a crummy West. The Falcons won't show any signs of regression after adding Tony Gonzalez to go along with an offense that ran on all cylinders last year. The real power comes from the North where Cutler and the Bears will beat out strong challenges from Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and the Vikings for the division crown. The Panthers won't be as bad as everyone thinks - remember, Jake Delhomme was their quarterback last year too - but they'll just miss that last playoff spot. And the Saints are basically the same 8-8 team from last year, and there's pretty much no way Brees can be better, so no big jumps from them.

AFC
1. Patriots 13-3
2. Steelers 12-4
3. Chargers 12-4
4. Texans 10-6
5. Ravens 10-6
6. Titans 9-7

Just missed: Colts (9-7), Jets (9-7).

The AFC is loaded with bad teams this year; I don't expect the Bills, Browns, Chiefs or Bengals to win more than 6 games. Maybe even throw the Kyle Orton Show into that category. But Brady's back so that means the Pats will light the world on fire, the Steelers will defend their championship with 20 returning starters, and the Chargers welcome back Tila Tequila's boyfriend coupled with a super-easy division to put up a nice record after last year's .500 performance. But the Colts' time has passed. With a new coach, unproven running backs, and their weakest group of receivers in years, Peyton and Crew will be watching the playoffs from home like the rest of us. The Texans, with a dynamic offense and young defensive players coming into their own, will seize the opportunity and win their first division title. With Rex Ryan, the Jets are going to play good defense and perform better than people think. Same with the Titans, who everyone is writing off for losing Albert Haynesworth. And though he's a stud, he only played ~50% of defensive snaps last year and with a lean LenDale White and more Chris Johnson, they should be just good enough to still make the playoffs.

NFC Championship: Bears over Falcons 31-20
AFC Championship: Patriots over Chargers 30-28

Super Bowl: Patriots over Bears 33-24