32 Bold Predictions For The 2009 Season Final Results

The 2009 NFL season was invigorating. Any football fan was living a dream as the Saints captured their first title, Chris Johnson was amazing, Peyton won his fourth MVP and Vince Young showed us maturity.

There were more storylines than one could cover, and it all concluded an underdog winning the Super Bowl in improbable fashion.

Before the season started, I made my annual 32 bold predictions on the season.

Last year I was 42 percent correct, and by looking at the preliminary results I may have run head first into my crystal ball this season.

To judge how I did this year, we'll be going to a points system that is easier to calculate and understand.

I'll receive a point for every completely correct answer, and if it is partially correct I will get half a point.

Of course, if I was totally wrong I'll receive 0 points and subject to getting booed off of the stage like Kwame Brown being introduced as an honorary captain with Chris Webber at a Wizards game.

Here is the scale of football infamy based on total points.

25-32:  Get to present Peyton Manning at his future Hall Of Fame enshrinement and have dinner with him, Archie, Eli, and Roger Goodell.

17-24:  Get to be on the committee that advocates for Donovan McNabb to be enshrined in the Hall. Oh, and complimentary advocating for the induction of Chris Webber, also.

9-16:  Get to start a grassroots movement to convince the Hall to enshrine Ray Guy, once and for all.

0-8:  Have to concede that I have less football knowledge than Sarah Palin.

Here goes.

32. The New England Patriots Will Win the AFC East

Yep, the Pats took the division, again.

1 point

31. The Baltimore Ravens Will Win the AFC North

They actually finished second to the surprising Bengals, but beat the Pats in the playoffs.

1/2 point

30. The Tennessee Titans Will Win the AFC South

Peyton did it again even though Vince Young came in like Gangbusters taking the Titans out of a 0-fer hole.

0 points

29. The San Diego Chargers Will Win the AFC West

The Chargers were great behind Philip Rivers all year, but were upended in embarrassing fashion by the New York Rex's.

1 point

28. The Philadelphia Eagles Will Win the NFC East

Nope. Tony Romo and Miles Austin decided to crash the party.

0 points

27. The Minnesota Vikings Will Win the NFC North

Brett Favre couldn't have played better as he and his Viking teammates ran through the North, beating the Packers twice.

1 point

26. The Atlanta Falcons Will Win the NFC South

Injuries to Matty Ice and Michael Turner really hurt the Dirty Birds in 2009.

0 points

25. The Arizona Cardinals Will Win the NFC West

Kurt Warner led the Cardinals to another division title in what would be his final NFL season.

1 point

24. The AFC East Will Finish Like This: Patriots (13-3), Bills (10-6), Dolphins (8-8), Jets (5-11)

Actual finish:  Patriots (10-6), Jets (9-7), Dolphins (7-9), Bills (6-10). The only thing I got right was the Pats. The Bills fooled me. What else is new.

0 points

23. The AFC North Will Finish Like This: Ravens (11-5), Steelers (10-6), Bengals (8-8), Browns (6-10)

Actual finish:  Bengals (10-6), Ravens (9-7), Steelers (9-7), Browns (5-11). Hey, I was right about the Browns.

0 points

22. The AFC South Will Finish Like This: Titans (11-5), Colts (9-7), Texans (8-8), Jaguars (4-12)

Actual finish:  Colts (14-2), Texans (9-7), Titans (8-8), Jaguars (7-9). I'm getting frustrated with just getting the last finishing team correct. I shouldn't have bet against Peyton. Unless it was Super Bowl XLIV.

0 points

21. The AFC West Will Finish Like This: Chargers (10-6), Raiders (9-7), Chiefs (8-8), Broncos (5-11)

Actual finish:  Chargers (13-3), Broncos (8-8), Raiders (5-11), Chiefs (4-12). I was right about the Chargers, that's enough for half-a-point.

1/2 point

20. The NFC East Will Finish Like This: Eagles (10-6), Cowboys (10-6), Giants (8-8), Redskins (7-9)

Actual finish:  Cowboys (11-5), Eagles (11-5), Giants (8-8), Redskins (4-12). I give myself credit for knowing the Giants would flop this season when everyone expected them to win the division.

1/2 point

19. The NFC North Will Finish Like This: Vikings (11-5), Packers (10-6), Bears (8-8), Lions (5-11)

Actual finish:  Vikings (12-4), Packers (11-5), Bears (7-9), Lions (2-14). Finally! I got this one almost exactly right. Thanks Aaron Rodgers!

1 point

18. The NFC South Will Finish Like This: Falcons (12-4), Saints (10-6), Panthers (8-8), Bucs (4-12)

Actual finish:  Saints (13-3), Falcons (9-7), Panthers (8-8), Bucs (3-13). Flip-flop the Saints and Falcons and this would be spot on. Because the Saints did so well, I can't justify giving myself a point.

0 points

17. The NFC West Will Finish Like This: Cardinals (9-7), Seahawks (8-8), 49ers (8-8), Rams (3-13)

Actual finish:  Cardinals (10-6), 49ers (8-8), Seahawks (5-11), Rams (1-15). The 49ers showed promise behind Alex Smith and Warner didn't miss a beat. I was right about everything but the Seahawks. Thanks, T.J.

1/2 point

16. The San Diego Chargers Will Defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-10 in WC1.

The N.Y Rex's defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 24-14. Boy was I wrong. The Steelers flopped and the Chargers earned a first-round bye.

0 points

15. The Buffalo Bills Will Defeat the Tennessee Titans 14-10 in WC2.

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the New England Patriots 33-14. The Titans missed the playoffs despite rising from 0-6 to 9-7. Buffalo, well um, let's just say I was wrong about them.

0 points

14. The Dallas Cowboys Will Defeat the Arizona Cardinals 29-24 in WC3.

The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 34-14. Romo finally got off of the playoff drought by beating Philly two weeks in a row.

1/2 point

13. The Philadelphia Eagles Will Defeat the Green Bay Packers 27-13 in WC4.

The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in a defensive struggle. Just kidding. I get the half point for predicting the early demise of the cheeseheads.

1/2 point

12. The New England Patriots Will Defeat the Buffalo Bills 30-14 in the Divisional Round.

The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Baltimore Ravens 20-3. My worst prediction yet.

0 points

11. The Baltimore Ravens Will Defeat the San Diego Chargers 13-10 in the Divisional Round.

The New York Rex's defeated the San Diego Chargers 17-14. I was on point about the Chargers early exit because of their lack of a running attack. I'm giving myself half-a-point for that revelation.

1/2 point

10. The Atlanta Falcons Will Defeat the Dallas Cowboys 24-14 in the Divisional Round.

The Minnesota Vikings crushed the Dallas Cowboys 34-3. I knew Dallas wouldn't make it past this round because they lack mental toughness right now. Hey, another half-a-point!

1/2 point

9. The Minnesota Vikings Will Defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 21-17 in the Divisional Round.

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Arizona Cardinals 45-14. This would prove to be Warner's last game and the Eagles didn't make it this far.

0 points

8. The New England Patriots Will Defeat the Baltimore Ravens 28-20 in the AFC Championship Game.

The Indianapolis Colts defeated the New York Rex's 30-17. What a surprise Rex Ryan's Jets were, but Peyton proved to overwhelm them. Again, why did I choose against Manning?

0 points

7. The Atlanta Falcons Will Defeat the Minnesota Vikings 23-14 in the NFC Championship Game.

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Minnesota Vikings 31-28. I knew the Vikings would go down victim to a Favre turnover in the NFC title game, again. He burned them again and I get half-a-point.

1/2 point

6. The Atlanta Falcons Will Defeat the New England Patriots 24-20 in Super Bowl XLIV.

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17. Drew Brees was unstoppable as he brought one home for Bourbon Street. It hurts when none of your Super Bowl picks make it to the game.

It's worse when they don't even make it past the first round of the playoffs, or at all. Disappointing.

-1 point

5. Matt Ryan Will Be the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV.

MVP was Drew Brees.

0 points

4. Tom Brady and Adrian Peterson Will Be NFL Co-MVPs.

The only guy that mattered was Peyton Manning in winning this award in a landslide to capture his fourth, the most ever. What, I bet against Manning, again? Sigh.

0 points

3. Mike Smith Will Be NFL Coach of the Year.

Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals won it. A really big surprise. Either way, I was wrong.

0 points

2. Michael Vick Will Be on a Playoff NFL Roster When the Postseason Arrives.

Vick was on the Eagles roster and scored a touchdown against the Cowboys in the Wild-Card. Bingo.

1 point

1. The Top Three NFL QB's in Passing Yards Will Be Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Carson Palmer, with Matt Ryan in a Close Fourth.

Matt Schaub, Peyton Manning, Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers. I can't give myself any credit for getting Peyton right on this list. I completely bombed it.

0 points

**Watch These Three First-Round Rookies

1. Jason Smith, St. Louis Rams

2. Aaron Maybin, Buffalo Bills

3. Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles

Smith played in just 8 games, starting 5, and didn't make much of an impact but showed some decent flashes while on the field.

Maybin registered just 18 tackles and a forced fumble in limited action.

Maclin played extremely well and became a good complement to Desean Jackson, catching 56 passes for 773 yards and 4 TD's.

I was right about Maclin, but that was somewhat a no-brainer. No points awarded here.

0 points

Total: 9 1/2

Ray Guy, let's make a website!

At least I'm smarter than Sarah Palin. See you next year.