Week 4 Picks

Week 4 is upon us, and as we head to final week of September a few things jump out at me early in this  2013 season. In the NFC, there are some notable teams that have gotten off to slow starts. In the NFC East, the Giants and Redskins both stand at 0-3. Robert Griffin's return from injury is the reason for Washington starting slow, and there is a chance for them to get back in the hunt if RG III gets healthier and plays better in October. The Giants look done, and it may be time for a reboot of their roster. The Packers started 1-2 after blowing a 30-14 lead at Cincy last week. Green Bay has their bye this week, but they should rebound nicely and get back on track soon enough. The Falcons also started 1-2, but they easily could be 3-0. It would be a surprise if they don't turn things around quickly too. In the NFC West, the Niners were 1-2, but rebounded with a 35-11 shellacking of the Rams on Thursday night. In the AFC, the only real surprise is the slow start by the 0-3 Steelers. They have a chance to get their first win this week over the Vikings, but it doesn't look like the Steelers will be in it for the long haul. As September ends and October almost begins, it will be interesting to see what happens to that group of teams. Onto the picks for Week 4.....
Disclaimer: I didn't get home in time to make a pick for Thursday night's San Francisco-St.Louis game, so I'll only be picking the games for Sunday and Monday night.

Last Week's Record: 5-10-1
Overall Record: 23-23-4
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Pittsburgh (-2) over MINNESOTA (In London): London gets the pleasure of watching two 0-3 teams. How pissed are Jim Nantz and Phil Simms with the fact that they have to go over to England to do this game for CBS? Take the Steelers in a true "Do or Die" game for them.

Baltimore (-3) over BUFFALO: The Bills always screw me. Everytime I pick them-last week I had them over the Jets- they always screw me. I'm not falling for it this week either. Take the Ravens on the road to get to 3-1.

Cincy (-3) over CLEVELAND: I just can't see the Browns getting to 2-2 with a home win over the Bengals. Cincy got a season-defining win last week in their comeback over the Packers. This will be a close game, but look for the Bengals to find a way to win in the 4th quarter.

JACKSONVILLE (+9) over Indy: Everyone is patting the Colts on the back for how they handled the Niners last week in Candlestick. Watch out for a trap game this week for the Colts with Seattle looming next week. I can't believe I am actually taking the Jags, but what the hell!

HOUSTON (+3) over Seattle: Interesting game because Seattle has to make the trip to Houston and the Texans got buried last week at Baltimore. The Seahawks are clearly the better team, but I have a feeling that the Texans will bounce back this week with the upset at home.

Arizona (+3) over TAMPA BAY: Josh Freeman gets benched for Mike Glennon, so this game does have the potential for a spirited Bucs effort. The Cards haven't been that bad so far this year, and I'll take them as an underdog again this week.

DETROIT (-3) over Chicago: I love the Lions in this one. At home, defense gets after Cutler, and the Lions jump on the Bears early and never look back.

KANSAS CITY (-4) over NY Giants: The Giants are toasted. This will be a long day for Eli Manning and the G-Men as they head into hostile territory at Arrowhead. The Chiefs will roll and make it look easy in the process.

TENNESSEE (-3) over NY Jets: Interesting game featuring two teams at 2-1. This will be a close game, but I am starting to believe in Jake Locker a little bit. Look for the Titans to win one of those 19-14 kind of games.

SAN DIEGO (+3) over Dallas: Do you really trust the Cowboys? The sad part is that they will probably win the NFC East this year with a 9-7 or 8-8 record. The Chargers have played pretty well so far this year, and they will surprise Dallas at home this week.

Washington (-3) over OAKLAND: As tempting as it is to pick the Raiders, I'll take RG III and the Redskins in a must-win game. The Raiders are feisty with Terrelle Pryor at QB, but look for the Skins to find a way to get out of Oakland with the win.

ATLANTA (-2) over New England: A really good Sunday night game to end the day. The Falcons are 1-2, but I think they will be fine this year. The Pats come in 3-0, but they don't look like the vintage Patriots on offense. This feels like a 27-23 Atlanta win in the Georgia Dome.

Miami (+7) over NEW ORLEANS: What a great Monday Night Football game for ESPN. Who would have thought that the Dolphins and the Saints would be battling in a game of two 3-0 teams? The Saints are hard to bet against at home, but we are due for a good MNF game, so I'll take the Dolphins to keep it close.

Philly (+11) over DENVER: The last time Michael Vick played at Denver was in 2004. He absolutely destroyed the Broncos in that game, and it gave me nightmares the rest of that season. He returns with a Philly team that is a little humbled after the last two weeks. At 1-2, the Eagles are dangerous because any given week they could get going and put up like 34 points. I don't like the fact that the Eagles played last Thursday night, and they have 10 days to prepare for the Broncos, and Denver just played this past Monday night. This is a tricky game for the Broncos, and I could see them getting tripped up in this spot, and they going to Dallas and blowing the doors off the Cowboys next week.

Final Score: Eagles-33 Broncos-30

Broncos Roll Through Raiders, Start 3-0

Monday Night Football provided an opportunity for the Broncos to show the nation just how good they were at this point in the season. The Broncos took full advantage of that opportunity as they dominated the Oakland Raiders en route to a convincing 37-21 win. The victory gave Denver a 3-0 start, and it was their first win in the AFC West this year. The Broncos jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, and they never trailed or remotely threatened after that. They built a 27-7 lead at halftime, and cruised to the finish line from there. It was another solid win for the Broncos, but there is still more work to be done. Here are my thoughts on the game…..

1)    Peyton Manning was once again spectacular. Early on, I texted numerous friends that Manning was “dialed in tonight.” He certainly was to the tune of 32-37 for 374 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. It was one of those vintage Peyton Manning games that he routinely put up in his heyday in Indy. The defense tried everything, but Manning had the answer every time. As I say almost every week, it is just a pleasure to sit back and watch the master do his job.

2)    Eric Decker had another big game with 8 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown put Denver up 7-0, and it was a sweet play action play near the goaline. Demaryius Thomas added 10 catches for 94 yards, and Wes Welker added 7 catches for 84 yards and a really nice touchdown catch. Welker’s 12 yard TD catch was a really nice play because Welker ran a corner-post route and split double coverage. Great route and great hookup between Welker and Manning.

3)    The Broncos have scored 49, 41, and 37 points the first three games. This offense is just clicking right now. The scary thing is that they can probably play better. Monday night was just a clinic from Manning and company. I love how they come out in the second half and used a 3 TE package and finished off the Raiders.

4)    The Broncos defense continues to play solid without Champ Bailey and Von Miller. Give Robert Ayers credit because he has played well in Miller’s absence. He added 2 sacks in the game. Wesley Woodyard continues to be our best defensive player, and Danny Trevathan continues to play well every week. Nate Irving really had a nice game, and the Broncos defense stuffed the Raiders run game all night long. We’ll see how the unit plays once Bailey and Miller come back.

5)    Although the Broncos thoroughly dominated the game, there were some things that need to be addressed. Montee Ball fumbled the ball again this week, and this time it was when Denver was up 37-14 and trying to run out the clock. That can’t happen and Ball has to fix his fumbling issues. That kind of mistake could come back to haunt the Broncos later on in the season.

6)    The Broncos did improve to 3-0 and they look like one of the best teams in the NFL, but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Denver just needs to worry about the next week, and the Eagles come to Denver on Sunday. This game could be a tricky one for Denver, and the focus should by on Philly and nothing else. Yes, I love how the team is playing, and I love the fast start, but I’m just focused on seeing the Broncos beat the Eagles and get to 4-0. That’s all that is important right now. 

Week 3 Picks

21 of the 33 games in the NFL season have been decided by one score or less. The result has been some wild finishes and great games, but there are a lot of questions that need to be answered. Some teams that started slow will find their way (Giants and Steelers anyone?) Some teams that started fast might level off soon (Dolphins and Chiefs perhaps?) In any event, this NFL season has been really good so far, and I think it sets up a wild and unpredictable season with a lot of teams in the playoff hunt down to the last week. Isn’t that what Pete Rozelle envisioned way back in the day? Anyway, here is to another fun week of games, and onto the picks for Week 3….

Last Week’s Record: 10-5-1

TNF Pick: 0-1

Overall Record: 18-13-3

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

TENNESSEE (-3) over San Diego: It might be too much to ask for the Chargers to go back to the East/Central Time Zone and win another game on consecutive Sundays. This should be a very competitive game featuring two teams that just might make a run at a wild card spot in the AFC.

Cleveland (+7) over MINNESOTA: Many people are going to pick against the Browns because they traded away Trent Richardson this week. I don’t think that they will just implode the rest of the season. Although Brian Hoyer is starting for the injured Brandon Weeden, is that a big difference in talent? Probably not. Take the Browns and the points to keep it close.

Tampa Bay (+7) over NEW ENGLAND: As awful as the Bucs have been in two games, they really should be 2-0 instead of 0-2. If they were 2-0, then this line would be lower. I’m taking the Bucs because I think their secondary will be able to frustrate Tom Brady and that Pats offense.  It is as simple as that.

Houston (-2) over BALTIMORE: The emergence of DeAndre Hopkins in Houston could be the biggest factor in the race to the Super Bowl in the AFC. Hopkins had a big day last week against the Titans. If he continues to develop, then this Houston team will be very tough to stop. I think you get their “A” game this week and win this one going away.

St.Louis (+4) over DALLAS: I am not trusting Dallas at home against anyone. The Rams got buried by the Falcons last week, but they were able to recover enough to get the old back door cover. I think the Rams hang around for a while this season, and this is a game that they could steal.

NEW ORLEANS (-7) over Arizona: The Saints at home should be a lock. You are only laying seven points, so keep on riding the Saints.

Detroit (Pick) over WASHINGTON: The Skins and RG III have looked so bad so far this year. The Lions could easily be 2-0 if they didn’t stub their toe at Arizona last week. I think the Lions get to 2-1 and the Redskins fall to 0-3. I think the Lions are just a better team.

CINCY (+3) over Green Bay: This is a really good game on Sunday. How can the Packers protect Aaron Rodgers from the Cincy defense? That will be the key to this game. Also, if anyone thinks that Andy Dalton could match score for score with Rodgers, then they are nuts. I’ll take the Bengals as a home underdog. This should be a fun one.

New York Giants (Pick) over CAROLINA: The G-Men have their backs against the wall, so you know that they will come out ready to play in this one. Plus, the Panthers are banged up in the secondary, so I’ll take the Giants to avoid the 0-3 start.

Atlanta (+3) over MIAMI: Another interesting game on the slate. The Fish look good so far in this young season, but you have to think that the Falcons will be able to go on the road and get it done this week. This seems like it will be a close game, but look for Matt Ryan to win it late for Atlanta. 

SAN FRANCISCO (-10) over Indy: The Colts come to the Bay area with newly acquired Trent Richardson in their backfield. It was a good trade for the Colts at this moment, but does Richardson really sway the balance of power in the AFC South to the Colts? I don't think so. The problem with the Colts is that their offensive line is having trouble protecting Andrew Luck. That could be a problem this week with the Niners. I know Aldon Smith just got arrested for a DUI, but I have a feeling that the Niners will harass Luck all day. You worry about the back door cover with the Colts, but look for SF to take out their frustration from last week's loss to the Seahawks out on Indy.

SEATTLE (-19) over Jacksonville: It is a lot of points, but this is a game featuring the best team in the NFL versus the worst. This is the equivalent of one of those early season college football matchups between Alabama and Savannah State. Lay the points because it won't matter. This seems like a 31-3 type of game to me. 

Buffalo (+3) over NY JETS: I know the Jets defense looks really solid so far this season, but I like how the Bills have played the first two weeks. Put it this way: Who do you trust more in this game-E.J.Manuel or Geno Smith? I'll take Manuel and take the Bills on the road.

PITTSBURGH (+3) over Chicago: This is the last stand for my predicted AFC North winners because if they lose this week, then they are 0-3 and done for the year. The Steelers are really, really weak on offense this year. They can't run the ball at all, and Big Ben looks so frustrated out there. How long before Todd Haley gets fired as offensive coordinator? I'm thinking by Week 6 he is gone. 

Oakland (+15) over DENVER: First, what kick in the ass it was to lose Ryan Clady for the year with a foot injury. The fact that he got hurt late in the blowout win to the Giants was just awful. I pray that this won't derail their season on offense. You hope that it won't because we still have Peyton Manning back there, but this was a huge loss for the Broncos. Denver is now playing without three of their top five players. Champ Bailey is still out with an injury, Von Miller comes back in Week 7 from suspension, and now Clady is done for the year. The Broncos should win this one at home on Monday Night Football, but it will be a closer game than the spread indicates.

Final Score: Broncos-27 Raiders-20

Thursday NIght Pick-Week 3

PHILLY (-3) over KC

Broncos Roll Past Giants in Manning Bowl III

The game was billed as the third installment of the Manning Bowl. Peyton vs. Eli. Well, the hype for the game didn't match the actual contest. It was a close game for the most part, but in a NY minute, the Broncos pulled away and defeated the Giants convincingly 41-23 Sunday at Metlife Stadium. Peyton clearly outplayed Eli, and the game wasn't the shootout that most expected. Give credit to the Broncos once again for a dominating second half on both sides of the ball. The Broncos now stand at 2-0 and have scored 49 and 41 points respectively in their first two games of 2013. Hopefully, the Broncos will make one more trip to the Meadowlands in February for the Super Bowl. Before we get that far, here are my quick thoughts and observations on this week's game......

1) Peyton Manning started hot, and he was pretty much the same way the entire game. Manning finished 30-43 for 307 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. He was on point most of the game-with the second quarter being the exception. The second half was classic Peyton Manning, and he systematically picked apart a weak Giants defense. He clearly outplayed his brother from start to finish.

2) Every week it will be a different receiver who stands out in the passing game. This week, Eric Decker got back on track. Decker caught 9 passes for 87 yards. It was good to see that Decker had a big day considering he was awful in Week 1.

3) How about that Broncos running attack with Knowshon Moreno? If you are a Giants fan, you can't be happy seeing your defense get gashed by Moreno? Moreno had 93 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Moreno scored on runs of 20 and 25 yards, and both runs were basically the same play. He really ran the ball well in the second half, and it is always huge if the Broncos can get that kind of production from their running game.

4) For the second straight week, the Broncos defense played really well in the second half. In the entire game, Denver held the Giants to 1-11 on third down conversions. The one thing that really stood out to me was how well the Broncos tackled. Their defensive line dominated up front in the second half, and the Broncos were able to tackle really well, and they avoided giving up really big plays. It will be interesting to see how much better this defense will play when they get Champ Bailey and Von Miller back.

5) The key play in this game was the Demaryius Thomas fumble sequence. At 17-16, the Broncos started at their own 20 with 3:08 left in the 3rd quarter. Manning hit Thomas over the middle for 16 yards, and he immediately fumbled. It looked like two Giants had a chance to get the recovery, but the ball out of their hands and into the hands of Knowshon Moreno. It was a huge break, and the Broncos converted the break into a Moreno touchdown and a 24-16 lead. That play really broke the back of the Giants. The other big play was the interception by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the end zone right before the half.

6) The officials absolutely killed the Broncos all night long with pass interference penalties. It got to the point where everytime there was a pass broken up, I immediately started to look for the refs to throw a flag for P.I. It was pathetic, and the Giants had one of their touchdown drives set up completely on penalties called on the Broncos secondary.

7) Trindon Holliday did his thing once again. His 81-yard punt return for a touchdown was the official backbreaker to give the Broncos a 38-16 lead with 10:13 left in the game. It is amazing because everytime Holliday gets the ball on a return it is must watch television. He is so dynamic. I can't understand why the Texans let him go in the middle of last season.

8) The real bad news for the Broncos in this game is that they lost Ryan Clady to a foot injury. The report on Clady is that it is a serious foot injury and the Broncos are considering multiple options. Those options include season-ending Injured Reserve or maybe IR with a designation for return at some point this season. It is a huge loss to lose Clady for anytime, and it definitely weakens the offense without him. Hopefully, he will be able to return at some point this year. The worst part of the injury is that it occurred in garbage time of a blowout victory.

9) Denver had 10 points in the first half, and they finished with 41. In Week 1, they had 14 points at the half, and they finished with 49. The second half has been key to this season's fast 2-0 start for the Broncos. Denver hopes to continue their winning ways with a key AFC West game at home against the Raiders in Week 3 on Monday Night Football.

Week 2 Picks!

The NFL’s opening week was a success. Most of the games were close and decided by on touchdown or less. On the surface, it looks like a year that will be crazy and wild from the get go. No team truly looked awful in Week 1-with the exception of the Jags. No team truly looked dominant-even the Broncos and Peyton Manning. Let’s see where it takes us as we head into Week 2. No one wants to start 0-2, and there are some interesting games on the board that involve two 0-1 teams including a battle between the Packers and the Redskins. Onto the picks for Week 2……..

Last Week:7-7-2

Thursday Night Pick:1-0

Overall Record: 8-7-2

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

San Diego (+8.5) over PHILLY: It was fun to watch Chip Kelly and his offense mow down the Skins last Monday Night. Let’s just slow down with the whole idea that Kelly and his offense is going to take over the NFL. Settle down, let’s give it some time. Too many people are riding the Eagles this week, so I'll take the points and the Chargers.

BALTIMORE (-6) over Cleveland: Love the Ravens in this one. No way the Ravens go 0-2. I think they bounce back from their loss to Denver in Week 1. It should be close for a while, but look for the Ravens to pull away late.

Tennessee (+9) over HOUSTON: Interesting game in Houston. Could the Titans actually be a sleeper after their upset over the Steelers in Week 1? This game will tell a lot. I could see the Titans keeping this game close to the very end.

Miami (+3) over INDY: The Colts survived a close one at home over the Raiders last week, and that is why this line is so low. The Colts have to lose a close game at some point during the Andrew Luck Era. It might be this week with the Dolphins coming to town.

BUFFALO (+3) over Carolina: The Bills almost pulled off the upset over the Pats last week. I just have a negative feeling about the Panthers and Ron Rivera. Look for a close game, but there is no way the Bills should be underdogs at home. Take the Bills getting three.

St. Louis (+7) over ATLANTA: This is a tricky game. A lot of people like the Rams as a possible sleeper, and they come in 1-0 for the first time since 2006. The Falcons lost a tough one at New Orleans last week. I like the Falcons to bounce back and take care of business in their home opener, but this will be closer than a lot of people expect.

GREEN BAY (-7) over Washington: A big game between two 0-1 teams. I like the Packers in this one at home, but a few things worry me: First, watch out for the possibility of RG III and the backdoor cover. Two, watch out for the Packers laying an egg at home, which happens to them from time to time.

KANSAS CITY (-3) over Dallas: Interesting game between two 1-0 teams. This should be a very competitive game, and it will come down to the end. Can't you see a late Tony Romo mistake turning into a KC walk off field goal victory?

Minnesota (+6) over CHICAGO: Am I the only one not impressed by the Bears? I think they win this game, but I have a feeling the Vikings will keep it close. Minnesota will lose a lot of close games this year, and this looks like a prime example of that.

New Orleans (-3) over TAMPA BAY: I have to stick with my preseason Super Bowl pick this week. I think the Saints go into Tampa and send a real message to the league with a commanding road win.

ARIZONA (+3) over Detroit: I have the Lions as my sleeper team this year, and they are off to an 1-0 start, but the Cards were feisty in their loss to the Rams last week. Should be a back and forth game, but take the Cards and the points at home.

Jacksonville (+6) over OAKLAND: The Raiders played well last week and almost pulled off the upset over the Colts, but they shouldn’t be giving at least five points to anyone this season. The fact that Blaine Gabbert is hurt and Chad Henne is starting is a plus for the Jags. I’ll take them on the road as underdogs.

  SEATTLE (-3) over San Francisco: Great Sunday Night game to end the day. This should be fun to watch between arguably the two best teams in the NFL. I have liked the Seahawks all week, and I will take them at home in this Week 2 showdown.

Pittsburgh (+7) over CINCY: Everyone loves the Bengals this week, so I am going the other way. Either the Steelers rise up and surprise or they fall apart and get buried by the Bengals and my prediction of the Steelers winning the AFC North looks completely shot by Week 2.

NY GIANTS (+4.5) over Denver:

I would love to pick the Broncos in this game. I could see them taking the Giants to task in this matchup, and I could see Peyton Manning having a big day, but I have a feeling that Eli Manning might upstage his brother in this version of the Manning Bowl. I have a feeling Eli will pick apart the Broncos defense all day long.

Final Score: Giants-30 Broncos-23

Thursday Night Pick

Jets (+11.5) over NEW ENGLAND: Shane Vereen and Danny Amendola were two of the best players  for the Pats in their win over the Bills in Week 1, and both are out for the TNF game against the Jets. With Rob Gronkowski already out, I can't see the Pats offense humming along at full speed. As a result, the Jets will keep this game close, but the Pats will win it late.

Manning's 7 Touchdown Passes Propel Broncos in Season Opener

The Broncos kicked off their 2013 season in style Thursday night with a resounding 49-27 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL Kickoff Opener. The highlight was Peyton Manning's seven touchdown passes and over 460 yards through the air. It was a wild game that featured a lightning warning that delayed the kickoff for about 40 minutes. The Ravens really controlled most of the first half and took a 17-14 lead into halftime. After the break it was all Manning and the Broncos. A 21 point 3rd quarter really put the game out of reach, and the Broncos were able to finish off the Ravens in the 4th quarter. Here are my quick thoughts and observations about the win........

1) Manning started slow in the first quarter, but he really picked it up from the 2nd quarter on. His numbers were video game type of numbers. He finished 27-42 for 462 yards and 7 touchdowns. The scary part was that he didn't even play an A+ game. Manning was slow to get going early on, but once he settled in he was dynamic. He took advantage of the revamped Ravens defense, and he spread the ball around very nicely. It was vintage Manning at his best. Just a pleasure to watch.

2) The defense struggled as expected early on, but give them credit because they responded in the second half. They shut down the Ravens for the most part after halftime. Shaun Phillips added 2.5 sacks, and the Broncos got 4 sacks total and two interceptions of Flacco. I was really impressed by their run defense. They completely shut down Ray Rice in the second half, and their stops to start the third quarter gave the offense the chance to blow this game open.

3) Speaking of offense, Julius Thomas, Demaryius Thomas, and Wes Welker played really well last night. We heard so much about Julius Thomas this offseason, and he didn't disappoint. He finished with  5 catches for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns. Demaryius Thomas finished with 5 catches and 161 yards and 2 touchdowns. Welker caught 9 balls for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was one of those nights where the Ravens had to pick their poison. It started with Welker, then Julius Thomas, and then to Demaryius Thomas.

4) Make no mistake this game turned on a couple of freaky plays. Late in the 2nd quarter on a 3rd and goal, Flacco hit a wide open Dallas Clark for an easy touchdown, but Clark dropped the ball. The Ravens settled for a field goal and a 17-14 lead, but it should have been 21-14 heading into the half. In the third quarter, on their first drive of the half, the Broncos had a 3rd and 9. Manning threw low to Welker, who appeared to have caught the pass for a first down; however, the replay clearly showed that Welker dropped the ball. The Ravens and John Harbaugh never challenged the play, and the Broncos lined up and ran a play right away. Manning hit Demaryius Thomas on a 34 yard catch and run, and the Broncos scored two plays late on a Manning to Andre Caldwell 28 yard touchdown down the sideline to give the Broncos a 21-17 lead. After a Baltimore three and out, David Bruton blocked a punt and the Broncos set up shop at the Ravens 10. Two plays later, Manning hit Welker for a five yard touchdown, and that gave Denver a 28-17 lead, and they never looked back. Those three plays (Clark's drop, the missed challenge on Welker's drop, and Bruton's blocked punt) completely turned the game, and it was over from that point.

5) Danny Trevathan played really well in this game, but he will be remembered for his gaffe midway through the fourth quarter. Up 42-17, Trevathan stepped in front of a Flacco pass and took it back for an apparent 30 yard interception touchdown return. Trevathan dropped the ball before he hit the goal line, and the play resulted in a touchback. It was a huge mental error, and the only thing that can be forgiven about that play is that the Broncos were comfortably ahead. Hopefully, he and the rest of his teammates learn from this experience and are smarter when they are crossing the goal line on scoring plays.

6) It was a great win for the Broncos. They needed to beat the Ravens from a mental standpoint to start the season, and with Manning throwing seven touchdowns, it made for a pretty special night, but this is only one game and one step on the journey for the Broncos. Right now, they are 1-0, and the focus will be on the next game at the Giants. There should be no shortage of hype of Manning Bowl III next Sunday, and that is all the Broncos and their fans should be thinking about. Great night, great win, onto the next one. Go Broncos

NFL Week 1 Picks

The NFL is back! And so is the opportunity to try and finish a season over .500 in the picks column. A few things about Week 1 before I make my picks. First, Week 1 is always very sloppy, so expect to see some 9-6, 13-10, or 16-13 type of scores. Second, there is always one really big upset that no one expects to see in Week 1. The key is trying to find that game on the schedule. Lastly, it is really hard to get a judge of who is going to be really good or really bad in Week 1. Last year, I had a disastrous start to the season picking games in Week 1 and it set me back for the entire year. It is really hard to get a feel for teams heading into Week 1 and coming out of it as well. Anyway, the NFL is back and all is right with the world. Here are the picks for Week 1........

Overall Record:
Thursday Night Record:
HOME TEAM IN CAPS:

New England (-9) over BUFFALO: Interesting game for both teams. The last time the Pats lost a season opener was in 2003 against the Bills. E.J. Manuel will be ready to go for the game, but I have a feeling he will have a tough time against the Pats defense. Look for a close game throughout with the Pats pulling away late in the fourth quarter.

PITTSBURGH (-7) over Tennessee: An easy game to pick for me. Forget about how bad the Steelers looked in preseason, they will be fine. Look for the Steelers to roll in their debut at home.

NEW ORLEANS (-3) over Atlanta: The best game of Week 1 should be a thriller. I expect big things from the Saints this year. This one should go back and forth, but look for a late victory by the Saints. Think along the lines of 31-27.

Tampa Bay (-3) over NY JETS: Rough day for Geno Smith in his debut as the Jets QB. Look for Tampa Bay to jump on the Jets early and not look back.

Kansas City (-3) over JACKSONVILLE: The Chiefs will go down to Jacksonville, handle the heat, and take care of business on the road. It won't look pretty at times, but what great way for Andy Reid to start his coaching career in KC with a win over the pitiful Jags.

Cincinnati (+3) over CHICAGO: I love this matchup for the Bengals. I think Cincy wins this game outright. Their defense will confuse and frustrate Jay Cutler all day. Look for the Bengals to win this game going away.

Miami (PICK) over CLEVELAND: I have a lot of faith in the Dolphins this year, and I think they take care of business at Cleveland this week. If Miami loses this game, then they might not recover for the rest of the year. They need to make a statement and they will.

CAROLINA (+4) over Seattle: Upset of the day goes to the Panthers. For some reason, I think this game is going to be closer than a lot of people think. Maybe it is the whole West Coast to East Coast trip that could trip up the Seahakws, but look for the Panthers to shock the NFL world with a huge upset.

DETROIT (-5) over Minnesota: Detroit needs to get off to a fast start, and I think they will at home over their division rival. I got a feeling Christian Ponder is in for a rough day against that Lions defense on Sunday.

INDY (-8) over Oakland: Another easy game to pick. The Colts and Andrew Luck should cruise to a very comfortable win at home over the Raiders and Terrelle Pryor.

Arizona (+5) over ST.LOUIS: I like the Cardinals to either upset the Rams or at least keep it close. I think the Rams will be much improved this year, but I think Arizona will surprise some people early on. Look for a tight one that could go either way in the end.

Green Bay (+4.5) over SAN FRANCISCO: The Packers get revenge from their playoff loss to the Niners. I'm curious to see how GB defends Colin Kaepernick and that 49ers offense. Look for the Packers to make a statement early on, and Aaron Rodgers to bring his "A" game.

DALLAS (-3) over NY Giants: The Cowboys will finally beat Eli Manning and the Giants in their new stadium. This will be a close game-just like every other time-but Dallas will find a way to win it late.

Philly (+4) over WASHINGTON: I'm a little worried about RG III after he didn't take one snap the entire preseason. Two things factor into this pick: RG III's rust and the surprising play of Michael Vick and the Eagles offense.

Houston (-3) over SAN DIEGO: The second half of the ESPN Monday Night Football doubleheader is a decent game. I think San Diego keeps it close for three quarters, but look for the Texans to pull away in the fourth quarter and win the game comfortably.

Broncos-Ravens Thursday Night Preview

It has been a long offseason for the Broncos and their fans. After last year's bitter playoff loss to the Ravens in the Divisional Round, the Broncos have waited desperately for the 2013 season to begin. What a way for the season to begin on Thursday night. The same Ravens come into Denver, but this time as the defending Super Bowl champs. A lot of those key players from last year's epic playoff game will not be participating in this opening night matchup. Ray Lewis is retired, Ed Reed is a Texan, and Anquan Boldin is a 49er. Dennis Pitta is out with an injury as well. Denver lost Elvis Dumervil and Brandon Stokley to the Ravens in free agency, Von Miller is out on suspension, and Champ Bailey is a game-time decision with a foot injury. All storylines aside, this is a must win game for the Broncos. It isn't a must win in the standings as much as it is a must win for their mental state of mind. A win here over the Ravens would give the Broncos a perfect way to start the 2013 season and it will put to rest the painful memories of last year's playoff loss. A loss here could really plant some doubt in the Broncos minds, and it could signal a tough start to their 2013 campaign. This line seems really too high from the moment it was posted. I just think the loss of Von Miller will be too much for the Broncos to overcome. Reluctantly, I think the Ravens will pull out another wild victory late in Denver.

Baltimore (+7.5) over DENVER

Prediction: Ravens-30 Denver-27

2013 NFL Predictions- Part 2: The AFC

Part 1 of the my 2013 NFL predictions covered the NFC. Here is my thoughts and predictions on the AFC..........

AFC EAST
1-New England Patriots
What  I Like: It is easy to pick the Patriots to win the division every year, but how can you really bet against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick? It just doesn't make sense to go against those two. After the disastrous offseason that the Pats had, many people are doubting them heading into the season. That will serve as motivation for both Belichick and Brady this year. With the addition of WR Danny Amendola to replace the departed Wes Welker, the Pats feel they made a move to could replace the production they got out of the Welker-Brady duo. Can you just see Amendola catching over 100 passes from Brady this year? Aaron Hernandez is in jail, and Rob Gronkowski is coming off four surgeries, but if Gronk is healthy, then he should still be a force in the passing game. Brady will find a way to incorporate one of the other TEs on the roster (Jake Ballard, Daniel Fells, or Michael Hoomanawanui) and make them effective. Also, don't be surprised to see some sort of contribution from the trio of Julian Edelman and rookies Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce. Yes, the Patriots had a nightmare offseason. Yes, they might not be as good as they were the last few years, but with Brady and Belichick still in the fold, they will always be dangerous and have a chance. They might not be the top contender to go to the Super Bowl out of the AFC, but they should be good enough to win their division once again.

What I Don't Like: You can't lose Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker on this offense and expect everything to be okay. Those losses coupled with the Gronkowski's injury status could end up dooming the Pats chances. You also have to wonder about RB Stevan Ridley. He had a really good season in 2012, but the last glimpse of him was when he got knocked out and fumbled the ball against the Ravens in the AFC Championship. As great as Brady is, you have to wonder if the lack of weapons will haunt him in a big game late in the year. Defensively, this team has been a question mark the last few years. Doesn't Belichick get a knock for not being able to build a really good defense in recent years? Their defense has let them down in key spots many times in the past, and I would be concerned about that unit once again until they can prove otherwise.

Prediction: 10-6 and winners of the AFC East

2-Miami Dolphins
What I Like: The Dolphins added many names in free agency, but the three that stand out the most are LB Dannell Ellerbe, WR Mike Wallace, and CB Brent Grimes. All three could have a major impact on this team, and it could propel them into the playoffs for the first time since 2008. They drafted Dion Jordan with the third overall pick in the draft, and they will use him as a compliment to DE Cameron Wake. The Dolphins defense looks like the real deal. QB Ryan Tannehill played really well at times last year, and he looks like he can take the next step in year two. Their schedule is tricky, but they have a stretch where they have five out of seven games at home from October 6th through November 24th.  It just feels like the Dolphins are primed for a breakout season, and in a weak division that could definitely happen this year.

What I Don't Like: The first thing that stands out is the fact that a lot falls on Tannehill's plate. If he struggles, then they are done. Also, who is going to take Reggie Bush's place? How will they replace LT Jake Long? These are all questions that could doom their offense. I am a little worried about Mike Wallace and his production. Will he be another player who fizzles as a big-time free agent signing? As I said before, their schedule is tricky, and it is very tough to start the season. Their first eight games include five games against teams that made the playoffs last season (at Indy, Atlanta, Baltimore, at New England, and Cincy). Throw in a trip to New Orleans in Week 4 and the Dolphins might have to hope to be just 4-4 at the midway point. There is a chance they get off to a slow start and won't recover.

Prediction: 9-7 and a wild card berth

3-New York Jets
What I Like: You can say a lot about Rex Ryan, and he hasn't done the greatest job as a head coach, but he can coach up a defense. You know his defense will play well each week. Muhammad Wilkerson is an emerging star, and they have Quinton Coples as a bookend to him on the other side. They added DT Sheldon Richardson in the draft, and David Harris is still there at ILB. Many people considered CB Dee Milliner the best corner in the draft, and he gets his chance to replace Darrelle Revis. The other thing to like about the Jets is that no one is giving them any chance to succeed this year, and that is when a team can be very dangerous. Injury concerns aside, it looks like they will go with Mark Sanchez to start the season. If they go to Geno Smith eventually, he might be able to catch fire a little bit and give them a spark on offense. He might not look ready in preseason, but sometimes rookie QBs can come in midseason and play well. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the Jets are in the wild card mix throughout the season.

What I Don't Like: It all starts with the QB. Mark Sanchez is just not their guy anymore, and it is just a matter of time before he gives the job away to Geno Smith. Smith is a rookie and he fell to the 2nd round for a reason. The Jets might just have to give him the ball, and let him find his way through his rookie season, which can always be a tough grind. The other problem is that there is just a lack of talent on offense. Their offensive line isn't the same dominating group that it once was, and they lost one of their most reliable weapons in TE Dustin Keller. WR Santonio Holmes is their best WR, but it is uncertain if he will even be available to start the season on time as he recovers from a foot injury from last year. Their schedule is very difficult. They open up with Tampa Bay at home in the "Revis Bowl," head to Foxboro to take on the Pats in Week 2, host division rival Buffalo in Week 3, and travel to Tennessee in Week 4. From there it gets really tough. They have a five game stretch that includes at Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New England, at Cincy and New Orleans. They might play above their heads each week, but that still might not be enough to win any of those games.

Prediction: 8-8 and third in the AFC East

4-Buffalo Bills
What I Like: New head coach Doug Marrone will certainly add some fire to the franchise. If he is given the time, then he will turn this team around. C.J. Spiller has become a real weapon for this offense, and they need to get him the ball as much as possible. Stevie Johnson is still one of the best receivers in the AFC, and they should be able to move the ball consistently each week. Defensively, their line should return to form with a rebound year out of DT Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams. If they get more production out of Mario Williams, then their defensive line can be a real force. I like how they addressed the QB position in the draft with E.J. Manuel. Marrone did a really good job with his QBs at Syracuse, so maybe this is a marriage that is going to work. If Manuel hits his potential, then the Bills have a chance to surprise some people. The Bills could be due since they haven't been to the playoffs since 1999.

What I Don't Like: The deck seems stacked against the Bills this year. The Pats are still better than them, and the Dolphins have improved a lot as well. They might have to start undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel to start the opener because of injuries to E.J. Manuel and Kevin Kolb. Their season will come down to QB E.J. Manuel. At some point, Manuel will be inserted as the starting quarterback. Even if he plays really well, you can't see the Bills going any better than 8-8. If he struggles, then they will have to deal with a rookie QB learning the NFL game, and it will be a rebuilding season with hope for the future. I think that Manuel will show some flashes of potential, but it might not be enough in Doug Marrone's first year.

Prediction: 6-10 and last in the AFC East.

AFC NORTH
1-Pittsburgh Steelers
What I Like: The Steelers are due for a bounce back season, and no one is picking them to make the playoffs this year. It seems that everyone has them behind Cincy and Baltimore, so that extra motivation will help get head coach Mike Tomlin's message across. Yes, I know they lost Mike Wallace, but the Steelers always seem to let a big name guy go, and they respond with other players that they develop. They would have been the 6 seed in Ben Roethlisberger didn't get hurt last year. Big Ben is so good, and he doesn't that the respect nationally. He is a legitimate franchise QB, and the combination of him and Tomlin make the Steelers formidable every year. Why should that change this year? I really liked their moves in the draft. OLB Jarvis Jones fell to them at #17, and he was touted as a top five pick all spring. Second round pick RB Le'Veon Bell will replace Rashard Mendenhall too when he comes back from a foot injury. Their schedule is very manageable. Here are their first seven games: Tennessee, at Cincy, Chicago, at Minnesota, at the Jets, Baltimore, and at Oakland. There is a really good chance they are at least 5-2 at that point. Their next three games include a trip to New England and home games against Buffalo and Detroit. They also finish with three out of four at home. The Steelers will be back in a big way once again in 2013.

What I Don't Like: Losing Mike Wallace will definitely hurt their offense. He was a such a weapon for them and Big Ben. I am a little concerned about their defense. Troy Polamalu is not the same player he was a few years ago. Ike Taylor is overrated as well. There always seems to be concerns about their offensive line, and Roethlisberger always seems to miss a few games in a season. Last year, his injury killed their season. Their division is very tough. Baltimore and Cincy are good teams, and Cleveland is on the rise, so those six games can go either way.

Prediction: 10-6 and winners of the AFC North

2-Baltimore Ravens
What I Like: Joe Flacco proved that he is an elite QB with his performance in last year's playoffs, and you should expect Flacco to play at a high level for most of the year. He still has Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce, Jacoby Jones, and Torrey Smith at his disposal. The Ravens got a break when they signed Elvis Dumervil after the fax debacle with Denver. Also, they made solid moves by adding Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. In the draft, the Ravens three guys that are going to contribute right away in the first three rounds. Matt Elam, Arthur Brown, and Brandon Williams are all going to make an impact this season. Plus, John Harbaugh is one of the five best coaches in the NFL. He will get this team prepared each week. They have basically no pressure in being the defending Super Bowl Champions, and no one expects them to repeat, so they can use that as motivation.

What I Don't Like: You can't replace Ray Lewis and Ed Reed both on the field and off the field. I know both of those guys were getting old, but their impact is hard to define or replace. Losing Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger will certainly affect their front seven, and SS Bernard Pollard's impact is a huge loss as well. How many big hits did Pollard make in his time in Baltimore? I don't see Michael Huff as an upgrade in that department. Losing Anquan Boldin was also a big blow to the offense, and TE Dennis Pitta was lost for the season with a hip injury in training camp. It just seems like too many losses of key players for this team. They will be competitive and be in the race all season long, but I have a feeling the loss all of those players will eventually take a toll on this team. They are due for a down year since they have been in the playoffs every year since 2008. Besides I hate the Ravens so much, so I want to see them flop a year after winning the Super Bowl.

Prediction: 8-8 and second in the AFC North

3-Cincinnati Bengals
What I Like: They might have one of the most talented, young rosters in the entire AFC. They have put together some good drafts the last few years and it shows. Defensively, they are very tough. Their front seven is one of the better ones in the NFL. Geno Atkins is a dominant player at DT. We know about A.J. Green, but I like the idea of matching TE Jermaine Gresham with first round pick TE Tyler Eifert. If Andy Dalton comes into his own this year, then the Bengals can make a legitimate run in the AFC.

What I Don't Like: I am not totally sold on Dalton becoming a franchise QB just yet. He seems to play well against average defenses, but against a good defense he seems to struggle. If he struggles in big games, then they are going to be mediocre. I am not sold on Marvin Lewis as head coach. I know he has done a pretty good job in Cincy, but he scares me sometimes in this critical games. Also, their schedule is very difficult in spots. Their first three games are at Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Green Bay. From October 13th through November 10th, they only have one home game. Plus, they have to play Pitt and Baltimore in two of their final three games. Lastly, they are the Bengals, so just never know what you are going to get from them year to year. Look for a down year for Cincy.

Prediction: 8-8 and third in the AFC North

4-Cleveland Browns
What I Like: New head coach Rob Chudzinski and new offensive coordinator Norv Turner always have done a nice job with their quarterbacks and their offenses. That should definitely help QB Brandon Weeden this year. RB Trent Richardson is a beast, and he could have an impact like Adrian Peterson has with the Vikings. Their defense is very underrated, and they got a pass rushing specialist in the draft when they snagged Barkevious Mingo with the 6th overall pick. Their defense should keep them in a lot of games. If they can use the formula of feeding Richardson the ball, keeping Weeden from making mistakes, and playing good defense, they could sneak up on people and be in the wild card hunt.

What I Don't Like: They are stuck in a really tough division. Any way you slice it they are behind the other three teams in the North. I worry about Weeden and his weapons on offense. I just don't think they have enough playmakers to help them get over the hump. If Weeden stumbles, then they are in serious trouble. Their schedule isn't too bad, but it features three sets of back-to-back games on the road. Plus, they have trips to Green Bay and New England in there as well. The Browns are an intriguing pick, but they seem like a team that is a year away.

Prediction: 6-10 and last in the AFC North.

AFC SOUTH
1-Houston Texans
What I Like: The Texans benefit from being in weak division. If they were in the AFC North, then I would be a little worried about them this season, but they are in the South, so they can use that to get them into the playoffs. When you look at this team, their strength is in their defense. J.J. Watt sets the tone in the pass rush, Brian Cushing and Brooks Reed add to the LB corps, and Johnathan Joseph anchors the secondary. The addition of Ed Reed could potentially be a home run for them in big games this season. Arian Foster is the man that fuels the offense, and Matt Schaub got the monkey off his back after winning his first playoff game last year, and now the Texans could be primed for a big run. Their schedule is very friendly at times. After their game at Kansas City on October 20th, the Texans will have four homes games, a bye week, and one road game at Arizona on November 10th. That slate includes a three game homestand against Oakland, Jacksonville, and New England. Every year, a team gets hot at the right time and marches all the way to the Super Bowl. I could see that happening to the Texans this year.

What I Don't Like: I am a little worried about them offensively. Obviously, Arian Foster is a great player, but the key will be if they can find weapons to surround Andre Johnson. Plus, Foster is banged up heading into the season which is never a good sign. It is hard for rookie wide receivers to come in a make an huge impact early, and the Texans are looking for that in DeAndre Hopkins. Also, can their offense sustain over the long haul of a season? If a team takes away Foster, and their running game, then the Texans will have trouble catching up and winning those big games.

Prediction: 11-5 and winners of the AFC South

2-Indianapolis Colts
What I Like: Andrew Luck is going to be a superstar in the NFL, and he is the next big thing as far as QBs go. He was great last year as a rookie, and you know he is going to continue to get better. Luck could literally take this team on his back and win 11 games again. It is all about Luck in Indy now, and he is the main reason this team will be contending in the playoffs for the next 10 years. They have a pretty friendly schedule, and their two toughest road games are at SF and at Houston. It will surprise no one if they take the next step and win the AFC South outright.

What I Don't Like: The Colts were the surprise of the NFL last year, so they won't sneak up on anyone this year. They won so many close games last year, and that usually doesn't translate over the next season. They are bound to lose more games that are decided late this year. Luck may be better than he was last year, but that doesn't guarantee that the team will be better and that they will win 11 games again. Plus, one of the most underrated storylines going into this season is head coach Chuck Pagano. The Colts played well under interim coach Bruce Arians last year when Pagano was in the hospital. What if we realize that once the season gets going, Pagano isn't really a great head coach? It is certainly a question that has to be asked. The Colts could very easily play well this year and take the next step, but I have a feeling that regress just a little bit. Look for a down year in Indy.

Prediction: 8-8 and third in the AFC South

3-Tennessee Titans
What I Like: Every year in the NFL there is a team that has absolutely no business, rhyme or reason to make a surprise playoff appearance. Last year, the Vikings were that team. I could envision a scenario where the Titans could be that team. If Christian Ponder can get his team to the playoffs, then why not Jake Locker? Forget about Locker for a second, they have nice 1-2 punch with Chris Johnson and Shonn Greene in the backfield. They addressed their awful offensive line by adding OG Andy Levitre and drafted Chance Warmack in the first round. They added a minor piece in TE Delanie Walker too. I love the move that they added on defense by getting SS Bernard Pollard. Their defense was pretty bad last year, but the best defense is a good offense. If the Titans can control the ball on the ground and Locker limits his mistakes, then maybe they could surprise some people.

What I Don't Like: Their schedule does scare the shit out of me at points. They open up with two road games: at Pittsburgh and at Houston. They play Seattle and San Francisco back-to-back in Weeks 6 and 7. They also have the dreaded three-game road slate against Oakland, Indy, and Denver. If Locker struggles, then they are in deep trouble. Is their enough talent on defense to get key stops? It remains to be seen. They aren't as good as Indy or Houston, and anytime you have QB questions, that is never a good omen for a season. Look, they could be an ultimate sleeper team this year, but it is very likely to believe that the Titans will fall flat and bomb out with another losing season.

Prediction: 6-10 and third in the AFC South

4-Jacksonville Jaguars
What I Like: They have an owner who has the best mustache in all of pro sports! They have new uniforms and cool helmets that are two-toned! They drafted a LT in Luke Joeckel with the second overall pick in April's draft. Maurice Jones-Drew is still there. Things can't be as worse as they were last year when they went 2-14. Right?

What I Don't Like: When your QB battle is between Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne then that is all you need to know about the Jaguars. Does anyone even know who they hired as their head coach? There really isn't much to like about the Jags, so just hope they suck again and move them to Los Angeles and get them out of the NFL purgatory.

Prediction: 2-14 and last in the AFC South

AFC WEST
1-Kansas City Chiefs
What I Like: Anytime you change your head coach from Romeo Crennel to Andy Reid that is a big upgrade. Anytime you chance your QB from Matt Cassel to Alex Smith that is an upgrade. Also, did you know that the Chiefs have five Pro Bowlers from last year's 2-14 season? The Chiefs turned the ball over like a JV football team last year. It was insane how badly they played all year long. You can't play that poorly two years in a row. Plus, things got so bad for the Chiefs that one of their players, Jovan Belcher, actually killed himself and his girlfriend during the season. This season stands to get better for the Chiefs. They also have a friendly schedule that includes the AFC South and out of division games against Cleveland and Buffalo. They have five home games out of their first eight games. The AFC West is winnable-especially with the Broncos beat up and dealing with the Von Miller suspension, so the Chiefs have all the makings of a team that makes that huge leap from one year to the next.

What I Don't Like: Getting Andy Reid to become the new head coach was an upgrade over Romeo Crennel, but Reid can get a little dicey in a big spot as the head man. He is good coach, but let's not confuse him with Bill Belichick. The same goes for Alex Smith. He is way better than Matt Cassel, but the Niners did get better on offense when they benched Smith in favor of Colin Kaepernick. I can't get over watching Smith unable to complete a downfield pass for basically an entire half in the NFC Championship against the Giants a few years ago. We will see if Smith and Reid's faults crop up at the worst time for the Chiefs this year.

Prediction: 10-6 and winners of the AFC West

2-Denver Broncos
What I Like: Peyton Manning feels comfortable and looks a lot healthier this year than he was last year. When Manning is feeling comfortable, then that is very dangerous for the rest of the NFL. Manning can still play at a high level, and he should be able to continue that this year. He has proven that when he is on his game, he is arguably the best QB to ever play. Denver's offense could be really lethal with the addition of WR Wes Welker. The trio of Welker, Demaryius Thomas, and Eric Decker is a pretty unstoppable force. Don't forget about a TE group that includes Joel Dressen, Jacob Tamme, and the emerging Julius Thomas. Ryan Clady will be back healthy from offseason shoulder surgery, and the Broncos offensive line is one of the best in the AFC. They have a manageable schedule with a weak division, the AFC South, and four out of their first six at home. Two tough road games on the schedule feature the Giants and Indy. You think Manning will be a little pumped up to go up against his brother and his old team? I think he will. As long as you have Peyton, you have a chance to make the playoffs.

What I Don't Like: The Broncos defense is a mess right now. Von Miller's six-game suspension to start the season is really going to hurt this team. Their defense will have a tough time recovering from his absence. Losing Elvis Dumervil to the Ravens was bad enough, but to not have Miller to start the year will be irreplaceable. Plus, the Broncos are so banged up on both sides of the ball. Champ Bailey is hurt, and he might not play Week 1. Their center situation is a mess, and there are real question marks   at their running back position. They might be putting too much on Manning's shoulder. This is a make or break year for the Broncos. Everyone had them in the Super Bowl about a month ago, and all that hype is never a good thing. The Broncos will be lucky and fortunate to be 3-3 after the first six games, and that might really hurt their chances this season. Things just don't look so rosy for the Broncos at this point heading into the 2013 season.

Prediction: 9-7 and a Wild Card Berth

3-San Diego Chargers
What I Like: I still believe that Phillip Rivers is a really good QB. The last few years have been rough on him because the talent around him has been depleted. If Rivers can get hot, then he could at least keep the Chargers competitive and in the wild card hunt all year long. They are in a weak division, and their schedule is favorable at the end. Four of their last five games are at home with Oakland and KC coming to San Diego to finish off the year.

What I Don't Like: They have been really hurt by injuries this offseason. Melvin Ingram was hurt during OTAs, and WRs Malcolm Floyd and Danario Alexander suffered really bad injuries in training camp. Their offensive line is still a question mark, and I'm not sold on Manti Te'o suddenly reinvigorating their defense. I like what Mike McCoy did as the Broncos offensive coordinator the last two seasons, but he had Peyton Manning last year, and the year before he had Tebowmania sweep through the nation. We'll see how he does as a first year head coach, but I have a reason to be skeptical. The Chargers seem like a team that might struggle a lot this year, and look towards 2014 as the year they turn it around.

Prediction: 6-10 and third in the AFC West

4-Oakland Raiders
What I Like: GM Reggie McKenzie inherited a mess when he took over a few years ago, and it will take time for him to turn this franchise around. I like how he just decided to suck it up and clear out all the dead weight from the salary cap and basically take one on the chin this year to build for the future. Their schedule is set up so they have five of their first eight games at home. Maybe that gives them a chance to get off to a decent start. No one believes that the Raiders are going to be any good this year, but that usually can help a team and give them motivation to play hard every week and surprise some teams early on.

What I Don't Like: Matt Flynn is probably destined to be a career backup, and all indications point to Terelle Pryor starting the season at QB. If you have a team that is rebuilding, then it is really going to hurt you when you have a QB that is very shaky. On the surface it looks like the Raiders might be playing themselves into contention for the #1 overall pick in next year's draft.

Prediction: 3-13 and last in the AFC West

Quick AFC Recap:
AFC East
1-New England (10-6)
2-Miami (9-7)
3-NY Jets (8-8)
4-Buffalo (6-10)

AFC North
1-Pittsburgh (10-6)
2-Baltimore (8-8)
3-Cincy (8-8)
4-Cleveland (6-10)

AFC South
1-Houston (11-5)
2-Indy (8-8)
3-Tennessee (6-10)
4-Jacksonville (2-14)

AFC West
1-Kansas City (10-6)
2-Denver (9-7)
3-San Diego (6-10)
4-Oakland (3-13)

AFC Playoff Seeds
1-Houston-South
2-Pittsburgh-North
3-New England-East
4-Kansas City-West
5-Denver-Wild Card
6-Miami-Wild Card

AFC Playoff Predictions
Wild Card Round
3-New England over 6-Miami (Brady and Belichick make it to the Divisional Round for the fourth straight year)
4-KC over 5-Denver (Peyton Manning goes 0-2 as a Broncos starting QB in the playoffs, and the Chiefs win their first playoff game since 1993)

Divisional Round
1-Houston over 4-KC (Houston makes their first ever AFC Championship Game appearance)
2-Pittsburgh over 3-NE (The Steelers get back to the AFC Championship with a huge win over their old rivals)

AFC Championship
1-Houston over 2-Pittsburgh (The Texans make their first ever Super Bowl appearance in franchise history)

Super Bowl
New Orleans over Houston (Sean Payton and Drew Brees get back on top a year after the Bountygate scandal)

2013 NFL Predictions-Part 1: The NFC

Before I unveil my 2013 NFL predictions, I need to go back and review what happened in the 2012 NFL season. Since the advent of the Salary Cap, the NFL has seen unforeseen "parity" between their teams. Usually, on average six teams that made the playoffs the year before will drop out, and six new teams will make the playoffs. Last year completely flipped the script. A total of eight teams returned to the playoffs from the year before. That was by far the highest number since the NFL realigned in 2002. Also, three out of the four AFC and NFC Championship teams returned back to the title games (NE, Baltimore, and SF.) In the AFC, all four teams in the Divisional Round were the same as the year before (NE, Baltimore, Denver, and Houston.) There might not be any significant reason as to why that happened, but I would expect there to be more changes to the playoff picture this year, and I think it will go back to the way it was in the past. In my predictions, I added six new teams to the playoff mix, and I removed six teams that made it the year before. I also added two teams that lost at least 10 games last year into the playoff mix this year. You can't just assume that status quo will continue for this year. You have the think that the NFL will get back to its' crazy and unpredictable ways in 2013, so I took some chances with my picks and had a little fun along the way. Up first is the NFC......

NFC EAST

1-New York Giants
What I Like: The Giants missed the playoffs last season at 9-7, and every time the Giants are doubted, they usually rise up to the challenge. This year feels like one of those years where the G-Men say "Fuck it, we are going to make up for last year's shitty second half performance and take back the division." Their schedule gives them one break: They have a three game home stand in November (Oakland, Green Bay, and Dallas), and they don't travel at all from October 27th to December 1st. They got Victor Cruz locked up to a long-term deal, and now Eli Manning has Cruz and Hakeem Nicks ready to go for this offense. The addition of TE Brandon Myers was a very intriguing move, and adding T Justin Pugh in the first round of the draft should help solidify their offensive line.  The Giants offense should be able to put up plenty of points if they stay healthy. Defensively, you have to expect Jason Pierre-Paul to have a bounce back season, and the addition of Cullen Jenkins just feels like the right fit on that defensive line. A lot of these players have won a Super Bowl with this organization, and it seems like they are on track to get things going in that direction once again.

What I Don't Like: The Giants always seem to start out 6-2 and then fade after midseason. It is especially concerning for a team that features a franchise quarterback and a Hall of Fame caliber head coach. This team did lose some key veterans this offseason (Chris Canty, Ahmad Bradshaw, Osi Umenyiora, and Martellus Bennett), and you never know how new players will step up to fill those roles. The NFC East is always a demanding grind, and the Giants have to deal with a new coach in Philly, RG III in Washington, and the desperate Cowboys. The schedule isn't too forgiving either. They open at Dallas and host the Broncos in Manning Bowl III. They have back-to-back road games at Carolina and Kansas City to finish September. Also, the Giants face the NFC North this year, which is an improved division, and they have to play the Seahawks, who are one of the elite teams in entire league.

Prediction: 11-5 and winners of the NFC East

2-Dallas Cowboys
What I Like: The Cowboys played in the final regular season game two years in a row with the division on the line, and they lost both times. Aren't they due to break through and make the playoffs this year? Not much has changed on their roster, and they locked up Tony Romo with a long-term extension. Romo is one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL, and there should be plenty of motivation for him to get the Cowboys into the playoffs and on a deep run. The talent is certainly there with the likes of Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Miles Austin, and DeMarco Murray. The addition of C Travis Frederick should help their offensive line, and the return of Sean Lee should help their defense. Maybe the disappointment of the last two seasons will catapult the 'Boys back into the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

What I Don't Like: It is the same story every year for this franchise. They have loads of talent, but they just can't get it done in crunch time. It is basically the same group of players from the past few years, but maybe this is just a group that simply can't get over the hump. I like Jason Garrett's demeanor as a head coach, but he is very spotty in big games as a game manager. Some of his decisions the last few years have been pretty weak. Their schedule isn't friendly either. Outside of the competitive NFC East, they have to deal with a road slate that includes games at Kansas City, Detroit, New Orleans, and Chicago. This team could definitely make the playoffs and win the division, but it feels like another year where they come up short.

Prediction: 8-8 and second in the NFC East

3-Washington Redskins
What I Like: The Redskins won the division last year on the play of Robert Griffin III. He proved to be worth all of those draft picks that Mike Shanahan gave up to go get him. RG III was sensational as a rookie, and it sounds like he is responding well to his offseason rehab to repair a knee he tore up in last year's playoff loss to the Seahawks. RG III will probably end up playing in the season opener against Philly. The other key component to this team was RB Alfred Morris. Morris was a beast in that pistol attack, and the Skins can keep defenses off balance with their Zone Read option game. Their defense is solid, and many of the key players on that unit will be back this year from injury. If RG III is healthy, this team will be in every game, and they will be very dangerous.

What I Don't Like: Unfortunately, RG III and his health will be a determining factor for the Redskins all year long. Although he will be back for Week 1, there is no guarantee that he will be healthy all year. Teams are going to do their homework on ways to stop him and that offense. They might not totally stop him, but they might find ways to slow the Redskins down. They are not going to be able to sneak up on people this year and surprise them. This schedule is very tough, and it includes trips to Denver, Green Bay, Minnesota, and Atlanta. They also host Chicago and San Francisco. It looks like one of those years where the breaks don't go their way, and the Skins take a step back in 2013.

Prediction: 8-8 and third place in the NFC East

4- Philadelphia Eagles
What I Like: Chip Kelly is the new head coach in Philly, and the guy is a program builder. He wins where ever he goes, and he will be a breath of fresh air for the Eagles. He inherits a team with talent. The Eagles still have LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and Brent Celek. If they can get Michael Vick going again, then they may be onto something. They addressed their offensive line by drafting OT Lane Johnson with the number four pick in the draft. I like the pick of TE Zach Ertz from Stanford in round two as well. The addition of Conor Barwin at OLB and NT Isaac Sopoaga should also help out their defense. With Kelly running the show, the element of surprise will be there, and they might enough to catch some teams off guard, and the Eagles could have a bounce back season on their hands.

What I Don't Like: As much as I like Kelly as a coach, I am a little leery about how his style will work in his first NFL season. He can't expect to run his Oregon offense at this level and be successful. If Vick is shot, then the options at QB are Nick Foles and rookie Matt Barkley, who fell to Philly all the way in the fourth round of the draft. Questions at QB are not what you want in your first year as a NFL head coach.  They will be in the mix for awhile in the NFC, but I just think it is too much to ask for Kelly to get this turned around so quick. Look for the Eagles to make their leap a year from now.

Prediction: 6-10 and last in the NFC East

NFC NORTH
1-Green Bay Packers
What I Like: It is pretty simple with the Packers: They have Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the league doesn't. In this day and age of the NFL, the passing game rules, and if you have an elite guy like Rodgers, then your team is in really good shape every year. Although they lost, Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, the Packers still have Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, James Jones and Jermichael Finley as their core group of weapons around Rodgers. I liked the moves to select RBs Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin in the draft as well. Defensively, they struggled at times last year, but when you have an offense like Green Bay does, you can afford to be less than stout on the defensive side of the ball. Put it this way: Their defense only has to focus on getting red zone stops and turnovers. Leave the rest to the offense. Unless injuries get in the way, look for the Packers to right in the middle of the contenders to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

What I Don't Like: The departures of Charles Woodson, Greg Jennings, and Donald Driver amongst other veterans could leave the Packers without some key veteran leadership and locker room guys. You always get a little nervous when key veterans are let go to make room for some young talent. Their defense was exposed in the playoffs last year, and that has to concern them a little heading into this season. Their schedule is not easy either. They have to deal with the AFC North including a trip to Baltimore and Cincy. Also, they draw the NFC East out of division. The Packers will have tough road games at the Giants and Dallas. They open the season at San Francisco then host the Redskins, so the early slate could be tricky. Finally, should we worry about Aaron Rodgers and his broken friendship with Ryan Braun affecting his play?

Prediction: 11-5 and winners of the NFC North

2-Detroit Lions
What I Like: The Lions were a mess a year ago. They were 4-4 at the midway point, then they collapsed and finished the season on an eight game losing streak. This year could be different. They seem like a team that can bounce back from last year's disappointment. The main reason is they have loads of talent led by Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson. Adding Reggie Bush was a really solid move for their offense. Ndamukong Suh took a step back last year, but they added Ezekiel Ansah in the draft, and that move could really spark their pass rush again. This team didn't handle winning well last year, and now after being knocked back to reality, the Lions could be ready to make a run at the playoffs once again. There is too much talent for them not to make a run.

What I Don't Like: You always have to be concerned about a team that fails to live up to expectations and falls flat like the Lions did last year. My biggest concern is attributed to their head coach. Jim Schwartz did a nice job rebuilding this team two years ago, but last year he was a reason why they didn't perform well. He needs to step up his game as well. I worry that Schwartz might be in over his head, and that would worry me from a Lions perspective. Their schedule is difficult early. They have four road games in their first six contests (Arizona, Washington, GB, and Cleveland.) If they falter early, they might not recover.

Prediction: 10-6 and a wild card berth

3-Chicago Bears
What I Like: When you finish 10-6, then there really isn't concern to blow up the roster and start over. The Bears did miss the playoffs last year, but they still won 10 games, so this team isn't rebuilding. New head coach Marc Trestman will try to generate more out of the Bears offense and Jay Cutler. Cutler has been surrounded with some really good players at his disposal. Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffrey, and Matt Forte are back and should help Cutler and Trestman get this offense going. They added Martellus Bennett at TE, and that gives Cutler another weapon. The Bears always seem to need help on the offensive line and they addressed that by drafting Kyle Long to help them at guard. Four out of their first six games are at home (Cincy, Minnesota, New Orleans, and the Giants), so they might be able to get off to a solid start. If Cutler finally reaches his potential, then watch out.

What I Don't Like: Losing a guy like Brian Urlacher from a leadership standpoint would definitely concern me. Plus, as well as the Bears have been on defense, age might just catch up to them at this point. As talented as guys like Cutler and Marshall are, they seem to always be around coaching changes. How many times to we have to hear about Cutler and new offensive schemes and coordinators? Maybe if he played more consistently at times, they wouldn't be going through all those changes. Cutler and Marshall have never been on a team together and led that team to the playoffs. In fact, Cutler has been in the league since 2006, and has played in only two playoff games during that span. Perhaps Cutler and Marshall just don't have what it takes to get it done.

Prediction: 8-8 and third in the NFC North

4-Minnesota Vikings
What I Like: You have to love that the Vikings have Adrian Peterson. What Peterson did last year was simply incredible. If he stays healthy, then he is one of five best players in the NFL, and that will give the Vikings a chance to win some games. They added Greg Jennings to bolster their receiving corps, and their defense was solid. If Christian Ponder can continue to progress, then the Vikes could have a chance to contend for a playoff spot once again. The Vikes want to control the game with Peterson, and let their defense create turnovers. It worked a year ago, and it could work again.

What I Don't Like: The Vikings surprised everyone last year on their way to a 10-6 season and playoff berth, but they won't sneak up on anyone this year. Ponder still scares me, and I don't trust him. If he falters, then the Vikings will turn to Matt Cassel. That's not what you want to hear if you are a Vikings fan. Their schedule isn't easy because they are in a very tough division. They have to deal with the NFC East and the AFC North. They have trips to the Giants, Dallas, Baltimore and Cincy. They also open up with two road games (Detroit and Chicago.) The Vikings look like a team that exceeded expectations a year ago but will fall flat this year.

Prediction: 5-11 and last in the NFC North.

NFC SOUTH
1-New Orleans Saints
What I Like: The Saints were clearly battered by the bounty scandal, and it translated into a subpar 7-9 season last year. Enter the return of head coach Sean Payton, a smoother offseason, and a refreshed franchise with a bit of chip on its' shoulder, and the 2013 New Orleans Saints have the classic makings of a bounce back team. The Saints also have Drew Brees, who continues to play at a very high level. Look, there is no doubt that the Saints will improve on their 7-9 record just simply based on the fact that Payton returns. The Saints will be playing with a chip on their shoulder all season long, and they will be a very dangerous team come playoff time. Their schedule is pretty favorable because they match up with the AFC East, and the NFC West. They get layups with Miami, Buffalo, and Arizona at home, and they get to host the Niners as well. This has the makings of big year down in the Bayou.

What I Don't Like: The Saints defense was atrocious last season, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo got the boot in a surprise move. His replacement was none other than Rob Ryan. Ryan is the most overrated defensive coordinator in the NFL. The guy gets so much face time on television, and his defenses never seem to line the right way, they always seem confused on what coverage they are in, and they never get a stop in a big spot. I know they made some moves to shore up that unit (Drafting Kenny Vaccaro in the first round of the draft), but Ryan scares me. At least they have that offense to help them out.

Prediction: 12-4 and winners of the NFC South

2-Atlanta Falcons
What I Like: I was very skeptical of the Falcons and Matt Ryan going into last season, but Ryan and this team won me over. Watching Ryan develop into a elite level QB last year makes it very difficult for me to bet against them this year. Their trio of Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez is on par with any other receiving corps in the NFL. I really like the move to add RB Steven Jackson as well. Their schedule gives them a nice gives them a nice boost. They don't have to travel from September 29th through October 20th. Those home games include New England, the Jets, and Tampa Bay with a bye week thrown in. This organization is well run from ownership all the way down to head coach Mike Smith. I just can't see them faltering this year. They'll use the NFC Championship loss as motivation all year long.

What I Don't Like: I wonder if the scars from blowing a 17-0 lead at home in the NFC Championship to San Francisco will be hovering over this team all year long. Realistically, the Falcons should have been in the Super Bowl last year, but they collapsed and lost a brutal game. Can the Falcons use it as motivation or will they be swallowed up by that defeat all season long?

Prediction: 10-6 and a wild card berth

3-Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What I Like: I think Greg Schiano is going to be a really good head coach, and I was impressed by him last year in a 7-9 season. The big move in the offseason was acquiring Darrelle Revis in a trade with the Jets. If Revis is healthy, then he still is the best CB in the game. Having Revis and S Dashon Goldson in the same secondary should vastly improve that pass defense. I know Josh Freeman is up and down, but I like him more than other people, and in a contract year, I think you can expect the best from Freeman in 2013. Throw in Doug Martin and Vincent Jackson and this is a team on the rise, and they only face four teams that made the playoffs in 2012. Look for the Bucs to be in the playoff hunt all season long.

What I Don't Like: They are in a tough division. No game is an easy one in the NFC South. The Saints will be much better, the Falcons are very good, and the Panthers are no slouch. The Bucs could have a good season and not even make the playoffs. If Freeman has a down year, then they are dead in the water.

Prediction: 8-8 and third in the NFC South.

4-Carolina Panthers
What I Like: The Panthers rebounded really well down the stretch last year. They won their last four games to finish the year at 7-9. I do believe that a strong finish can carry over to the next season. The Panthers look like a team that can fit that mold. If they can find a way to utilize Cam Newton the right way, then the sky is the limit for them and their offense. If Newton plays the way he is capable every week, then he can carry this team to a wild card spot. Don't forget about MLB Luke Kuechly. He had a really good rookie year, and he could be on his way to becoming one the game's best young linebackers.

What I Don't Like: Head coach Ron Rivera is shaky. Owner Jerry Richardson almost pulled the plug on him last year, and that can't give you a boatload of confidence in him heading into this year. As talented as Newton is, you have to worry about his mental makeup. You don't want your franchise QB to be a basket case, and Newton showed signs of that last year. If he is shaky and falters, then the Panthers have no chance of being competitive. Their division is very tough, and that could bury their chances of making a playoff run. Their schedule is manageable, but if they got bombed at home in Week 1 to Seattle, then their season could spiral out of control-especially with the Giants looming in Week 3.

Prediction: 6-10 and last in the NFC South.

NFC West
1-Seattle Seahawks
What I Like: The Seahawks finished really strong last season, and they were so close to advancing to the NFC Championship Game until Matt Ryan and the Falcons broke their hearts in the waning moments of the Divisional Round. The key to their run last year focused on QB Russell Wilson. After being a very average quarterback early in the season, Wilson caught fire in the second half and propelled this team to new heights. Of all the young QBs on the rise, Wilson is the most intriguing. You have the feeling that Wilson won't regress that much at all, and he will continue to get better. Put it this way: Wilson just seems to have the "It" factor. He could very well end up as a MVP candidate at the end of this season. There is also a lot of other factors that you like about this team. Pete Carroll's mentality seems to really rub off on this team. Marshawn Lynch continues to drive the running game, and their defense is very solid. They added Cliff Avril to their pass rush, and they feature one of the best secondaries in all of football with Richard Sherman, Brandon Browner and Earl Thomas. Throw in the best home field advantage, and Seattle is a legitimate NFC contender. You have to like their schedule. They open up at Carolina, home against the Niners, and home against Jacksonville. They finish with two home games against Arizona and St. Louis. Last year might have just provided us with a glimpse of how good this team could be in 2013.

What I Don't Like: What happens if Wilson doesn't play as well as he did last year? It could certainly happen. If Wilson struggles, then this team could find itself in some trouble. Perhaps the rest of the Seahawks opponents will go to town on preparing for Wilson, and his play will digress a little this year. Plus, new addition Percy Harvin has to undergo hip surgery, so who knows if he makes any contribution at all this year. A lot of people are high on the Seahawks, and that does open the door for them to disappoint. Maybe all that pressure gets to them, and they struggle at times. It is unlikely with that talent on the roster, but sometimes crazy things happen in a season.

Prediction: 12-4 and winners of the NFC West

2-San Francisco 49ers
What I Like: Jim Harbaugh is the best head coach in the NFL, and he has built a remarkable roster. Colin Kaepernick blossomed into a star last year, and the sky is certainly the limit for him and that offense. The Niners have talent in every facet of their team. They have weapons on offense (Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, and Anquan Boldin), a stout offensive line,  and great front seven players on defense (Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Justin Smith, and Aldon Smith). The team was built with an attitude, and plays nasty from start to finish. Getting to the Super Bowl last year should fuel them to get back and win it this year. They have played five playoff games in the last two years, so playoff experience is now in their favor.

What I Don't Like: Although he was very impressive in a small sample size, can Colin Kaepernick keep it up throughout the whole season? With his style of play, injuries could play a factor. Plus, what happens if defenses catch up to him and that offense this year. Losing Michael Crabtree to an Achilles injury was a big loss for them. Also, as good as their defense plays, their secondary seemed to be exposed in the playoffs last year. Losing Dashon Goldson can't help, and I would be very concerned about their secondary holding up throughout the year. Their schedule is tricky because they open up with four games against playoff teams in their first five: Green Bay, at Seattle, Indy, and Houston. Their schedule also features back-to-back road games twice. They should be good, and they should be in contention all year, but something tells me that they are going to regress this year. It might only be for one season, but I think the Niners surprisingly take a step back in 2013.

Prediction: 9-7 and second in the NFC West

3-St. Louis Rams
What I Like: Jeff Fisher has this franchise going in the right direction. People forget that they were 7-8-1 last year, and they beat SF once and tied them the other time. I loved their draft when they were able to get WR Tavon Austin and LB Alec Ogletree. They added LT Jake Long in free agency to solidify the offensive line. If you give Sam Bradford a chance, then he can prove to be the franchise QB they drafted a few years ago. Their defense is going to be their strong point, and it will not surprise me to see them ranked very high this year on defense. This is definitely a team on the rise. They will be a tough out each week.

What I Don't Like: They are stuck in a very tough division. Seattle and SF are two of the best teams in the entire league. It will be hard to jump into the playoffs when you have to play those teams four times a year. If Austin doesn't make an impact on WR in his rookie year, then you have to worry about their playmakers on offense. They lost RB Steven Jackson, and that can't help their offense either. In addition to their division, the Rams must contend with Houston and Indy in the AFC South, and they have to deal with the tough NFC South as well. Their final six games include the Bears, at SF, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and at Seattle. The Rams might be a year away from contending the NFC West.

Prediction: 8-8 and third in the NFC West

4-Arizona Cardinals
What I Like: It is hard to remember that the Cardinals were actually 4-0 to start the season last year, and they were one of the surprising stories early on. Things crashed badly for them, and they finished 5-11. The Cards hired Bruce Arians as their new head coach, and you have to be inspired by that hire. If Arians is given a chance, there is some thought that he could actually turn this franchise around. As average as Carson Palmer has been the last season and a half, he is a significant upgrade over the Cardinals QBs from last year. Arizona also features one of most dynamic CB/Punt Returner in the NFL in Patrick Peterson. The only place the Cards can go is up, so it wouldn't be too shocking to see them get a little better this upcoming season.

What I Don't Like: They are stuck in a very difficult division, and the Cards are very far away from threatening the other three teams in the West. As good of a job that Arians did in Indy last year, there is still the chance that he is not going to be a great head coach, and he is the kind of coach that is better just being a coordinator. Their defense seems to be in a good spot, but their offense could really struggle even with the addition of Palmer at QB. In addition to their division, they have to face the NFC South which will give them trouble. There just doesn't seem a way that the Cardinals will be able to challenge for a playoff spot, and they look like one of the teams that could be fighting for the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Prediction: 4-12 and last in the NFC West

Quick NFC Recap:
NFC East
1-Giants (11-5)
2-Dallas (8-8)
3-Washington (8-8)
4-Philly (6-10)

NFC North
1-Green Bay (10-6)
2-Detroit (10-6)
3-Chicago (8-8)
4-Minnesota (5-11)

NFC South
1-New Orleans (12-4)
2-Atlanta (10-6)
3-Tampa Bay (8-8)
4-Carolina (6-10)

NFC West
1-Seattle (12-4)
2-San Francisco (9-7)
3-St. Louis (8-8)
4-Arizona (4-12)

NFC Playoff Seeds:
1-New Orleans-South
2-Seattle-West
3-NY Giants-East
4-Green Bay-North
5-Detroit-Wild Card
6-Atlanta-Wild Card

NFC Playoff Predictions
Wild Card Round:
3-NY Giants over 6-Atlanta (Giants beat the Falcons for the second time in three years in the Wild Card Round)
4-Green Bay over 5-Detroit (The Packers get to the Divisional Round for the fourth straight season)

Divisional Round:
4-Green Bay over 1-Seattle (The Packers upset the Seahawks and get revenge for last year's "Fail Mary" debacle)
2-New Orleans over 3-NY Giants (The Saints get back to the NFC Championship for the first time since 2009)


NFC Championship
1-New Orleans over 4-Green Bay (In an epic shootout, Drew Brees outlasts Aaron Rodgers, and the Saints return to the Super Bowl)