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So I was bored at work and decided to do some premature picks. This won't be the last...Kind of like Don Banks doing the mock draft, three different updates a day and the only change is some RB is moved up one spot. I'll try not to be THAT annoying.

Let's start with the overall leaders thus far...CRAP! There a few legitimately good teams in this league right now. Okay, so the Titans are undefeated, but against who? They barely beat the Ravens with a rookie quaterback and coach. In fact, the Titans didn't win the game, the Ravens lost it (as usual, different story). I think there are only three decent teams right now...Giants, Redskins, and Buccaneers. Maybe Panthers. Maybe Steelers.  What the frick happened to the AFC? Where are the Colts and the Chargers? Patriots at least have an excuse in losing Tom Brady for the season, but they're still playing better than Indiancrapolis and San Di-sucko. We'll see how Titans look in the coming weeks.

And of the decent teams out there, who's been tested? I say only the Buccaneers and Panthers. I have trouble respecting the other top teams records. I believe the Giants and Redskins are good teams. Their schedules haven't been the most challenging, but not gimmes either. I don't know what to think of the Cowboys. They could win the superbowl or they could be a huge flop, the 2008 Detroit Tigers of the NFL. Who knows. And what about the Eagles? If they can get enough wins to be in the playoffs and Brian Westbrook and Donovan McNabb are both healthy, they could win the whole thing. Problem? Every team in your division is a possible Superbowl team this year. Getting into the playoffs in the NFC will be a battle this year. Unfortunately, the west and north divisions are required to have representatives in the playoffs. That's not really fair when the only NFC teams playing professional level football are in the east and south divisions this year. Speaking of which...Seahawks, WHAT THE #$%@?!?!? Mike Holmgren, what are doing over there? "Yeah, it's my last year here. I'm kind of sick of my free ticket to the playoffs. Let's start 1-5 and see if we can still do it." Worst part: in the NFC West, it's possible. Anyway, I digress... All 8 teams in the NFC East and South are playoff capable.  The Bears and the Packers are possible threats to maybe win a playoff game, but I doubt it. If I had to pick one, it'd be 'da Bearz. NFC West? Who cares, whoever plays that team is getting the third playoff bye. 

On the other hand, the AFC is practically decided. I don't know how the Titans can't make it to the playoffs. 6-0's a pretty good bid for playing in January. Bills and Steelers are pretty safe too. Bills, because they don't have that tough of a schedule. Steelers, because the Ravens are the only team who's going to "compete" for the division, and they'll be lucky to go 8-8 this year. So, I'm not saying it's impossible that they can catch the Steelers, but I'm from Baltimore. Things don't go our way.  AFC West could go either way between the Chargers and the Broncos being so inconsistent. Same time, I don't think either will be much of a presence in the playoffs, more like a formality. Much like the NFC West representative...celebrate your division best 8-8 record, undeservingly get a playoff home game, lose epically to a team with a legitimate record. 

The fight for the AFC wildcard spots should be interesting, but not as much as the NFC. Patriots of course have a good chance. One thing I've learned, never count out the Patriots. Bill Belichick may be Satan himself. This year is like good sporting for him, it might actually be a challenge this year.  Jaguars have a pretty good shot, too. Colts, not so much. They're not consistent enough and they've got a harder schedule than the rest of their division. Sorry, Peyton, no playoffs for you methinks. Whomever of the Chargers or Broncos don't win that division could maybe, just maybe, be a wildcard team, but probably not. Of course, niether could make it when the Chiefs win out the season, miraculously getting Croyle back in week 16. The headings will read "Brodie Croyle, Superbowl MVP." You say impossible? Well, the Phillies and the Rays are playing in the World Series right now, so you never know...just kidding! Kansas City sucks! 

So, that's how I feel about this year's NFL thus far. Rather disappointing and mediocre. Now that I'm done hinting at my picks, let's see that they really are...

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AFC

1 - South - Titans (12 - 4)

2 - East - Bills (12 - 4)

3 - North - Steelers (10 - 6)

4 - West - Broncos (10 - 6)

5 - Wildcard 1 - Patriots (10 - 6)

6 - Wildcard 2 - Jaguars (10 - 6)

Wannabe - Chargers (9 - 7)

Wannabe - Colts (9 - 7)

Wannabe - Ravens (8 - 8)

Wannabe - Jets (8 - 8) 

NFC

1 - East - Giants (13 - 3) 

2 - South - Buccaneers (11 - 5)

3 - North - Bears (9 - 7)

4 - West - Cardinals (8 - 8)

5 - Wildcard 1 - Redskins (10 - 6)

6 - Wildcard 2 - Panthers (10 - 6)

Wannabe - Eagles (10 - 6)

Wannabe - Cowboys (9 - 7)

Wannabe - Saints (9 - 7)

Wannabe - Vikings (8 - 8) 

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Wildcard week

AFC - Steelers defeat Jaguars and Broncos defeat Patriots

NFC - Panthers defeat Bears and Redskins defeat Cardinals

Divisional Week

AFC - Steelers defeat Bills and Titans defeat Broncos

NFC - Giants defeat Panthers and Redskins defeat Buccaneers

Conference Championships

AFC - Titans defeat Steelers

NFC - Redskins defeat Giants

Superbowl

Redskins defeat Titans 

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That's my forecast as of right now and I don't think it's that rediculous that the Redskins could win the Superbowl this year when you break it all down. However, you can probably pretty sure the Redskins won't win, since I'm picking them so early. 

As for possible comments...

I know I said the AFC West team would probably not do much, but Broncos are a good home team, especially in January. Also, aside from the embarassing loss recently, Shanahan has had Belichick's number.  That's still a difficult pick.

I'm also torn over a possible Steelers vs Bills. I just think the Steelers have a better playoff presence. Their coach is new, but a lot of the players are used to the playoffs. You can't say the same about the Bills. You could also make the argument that the game would be played in Buffalo (according to my seedings), but have you been to Pittsburgh in the winter? IT SUCKS. I have to go up to that God-forsaken city for work often and I've never been there between November and March and have it not snowing and/or sleeting. It's gross. I think the Steelers could handle Buffalo.

There you go, agree or disagre, but let's be honest...If the Chiefs win it all, I called it first! (Chief fans don't count)

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UPDATE 10/24/08

In response to a couple of comments... No **** the Giants are an obstacle. I just think it's not that probable that we'll see them in the Superbowl again. Will I be surprised if they win again? No. They're an excellent team. But the best team in the league doesn't necessarily win the whole thing. Were the Giants the best team in the league last year? They stepped up when they had to. Were the Colts the best team in the league the year before? They were an embarrassment the weeks going into the playoffs, but they pulled it together and won. I think the Redskins have that quality this year. And I'm not saying that because I'm a fan...Yes, they are my neighbor team and I support them, but I don't care that much about the Redskins. 

With regards to the Steelers, they're really not that good. They only look good to due the lack of competition in AFC this year. If they had this schedule last year, they'd have the hardest schedule in the league, but things changed. A lot. Their offensive line is lacking and will eventually take it's toll. If it's a Titans-Steelers AFC Championship, the Steelers will be away against a better defense. The Titans schedule is laxed enough for them to get a #1 seed without too much effort but strong enough to keep them prepared. They'll be a fresher team that late in the playoffs. The Steelers are already beat to hell.