NFL Predictions Week 4: 5 Bold Predictions for the Rest of the Season

The NFL has already been very unpredictable, like always. It seems that this season is different though. I'm not sure if it's just me, but it seems as if there has been an enormous amount of injuries.

Top players Jamaal Charles, Kenny Britt, and Nate Kaeding have each torn their ACL and have been declared out for the season. Did anyone predict that? I'd hope not.

The Bills and Lions are 3-0...ummm hello? The Chiefs have gone from winning their division to looking like the '08 Lions, the team that went 0-16 if you don't recall.

One solid prediction that has been right so far is the fact that the Green Bay Packers have a pretty good chance at repeating as champions. The Patriots are a force, despite their surprising loss against Buffalo.

So what exactly is going to happen next? Here are five bold predictions that could happen with the way the season is going so far.

5. Tony Sparano Getting Fired

The Miami Dolphins have started very slowly this season. They are 0-3 heading into Week 4. Last year, the Dolphins finished with a 7-9 record behind quarterback Chad Henne.

Over the summer, rumors spread about Miami acquiring quarterback Kyle Orton from Denver. Unfortunately for Dolphin fans, it didn't happen. Another rumor was the fact that the Dolphins were looking at Jim Harbaugh to fill in for Tony Sparano. Again, it didn't happen.

The quarterback situation is not the problem this year for Miami. Chad Henne has actually gotten of to a fast start with 841 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions and a quarterback rating of 82.4. Not too bad considering the teams he's played.

Miami hasn't looked absolutely terrible. They aren't the Chiefs or the Rams, but they still need to figure things out. Last season was the quarterback situation, this year it's running backs.

Reggie Bush vs. Daniel Thomas: Daniel Thomas is a much better running back. Bush is more of a third down, special teams type of player. Tony Sparano needs to pick one, and stick with it. We've seen this before.

Don't count on the Dolphins making the playoffs. They have a good team, don't get me wrong, but look at their division. Patriots, Jets and Bills. All three of those teams can make the playoffs.

Tony Sparano will not get fired for not making the playoffs. He will get fired for his team's play, and poor decisions during games.

4. Wes Welker Breaking the Single Season Reception Record

Don't forget the title, Bold.

Wes Welker is known for being a a reception monster for Tom Brady. In a PPR fantasy football league, Welker is the No. 1 receiver. This year was supposed to be different. The Patriots were starting off without a true No. 1 receiver. Wes Welker was supposed to be playing outside instead of his normal position in the slot.

From the first game, Welker has been lighting it up. In Week 1 against Miami, he scored a 99-yard touchdown, which tied the record for longest touchdown reception. That wasn't it. He finished the game with 160 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions. What a way to start the season right?

In three weeks, Wes Welker has caught 31 passes for 458 yards. Both of those stats lead the NFL.

Welker has looked phenomenal so far, and with Tom Brady at quarterback, anything is possible. He is averaging 152.7 yards per game, another stat that leads the league. Right now, Welker is on pace to set the record for most receptions at 165. The record, as of now, is 143 by Marvin Harrison.

He is also on pace to set the record for most receiving yards in a season with 2,443.

Will Welker keep playing at this level? Like I said, with Tom Brady at quarterback, anything is possible.

3. The Detroit Lions Winning Their Division

Three years ago, the Lions went 0-16 and were the worst team in league history. Now, through three games, they're tied for first at 3-0.

Matthew Stafford has played outstanding, and surprisingly, has not been injured once. Hopefully I'm not jinxing him there. Stafford has 977 yards in three games and a quarterback rating of 110.7. Stafford has also thrown for nine touchdowns. He is ranked in the top five in all of those categories.

The defense has been very good so far. They are sixth in total yardage allowed and 11th in sacks. They've also done all this with Ndamukong Suh being very quiet.

Calvin Johnson, arguably the best wide receiver in football, has been on a rampage with touchdowns. He leads the league with six. Johnson has been automatic in the red zone, and Stafford loves it.

This is a bold prediction, especially with the teams in their division. Did I mention that the Packers are in this division? Yeah, gonna be tough for Detroit.

It won't be surprising if they win the division, but it also won't be surprising if they don't win the division.

2. A Player Besides Tom Brady Winning MVP

Tom Brady won the MVP award for his second time last season, and is a early favorite to win it this year. Brady leads the league in passing yards and touchdowns. He looks great on the stat sheet, but unbelievable in the games. Unfortunately, his four interceptions last week has opened the door for many others. Here are my top three.

Aaron Rodgers: He's pretty close to Tom Brady. Rodgers has led his defending Super Bowl Champions, the Green Bay Packers, to a 3-0 record. He's played outstanding in those three games. With a passer rating of 120.9 and a completion percentage of 71.8, Rodgers is competing at an MVP level.

Matthew Stafford: See slide three.

Fred Jackson: Who did the Bills draft in 2010? C.J. who? Fred Jackson knew exactly who, his competition. Spiller was an automatic bust, and they turned to Jackson this season.

Jackson has exploded for 303 yards on 47 carries, which is 6.4 yards a carry. He's another player who looks great on paper, but even better in games. Big run after big run after big run, Jackson is heading the way of an MVP caliber season.

All three players are on 3-0 teams.

1. Peyton Manning Retiring

This may be the boldest of the bold.

If you don't know, for some crazy reason, Peyton Manning has been declared out for the season after having his third neck surgery this summer. It went from Manning missing the preseason to him being back in Week 2 to missing the season.

Manning has been notched as the best quarterback of all time. I disagree. He may not be the best (psst. Tom Brady is the best), but he is definitely the smartest, and he is definitely the Colts' franchise. Look at them now. Case closed.

There is a lot of discussion of how bad Manning's injury really is. Maybe he'll come back next season at a 100 percent, or maybe he'll come back to mentor Andrew Luck, who knows.

Peyton Manning is not coming back this season, but could this be the end of him for good? Randy Moss did it. Bret Favre did it, countless times. Maybe Manning is next?

We'll find out at the end of this unpredictable, post-lockout season.

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