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I have here five bold, surprising predictions for the 2009 NFL season. Here goes nothing.

5. THE BENGALS WILL FINISH 8-8

The Bengals will improve from a dreadful 2008 season where they went 4-11-1. No one on the team had 1,000 rush yards or recieving yards and not even 2600 passing yards as a team. They ranked last in total offense, but 12th in defense. Thats where they improve this year.

With the defense pretty much intact, they added Ray Maualuga to potentially play over Dhani Jones or Rashad Jeanty if need be. The defense is good and young, and if they can get good numbers of a pretty average defensive line, they will be even better.

I see Carson Palmer returning to old form and passing for close to 4,000 yards with Chad Ochocinco and Lavarneus Coles. Chris Henry and Andre Caldwell will need to step up, and I can see that happening. The offensive line is mostly no names, but the Bengals drafted Andre Smith. Now I'm a little worried though about the o-line, because Smith is a tad bit of a baby! But with Palmer's leadership, plus an easy shcedule, I see this team possibly making a run at the playoffs.

4. THE WORST TEAM IN THE AFC WILL BE THE.......DENVER BRONCOS

The Broncos are a mess right now. Josh McDaniels needs to read Coaching for Dummies and the defense needs someone, anyone, who can tackle a pro running back. Kyle Orton is okay, but he does have a somewhat talented offensive group. Brandon Marshall does not count because who knows what team he'll be on or what he'll say tomorrow. The running backs are a mess of possibilites and the o-line took a hit by loosing Tom Nalen.

The defense will kill them. Name a decent guy on that d-line. No one is. The linebackers are better but still bad. DJ Williams is pretty good, but still, Boss Bailey? The corners are Champ Bailey, who did have a down 2008 season, and Josh Bell, who? They did add an aging Brian Dawkins, but he can be a physical prescence and I give them credit for that. B-Dawk will help any team.

Then the coaching scares me most. Josh McDaniels is obviously hitting speed bumps as his first head coaching job, (See Jay Cutler). Plus, the Broncos have a tough schedule. They play Dallas, New England, Pittsburgh, New York Giants, San Diego twice, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and I can see them loosing to the Bengals and Redskins and at least once to the Raiders and Chiefs. Add that up and thats 13 losses, good enough for worst.

3. THE GREEN BAY PACKERS WILL WIN 12 GAMES AND GO TO THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

The Packers have found their next QB gem, Aaron Rodgers. With all the sructiny he faced last year and the fact he threw 28 touchdowns and 4,000 yards is unbeliavable. He will throw 4500 yards and 35 TDs in 09. Ryan Grant should come around after a down year last season for the most part, even though he ended up with 1200 yards. Brandon Jackson will also surprise many defenses. Greg Jenning, Donald Driver, Donald Lee, and James Jones are great recievers and the Pack offense will generate scoring like it did last year but better.

The problem is the defense and they addressed it this offseason. They draftd BJ Rali to generate sacks from the d-line and improve the run d that was 26th in the league last year. They also switched to a 3-4 and Aaron Kampman will play linebacker this year, expanding his duties and talents. Clay Matthews is also very underrated and good. The secondary is there, it was 9th in 08, and the Pack will win 12 games.

2. THE GIANTS OFFENSE WILL RANK IN THE BOTTOM TEN IN THE NFL

The G-Men lost Plaxico Burress and Derrick Ward, two of their major offensive stars last season. Eli Manning is no stud, no franchise qb and without PLaxico, he will struggle. Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith are the top two recievers and thats nothing to be proud of. Kevin Boss is expected to have a breakout year but I don't see anything real big. PLus with Ward gone, the 3-Headed Monster that was the No.1 rushing game in football last year is now a two headed one and much less scarier.

1. THE CAROLINA PANTHERS MISS THE PLAYOFFS AND GO 5-11

The Panthers have one of the hardest schedules, playing 7 games against 08 playoff teams, and the Saints twice, the Patiots, Skins, and Cowboys. They also play the Bucs twice and the Bills. Thats a tough, tough schedule.

DeAngelo Williams will not score 20 touchdowns again and the offense around him will not rank 10th in the league. Jake Delhomme will struggle with age and injury. He is 34 now.

The defense also sucks. It was 18th last year and will be worst with losing Ken Lucas . Chris Gamble is not a No.1 corner and Richard Marshall is not a No.2. The secondary is weak and the front seven isn't much better. Besides Julius Peppers and Jon Beason, no one scares any offenses. The division got tougher around them as did the NFC and the Panthers got worse.

Hope you liked this, feel free to comment.