Weekend Wrap-Up Part 2

I just got finished watching the physical and dirty Titans-Texans clash and I had to start off with this game.

First off, excellent clock management by Jeff Fisher and the Titans on that final drive. They were confident in Rob Bironas and just made sure they sucked up the clock.

Secondly, yet again, Gary Kubiak let this game slide between his fingertips because of playcalling. It is excellent inbetween the Red Zones. The Texans can moved the ball up and down the field. When they get there, they have major problems, and this is not the first time I have mentioned it.

The Texans have a 6'3" 230 pound freak of a beast at WR in Andre Johnson. Why is it that I have barely seen the Texans just throw a fade route/jumpball into the endzone for him inside the 10 yard line? He would win that contest 8 out of 10 times against any CB in football. I just do not understand it.

This Texans team should be 7-3 at the very least. They have the talent and the explosiveness. There is just something missing from this franchise, and I think it is the Head Coach's problem.

Last thing about this game. The officiating was awful. They missed a blantant trip against the Texans, followed by a phantom horse-collar tackle on Chris Johnson.

I am starting to believe Barry Melrose when he states that the NHL refs are by far the best officals in the world.


-I am still stunned that the Toilet Bowl game turned out to be the best game of the day by far. The Brownies and Brady Quinn came out with guns blazing. The Lions and Matthew Stafford fired right back. Classic shootout game, but then something special happened.

On the last play of the game, Stafford rolled out, tried to make a play, threw up the Hail Mary and got completely flattened by a Browns linemen. It wound up being pass interference and Stafford, because of a completely boneheaded timeout by our favorite jelly donut Eric Mangini, was allowed to go back into the game, without doctor's approval, and threw the game winning TD pass with what we found out to be a separated left shoulder.

Stafford showed complete moxy and guts right there. If he did not already win over his team and the fans, he did it right then and there. Just awesome. He was like Eric Roberts in Best of the Best, when he continued despite getting hurt. "Pop it Tommy!!!!"


-Last week, I was listening to Mike Francesa on WFAN, and I was actually hearing these dillusional Steeler fans that were stating that Big Ben is better than Dan Marino and Peyton Manning...

Good God are you kidding me? Your boy is a good NFL QB that just happens to ride on the coattails of an excellent defense. Big Ben can make plays, especially outside the pocket, but do not dare compare him to two of the best 5-6 Quarterbacks that ever lived. Francesa was about to knock over his Diet Coke he was so aggitated about these clowns.

Oh and by the way Steeler fans, you should be complaining more about how the lowly Chiefs punched you guys right in the kisser on Sunday and why your Special Teams cannot stop an 85 year old man with a walker.

The same thing goes for the Bengals as well. How the hell do the Bengals and Steelers lose to the Chiefs and the Raiders? Awful, especially that fumble by Andre Caldwell on the kickoff return.


-I dunno who are bigger frauds in East Rutherford. I know the Giants won against the Falcons on Sunday, and Eli Manning looked awesome, but that defense could not stop Matty Ice Ryan at all in the 2nd half.

Francesa made an excellent point on his Miked Up Sunday Night show. The only thing the Giants really won was the Coin Toss before overtime.

The Jets are even worse.

Mark Sanchez after 10 NFL games, does not know how to look off defenders. He stares directly at one receiver the entire time like he was a blonde walking into a bar. The Jets have 6 more games and an offseason to get him out of that habit.

Kerry Rhodes got steamrolled several times by Laurence Maroney. Rhodes, is playing, pardon my french, like he has his giant head and ego up his ass.

I will say it one more time. It is time for Kerry Rhodes to stop making music videos, doing photo shoots, and Tweeting non-stop. It is time to get your head back into football. If you do not realize this soon, you will be cut by a Head Coach that does not tolerate weak play.


-Now, I am done with the NFL, let's talk about the College game, and what a week it was...

The Oregon-Arizona game was a complete classic. It was the best game I have seen all year long. Jeremiah Masoli turned in a Heisman-like performance. Too bad about the Boise St. game.

Arizona is up late, and the students already started to jump from the stands onto the sidelines. I think they put the jinx on.


-I have been killing Colt Mccoy all season long, about how he does not deserve to be considered with his play. Well, I think Mccoy has started to play his way back into the discussion. The stats the past month are insane, but the one thing that would stop me from voting for Mccoy if I had a ballot.

The Longhorns creampuff schedule....

Speaking of creampuff schedules, if the BCS somehow puts Penn St. into a major Bowl game, they should be arrested. It would such a crime, that John Gotti somewhere in hell is laughing.


-Something is very fishy with what is going on in Kansas with Mark Mangino. I understand that he is a half a ton, and is prolly taking that frustartion out on his players both physically and verbally, but I remember playing sports in high school and the coaches being able to verball pound the snot out of us.

What gives here? Is Mangino going over the line, or does someone have a complete hard on for his job? Now, when the Kansas program is on a losing streak, all these players come out of the woodwork. something is not being said about this situation, and it smells like a landfill.


- College Basketball is here, which means two things. Alot more of Dick Vitale and his oil shooting mouth, and no more Charlie Weis press conferences. Oh yes, the latter is coming soon.


- Sports Look-A-Likes: Anyone see that Kurt Busch Miller Lite commerical when he is walking in the bar? He looks identical to Dante from Clerks. I started cracking up as soon as I realized it.

NFL Picks Week 6

I am running late on the NFL article because this Angels-Yankees game is off the charts great. Yankee fans now cheering for ARod like he were a God. Amazing how time changes the mind of the masses. If ARod would of gotten the Game Winning hit in the 12th after the Home Run in the 11th to tie the game, I would of felt a man made 3.4 earthquake here.

I am in a bad mood, so this weeks picks will at least have a bit of flavor to them. Enjoy.

Pittsburgh Steelers 45, Cleveland Browns 0 - Yes, that is right. The Squad-doosh! Why? Because if Derek Anderson goes 2-17 off of Buffalo, what the hell is he going to do against a real defense? Oh yeah, and Troy Polamalu is back for the Steelers.
Browns get embarassed so bad, Eric Mangini fines himself $15,000 for being a horrible coach. He should be fining himself though for signing off on the Mark Sanchez for the Jet scraphead trade, and the Braylon Edwards into Federal Protection trade to the Jets.

Carolina Panthers 24, Tampa Bay Bucs 14 - Game of two teams that do not matter. Bucs will score half their points on a Jake Delhomme Pick-6. I wonder if Julius Peppers actually takes the lawnchair onto the field this week. He might as well.
One more thing about the Bucs. How do you give up on the 4th overall pick in the draft two years ago when he has not had less than 6 sacks in a season? That trade felt more like a Euro Soccer Team giving a young player on loan to another. Horrible management.

Kansas City Chiefs 23, Washington Redskins 19 - I would say this is Upset Special, but let's be serious for a second. The Redskins are trash. My friend is a die hard Redskins fan, and is about to go Waco on Jim Zorn. Memo to Daniel Snyder, you want to get rid of Jim Zorn without having to pay him, hire my friend. He would do the deed gladly.

Jacksonville Jaguars 31, St. Louis Rams 17 - Good news for the Rams. They actually score points this week. The bad news for the Rams. There is about 15 college teams that would be favored in Vegas against them. Stephen Jackson finally gets in the endzone, but Maurice Jones Drew sees it three times. Got to love that little cannonball.

Cincinnati Bengals 31, Houston Texans 20 - My faith in the Texans is offically dead. I have no idea how Gary Kubiak and Kyle Shannahan have not received one quote of flamming from the media on their goal line playcalling and personnel. That is why we have to love ESPN, they protect the people they like..... speaking of players ESPN slobbers over....

Baltimore Ravens 23, Minnesota Vikings 17 - Do you really think the Ravens are going to go into a Bye losing three straight? Ravens defense finally shows up and harasses Brett Favre all day long. After being hit to the ground, Jon Gruden and Jaws will come from off the sidelines dressed in drag, like they were immates at Oz, crying and scared for their God.

Green Bay Packers 48, Detroit Lions 10 - No Stafford, no Megatron, and I do not think Starscream is on the roster. Aaron Rodgers is foaming at the gums like one of Michael Vick's old fighting dogs looking at that Lions secondary. (Bad joke, I know, but I am in a bad mood. Comment if you have a problem.)

New York Giants 27, New Orleans Saints 17 - Take the Super Bowl 2 years ago as the litmus test for this game. High octane offense against a defense that can apply pressure with just the four lineman, and can put seven men into coverage. Drew Brees did not do much against the Bills or Jets defenses, and this defense is better than the others.
I also have to mention, Eli Manning is in Brother Peyton mode. Anyone see that deep throw he made to Steve Smith last week? Unguardable, put it in the perfect spot where only his guy can make a play. Can you name five better QB's in football right now?

Philadelphia Eagles 72, Oakland Raiders 0 - Do I really need to explain this one? Eagles score over 30 a game, plays defense, and are going after a QB that looks like he eats every meal like he was on Death Row. Tom Cable might have to punch a special teams player after this one. Do not worry Raider fans, at the deadline, Uncle Al will deal your 2012 first round pick for Shawne Merriman, minus his knee.

New York Jets 16, Buffalo Bills 3 - Suppose to be a cold, bitter, rainy day at the Meadowlands. I wonder if Rex Ryan and crew want to commit a few Murder-Death-Kills after being humiliated on Monday Night. This is the week where TO deploys his verbal nukes. He has been at Defcon 1 for two weeks now.

New England Patriots 34, Tennessee Titans 9 - I would not want to be any Titan this week. Pats are coming home after a loss. Remember when I mentioned this before the Ravens game? NEVER pick against Belichick at home after a loss. Should be NFL Dogma.

Seattle Seahawks 31, Arizona Cardinals 20 - Seattle at home when healthy is awesome. The Cards are lucky to be 2-2 after Kubiak threw them a bone on that god awful playcalling. Hasselback carves up the Cards.

Atlana Falcons 28, Chicago Bears 23 - Wow! I did not know the Falcons had Eff-You mode. They showed it last week, when they went to San Fran, and basically ripped the 49ers hearts out and showed it to them like the bad guy from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Best game of the week, imo. Both NBC and ESPN have been getting some goodies early in the season. It will not end the way it did last season though. Ryan and posse will win this one outright.


Last Week: 8-6

Season: 49-26

NFL Week 2

Week 1 in the NFL had alot of cupcake matchups, hence the reason we went 13-2 on the predictions, only missing on the Texans getting whored out in their own building by the newly crowned "Sanchise" and the Jets, and because of that miracle grab for Denver that made Gus Johnson have a 6.3 Richter Scale like orgasm.

Week 2 is a bit different, with several prime time matchups and a bare mininum on the blowout specials, this week's action will be as fat as Floyd Mayweather at his weigh-in.

Atlanta Falcons 27, Carolina Panthers 17 - As much as Jake Delhomme got a case of amnesia and melted down last week, what stood out to me more was how Matt Ryan effciently carved up a pretty good Dolphin defense through the air. Ryan has a good game, Delhomme helps out with a Lotto Pick 6. Steve Smith may decide to deck teammate #3 by the end of this game.

Buffalo Bills 20, Tampa Bay Bucs 13 - TO can take the pacifier out of his mouth now, the Bucs pass defense was a launching pad last week. Owens and Evans will have a field day. I just hope Trent Edwards has the arm strength for this game.

Minnesota Vikings 34, Detroit Lions 14 - CNNSI.com's Peter King must of smoked the same weed Stewart Mandel did. Mandel picked Washington over USC, and now King is picking the Lions in this, which would basically eliminate 2/3rds of all Survivor Pool entries in America. No way, no how. Adrian Peterson goes Bo Jackson/Tecmo Bowl nuts this week.

Green Bay 23, Cincinnati Bengals 16 - This game will be closer than most realize. The orange cats can play some defense, that miracle catch last week was just that, a miracle. They just cannot keep up with Rodgers and Jennings.

Tennessee Titans 23, Houston Texans 12 - Titans are pissed off after having the Steelers in their grasps. Got a long week off as well. Houston got embarrassed at home to the Jets. Actually an early important game for both. Titans just punch them in the mouth on the Lines.

Kansas City Chiefs 27, Oakland Raiders 23 - This pick is based on Matt Cassel being under center. I just think the Raider letdown from Monday Night will still linger. Dwayne Bowe and Mr. Nnamdi Asomugha will be a tough, physical battle on the line of scrimmage.

Jacksonville Jaguars 24, Arizona Cardinals 20 - Upset Special! Yes, we are going to pick on the Cardinals, and do you know why? The ancient law of West Coast team, playing on the East Coast, at a 1pm est. start. It was basically foolproof last season. Take the East Coast team at home until proven otherwise.

Washington Redskins 23, St. Louis Rams 3 - Good news for the Rams, they finally put some points on the board this season. The bad news? The Redskin defense is basically Clubber Lang in Rocky 3 this week, and the prediction is for PAIN!

New Orleans Saints 38, Philadelphia Eagles 20 - The Donovan Mcnabb injury is basically the outcome. I do not think he will play. Why do you think the Eagles brought in Jeff "Huckleberry Hound" Garica in immediately? Drew Brees finally cracks this Eagle defense late and pours it on.

New England Patriots 17, New York Jets 14 - How fun has the mind games and trash talking been for this game during the week? Rex Ryan came in knowing that the Jets HATE the Pats, and he rubbed salt to the wound right away. BTW, someone should tell Rodney Harrison that he is now a member of the press, and part of being the press, is to not associate yourself in a Twitter War defending your old team, like you still played! The Vegas line is FISHY. Pats pull out a nailbiter.

Cleveland Browns 19, Denver Broncos 16 - Although they won last week basically by the hand of God, I have zero confidence in Denver. Orton is a stiff, and that defense really can not stop Scooby Doo and the gang. Brady Quinn looks sharp this week, just a gut feeling.

Seattle Seahawks 27, San Francisco 49ers 23 - Got to give the 49ers props for making my Upset pick last week come through. They could easily win this game as well, but I do not think the 49ers have an answer for TE John Carlson. As long as Matt Hasselback is healthy, he is only going to improve each week.

Baltimore Ravens 17, San Diego Chargers 9 - No Tomlinson in this game. Does that hinder or improve the Bolts offense? Im not sure, LT looked as slow to hitting the hole as me running in quicksand. Ray Lewis and friends eat up the Bolts this week, who are also without C Nick Hardwick.

Chicago Bears 21, Pittsburgh Steelers 16 - Jay Cutler will bounce back, and I would like to give him a pointer in this clash with the champs. No Troy Polamalu = post routes with Hester and use Greg Olson in the middle of the field. Bears are desperate for a win, and claw one out.

New York Giants 27, Dallas Cowboys 20 - Everyone has Dallas winning this game, and they looked sharp in the first Post TO era last week. I just have no idea how the Boys are going to handle that physical defense, especially that front four. Got to prove you can beat a heavyweight Dallas. Sorry.

Last prediction:

Juan Manuel Marquez def. Floyd Mayweather by decison.

This prediction is coming more from the heart than on paper. Mayweather is the bigger, stronger, and faster fighter. I just cannot see Mayweather shake off 21 months of ring rust that fast against the smartest, technical fighter he has ever faced in his career.

By the way, nice one Mayweather for not making weight. The conspiracy theories are already going full-blast, but it comes down to one of two things. One, he just could not make weight.

Or, he did not want to make weight, knew Marquez would settle on the side for compensation, and did not have to dehydrate himself in training and will come into the fight stronger.

Either way, I hope Marquez knocks the punk out. I will settle for Mayweather being embarrassed after hearing the scorecards from Michael Buffer.

We will predict the Monday Night game next article, tomorrow.

Week 1 NFL, College Football Wrap Up.

Wow! What a day of football.


Starting from noon Eastern Standard Time, until way past midnight, you have had nail-biters in College Football tonight.


I was suppose to have this post put up a long time ago. The NFL picks should have been up sometime this afternoon,  but the games sucked me in today, especially Notre Dame-Michigan and USC-Ohio St. Just a great product put out there today all around. Even the fact that my dumbass prediction of Oklahoma St. in the title game got stomped on like Edward Norton in American History X, not even that could put a damper on my excitement with the games today. (They still have an outside shot at the Title Game. Beat Texas, run the Big 12 table, etc. I also have an outside shot of finding diamonds in my backyard, but I will not hold my breath.)


Few things about these games today.


First off, Charlie Weis should be fired just based on his playcalling with less than 3 minutes to play. The Irish are up 3, they have the ball, and are THROWING!!!! Two incomplete passes later, the clock stopped twice, Michigan didn't have to burn timeouts, and the Wolverines got the ball back with 2:20 to play. That fantastic strategy Hungry Hungry Hippo.


Jimmy Clausen is going to be a good NFL Pro Quarterback. He convinced me.

Georgia and South Carolina could not score to save their lives last week. This week? They were running up and down the field like there was two opened trucks filled with electronics in each end zone. Damn!


USC grinded out a tough, tough win at the Horseshoe against Ohio St. Mark it on your calendar when USC and Cal hook up. It may just be to play in the National Title Game.


Florida St. is an embarrassment right now. Did you really almost lose to Jacksonville St.?? Down late in the 4th quarter? At home? (Shaking my head.) Oklahoma St. getting spanked by Houston at home, like the way Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder describes how to spank an actor when they behave badly is almost as embarrassing.

Now, onto Week 1..... the.....

N...F...L is here!

Atlanta Falcons 23, Miami Dolphins 16 - Lofty expectations in Atlanta this season. Tricky, tough first game, but the Falcons just have too much firepower to be stopped all day long. Atlanta has to keep Matt Ryan on his feet though, as Miami will blitz and pressure him all day.


Baltimore Ravens 38, Kansas City Chiefs 9- This game is just not fair. Remember the movie Necessary Roughness from the 90's? Texas State's opening game, when the Coach benched Scott Bakula, and the backup QB was in screaming to the refs to blow the whistle? Well, that esstentially sums up this game. And to top it off, Matt Cassel might not even start. Big game by RB Ray Rice.


Philadelphia Eagles 27, Carolina 23 - This might be the game of the week. Two evenly matched teams, both with explosive offenses and physical defenses. I just think the Eagles are a little more explosive on the offensive side, because of Donovan Mcnabb.


Cincinnati Bengals 20, Denver Broncos 16 - People forget because they were an offensive laughing stock of Pop Warner Pee Wee Football levels last year, the Bengals defense was staunch in the 2nd half of last season. They also open up against the NFL's verison of Lindsay Lohan right now as well. The Broncos are a mess. Brandon Marshall will play after Daddy lightly tapped his ass and pretended that it was an actually smack after the crap he pulled in practice, but it will not be enough.


Minnesota Vikings 24, Cleveland Browns 6 - Speaking of messes, the Browns offense had less life than a corpse last year. And to top it off, The Mangenius kept everyone up in the air about who will play QB. Usually not a good omen to a season. Adrian Peterson will run wild, and I hope Brett Favre shatters his torso in the process.


Houston Texans 27, New York Jets 16 - I really do love the Texans offense if they can stay healthy this season. The Jets have a very formidable defense, but I think that it will take a few games to adjust and get use to the new players, and starting DE Shaun Ellis is suspended for this game. QB Mark Sanchez's debut will be a down one. Check out the matchup of WR Andre Johnson against CB Darrelle Revis. It does not get better than that.


Indianapolis Colts 28, Jacksonville Jaguars 17 - The Jags usually give Peyton Manning and crew a hard time, but this is a bit of a rebuilding year down in Florida. Manning starts his campaign to keep his MVP.


New Orleans Saints 41, Detroit Lions 31 - If RB Pierre Thomas were playing in this game, I would of said the Saints break 50. In the dome, the Saints will go marching all over the Lions defense. The Lions are improved, and yes, they will score on the Saints, its not hard to score when you could tell a rookie QB in Matthew Stafford to throw the ball as high and far as he could, and have the human freak, WR Calvin Johnson just outjumped everyone.


Dallas Cowboys 16, Tampa Bay Bucs 3- Low scoring affair, as it was last season. I just cannot see how the Bucs, with new offensive players all over the place, to keep the stingy Cowboys D off guard. OLB Demarcus Ware should have a field day. Watch out for RB Felix Jones.


San Francisco 49ers 31, Arizona Cardinals 24- UPSET ALERT! I remember watching the last time these two teams played last year on Monday Night Football in a bar, with a young kid that just placed a complete Bride-Jumping bet on the 49ers. (Too much money to say, on the 49ers Money Line +350.)
The 49ers lead most of the way, but lost at the end. I came out of that experience thinking two things. One, Mike Singletary will make the 49ers a tough team, and lastly, never bet an amount of money and be in public that when you lose the insane bet you made, it makes the rain fall down from your eyes.


New York Giants 17, Washington Redskins 10 - Two tough hombres going at it in the trenches. Expect this game to be a slightly lesser verison of Tennessee-Pittsburgh from Thursday night. We may see a QB on a stretcher this game, perhaps even lose a limb. The NFL is back! Got to love it!


Seattle Seahawks 38, St. Louis Rams 14 - The Seahawks are my Super Bowl pick. Did you really think I was going to pick against them? Not a snowballs chance in hell. Matty Hasselback is healthy, and is ready to roll through. Let's just hope the Rams RB Stephen Jackson does not get a rug burn on the carpet, and goes on IR for 5 games.


Green Bay Packers 31, Chicago Bears 23 - I know I picked the Bears to win the divison, but do not expect them to beat the Packers opening night in the hostile envoirment of Green Bay. I do not know how the Packers defense will adjust to the 3-4, but I do know that both teams have QB's that could hit a 747 out of the air with a throw if they wanted to. Expect long deep bombs.


I will pick the two Monday Night games tomorrow night, along with some highlights of what I saw while being pegged to my couch, watching the Direct TV's NFL Package all day long. I am telling you, Direct TV's NFL Package is in the top 10 greatest inventions of all time, inbetween the wheel and duct tape.

NFL Preview and Predictions- NFC and Super Bowl

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles 11-5
New York Giants 10-6
Dallas Cowboys 8-8
Washington Redskins 6-10

The Eagles have been in the media alot lately because of the signing of dog lover Michael Vick, but this team did go to the NFC Title game last year. This team has alot of weapons on the offensive side of the ball. QB Donovan Mcnabb cannot complain anymore. He has alot of speed on each side of the field now with WRs DeSean Jackson and rookie Jeremy Maclin. Injuries are the key to this team, as they will miss MLB Stewart Bradley on defense, but at least if RB Brian Westbrook goes down this year, the Eagles drafted Westbrook clone, LeSean Mccoy.

The New York football Giants are the pure defintion of smashmouth football. Overall, they probaly have the best combination of Off and Def. lines in all of football. They have a great punishing RB in Brandon Jacobs and a nasty defense that can be at times intimidating. The only thing keeping this team from winning the divison is QB Eli Manning having no real deep threat at WR and having a severe horseface. Im sorry, but the guy looks like something that runs at Belmont Race Track on a Thursday afternoon. All kidding aside, if somebody emerges to be that WR, this team is dangerous.

Even Jerry Jones said the TO soap opera was enough for him after last season. Now, the Cowboys will go back to running the ball alot with RB Marion Barber and Felix Jones, who looked like a God out there before he got hurt last season. I also saw the Oklahoma-BYU game, and I got to give it to Jones, he does have a palace of a new stadium. Shame it see the playoffs for the second straight season.

This is really a make or break season for the Redskins. Owner Daniel Synder brought in DT Albert Haynesworth and drafted DE/OLB Brian Orakpo to help a defense that was very good last season. The only problem is, Synder did not help the other side of the ball, where QB Jason Campbell is now in basically purgatory after Synder publicly went after Cutler and trading up for Sanchez. This whole team is on watch if 2010 is an uncapped season. Imagine what Synder will do then? He spent 174 million this offseason with a cap.

NFC North

Chicago Bears 11-5
Green Bay Packers 10-6
Minnesota Viknigs 7-9
Detroit Lions 3-13

It is really a tossup between the Bears and Packers for this divison. I am taking the Bears to win the divison though, based on the QB play of the new face of the franchise Jay Cutler, and a better defense than the Packers. The Bears gave up 2 1st round picks, Kyle Orton, four livers, and eight kidneys to bring to strong armed Cutler, and he will immediately make RB Matt Forte into a star, because teams cannot line up 8 defenders in the box anymore.

I really do like the Packers, alot too. I think QB Aaron Rodgers is going to become the next QB to be talked about in the Manning-Brady air. The offense is going to score a ton of points. I just do not trust the defense going into the 3-4 from the 4-3 this season. It always takes at least a year to adapt to such a drastic change in scheme like that. The Pack did draft accordingly to their needs, I just think the defense is one year away, and one injury to old CB's Charles Woodsen and Al Harris away from a mess.

Yes, I am shitting on the Vikings. They have the best non-QB player in the world in RB Adrian Peterson and a fantasic defense, led by DE Jared Allen. I just cannot see The Days of Our Favre running smoothly. I mean seriously, what soap opera ever does? My prediction, Favre throws more Interceptions than touchdowns, and makes up 245 different excuses for the outcome.

At least the Lions will be improved. It will not take much, just one win. It will be another long year in the Motor City, but do not fear, they are headed in the right direction. Out is comedy punchline Matt Millen, and the new front office brought in a tough as nails Head Coach in, Jim Schrawtz. I just hope #1 overall pick QB Matthew Stafford is not Joey Harrington deja vu all over again. Word of advice Lions, keep this kid protected!

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons 11-5
New Orleans Saints 9-7
Carolina Panthers 8-8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-12

Speaking of rebuilding teams, the Falcons has drawn out the blueprints on how to succeed. After the whole Michael Vick/Bobby Petrino fiascos, the Falcons brought in GM Thomas Dimitrioff, and he took a horrid oraganization and rebuilt it on the fly. QB Matt Ryan had a tremdous rookie season, and has TE Tony Gonzalez to throw the ball to after an offseason trade. This is another team that will score, and score often.

Speaking of points, the Saints just do not stop scoring. The only problem is, they can't stop anyone as well. I just do not see how the Saints can have a mid-tier defense to take the pressure off of star QB Drew Brees and Co. Another thing, please just end the Reggie Bush era. He is one year away, or another bitch injury away from being one of the five biggest busts in NFL Draft history.

There are alot of questions that need to be answered about the Panthers. Is Jake Delhomme still a solid QB? Was that insane running game a mirage? Will DE Julius Peppers sulk about his contract status, eventhough hes making what this year..... 16-17 million? One thing is clear in Carolina though, MLB Jon Beason is an absolute beast and tackling machine.

This is a major rebuilding year for the Bucs, and first year Head Coach Raheem Morris. The only player left from those great teams and defenses is CB Ronde Barber, with the departure of OLB Derrick Brooks. With alot of young players in camp this season, Morris just wants to set his philosophies in place. First Round pick QB Josh Freeman will eventually get playing time by the mid-season and Morris will see what he has to work with.

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks 10-6
Arizona Cardinals 9-7
San Francisco 49ers 7-9
St. Louis Rams 4-12

The Seahawks last season were hammered by injuries. This season, it seems that QB Matt Hasselback and crew are all back. The FA signing of WR TJ Houshmandzadeh is huge for Hasselback, as he now has a go-to-guy. The defense will be much improved with DE Patrick Kerney returning from surgery and top draft pick OLB Aaron Curry. New Head Coach Jim Mora Jr. inherited a potentially dangerous team.

The defending NFC champs will be better on defense this season, but that is not much to rave about. The Cardinals gave up 35 points or more in a game in 5 games, and gave up 36 TD passes. I am just worried about the Cardinals lack of running game, and QB Kurt Warner. Last year was like a leap year with him, not getting injured. I just can't see him staying healthy for two straight seasons.

Mike Singletary had the 49ers playing very good football at the end of last season. He is on the right course to get this franchise back into the playoffs, it is just not going to be this season. Having first round draft pick WR Michael Crabtree not signed yet is a major blow to a team that needs playmakers. They are now relying too heavily on RB Frank Gore, eventhough the 49ers Off. Line is below average.

Lastly, the Rams last year were pathetic. No other way of putting it. They did bring in the right guy to coach in Steve Spagnuolo. He will bring an attacking defensive scheme and running game that will be the exact opposite of the last decade's Greatest Show on Turf. RB Stephen Jackson is a freak of nature, but he has to stay healthy.

Playoffs:

Wild Card Round: Seattle Seahawks over Green Bay Packers
                             New York Giants over Chicago Bears

Divisonal Round: Philadelphia Eagles over New York Giants
                           Seattle Seahawks over Atlana Falcons

NFC Conf Round: Seattle Seahawks over Philadelphia Eagles

Finally...

Super Bowl: Baltimore Ravens over Seattle Seahawks