7 Bold NFL Predictions You Can Take to the Bank

It may seem a little odd that I'm still making predictions this late in the season, but hey, there's still a lot of things that could happen this year!

I'm not about to predict that the Packers are going to win the Super Bowl—we all know that's very close to a foregone conclusion.

No, this list considers things that aren't top-notch concerns or thoughts, but things that will make readers think. Some of them are going to draw a lot of heat, but that's just part of the thrill.

Without further ado, call Las Vegas and tell them to take these bets right now.

Drew Brees Will Break Dan Marino's Passing Yardage Record

With the Packers being 12-0 behind Aaron Rodgers, the injury to Peyton Manning and Tom Brady leading yet another Patriot season, Drew Brees is overlooked quite often.

However, he's the leader of the league in passing yards and is on pace to break a record—a record he fell just 15 yards short of three seasons ago. 

Up to now, Brees has thrown for 4,031 yards. He's still got four games left, and they're not exactly great defenses. Tennessee, Atlanta, Minnesota and Carolina all await the dominating quarterback.

Brees has already played Atlanta and Carolina once each; he threw for 681 yards and four touchdowns between the two games—which, by the way, were both victories.

There are no signs that Brees is slowing down, either. He's thrown for under 300 yards only three times this season, and his season low is 270. That number is usually a top-notch effort for a lot of NFL quarterbacks.

He came so close in 2008—it's now time for Brees to reign supreme in passing yardage supremacy. 

Tennessee Will Win 10 Games—but Miss the Playoffs

You've got to tip your hats to the 2011 Tennessee Titans—they've been fighters all year.

This has been the case with a team that has a starting quarterback who was called "too old" at the beginning of the year, a defense with no real playmakers and an all-star running back who's having an incredibly bad season.

Tennessee is now 7-5 and very much alive in the AFC playoff race. They're two games behind the division-leading Houston Texans.

Why believe in the Titans? Well, their stats aren't staggering, but look at who they've beaten.

They beat the Baltimore Ravens, 26-13, in Week 2, then followed that up with a 17-14 win against Denver. They also dominated a Carolina offense that has been explosive all season.

The better news for the Titans is that Chris Johnson has finally gotten back on track, having gained over 100 yards in three of four contests. 

However, winning three of their next four games won't be enough. First of all, this week's win won't be easy, as the Saints march into Tennessee. They play better at home, so I think they can sneak away with a win over the Saints.

After that, games against Indianapolis and Jacksonville should result in wins. That would put them at 10-5. Unfortunately, Week 17 for the Titans is in Houston. Should they lose, they'll be 10-6 and likely on the outside looking in. It will be hard to imagine them in with the abundance of teams in playoff contention.

The Jets, Giants, Lions and Raiders Will All Miss the Playoffs

With four teams on one slide, I'll try to make this as simple as possible.

First, the New York Jets are currently 7-5 and in prime condition to take over the wild card spot from the Bengals. It won't happen. The offense isn't what it needs to be, as Shonn Greene isn't a good running back and Mark Sanchez isn't a good quarterback. 

The defense has been so-so, and that so-so defense can't carry them like it has the last two years. With games against Kansas City, Philadelphia, New York and in Miami coming up, I don't see them going better than 9-7.

The Giants are already in a precarious position at 6-6, but given recent struggles by the Cowboys, they're still in it. Unfortunately for them, they need not get used to it. I do see the Giants finishing 9-7, but by my measure, they won't win many tiebreakers. They'll need to win out in order to have a shot.

Detroit began the year on fire, jumping out to a 5-0 start. Since then, it's been a rough go, as they've lost five of their last seven games. The first strike is that they finish the year with Green Bay at Lambeau—what a sour taste to be left in your mouth. Still, Detroit will also lose to Oakland, falling to 9-7 on the year. 

Like the Giants, the tiebreakers wouldn't swing in their favor. Detroit relies too heavily on the passing game and the long ball by means of it. It's not enough to be a single-dimension team.

Now, we examine the Oakland Raiders. They look poised and ready for a playoff run behind Carson Palmer's leadership and a great running duo. In fact, I think they'll finish 10-6.  However, that's not going to be good enough. Denver will also go 10-6 to win the West, and my two wild card teams are 11-5. 

Oakland will finish strong, only dropping a game to Green Bay, but they're on the outside looking in.

Cincinnati Will Win at Least Three of Their Last Four, and Make the Playoffs

Given how they've played recently, I continue to question why I still believe in this young Bengals' team. Nonetheless, I still have to.

The defense had a breakdown last week, but that was at Heinz Field. As ugly as the game was, I can give them a pass for that. Three of Cincinnati's final four games are at home, so that's working in their favor.

The two games they need to focused on are this week against Houston and Week 17 against Baltimore. As long as the Bengals don't fall apart to St. Louis and Arizona, these two games will mean the most.

This week, Houston comes to Cincinnati to face a defense that is low on healthy players.  There are four key guys questionable. With this defense being as determined as they are, they should play. The defense will finally be stacked, and Arian Foster and Ben Tate will be shut down. Andy Dalton will somehow rip through the talented Houston defense and get the win.

In Week 17, the Ravens will come to town, likely having already succumbed to accepting the wild card slot. Cincinnati will need to win that game in order to sneak into the playoffs IF they lose to the Texans. However, it's possible that they will have already clinched. 

Still, I see Cincinnati getting their young minds in order and winning out to earn the sixth seed.

Tim Tebow Will Get to the Playoffs and Win a Playoff Game

Yeah, as much as I hate to say it, it's going to happen. This team has suddenly become one to be reckoned with. 

This prediction goes for all possible wild card teams except one—the Pittsburgh Steelers.  While I think the Steelers will win the AFC North, they are still up for the wild card. If they wind up visiting Denver in the first round, the Tebow run will end there.

Moving past that, the Denver Broncos have had an impressive run, and it's only getting easier. They'll finish 10-6 with games against Buffalo, Kansas City and Chicago. They'll drop one game in New England.

Further, this scrappy young club will win the West with their much-criticized quarterback, Tim Tebow. They've already defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Denver, and Baltimore has had a tendency to drop away games to inferior teams this season. Those are the most likely two opponents going to Denver.

With the great running game on the offensive side and solid pass rush on the defensive, Denver could be a serious threat to AFC championship contenders.

Andy Dalton and Von Miller Will Be Rookies of the Year

First of all, don't start with Cam Newton. His interception count exceeds his touchdown count, and Carolina isn't winning many games. Newton is having a great season, but he's clearly not turned his team around the way Andy Dalton has.

Dalton's numbers are very comparable to those Matt Ryan had back in 2008 when he was Rookie of the Year. Ryan had 16 touchdowns and 11 picks with around 3,400 yards. Dalton has thrown for 2,644 yards with 17 touchdowns and 12 picks. It isn't a foregone conclusion that the Bengals are going to the playoffs, but you can't argue what he's done for the offense.

As for Von Miller, his only competition is Patrick Peterson, whose main contribution this season has been on special teams. Miller has 57 tackles so far this season with an impressive 10.5 sacks.  He's missed the last couple games due to injury, but with that many sacks and the way this defense has turned things around, Miller is the only answer for defensive Rookie of the Year.

Seattle Will Win Out, and Go to the Playoffs

At 5-7, it should be noted that winning out is not enough to get the Seahawks in. However, if things play out the way I've predicted, they will hold tiebreakers over the Giants, Lions and Falcons. That being the case, they'll earn the fifth seed.

I understand how far-fetched this seems. My belief about the Seattle Seahawks is that they have a habit of being their own worst enemies. In 2011, they've gotten great wins against the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens and played the Atlanta Falcons in a very close 30-28 contest.

Then, they have losses in Cleveland and at home against Washington.

Over the last few weeks, the offense has been clicking behind efficient play by Tarvaris Jackson (funny how efficient is thrown around in the NFC West, not effective; see Alex Smith). Marshawn Lynch has also come back out of his shell.

Plus, the defense is improving. They've not allowed more than 23 points in any game since their October 30 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Seattle's road isn't incredibly tough. They're at home for St. Louis this week, in Chicago next week and finish their season in Arizona. That should be at least three wins.

They have a massive contest in Week 16—the San Francisco 49ers will come to town.  This team has played very well at home in 2011, and they can take down the 49ers in Seattle. 

The offense—while under talented, no doubt—will figure out the tough San Francisco defense and baffle the defense, resulting in a shocking win, and Seattle will sneak in for a first-round contest in Dallas.