ANDREW CYR
<Sports Editor>
Of all the major professional sports, NFL football may be the least predictable. Last year, I wrote an article attempting to predict the NFL’s division winners at the season’s midway point, and was still laughably incorrect, as three of the teams I picked to win their divisions missed the playoffs altogether. Nonetheless, I am going to attempt to do the same this year. Feel free to track me down in December and laugh at me when these predictions prove horribly wrong yet again.
AFC North
Last year’s Super Bowl champs, the Baltimore Ravens, lost a number of key veterans this offseason and will look to their Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco to direct them back to the playoffs. However, the division title will be hotly contested among the Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Look for this to be the year that the Cincinnati Bengals finally take the division crown. The Cleveland Browns are a team on the rise, with a strong defense; however, they are not going to be successful with Brandon Weeden under center.
AFC South
The Houston Texans should have little difficulty repeating as division champions this season, as both their offense and defense is head-and-shoulders above the rest of the division. Sophomore quarterback Andrew Luck can be counted on to keep the Indianapolis Colts competitive, but I expect them to take a step back this year after last year’s surprise playoff appearance. The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans each have a long way to go to catch up to their division competition.
AFC East
With both the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets starting rookie quarterbacks, the AFC East appears to be the New England Patriots’ division to lose, despite the loss of star receiver Wes Welker. The Miami Dolphins are an intriguing team that loaded up on free agents this offseason, however, they do not yet have the weaponry required to dethrone Tom Brady and the Patriots. Expect the Dolphins to challenge for a wild card spot.
AFC West
After watching Peyton Manning’s seven-touchdown domination of last year’s Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens, I do not think I am going out on a limb by predicting the Denver Broncos to run away with this division. It is Super Bowl or bust this year in the mile-high city. While Oakland and San Diego appear to be on the decline, look for the Kansas City Chiefs to push for a wild card spot with new quarterback Alex Smith, superstar running back Jamaal Charles and a surprisingly strong defense.
NFC North
The site of some of the fiercest rivalries in all of sports, the NFC North has belonged to the Green Bay Packers in recent years. Expect this trend to continue, as Aaron Rodgers and company will find a way to win, even if the Packers’ D remains suspect. The Minnesota Vikings rode running back Adrian Peterson to a playoff spot last year; however, I expect them to come up short this year. Instead, the Detroit Lions will return to the playoffs behind a more balanced offense thanks to newcomer Reggie Bush. The Chicago Bears will put up a fight, but age is not on their side and I expect them to fizzle down the stretch, similar to last year.
NFC South
The Atlanta Falcons have dominated the NFC South for the past couple of years. I expect it to be much more competitive this year, as the New Orleans Saints should bounce back with coach Sean Payton reinstated from his one-year suspension, and as the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to improve. It may be a couple more years before the Panthers or Bucs catch up to the Falcons or Saints. I think the New Orleans Saints will win the division this year, and the Falcons will earn a wild card.
NFC East
The always-entertaining NFC East was turned upside-down last year, as rookie sensation Robert Griffin III led the Washington Redskins to the division title. Having undergone knee surgery, RGIII will be hard-pressed to repeat this feat in a traditionally tough division. The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to bounce back from last year’s disappointing season, and the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys both have enough talent to win as well. I’ll take the Dallas Cowboys in another very close race.
NFC West
It was only a couple years ago that the NFC West was the laughing-stock of the NFL, producing the only division winner in NFL history with a losing record. Things sure have changed since then, as both the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are considered conference favourites, and the St. Louis Rams are a team on the rise. Even the Arizona Cardinals are showing signs of life with new quarterback Carson Palmer. Expect both San Francisco and Seattle to make the playoffs, with the San Francisco 49ers winning the division.
AFC Conference Championship: Denver Broncos over Houston Texans
NFC Conference Championship: Atlanta Falcons over Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl: Atlanta Falcons over Denver Broncos