The countdown to Super Bowl XLV can officially begin tonight as the New Orleans Saints begin their championship defense against the Minnesota Vikings. Recent history suggests that the Super Bowl winner does not have as strong of a season following the championship but they open the season strong(Pittsburgh missed the playoffs last year but won week 1 opener). Minnesota is out for revenge and who knows how well New Orleans defense will play, but I have a feeling the Saints will pull it out tonight, 34 - 24.
As for the full season predictions here are my divisional winners and wildcards for the AFC
AFC East - New England
AFC North - Pittsburgh
AFC South - Indianapolis
AFC West - Oakland
Wild Card - Baltimore
Wild Card - San Diego
Notes - Indy is as safe a bet as anybody to win their division...AFC North is probably the closest division in the NFL...The east will be entertaining but at the end of the day I like the Pats because their system doesnt need superstars with the big egos like the Jets... Speaking of Hard Knock Jets' I think Sanchez does not take the step forward everybody is expecting and I look for them to go 8-8....Houston wont take the step forward everybody is predicting... I almost put the Jags in the playoffs thats how much I like them....The Raiders in the west is bold, but the defense has been there. They played really well last year in November and December when the team gave up on JaMarcus Russell. Id be surprised if they dont keep it going this year.... How much will the Chargers miss their holdouts? More than they are letting on...I think the Browns will be very competiive in every game, but I have them going 7-9.... The worst team in the league will be Buffalo closely followed by Denver.
NFC:
NFC East - Dallas
NFC North - Minnesota
NFC South - Atlanta
NFC West - Seattle
Wild Card - Carolina
Wild Card - Green Bay
Notes - The East is always an entertaining division but I see a lot of questions marks which is why I only have 1 team making it to the playoffs. I like the Cowboys, but this is the same team that has been in place the last 3 years - Romo needs to show me something more. I like Kolb in Philly, but I think they will have growing pains. I like McNabb but will he have enough playmakers or will the defense make enough stops? I like Eli and the G Men but what about the O Line and the run game? What about their LBs - can they stop anybody?...Lions will give every team a game, their defense is respectable it will be about not making turnovers offensively... GB is a trendy pick for the super bowl but they need to find a way to keep Rodgers upright or they will be out of they will be going home in January.... The Saints will still be the Saints, but I see a drop off in their performance defensively and I think it will cost them - maybe 8-8, 9-7 type record.... Arizona will compete with St Louis for worst team in the league.... Dont sleep on Carolina, they have a punishing run game...Seattle is my pick for the west, but nobody impresses me out there. Pete Carroll will find a way to win 8 games and that will get them in...
AFC Championship
Pittsburgh over Indy
NFC Championship
Atlanta over Dallas
Super Bowl 45
Atlanta over Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh D gets them there and improved running game takes pressure off Big Ben. But Matt Ryan and Michael Turner find a way to score enough to beat the Steel Curtain the the Defense holds Ben, who cant make a Super Bowl winning drive.
Postseason Awards:
NFL MVP
Adrian Peterson
Defensive Player of the year
Jon Beason, Carolina
Rookie of the year
Rolando McClain - Defense
CJ Spiller - Offense
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