NFL Final Standings Predictions for 2009

With three weeks left, the balance of the NFL season is coming into focus. The battles for dominance are largely set, and while upsets are still very much possible, the games where you wonder if the Vikings can beat the Cards on the road or the Bengals at home are now solidly in the rear-view mirror.

With that in mind, here are my predictions for each division, followed by those for the playoffs in my next piece. I will start with the best division in football and work my way down.

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts (16-0)

How often does a rookie head coach have the chance to go 16-0? I know this team is claiming it does not intend to pursue perfection, but they have to know they can't let up on the gas with three weeks to go. Look for them to use the "integrity of the game" angle to win the next two against playoff contenders, then beat the hapless Bills playing their starters in the first half only.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)

They have the toughest schedule left in this division, but a much better division record than anyone outside of Indianapolis.

3. Tennessee Titans (8-8)

After starting out 0-6, they should throw a parade. Their 2-4 division record will be one behind Jacksonville and one ahead of Houston.

4. Houston Texans (8-8)

A .500 team in last place? Coupled with an unbeaten team, this makes the 2009 AFC South arguably the best division in NFL history.

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)

With no playoff contenders left on their schedule (that's right—since it's December, the Cowboys know they aren't contenders!), the path is cleared for the Eagles to win out.

2. New York Giants (10-6)

This team's a mess, but with only Washington, Carolina, and a team that will likely have nothing to play for (Minnesota) on their schedule, they will still win out.

3. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)

No way they're beating New Orleans this weekend, and I see them choking in the final game, even though Philly will have nothing to play for.

4. Washington Offensively Named Ones (4-12)

While they are playing a little better, their remaining schedule is as ugly as their team name.

AFC East

1. New England Patriots (10-6)

Their fans are up in arms about their team's play, but they still have a top-five offense and an above-average defense. They also have a favorable schedule the rest of the way.

2. Miami Dolphins (9-7)

The best team in the AFC to not make the playoffs—not bad after starting 0-3 and losing their starting quarterback and running back.

3. New York Jets (8-8)

Staying competitive with a rookie quarterback validates Rex Ryan as a good coach, not just a big-mouth motivator.

4. Buffalo Bills (5-11)

How different might things have been if they had actually closed their first two games for victories?

NFC North

1. Minnesota Vikings (13-3)

As much as I dislike him personally, there is no doubt that the franchise's best record since 1998 is due to the franchise's best quarterback ever.

2. Green Bay Packers (10-6)

The Packers' matchup against the Cardinals in Week 17 is a preview of the first round of the playoffs.

BORING! Neither team will have anything to play for and neither will want to reveal anything to the other.

3. Chicago Bears (6-10)

My guess is that we will see former Jay Cutler coach Mike Shanahan on the Bears' sideline next year.

4. Detroit Lions (2-14)

While infinitely better than last year, this team still needs defensive players who can tackle.

AFC North

1. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)

After beginning the season in the race for the first coach to be fired, Marvin Lewis is now competing to be Coach of the Year.

2. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

A see-saw team that squeaks into the playoffs thanks to a down year for the AFC and a better conference record than the Dolphins.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)

This year, it was the winner of the previous year's Super Bowl that suffered a precipitous fall from the mountaintop, rather than the loser.

4. Cleveland Browns (3-13)

At least they can take pleasure in knocking the Steelers out of the playoffs.

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers (13-3):

Watch out for this team—they have all the right parts, and the Colts' number. Who would have thought Norv Turner would be the right choice for the Chargers three years ago?

2. Denver Broncos (10-6)

Similarly, Josh McDaniel looked like the dumbest hire ever—until he led a subpar roster to a 6-0 start.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)

A team that is only a couple good moves away, as they have been in a lot of their losses in the past two years.

4. Oakland Raiders (4-12)

With only one more good team on their schedule, they have no chance—they never beat bad teams. To make matters worse, they will have to rely on either a hobbled Bruce Gradkowski or the biggest bust since Ryan Leaf under center.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints (16-0)

With the choking Cowboys, awful Buccaneers, and struggling Panthers left on the schedule, this team that admits to wanting to go unbeaten has the best chance to finish it off.

If Drew Brees—who has fewer weapons and better numbers than Peyton Manning or the Old Guy—does not win the MVP, it will be because of the past success, not the present (like when one of them won a Pro Bowl spot over Phillip Rivers last year).

2. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)

The injury-plagued franchise once again fails to reach the playoffs or even get a winning record in consecutive years.

3. Carolina Panthers (5-11)

With two teams on their remaining schedule in the playoff hunt and a third vying for a perfect season, their improved play comes too little, too late.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-15)

How bad is this team, and how bad does it look for the playoff-bound Packers to lose to them?

NFC Worst

1. Arizona Cardinals (11-5)

A Jekyll-and-Hyde team that bullies a top-four team one week and loses to a sub-.500 team the next. It's hard to respect them as a legitimate contender with just 11 wins in one of the worst divisions in the history of the NFL.

2. San Francisco 49ers (8-8)

Without horrible officiating in Seattle, this team goes unbeaten in the division and makes the playoffs.

3. Seattle Seahawks (6-10)

This team was supposed to have reloaded, but they lose 10 games in this division, even despite a charity win granted by the refs against the Niners?

4. St. Louis Rams (1-15)

How great would Steven Jackson be if he had some support? In my opinion, Jackson is the best running back in the game to put up such impressive numbers on such a terrible squad, and he is the complete package—power, speed, and a threat in the passing game—that no other back is.