Predicting teams for the playoffs is not as easy as one might think. As I sit here fresh out of the shower the only thing more refreshing than the feel of my industrial sized fan drying my body is that I have been and continue to be right about the NFL and sports (This second part I’ll save for another day). For the past decade I have been saying that the AFC dwarfs the NFC. Now, I know the Saints won the Superbowl last year (A moment that I will cherish forever. In fact the only thing I enjoy more than remembering Drew “The Hurricane” Brees defeating Manning and the Colts is this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2TZQlVPvjk) But, the depth of the AFC is just staggering compared to the NFC.
I mean I’m sitting here looking at the NY Jets’ schedule. The NY Jets, a team that went deep into the playoffs last year; a team that has had all the attention in the offseason; and a team that has been touted as the next big thing. I’m looking at their schedule and I am having a hard time seeing them get a winning record!! Not because they are bad, or not even because I hate them. The AFC is just that good.
So, with that said. I have to approve of:
AFC North: Ravens
AFC East: Patriots
AFC South: Colts
AFC Westh: Chargers
AFC Wild Card # 1: Texans (Got to Love these underdogs. They get their playoff hopes dashed every year but seem to come back stronger the next.)
AFC Wild Card # 2: And as they say here is where the buck stops. Now I don’t really know what that means but I do know that the second wild card spot will be a heated race between the Titans and the Dolphins, but the Phins will be the ones riding the wave into the playoffs while the Titans will be cast back into Hades or as this metaphor goes… Tennessee.
That is that for the football predictions. Stay tuned for posts on Favre and other sports related topics. Meanwhile we will need some comments on how we decide who wins in the prediction battle and what the grand prize will be.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Dave's NFL predictions 2010 (part 2 AFC)
I hate my AFC playoff predictions. Five of the Six teams picked have a schedule in the top-12 most difficult. Four of the Six teams made the playoffs last year. Three of the Six are in the same division. Mathematically and historically these predictions make almost no sense. Story of my life.
1.) Indianapolis Colts - I spent the better parts of the 2000's hating Peyton Manning and the Colts. Within the past 2-3 years, I've come to enjoy their game, especially the things they can do offensively. Even though New Orleans won the Super Bowl last year, I think this is the best team in the league.
2.) Baltimore Ravens - A lot of people may say this is way too high for the Ravens, but I obviously disagree. Another year of maturation for both Flacco and Rice, as well as an infusion of talented wide receivers and the presence of their top 3 defense should make this team very tough to beat.
3.) New England Patriots - The hometown team has the 6th toughest schedule this season, which definitely plays into this ranking. I expect the offense to perform somewhere between '07 and '09 and the defense to start forcing turnovers.
4.) San Diego Chargers - This is the team I feel is least likely to end up in the playoffs. Luckily for them, the AFC West is a weak division. I think they will struggle to win the division, and could sneak into the playoffs with as few as 9 wins. If some as of yet unknown WR can step up and be the #1 guy they could prove my doubts wrong.
5.) Tennessee Titans - Their season rides on the legs of Chris Johnson and Vince Young (okay, maybe Young's arm as well). If their defense plays well I think the offense will be good enough to win 10-12 games.
6.) Houston Texans - After flirting with the playoffs last season, the Texans will finally make it. They have a stable of running backs, a nice mix of established and up-and-coming receivers, and a solid defense. If they don't lose too many division games I see them beating out the Jets, Dolphins and Bengals for the final playoff spot.
1.) Indianapolis Colts - I spent the better parts of the 2000's hating Peyton Manning and the Colts. Within the past 2-3 years, I've come to enjoy their game, especially the things they can do offensively. Even though New Orleans won the Super Bowl last year, I think this is the best team in the league.
2.) Baltimore Ravens - A lot of people may say this is way too high for the Ravens, but I obviously disagree. Another year of maturation for both Flacco and Rice, as well as an infusion of talented wide receivers and the presence of their top 3 defense should make this team very tough to beat.
3.) New England Patriots - The hometown team has the 6th toughest schedule this season, which definitely plays into this ranking. I expect the offense to perform somewhere between '07 and '09 and the defense to start forcing turnovers.
4.) San Diego Chargers - This is the team I feel is least likely to end up in the playoffs. Luckily for them, the AFC West is a weak division. I think they will struggle to win the division, and could sneak into the playoffs with as few as 9 wins. If some as of yet unknown WR can step up and be the #1 guy they could prove my doubts wrong.
5.) Tennessee Titans - Their season rides on the legs of Chris Johnson and Vince Young (okay, maybe Young's arm as well). If their defense plays well I think the offense will be good enough to win 10-12 games.
6.) Houston Texans - After flirting with the playoffs last season, the Texans will finally make it. They have a stable of running backs, a nice mix of established and up-and-coming receivers, and a solid defense. If they don't lose too many division games I see them beating out the Jets, Dolphins and Bengals for the final playoff spot.
NFC Predictions - Revisited
Bret here, it's good to see Dave finally broke the week long stalemate that we had going to see who would get this thing started off. There were times there that I thought neither of us would pull the trigger: Dave 1 - Bret 0. Well played sir.
My 2 cents:
I really wanted to shake things up and change around these predictions....but I really can't. The cardinals have lost many quality players (Antrel Rolle, Bertrand Berry, Karlos Dansby, Anquan Boldin, and Kurt Warner) and Matt Leinart couldn't win a game of Madden let alone a real NFL one. So since there really aren’t any other REAL NFL teams in that division the 49ners are a sound pick.
I really wanted to work the Cowboys into the playoff picture…but I can't. I think “America’s Team” will fall victim to a pretty tough schedule and keep them out while the Falcon’s schedule is pretty soft and I believe they underperformed last year.
I look forward to Dave’s AFC Predictions later today and I’m going to keep the NFL themed blogs rolling with my take on Favre’s “stunning” return to football today.
.
.
Your move hombre.
My 2 cents:
I really wanted to shake things up and change around these predictions....but I really can't. The cardinals have lost many quality players (Antrel Rolle, Bertrand Berry, Karlos Dansby, Anquan Boldin, and Kurt Warner) and Matt Leinart couldn't win a game of Madden let alone a real NFL one. So since there really aren’t any other REAL NFL teams in that division the 49ners are a sound pick.
I really wanted to work the Cowboys into the playoff picture…but I can't. I think “America’s Team” will fall victim to a pretty tough schedule and keep them out while the Falcon’s schedule is pretty soft and I believe they underperformed last year.
I look forward to Dave’s AFC Predictions later today and I’m going to keep the NFL themed blogs rolling with my take on Favre’s “stunning” return to football today.
.
.
Your move hombre.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Dave's NFL predictions 2010 (part 1 NFC)
One of the things I most appreciate about being alive is being able to watch the great sport of football. I have been a fan of the sport for the past decade, but have yet to make serious predictions about which teams will make the playoffs. That is about to change...
NFC
1.) New Orleans Saints - It would be hard to give the defending Super Bowl champs anything but the top spot. Plus I looked at the schedule, and only had them possibly losing to Baltimore. Side note: it seems unusual that the team that won it all last year would have the 6th easiest schedule this season.
2.) Green Bay Packers - I think they could easily challenge for the #1 NFC spot. If their offense continues to grow from last year they will be nearly unstoppable. Will probably lose to the Vikings at least once, maybe some other team as well.
3.) San Francisco 49ers - They have been the sexy pick to win the terrible NFC West for years now. Having an easy schedule doesn't hurt their chances of accomplishing that goal this season. A great running game, young, solid receivers, and a tenacious defense will usually get you to the playoffs.
4.) New York Giants - This isn't really about me loving the Giants (I don't). I just don't think the rest of the division is that good. If the defense can get close to it's level of play from their Super Bowl season, they have the offensive pieces to make a playoff run.
5.) Minnesota Vikings - Well Brett Favre came back, and I'm not sure if that helps or hurts their playoff chances. On the other hand, the Vikings have a solid defense and great running game. Even if Brett Favre has one of his down years, it shouldn't keep them out of the playoffs.
6.) Atlanta Falcons - Their season pretty much hinges on the improved play of Matt Ryan and the health of their running backs. The defense will be okay, but they need another season like 2008 out of Turner and Ryan to compete for the playoffs.
So that's the NFC playoff picture. Tomorrow I'll post my AFC predictions.
NFC
1.) New Orleans Saints - It would be hard to give the defending Super Bowl champs anything but the top spot. Plus I looked at the schedule, and only had them possibly losing to Baltimore. Side note: it seems unusual that the team that won it all last year would have the 6th easiest schedule this season.
2.) Green Bay Packers - I think they could easily challenge for the #1 NFC spot. If their offense continues to grow from last year they will be nearly unstoppable. Will probably lose to the Vikings at least once, maybe some other team as well.
3.) San Francisco 49ers - They have been the sexy pick to win the terrible NFC West for years now. Having an easy schedule doesn't hurt their chances of accomplishing that goal this season. A great running game, young, solid receivers, and a tenacious defense will usually get you to the playoffs.
4.) New York Giants - This isn't really about me loving the Giants (I don't). I just don't think the rest of the division is that good. If the defense can get close to it's level of play from their Super Bowl season, they have the offensive pieces to make a playoff run.
5.) Minnesota Vikings - Well Brett Favre came back, and I'm not sure if that helps or hurts their playoff chances. On the other hand, the Vikings have a solid defense and great running game. Even if Brett Favre has one of his down years, it shouldn't keep them out of the playoffs.
6.) Atlanta Falcons - Their season pretty much hinges on the improved play of Matt Ryan and the health of their running backs. The defense will be okay, but they need another season like 2008 out of Turner and Ryan to compete for the playoffs.
So that's the NFC playoff picture. Tomorrow I'll post my AFC predictions.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Introduction Post
Welcome to our great experiment! Neither of us has ever blogged before let alone competitively (Note: This blog is by no means a competition...just a giant pissing contest.) We expect to discuss a wide range of topics that are important to us (i.e. football, movies, and general rants against society). Our posts will be written in a variety of ways, some by me, some by Dave, and others will be co-authored. We want to let it be known now that some of our posts will be serious, but you should expect humor to be peppered into even the heaviest of topics. We are writing this blog to be humorous and have fun, so please take our jokes in stride. To our readers, we encourage comments, suggestions, and most of all, praise (see humor, have fun with it). So that's it. We hope you enjoy the forthcoming posts and we look forward to your feedback.
Bret (and Dave)
Bret (and Dave)
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