ANDREW CYR
<Sports Editor>
As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, many people’s thoughts shift to the splendor of fall foliage, changes in their wardrobe, and the inevitable approach of winter (and exams). For me, however, the cold, crisp, autumn air means just one thing. It’s football season. Yes – the majestic matchups of gridiron gladiators are undoubtedly my favorite part of the season (particularly in the absence of that ice sport that I seem to have vague memories of).
Osgoode gets into the spirit every fall with the The Osgoode Touch Football League. OTFL playoffs wrapped up earlier this month, with the Bull Sharks winning the championship after a hard-fought season.
While the OTFL has wrapped up, the NFL season has just passed the midseason point, and many teams are gearing up for the playoff race. I personally have an unhealthy obsession with the NFL and spend 10-15 hours per week setting my fantasy football lineup (if you are not familiar with fantasy sports, just let me assure you that it is not as perverted as it sounds). As a result, I assume everyone would love to hear my opinion as to how the remainder of the season is going to shake up. Interested? No? Too bad, I’m going to tell you anyway (division champion predictions are in bold).
NFC North
Perhaps the best division in football, the NFC North features the swarming defense of the Chicago Bears and the unstoppable offense of the Green Bay Packers. The Minnesota Vikings are falling behind after a surprisingly strong start, and the Detroit Lions vaunted offense is spinning its tires. This division will likely produce two playoff teams, but I am going with the Chicago Bears as division winner.
NFC East
This formerly elite division has lost a lot of its allure as none of the Cowboys, Eagles, and Redskins seem to pack much punch these days. The defending champion New York Giants, however, remain among the league’s elite teams, despite Eli Manning’s recent struggles. I predict that Eli gets his act together in the season’s remaining weeks, and the New York Giants wrap up the division title.
NFC South
The story in the NFC South has to start with the powerhouse Atlanta Falcons who are the last remaining undefeated team in the league and show no signs of slowing down. Each of the Buccaneers, Saints, and Panthers have begun to turn things around after a combined 2-10 start. It’s too late for any of them to catch up in this race though, and the Atlanta Falcons will run away with the division.
NFC West
This division is trending in the opposite direction as the NFC East, as the group of perennial also-rans is putting together some solid seasons, largely due to strong defensive units across the board. The division remains tight, but it is likely that last year’s conference finalist San Francisco 49ers will end up with the division crown, though the Seattle Seahawks remain a good bet for a wild card spot.
AFC North
A division with a reputation for smash mouth football has largely changed its persona, as the formerly defensively-oriented Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers rely on high-powered offenses to win football games. Last year’s Cinderella season will remain a fairy tale for the Cincinnati Bengals as they will miss the playoffs, and the Cleveland Browns have a long way to go before competing with the big boys in this division. In a race that will remain tight to the end, I predict the Pittsburgh Steelers to come out on top, though Baltimore will claim a wild card spot.
AFC East
The New England Patriots remain light-years ahead of the rest of this division. The Miami Dolphins have been surprisingly strong this year, relying on an underrated defense, however they do not have the firepower to catch the Pats. The Jets and Bills, meanwhile, have major problems on both sides of the ball that prevent them from becoming contenders. The New England Patriots win this division easily, and the Dolphins fall just short of the playoffs.
AFC South
The most complete team in the AFC is likely the Houston Texans, who are head-and-shoulders above the rest of this division. While the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans each have a long way to go to catch up, the Indianapolis Colts have shown tremendous promise. The Colts, led by first overall draft pick Andrew Luck (my selection for rookie of the year), are in a good position to earn a wildcard playoff spot, but the division championship will remain with the Houston Texans.
AFC West
Peyton Manning’s arrival in Denver has completely changed the landscape in this division, and The Sherriff only seems to be getting better. The result is a Denver Broncos team that appears poised to capture a second consecutive division title. The San Diego Chargers appear to be moving backwards, largely due to Philip Rivers’ regression, and the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs have issues on both offense and defense that will prevent them from taking the next step.
There you have it. Of course, the NFL is extremely predictable (sarcasm) so there is now no need to watch any football for the rest of the season and you can concentrate on studying the rest of the way. You’re welcome.
You want my playoff predictions? Of course you don’t, but here they come!
AFC Conference Championship: Houston Texans over Denver Broncos
NFC Conference Championship: Atlanta Falcons over Chicago Bears
Super Bowl: Atlanta Falcons over Houston Texans