The Way-Too-Early NFL Predictions

Just so you know, I don't believe in predicting my favorite team to win the Super Bowl. The Eli picture is just a reminder that my favorite team is the Giants, and I expect big things from them this year.

That being said, the following is a break down of each division, where the teams will stand in January, and the most reasonable record for them. I have also included the post season standings and results, as well as the team hoisting the Lombardi Trophy come season's end.

AFC West

1. San Diego (11-5) - Not too much of a shocker at this point, they were the best team in the division last season until they found out Shawn Merriman was out. They still won the division and getting him back will only improve their chances.

2. Kansas City (9-7) - With the minor improvements they've made, they can potentially play spoiler in the division and upset San Diego. However, they have a first year coach and a QB who does not have Randy Moss and Wes Welker anymore, so 9-7 the best they can expect.

3. Denver (7-9) - The Broncos have the highest ceiling, but the question is; will the losses on offense be overcome by the improvements on defense. Josh McDaniel brought his Patriot mentality to the team, which is putting the name on the front of the jersey before the name on the back. He is bringing the hammer down on the organization, he'd better hope it works.

4. Oakland (5-11) - The laughing stock organization of the NFL is at it again. With questionable draft picks at best they are seemingly striving for mediocrity, but it would be ignorant of me to actually believe that. Al Davis needs to hand over the GM position or his legacy will be tainted by the last 10 years of failure, rather than the prior 30 of success.

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh (12-4) - Is this really a surprise? The defending Super Bowl champs did not lose much talent, and they stock piled in the draft. I'm not sold on Baltimore taking over and the other two teams in the division have not taken the necessary steps to dethrone the Champs

2. Cincinnati (10-6) - This is one bold prediction if I do say so myself. The Bengals had a fantastic draft and the feeling in Ohio is that they are ready to take the next step. They are getting Kieth Rivers back from injury, and Rey Maualuga and Andre Smith are ready to help the team now.

3. Baltimore (9-7) - I don't think the defense will be able to carry the offense to the playoffs again the way they did last season. They get older by the year and the only way they can atone for an anemic offense is if they overachieve.

4. Cleveland (6-10) - Eric Mangini has a chance to prove the Jets will regret letting him go, but it will not be in 2009. With the QB carousel and the lack of a defensive identity, they will have more problems than solutions this season.

AFC South

1. Houston (11-5) - With Tom Moore and Marvin Harrison gone in Indy, the road is paved for a Houston takeover. With defensive improvements and a top five offense, the only thing that will hinder their chances is injuries. The schedule is laughable at best.

2. Indianapolis (10-6)- Take it easy Colts' fans, you'll still make the playoffs. I get the feeling this year the offense will not have to be so dominant, and the defense will be successful enough to carry the Colts to a wild card spot.

3. Tennessee (8-8) - The AFC wild card race should be spectacular this season, but it won't include the Titans. Kerry Collins will not be able to carry the Titans again this season, because teams will be ready for HIS style, rather than Vince Young's.

4. Jacksonville (8-8) - Hard to believe a team that has made so many improvements will finish last, but they will miss Fred Taylor more than they think. People are claiming Maurice Jones-Drew can do it all, and he could, because he had Fred Taylor there to keep him fresh.

If Rashad Jennings can fill that role than maybe we can expect bigger things from the Jags. They may be last, but they will still finish with around eight wins.

AFC East

1. New England (13-3) - Not much of a surprise here. With Tom Terrific coming back and Rex Ryan running his mouth, the Patriots should have more than enough motivation to walk away with this division. The only question remains the aging defense, but they are getting younger so it may not be as much a question as it was in the past.

2. Buffalo (10-6) - Buffalo is ready to turn the corner with a young, fiery defense and a more than capable offense. T.O may be a cancer, but you won't find him among the Bills' medical symptoms until year two. If Trent Edwards can stay healthy and Fred Jackson can weather the storm until Lynch is back, the Bills will be fighting for a wild card spot.

3. Miami (9-7) - The Wildcat offense won't be as successful as last season because teams will be ready for it. The Baltimore playoff game tape will be played over and over in teams' film sessions, as they exposed weaknesses in the formation.

4. New York Jets (6-10) - Yea, you read correctly Jets' fans, Rex Ryan will not be able to back up his talk with a rookie or first year starting QB and a 31 year old running back. The defense will not be able to do what Baltimore did for Joe Flacco's offense last season. Mark Sanchez could be the answer, but not yet.

Seeding and Results

1. Patriots

2. Pittsburgh

3. San Diego

4. Texans

5. Colts

6. Buffalo

Wild Card Round -

No. 6 BUF over No. 3 SD

No. 4 HOU over No. 5 IND

Divisional Round

No. 4 HOU over No. 2 PITT

No. 1 NE over No. 6 BUF

AFC Championship

No. 4 HOU over No. 1 NE

Your 2009 AFC champions are the Houston Texans. Say what you want about it but the last three seasons have produced unlikely Super Bowl participants in the Cardinals, Giants, and Bears, and this time the team is from the AFC. I like what the Texans have done the past three seasons in the draft and it is about time they pull it together.

NFC East

1. Washington (12-4) - With the improvements made on defense it's hard to ignore the Redskins. The big man in the middle will improve their defense drastically, and it was already top ten to begin with. The only hindrance is the QB situation; can Jason Campbell lead the Skins to the division title?

2. New York (12-4) - The Giants have also improved their front seven immensely, not only with off season acquisitions but with the return of Osi Umenyiora the defense will be back to being the best pass rush in the league. The glaring question is whether or not Eli can be successful without his big target, Plaxico Burress.

3. Philadelphia (10-6) - The Eagles will make the playoffs people, so calm down. This year could be the best for the NFC East, as they have three very good teams and one decent team. 

The question for the Eagles is whether or not they will suffer the loss of Brian Dawkins more than people (Eagle faithful) expect. They will.

4. Dallas (7-9) - Sorry Cowboy fans, but it's the cellar for you this year. The loss of T.O. will be greater than any of you are willing to admit, and I just don't trust a team coached by a wuss (Wade Phillips). Cowboys go 7-9, fire Wade Phillips and lure Mike Shanahan from the beach to the gridiron

NFC South -

1. Atlanta (13-3) - The Falcons are scary this year. Matt Ryan showed that he could play with the best of them, couple that with they just added a hall of fame tight end to his arsenal and you get the No. 1 seed in the conference. Don't expect the "last to first" tradition to continue this year.

2. New Orleans (9-7) - The Saints may finally have gotten the picture; they need a defense. With the selection of Malcolm Jenkins they have already improved their sub par defense, and with that offense who knows what they can achieve. How 'bout nothing? 9-7, out of the playoffs again. The defense needs to get better still.

3. Carolina (8-8) - The Panthers caught lightning in a bottle last season, allowing the run game to carry a terrible season by Jake Delhomme to the playoffs. But with the lingering prospect of losing Julius Peppers at some point, you have to consider them finishing with a sub-.500 record.

4. Tampa Bay (3-13) - New Coach, rookie QB, old defense; all factors that lead to a terrible season. Expect the Bucs to be picking in the top five next season, if not No. 1.

NFC West

1. San Francisco (10-6) - This division is the most intriguing. They will either all finish together in mediocrity, or all live up to their potential and be clawing for the division crown. I believe the former will happen, and the Niners will end up on top. 9-7 is not a stretch for the winner of this division.

2. Arizona (9-7) - The offense can only carry them so far, and I do not expect the defense to play the well they did in run to the Super Bowl. They need to find a way to make a smooth transition to Matt Leinart, because lets face it, Kurt Warner is done.

3. Seattle (7-9) - Some people think the addition of Aaron Curry and T.J. Houshmanzadeh will turn around the Seahawks' year. They forget that Jim Mora is the coach. The birds will turn it around eventually, but not this season.

4. St. Louis (5-11) - In rebuilding mode, the defense will have to get better. It will be interesting to watch the development surrounding new coach Steve Spagnuolo and his defense. They can expect things to turn around, but not this soon.

NFC North

1. Green Bay (11-5) - The Packers suffered a lot of close losses and fourth quarter meltdowns, they addressed those concerns with a new defensive scheme and a monster defensive tackle, B.J. Raji. Aaron Rogers will not have to carry the load all season, and the Packers could potentially be NFC champs.

2. Minnesota (10-6) - Even if the Vikings get Brett Favre, I believe they will finish second in the division because the Packers have improved their game so significantly with the addition of B.J. Raji and the adoption of the 3-4. The Vikings will need to improve their pass defense to have any hopes of stopping Aaron Rogers.

3. Chicago (8-8) - Jay Cutler is a fantastic addition to this team, but they still don't have much to work with in terms of receivers. If, by some miracle, the Bears sign Plaxico Burress (even though they have denied interest) or give up even more for Brandon Marshall, they could potentially steal a wild card spot.

4. Detroit (4-12) - It must be tough being a Lions fan. That's all I really wanted to say, do I really need to explain how they will finish last?

The Wild Card in the NFC could be even more exciting than the AFC.

Seeding and Results

1. Atlanta

2. Washington

3. Green Bay

4. San Francisco

5. New York

6. Philadelphia

Wild Card Round

No. 6 PHI over No. 3 GB

No. 5 NYG over No. SF

Divisional Round

No. 1 ATL over No. 6 PHI

No. 5 NYG over No. 2 WAS

NFC Championship

No. 1 ATL over No. 5 NYG

Your NFC Champions are the Atlanta Falcons. They have improved their defense and have a stellar offense with Matt Ryan improving and maturing as a QB. Expect nothing less than a first round bye for the Falcons.

Super Bowl

No. 4 Texans over No. 1 Falcons

I predicted this back in February, and will not shy away from my bold prediction. You can say what you want and I know there will be doubters because, it's the TEXANS, but that will go away this year as both teams emerge as contenders, and one a victor.

If I was being conventional, I would probably pick Patriots vs. Packers, but I'm anything but conventional.