NFL Merry-Go-Round: 32 Bold Predictions

Like any other set of predictions, the following list of 32 possibilities are either outside of the box, unlikely, hopeful, or insane.

After all, what's a prediction without a little impossibility imbedded in it?

1. Mark Sanchez Will Lead the Jets to the Playoffs

Yeah, that's right.

Go ahead, crown him as the new Joe Namath, but remember that I was the one who made the guarantee this time around.

Sanchez has elite skills, a solid arm, and has the intangibles needed to succeed at the highest level.

His preseason play alone showed he's ready to lead a team in the NFL, and what better than one with a solid defense coached by Rex Ryan?

2. Lee Evans Out-plays Terrell Owens

Not unbelievable? Maybe not, but Owens is the star who is supposed to go deep down the field and make the plays.

Try again. Evans is the one with the speed and the chemistry with Trent Edwards. Owens can't save Buffalo, and he probably can't save his career. But that doesn't mean he and Evans (mostly Evans) can't help your fantasy football team.

3. Tedd Ginn Jr. Will Break-Out (Big-Time)

It's his third year, and as long as Chad Pennington doesn't collapse after winning Comeback Player of the Year twice in the past three seasons, the writing is on the wall.

Ronnie Brown and the rest of Miami's exciting Wildcat package will keep enough attention off of Ginn for him to crack 1,200 yards and have some people talking like he's the next Steve Smith.

4. Tom Brady Will Be Thinking Like It's 2007

Wes Welker is fine, Randy Moss is hungry, and Joey Galloway is an awesome third option.

Brady's shoulder and knee woes are mild concerns, but he'll be cracking 4,000 yards and 35+ touchdowns with his eyes closed.

Besides, do you really think this team's bread and butter will be handing off to a 30+ year old running back? I didn't think so.

5. Willie Parker Will Be "Fast Willie" Again

Remember when he was an elite fantasy performer? Well, we saw slimpses of it in the opener last year before nagging injuries ruined his season.

And with Rashard Mendenhall delivering an under-whelming pre-season performance, the light will go on for Parker once again, if only for just 2009.

Count on 1,200+ yards and 10 scores. After all, Parker has been labeled as Pitt's goal-line back for the season.

6. The Bengals Offense Will Be Back

I don't buy Carson Palmer's hype that Cincy is a playoff team, but I do think he'll be healthy enough to make a difference.

Chad Ochocinco can't be held down for long, either, and as long as their average running backs can alleviate the pressure from Palmer long enough for him to get the ball off, they should be interesting to watch.

7. James Davis Will Be "The Guy" In Cleveland's Backfield

Jamal Lewis is old and slow, and despite the last few year's of hype, Jerome Harrison isn't much better.

Davis, the rookie out of Clemson, had an excellent preseason, and contrary to the gun-shy approach of Eric Mangini, he's the guy Cleveland hopes has what it takes to take over, full-time.

It may take a while, but it's going to happen.

8. Todd Heap Will Be an Elite Tight End Again

Maybe not Tony Gonzalez numbers (well, definitely not), but he can crack the top 10.

He's been slowed down considerably by injuries, as well as poor quarterback play, but a confident and improving Joe Flacco could see Heap and the rest of the passing game emerge and give Baltimore and impressive, balanced attack.

Look for him to creep back into the high 60's, low 70's in receptions.

9. Rex Grossman Will Shine in Houston

Which odds do you like better?

Schaub lasting the year, or Grossman putting Houston's explosive offense to good use?

That's what I thought.

Grossman has a better skill-set and arm than Dan Orlovsky, and with Matt Schaub already nursing a leg injury, it's feeling like it's only a matter of time...

10. Donald Brown Will Overtake Joseph Addai

This one isn't that surprising, but as far as the coaches are concerned, it's far from a guarantee right now, either.

Brown has better speed and quickness, and is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball.

He may not crack 1,000 yards, but he'll make it known who the starter for 2010 is going to be, hands down.

11. Maurice Jones-Drew Will Be the Top Back in Football

Forget about his tiny shin injury. He's fine, and Jack Del Rio is going to run this guy into the ground.

For better or worse, that will equate into a league rushing title, and somewhere between 12-15 touchdowns.

Hey, if DeAngelo Williams can do it, so can MJD.

12. The Tennessee Titans Won't Make the Playoffs

I still believe in their ground game, but I don't buy Kerry Collins lasting the entire season, whether it be by injury or poor play.

Also, losing Jim Schwartz and Albert Haynesworth may not cripple that defense, but it sure does make them less formidable.

They'll be competitive, but a division crown is far from in the works.

13. LT Will be a Top Five Back

He still has it, folks.

1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns on a bum toe tells me so.

Darren Sproles will get his touches, no doubt. A franchise tag tells me that, as well. But LT is in his prime still, and there's no way a Super Bowl-chasing Norv Turner will put his final days to waste.

14. Matt Cassel Will Struggle in Todd Haley's System

Josh McDaniels' system (not to mention the weapons) babied Cassel in New England, and Cassel will see nothing but a huge talent drop-off, as well as worse protection.

Cassel is a good talent that will lead the Chiefs back to the post-season someday. Just not in 2009.

15. The Oakland Raiders Will Compete for the Division Crown

Maybe not seriously, but they'll be within reach until the bitter end.

I'm not quite sold on exactly how yet, but something tells me Tom Cable's jaw-crushing ways influence this team in a positive manner. Go Figure.

Jamarcus Russell or Jeff Garcia? Not sure.

Darren McFadden or Justin Fargas? Maybe it's Michael Bush. Who knows?

But that defense (especially with the newly added Richard Seymour) will keep things close in the ultra-weak AFC West.

16. Josh McDaniels Knows What He's Doing

Call me crazy, but the 32-year-old chip of the ol' Belichick has me believing something beautiful is happening in Denver. In two years or so.

But really, if Pat Bowlen is letting this guy upset both Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall, he's not going to cut ties with McDaniels simply if the Broncos don't reach the playoffs.

McDaniels is putting together a "system", not a group of prima dona's who want to get paid. Give it a year or two, and you'll see.

Oh, as for my prediction? McDaniels won't make the playoffs, but his team will be interesting to watch, and he'll be welcomed back in 2010. And 2011.

17. Eli Manning Will Have His Best Season, Yet

He doesn't have Plaxico Burress or Amani Toomer anymore, but big deal.

Hakeem Nicks has shown me more than enough, that with that awesome rush attack, there will be almost no pressure on Eli Manning to win games. His mediocre receivers will look elite with the way he spreads the ball round.

A balanced offense and in-your-face defense will make Manning look like the 2007-genius we all keep thinking he is, even though he really isn't.

18. Igor Olshansky Will Wreak Havoc in the Trenches

He's a huge addition, and while his personal stats may not reflect it, the success of the players around him sure will.

His hand in an improved rush defense will allow Dallas to run the ball and provide a balanced offense.

Coincidentally, the Cowboys will make the playoffs.

19. Jason Campbell Will be Replaced, Mid-Season

Call me crazy, but merely not throwing interceptions just isn't going to cut it.

Do you really think Clinton Portis would have shut-down so badly last season if the passing game was even remotely effective?

Jim Zorn will have to turn to Colt Brennan or Todd Collins down the stretch if he wants to keep his job.

20. Kevin Curtis, Not DeSean Jackson, Will Dominate in 2009

Everyone has been down on this guy ever since his unfortunate hernia surgery last year.

And why?

He wasn't completely consistent in 2007, but he was still a 1,100-yard receiver, and was an excellent deep-threat distraction for the rest of the offense.

Curtis is finally healthy again, and if Donovan McNabb knows what's good for him, will make use of the little speedster.

21. Brett Favre Will Prove His Doubters Wrong

He doesn't have to worry about bad weather. He's playing in the offense he knows, in a division he knows, in a stadium he knows.

And he has Adrian Peterson on his side.

He can have all the haters in the world, but quite frankly, Favre doesn't have to do much to prove them wron in 2009. He just needs to last 16 games, and give the ball to AP during crunch time.

That doesn't sound too hard, now does it?

22. Aaron Rodgers Will Make a Run at 40 Touchdowns

The kid has a great arm and showed all through preseason how solid he and the rest of his offense truly is.

If that defense can jell and keep consistent, this could be a Super Bowl-bound team. As said, Rodgers will crack 30+ touchdowns, and could make a run at Favre's team record of 39 passing scores.

23. Matt Forte Will Have a Sophomore Slump

With the season-ending injury to back-up Kevin Jones, Forte now has to carry the rushing load all by his lonesome, and may have to try to pick up the slack of the newly acquired Jay Cutler.

I still think Cutler will be fine, but with only Garret Wolfe and Adrian Peterson (the bad one) helping out, it could be a long, tiring season for Forte.

24. The Lions Defense Will Keep Them Competitive

Guys like Julian Peterson and Larry Foote were brought in for a reason: Because they're true competitors with winning experience.

Oh, and their coach, Jim Schwartz, knows a thing or two about good defense.

The offense will be their Achilles heel all season with the growth of Matthew Stafford, but their defense could aid them in pulling some upsets against their division rivals.

Yes, that means they'll win a game.

25. Drew Brees Will Break the Yardage Record

He was so close last year (less than 20 yards away), and nothing in his offense has changed.

Sean Payton will try to run the ball more, but only to set-up the pass.

If that works, Brees may throw less, but his numbers will be more efficient, allowing him to take another crack at 5,084, whether Dan Marino likes it or not.

26. Tony Gonzalez Won't be a Huge Factor

Yes, Matt Ryan is getting better, and yes, their offense needs more balance.

But that's what Roddy White's huge contract was for.

They are still a run-first team, and Mike Mularkey's offense is very unfriendly to tight ends, making Gonzo not quite as appealing of a fantasy option as you had hoped.

27. The Panthers Won't Make the Playoffs

Jon Fox has never put two consecutive winning seasons together, so why stop the trend here?

Besides, do you really think DeAngelo Williams has another 1,800-yard season up his sleeve?

Jake Delhomme will be the end of that Carolina offense, one 5-interception game at a time.

28. Josh Freeman Will be the Starter Before Mid-Season

Byron Leftwich. Seriously?

This is too easy to call. We all knew Luke McCown didn't stand a true chance at starting, but we also should know that neither could have held off Freeman if the Bucs are below .500 after eight games.

Leftwich may get a chance to show he can still play (he can't), but this is Freeman's team. Start believing it.

29. Alex Smith Will Take Over For Shaun Hill

It's hard not to like Hill's record as the starter last year (5-4), but he's not very talented, and if he even remotely struggles, his leash will be short.

It will take only a few games for Mike Singletary to realize Alex Smith gives them the best chance to succeed. And only a few more games after that for them to start looking to the future with Nate Davis.

30. The Seattle Seahawks Will Compete For the Division

Matt Hasselbeck is healthy, and so is his receiving corps.

That doesn't mean the Seahawks are headed back to the Super Bowl (or even the playoffs), but considering 9-7 won the division last year, an improved offense should get them about 4-5 more wins, and a shot at competing for the crown.

31. Kyle Boller (Yikes) Will Get a Shot With the Rams

Well, when Marc Bulger is your first choice, there's nowhere to go but down from there.

Boller may get his chance, but it's hard to like his odds at succeeding when a second-year man (Donnie Avery) is his best weapon.

Things are just not looking good in St. Louis, these days.

32. Matt Leinart Will Lead the Cardinals to the Playoffs

While Seattle may keep things interesting, Arizona is still the best team in their division.

And while Kurt Warner may be better than Matt Leinart, he's still 38, and still as injury-prone as ever.

Leinart played very well in his final pre-season action against Green Bay this season, throwing ove 360 yards and three scores.

If he gets a chance (and he will), he won't look back.