2006 NFL PREVIEW!!!

Last season I did not do so hot in my NFL preview, so hopefully I can turn it around this year. My Super Bowl pick was the Colts vs. the Vikings with the Colts winning. Not even close! I will begin with my division winners (by seed) and wildcards (by seed) in each conference, then winners of those games, and end it in my Super Bowl picks. Then I will have some further final analysis following that. Here we go!...

AFC - Division Winners (seed)
1. Patriots
2. Colts
3. Ravens
4. Broncos
AFC - Wildcard
5. Steelers
6. Chiefs

NFC - Division Winners (seed)
1. Eagles
2. Panthers
3. Bears
4. Cardinals
NFC - Wildcard
5. Cowboys
6. Bucs

AFC Playoffs Wildcard Round
Ravens beat the Chiefs
Broncos beat the Steelers

NFC Playoffs Wildcard Round
Bucs beat the Bears (in Chicago, the lack of offense bites them in the ass)
Cowboys beat the Cards
That's 2 wildcard (and road) teams winning it. I just feel that those teams are n better divisions and are all around better teams.

AFC Divisional Playoffs
Colts beat the Ravens
Patriots beat the Broncos

NFC Divisional Playoffs
Cowboys beat the Panthers
Bucs beat the Eagles (the Eagles will lose 3 of their last 4, and 4 of their last 6, backing into the playoffs, then swiftly backing out)

AFC Championship
Patriots beat the Colts
I just don't see the Colts going into New England in January and winning. The Patriots have been up to the task time and time again, and I expect more of the same.

NFC Championship
Cowboys beat the Bucs

Super Bowl
Cowboys beat the Patriots
In what will be an amazing matchup between Parcells and former pupil Belichik, I just think the Cowboys are simply too solid all around to beat the Cowboys. This is a HIGHLY risky pick, but if TO comes to play all season long, this is quite possibly the best team in the NFL. They have a good defense, good running game, experienced and solid QB, good special teams especially with the addition of Vanderjagt. I honestly think the loss of Vinatieri will hurt the Pats, as he has been a degree of comfort for the Pats any time they got to the 35 yard line. They won't have that this season. This also pits Bledsoe against his former team and coach, in what will be one of the most intriguing Super Bowl matchups in years.

Cowboys win 24-21, with the new Pats kicker missing a chance to send the game to a 1st ever overtime in the Super Bowl.

Final Analysis and Comments

The Steelers\Dolphins
This opening game Thursday night is giant. Big Ben being out for this game presents a bad situation for the Steelers with Charlie Batch starting the game (Roethlisberger is on my fantasy team, and he's really just trying to be like me to fit in!). In addition, ALL of Nick Saban's assistants have coached under Bill Cowher! So they all know his system. The winner of this game will be in the playoffs (I know it's early, but I pick the Steelers to go 10-6 and the Dolphins 9-7. That would reverse those numbers, vaulting the Fish to playoff contention). However, I think Batch is a very experienced QB and will respond to the pressure and lead the Steelers to a win over an overrated opponent.

Where are the Seahawks?
They were in the Super Bowl last year, but it will not happen this season. Everyone will be gunning for them, and they will not respond as a favorite. Mark my words here, and this date on your calendar. After November 27, Seattle will get their 4th straight win to get to 7-4, after starting the year 3-4. ESPN will proclaim that Seattle is back and is going to the Super Bowl, because ESPN is all about the hype, not the knowledge. The Hawks will proceed to lose 3 of the last 5 to miss the playoffs.

Sleeper Super Bowl Pick
Arizona Cardinals - They were a sleeper for me last season, but this year aren't a sleeper to get to the playoffs (as I pick them to win the West), but are for the Super Bowl. I have them with a 9-7 record, but have 4 winnable road games that I picked for losses, plus I pegged them for a loss at home to Dallas. If they can win 2 of those 5 games they could catch the home field advantage for the playoffs. If they do, they could easily be Super Bowl bound. The offense should be as prolific as any in the NFL with the addition of Edgerrin James, another season with Warner throwing to Boldin and Fitzgerald, in addition to an improved defense and offensive line. Don't be surprised by this.

Philly Surprise
Yes, the Eagles fell apart last year, but you can't beat those distractions. This season they start fresh and come out of the gate on fire. Their defense is still very good, and their running game will be solid even though people (ESPN) believe the opposite. Their problem is that they play a brutal stretch of 6 games to finish the season - @Colts, Panthers, @Redskins, @Giants, @Cowboys, Falcons. Seriously, that's just wrong. I have them winning the division thanks to 3 early road wins at SF, Houston, and New Orleans, but if I'm wrong about any of those 3, I'm dead wrong on their season, though I believe they will be in the playoffs no matter what (but lose their first playoff game no matter what).

Who will have the worst record in the NFL?
Tough call. I think it is between the 49ers, Jets, Browns, Texans, or the Titans. Do I have to pick 1? OK, I'll go with the 49ers. The reason I say this is their wasted #1 draft pick from last season, Alex Smith. I'm a 49ers fan and I was not happy with that pick. They were trying to trade it, but were unable to do it (because no one wanted Smith). I still think they should have ditched Smith and picked Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams, or Derrick Johnson. Alex Smith is the next coming of Jeff George, with less talent!

Toughest Division
It's between the NFC East and AFC West. I can see any of the 4 teams of the NFC East winning that division. It should be a lot of fun watching those 5 classic teams going at it this season. The AFC West will be a struggle between the Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers (Raiders suck). Basically all 7 of these possible playoff teams NEED TO WIN THE GAMES THEY ARE EXPECTED TO WIN. Perfect example is the Chiefs last year going into Buffalo and laying an egg. That game cost them the playoffs. If the Chiefs go and lose to a team like Oakland, San Fran, or Cleveland, they don't deserve to make it.

That's about it. Feel free to comment about what you think. I'm going to the 1st game of the year between the Chiefs and Bengals and I can't wait!!!