NFL: 25 Bold Predictions for the Final Quarter of the 2010 Season
It is now December, and the NFL season is beginning to wrap up. Teams are fighting to get in the playoffs, others are fighting to get the first round pick, and many coaches are just hoping they have a job in the new year.
Over the next four weeks, there are many hours of football to watch and a lot of drama that is waiting to unfold. Which teams will gain home field advantage in the playoffs? Which teams will crash and burn? Which coaches will actually make it through despite what the team's record is? Lastly, could Brett Favre really be done?
Here are 25 predictions of how the final four weeks of the season will pan out.
The Patriots Will Have The Best Record
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This is a position the Patriots have been in before, particularly after their 16-0 season in 2007. After winning this past Monday over the Jets, the best records seems to be theirs to lose, and they'll end up holding on to it. They could easily go 14-2, but even a 13-3 finish would still be the best in the league.
The Broncos Will Finish 3-13
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With the recent firing of Josh McDaniels, this season has essentially been written off, and despite an easy matchup next week against the Cardinals, they're not going to be competitive. If they do lose that game against Arizona, they'll lose the other three as well. Then again, other teams have gotten better after coach firings, so it's not impossible that they'll suddenly get good.
Albert Haynesworth Is Done in Washington
3 of 25
This feels more like a common sense statement than a bold prediction, but nonetheless. He gets paid $100 million yet he doesn't seem up to the challenge that comes with it, and he and Mike Shanahan clearly will never get along.
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The Colts Will Miss The Playoffs
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At the start of the season, if I said the Colts would miss the playoffs and might have a losing record, I'd be laughed at, to say the least. Suddenly though, Peyton is struggling, the Colts are 6-6, and look to be a team in disarray. The final four games could go either way for them, they could finish 10-6 or 6-10, but they need to figure out exactly what's wrong with this team and fix it, fast.
Mike Singletary Will Remain Head Coach
5 of 25
Here's the first prediction that probably is bold. The 49ers have been underachieving, to put it nicely, and bad to put it more harshly. However, they're slowly returning to form, which was hard to see after an 0-5 start. The problems at the quarterback lead to three choices: find a new QB, find a new coach, or both. I think San Francisco will take the former.
The Panthers Will Finish With The Worst Record
6 of 25
The Panthers are 1-11 and still have to face the Falcons, the best team in the NFC, twice. Of course they're going to finish with the worst record. I think 1-15 sounds pretty realistic, which is shocking given that they've never been worse than 7-9 under head coach John Fox.
Despite the record, Fox does not seem to be on the hot seat, so he must be pretty good, and he has been.
The Lions Will Lose a Game Controversially
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Twice the Lions had the Bears in hand, and twice they lost the game due to troubling calls that went the Bears' way. The Lions have had such terrible luck this season that it could probably happen again. This season was a wash when Stafford went down though.
The Vikings Will Suddenly Be Good
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The Vikings likely won't finish at .500, and they definitely won't make the playoffs, even if they were to run the table; the NFC outside of the West is too tough. Nonetheless, we'll see flashes of the team we remember from last year. Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, and others will be looking like they're fighting for the playoffs, despite the fact they have little to fight for.
The Texans Defense Will Give Up 130 The Rest of The Way
9 of 25
The Texans are a better team then their 5-7 record says, yet something is going on that is making them struggle as badly as they are. The answer to that is simple though: their offense is solid but their defense is just bad. They allow far too many points, and in these final four games, we're going to see some really bad games by them.
Chris Johnson Will End The Season Quietly
10 of 25
Chris Johnson was so amazing last season that he was probably the first running back taken in most fantasy drafts. He hit the 1000 yard mark this past week after a 53-yard performance, but combine that with his Texans performance, which was so bad you can count his yards on one hand, and he seems to be out of steam for the year. He may put up one more 100 yard season, but he'll be lucky if he hits his 2008 mark of 1128.
James Harrison Will Be Fined
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Whether deserving or not, Harrison will be tagged with one more fine. He'll run into someone helmet-first and get fined, since that's how he plays the game. The NFL more than anywhere is a game where they tweak the rules each week; every player has to lean to adjust to that.
Mavin Lewis Will Be Fired
12 of 25
You could argue that Marvin Lewis is in the same boat as John Fox; many solid seasons and suddenly one bad one. In reality the Bengals were a wreck even when they were winning, and now they're losing despite the talent on the roster. Carson Palmer may no longer be the Carson Palmer of old, and they suddenly can't seem to compete in the AFC North. When you have a solid roster yet can't perform, that's usually on the coach.
Arizona's Starting QB in The Last Game? A UFL Man
13 of 25
It was announced today that the Cardinals signed Richard Bartel, who failed to make the Redskins roster and has spent this season with the United Football League. It might work out in the end, since Bartel's coach when with the Sacramento Mountain Lions happened to be none other than Dennis Green.
The NFC West Playoff Team Will Be 8-8
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Luckily they won't be 7-9, as that would look even more embarrassing. I think the Rams will be the ones to get the record, but it could always be the Seahawks. In either case, the fact that a .500 team makes the playoffs when a 9-7 team will be snubbed is going to cause some uproar in the offseason.
Week 17's Chiefs-Raiders Game Will Be One Of The Greatest
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The AFC West is competitive, made more so by the revival of the Chiefs and Raiders, a rivalry that was somewhat dormant when neither team was winning. This game could easily determine if one or both teams make the playoffs, especially the Raiders who need a late charge.
As a result, those who want to experience what a rivalry between these two teams really turns into? Watch that game.
The Bears Will Back Their Way Into The Playoffs
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At 9-3, the Bears have all but guaranteed a playoff spot. This, combined with a very tough stretch at the end of the season (facing the Patriots and Jets), will lead to the Bears crumbling and looking like they'll fall right out of the playoff picture. They'll still make it, but people will be wondering how they were 9-3 in the first place when it's all said and done.
The Chargers Will Become The Chargers Of December
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What does this mean? It means the 6-6 Chargers, who usually play very well in December, will do the same here. They need every win they can get to make the playoffs, and Philip Rivers and company will tap into their abilities to get past the Chiefs or Raiders in the AFC West.
December's MVP: Peyton Hillis
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When it begins snowing, teams will move to the running game. As a result, Hillis should be able to have 100+ yard games without any trouble against Buffalo and Cincinnati. While he is facing Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the final two games of the year, he ran for 141 against Baltimore already and could easily do that at home again.
December's Second MVP: Maurice Jones-Drew
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There are two reasons why MJD will also be one of the best players. First, the Jaguars control their own destiny and could clinch the division. If they need any more to fight for, this would be it. There aren't any overly tough defenses that the Jags are against in the final four games, and the last game is against the Texans. A 200 yard game might not be out of the question on that one.
Eli Manning Will Choke
20 of 25
Most people are concentrating on Peyton Manning and his struggles, but I'm more concerned about Eli, since the Giants shouldn't have a problem getting in the playoffs. Granted, last year he played bad in the final two games en route to an 8-8 record. He's on pace to throw the most picks in his career, and in still having to face the Eagles' defense that will probably happen.
Will they make the playoffs? Most likely, but for a while it will look like they won't.
Jason Garrett Will Keep His Job After The Cowboys Surprise
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It's amazing what a new coach can do. The Cowboys are 3-1 under Jason Garrett, and I think he could easily win two more. After the start they had, a 6-10 record suddenly doesn't sound so bad, and I think it will be enough to keep Garrett in Dallas. This is all being done without Tony Romo on top of everything.
The Raiders Will Just Miss The Playoffs
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Many people on B/R were saying that the Raiders were a vastly improved team this season and would even make the playoffs. Others scoffed, but they were definitely on the right track. They're 6-6 but certainly not out of it, and all their remaining games are winnable.
In the end, not every AFC West team can make the playoffs, and the Raiders will be the ones left out. Ther'es nothing to be disappointed about though, there's a great foundation in place for next season
Dwayne Bowe Will Nearly Match Randy Moss' Receiving Record
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After setting the Chiefs' franchise record with 14 touchdown passes, Bowe did not record a catch in week 13 against the Broncos. While he won't break Moss's record of 23, he could certainly reach 20 with how he has been playing this year.
Arian Foster Will Fall Short Of The League Lead in Rushing Yards
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Going off my prediction of a huge final four games by MJD, it will culminate in him passing Arian Foster in that last game of the season. He's had great games, but has struggled in others. No one can doubt that he's had an amazing season though.
Brett Favre Will Retire
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What? You're kidding me. I know, it sounds ridiculous, I'm one of the many that never believe that when it comes out of his mouth. With the injuries mounting up though and the Vikings clearly ready to go in a different direction, combined with the fact that he stunk this year, tells me that he's ready to hang it up.'
At this point, I think he knows that he would be a laughingstock if he were playing next year. It's finally his time.
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