FanNation - The Republic of Sport

9/7/08

If my baseball prediction for this season are any indication of whether or not I know what I'm talking about when it comes to forecasting the future in the world of sports then keep your expectations of my picks low.

The offseason flew by with a flurry of notable stories, none garnering more attention than the retirment-unretirement-dismissal and relocation of Brett Favre, who unceremoniously left Green Bay after 17 years, finding a new home in New Jersey where he'll take the reigns of the New York Jets.  Favre brings his three MVP's, Super Bowl credentials and endless list of passing records from a team that fell a game shy of a Super Bowl to a team that finished with only 4 wins.

There was the reciever formerly known as Chad Johnson, who now officially (and legally) goes by Chad Ocho Cinco, splitting out wide for the Bengals who also created some controversy when the resigned Chris Henry whom they had released early in the off season after countless arrests and off the field issues.  

There were the injuries to start quarterbacks Peyton Manning (knee) and Tom Brady (foot), neither of whom took a single snap during the pre-season yet both were declared fit for action this coming Sunday.  For any chance of these two perennial playoff field generals meeting in the postseaon they're gonna need to shake off any rust and prove any injuries won't be setbacks.

We'll remember Gene Upshaw, who passed away in early August.  Upshaw made a large impact both playing and as an executive, serving as the head of the NFL players association.  

And last but not least, the title defense of the New York football Giants.  The Giants have been coming up short in the respect department from the media, many of whom simply feel between the highly competitve division they play in and the fact that they may have simply gotten hot at the right time, the champs don't stand much chance repeating.

(NOTE: PICKS WERE MADE BEFORE THURSDAY NIGHTS OPENER)

AFC

EAST

Patriots (12-4)

Jets (10-6)*

Bills (8-8)

Dolphins (6-10)

NORTH

Steelers (11-5)

Ravens (9-7)

Browns (7-9)

Bengals (5-11)

SOUTH

Colts (12-4)

Jaguars (10-6)*

Texans (8-8)

Titans (6-10)

WEST

Chargers (11-5)

Broncos (8-8)

Raiders (4-12)

Chiefs (3-13)

NFC

EAST

Cowboys (12-4)

Giants (11-5)*

Eagles (10-6)*

Redskins (7-9)

NORTH

Vikings (10-6)

Packers (8-8)

Lions (8-8)

Bears (5-11)

SOUTH

Saints (11-5)

Panthers (9-7)

Bucs (7-9)

Falcons (2-14)

WEST

Rams (8-8)

Seahawks (6-10)

Cardinals (5-11)

49ers (4-12)

*wild card winner

MVP: Drew Brees

Off. Player of the Year: Randy Moss

Def. Player of the Year: Jason Taylor

ROY (Off) Darren McFadden

ROY (Def) Glenn Dorsey

Coach of the Year: Mike Tomlin

Playoffs

AFC

Jets over Steelers

Chargers over Jaguars

Patriots over Jets

Colts over Chargers

Colts over Patriots

NFC

Giants over Rams

Eagles over Vikings

Saints over Giants

Cowboys over Eagles

Cowboys over Saints

SUPER BOWL XLIII

Colts over Cowboys

Let me reiterate, I honestly have no confidence what-so-ever in any of my picks, but I'm sticking with them.

Good to have football back.