NFL Quartz Ball

First of all, I know it doesn't make much sense, but I completely agree with you about the AFC and the DH in baseball. I don't know that I had ever consciously made the connection in my own mind before, but as I read your reasoning for disliking the AFC, it was like words were being put to my own thoughts.

Secondly, as I've grown in love for baseball over the years, my NFL fandom has abated somewhat. I pay almost no attention to the goings-on in football during the offseason. Usually, for the first 3-4 weeks of the NFL season, I'm still learning about big-name players who are no longer on the teams I thought they played for. Instead, spring, summer and fall are spent paying attention to baseball. I can tell you the name of just about every player in MLB who made an impressive defensive play last night, and which pitchers have the most wins... but I'm still not sure if the Raiders won last week.

Having said all of that, you asked for my NFL predictions, so I'll give them to you. However, I'm only giving you division, conference, and Super Bowl champions.

AFC North

Pittsburgh - they always seem to come around at some point.

AFC South

Indianapolis - the Titans could give 'em a run for their money, though.

AFC East

New England - it pains me to say it, but it's true.

AFC West

Denver - I think Peyton is finally declining enough to not be sure about this pick.

NFC North

Green Bay - because seriously, who else in the North is going to challenge them?

NFC South

Atlanta - I agree with you. It's the year of Matt Ryan.

NFC East

Dallas - possibly just wishful thinking, without Tony and Dez. Weak division this year helps, though.

NFC West

Seattle - I don't love this team, but they're significantly better than the alternatives.

AFC Champs

New England Patriots - for the record, I hate this prediction more than all of the rest.

NFC Champs

Green Bay Packers - I really hope I'm wrong and that when Dez Bryant makes an obvious catch this year, it'll stand.

Super Bowl Champs

Green Bay Packers - I just can't bring myself to admit that the Pats might win. Again.

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The NFL Crystal Ball

It's week two so I have an advantage.

I'm going to get the AFC out of the way.  I don't like the AFC.  I think it's because, get this, no really, this is actually my reason I think, I hate the designated hitter.  Really, the DH is not for people who love baseball, it's for people who love action movies.  Since the DH is an American league thing and the AFC is the American Football Conference, I don't like the AFC.  Sorry AFC.  It's unjustified, but that is the depth of my disdain for the DH.  My hatred for the DH actually carries over into an entirely different sport.

AFC East:
1. New England
2. Buffalo
3. Miami
4. New York (Jets)

AFC West:
1. Denver
2. San Diego
3. Kansas City
4. Oakland

AFC South:
1. Indianapolis
2. Texans
3. Jacksonville
4. Tennessee

AFC North:
1. Baltimore
2. Pittsburgh
3. Cincinatti
4. Cleveland

Thoughts?  Not really because I don't care.  I think the AFC is incredibly week.  The AFC North might be the closest division.

At the end I have the playoff seeds:
1. Indianapolis
2. New England
3. Denver
4. Baltimore
WC 1. Buffalo
WC 2. Pittsburgh

AFC championship
Indianapolis over New England


Alright, the important league...the one that matters.

NFC East:
1. Dallas
2. Philadelphia
3. Washington
4. New York (Giants)

Notes: If Tony Romo didn't break a bone tonight Dallas wins hands down and takes the NFC 1 seed. But they will barely make the playoffs by winning the division by riding on the defense and the fact that Philadelphia is highly over rated and Washington and New York are terrible.  Lucky for Dallas Romo will get healthy just in time to ride into the playoffs with some momentum.

NFC West:
1. Seattle
2. Arizona
3. St. Louis
4. San Fancisco

Notes: Ugh, Seattle again.  They're so annoying, but they are truly good.  They will win.  Arizona will see a resurgence from their old geezer receiver Larry Fitzgerald and they will give Seattle a run for their money.  St. Louis is going to annoy them both by being better than they've been in a long time, but not yet good enough.

NFC South:
1. Atlanta
2. New Orleans
3. Carolina
4. Tampa Bay

Notes: Matt Ryan is going to have a career year.  He is going to move himself up into the upper tier of quarterbacks this season.  Drew Brees is still Drew Brees and will throw for a billion yards.  Cam Newton is still on a bad team.  Too bad for him.  He's pretty good.

NFC North:
1. Green Bay
2. Minnesota
3. Detroit
4. Chicago

Notes: Green Bay is a very good team and Aaron Rogers really wants it.  Minnesota will find a groove and Teddy Bridgewater breaks out thanks to the addition of A.P. and proves he's got what it takes.  Detroit gets three because they aren't Chicago.  Chicago gave all their mojo to the Cubbies and suck so bad they could be mistaken for them from years past.  They're terrible.

Playoffs:
1. Green Bay
2. Seattle
3. Atlanta
4. Dallas
WC 1. Minnesota
WC 2. Arizona

NFC Championship Dallas over Atlanta

Superbowl Dallas over Indianapolis

Your turn.

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The Big Game

Dear Joel,

I was going to begin by apologizing for missing my post last week, but it appears you've missed your posts for the last two weeks, so maybe I don't need to.

If I'm not mistaken, today is your 10th wedding anniversary, so CONGRATULATIONS to you and your wonderful wife, Pam. I was thinking about you both yesterday because I have a co-worker who is irritated that he has to attend a friend's wedding this Saturday. His irritation is based on the fact that the wedding ceremony is taking place right in the middle of the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game. It made me chuckle, remembering a certain college roommate of mine who was similarly irritated with you 10 years ago for scheduling your wedding on the day of the game as well.

The Iowa vs. Iowa State game is like a state holiday around here. Except, unlike most other holidays, there's a whole fan base whose day will be ruined by Saturday night.

So, 10 years ago you got married on the day of the big game, and today, you celebrate 10 years of marriage on another big football day. The NFL season begins with the Steelers vs. Patriots game this evening. Since becoming a bigger and bigger baseball fan over the last few years, I've paid less and less attention to the NFL's offseason. Therefore, I really have no idea who is supposed to be good and who is supposed to be bad this year.

So I turn to you. I want to hear your predictions for all 8 division champions, both conference champions, and eventual Super Bowl champions this season. Maybe I'll give you a prize if you guess mostly correctly.

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