Predictions continued.

NFC North

1.) Chicago Bears: Projected Record: 9-7 - Playoff Bound

The Chicago Bears have been a very pleasant surprise this season. QB Kyle Orton got the team off to a quick start, aided by the stellar play of rookie RB Matt Forte. The play of the defense has led me to quickly write off last season as an anomaly as they have played very sound football. While a loss is normally a mental loss as well, last week's 21-14 loss to the Tennessee Titans was a moral victory, as it showed that the team can play well while Orton is out with injury.

2.) Minnesota Vikings: Projected Record: 9-7

The Minnesota Vikings are not far from being a very serious threat in the NFC. However, as a result of the lack of good QB play, the Vikings, according to my predictions, just miss the play offs. Adrian Peterson has been nothing but spectacular this year, just as he was in his rookie campaign. The defense, much like last year, has been great as well. Vikings fans hold in there, you are only one piece away!

3.) Green Bay Packers: Projected Record: 8-8

Following in the foot steps of Brett Favre is no easy task, and even compared to the prolific Favre, Rodgers is doing a very good job on all accounts. Unfortunately, unlike last year, the running game has not been as effective, and the defense is not the turn-over machine it was last year. 

4.) Detroit Lions: Projected Record: 0-16

If you have not seen the Detroit Lions play, make some time, you are sure to see an offensive display both through the air, and on the ground. The only problem for Lions fans is, that, the display is coming from the opposing team. The Lions give a new definition to bad. This season, they have lost each of their games in a convincing manner, putting on almost no fight at all. I am sorry Lions fans, you are in for a long ride.

NFC West

1.) Arizona Cardinals: Projected Record: 11-5 - Playoff Bound.

The Arizona Cardinals, more than any other team, have surprised me. There was no doubt prior to the season that they had the talent to accomplish what they have so far, but, for the last few years, it has seemed like they have been the dark horse. Yet again, I was left to wonder; "Why is this year going to be any different". As a result, I favored the Seahawks. However, there is no doubt that the Cardinals are the cream of the NFL-Worst NFC West. Led by the resurgent QB Kurt Warner, the Arizona Cardinals have become one of the deadliest offenses in the NFL.

2.) Seattle Seahawks: Projected Record: 5-11

The Seattle Seahawks have been plagued this season by injuries, specifically to QB Matt Hasselbeck, and the receiving corps. Despite their injuries, they are no doubt better than both the 49ers and the Rams. In fact, even though they lost to the Dolphins (who by no means are a joke of a team), they looked good doing it, even presenting a serious last-minute comeback.

3.) St. Louis Rams: Projected Record: 4-12

The St. Louis Rams may be the most dissapointing team in the NFL this season. Marc Bulger has been inconsistent (at best), RB Steven Jackson continues to be plagued by injuries, and the defense is as woeful as ever. How many teams can lose 47-3? 

4.) San Francisco 49ers: Projected Record: 4-12

The San Francisco 49ers are another weak team in a weak division. After the mid-season firing of Mike Nolan, did anyone really expect the 49ers to be a contender? However, in defense of the 49ers, they are a young team who has a bright future. Especially if they keep Mike Singletary as their head-coach. 

Predictions Continued

AFC South

1.) Tennessee Titans: Projected Record: 16-0 - Playoff Bound.

Could fans be lucky enough to see two season in a row where a team goes undefeated? I think so. Unlike many other runs at perfection, the Titans are built upon the right foundation; a solid running game, and an outstanding defense. Looking at the Titans remaining schedule, there is no reason to believe, barring an upset, that the Titans cannot go undefeated.

2.) Indianapolis Colts: Projected Record: 10-6 - Playoff Bound.

The Indianapolis Colts have been the image of consistency in the NFL. Expect this season to be no different. Despite a slow start to the season, after Sunday nights victory over the Steelers, it is clear that the Colts are back (coincidentally in time with the return of Bob Sanders). I do not expect the Colts to win the Superbowl this year, but, like the Patriots, never count out Peyton Manning.

3.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Projected Record: 9-7

The Jaguars are yet another team who has failed to live up to my apparently ex orbitalexpectations. Their sub-par performance this season is far from the team which showed up in the play-offs and almost de-throned the undefeated Patriots. Not one thing is wrong with this team at the moment, but nothing is clicking the way it's supposed to either.

4.) Houston Texans: Projected Record: 7-9

Despite a sub-.500 record, a 7-9 record would not be disappointing in a season in which you rely on Sage Rosenfels to lead your team to victory. The Texans have been one of my "up-and-coming" teams for several years now, but, with a little more seasoning, they will be ready to be a relevant team in '09.

Predictions continued.

AFC East

1.) New England Patriots: Projected Record: 10-6 - Playoff Bound.

Tom Brady - Out. Adalius Thomas - Out. Laurence Maroney - Out. Does any of it really matter? No. One thing that the Patriots have taught me over the past few years is to never bet against them. This is a team which, despite having a flawed defense, and an inexperienced signal-caller, is doing just-fine on top of the AFC East. While I am not predicting Superbowl, never rule the Patriots out.

2.) New York Jets: Projected Record: 10-6 - Playoff Bound.

While defeating the Rams 47-3 is not at all beyond expectations, dismantling a team so that you have a 40-0 lead at half-time is. The New York Jets are a very good football team. Brett Favre, is putting up numbers as high as his age, and the defense is playing very solid football. Unfortunately, because of the divisional loss to the Patriots, I have them finishing second in the division. I do, however, thing that they are the better team. 

3.) Miami Dolphins: Projected Record: 8-8 

Let's face it, the Dolphins may not make the play-offs, but no matter what they do, they are certainly the "Rudy" of the '08 season. After finishing an abysmal 1-15, no one projected the Dolphins as winning more than three or four wins. Well, here they are at the half-way point and through trickery (such as the Wild-Cat formation) and an efficient passer in Chad Pennington, the Dolphins are sitting above .500. Congratulations Dolphins.

4.) Buffalo Bills: Projected Record: 8-8

Before the season, there was no way that I would have thought that the Bills were the worst team in the AFC East. Not only did I think that they would at least be above the Dolphins, but I thought that they were a solid contender for the play-offs, and even possibly the Superbowl. With an effective off-season, I do expect the Bills to be a relevant team in the NFL again in '09.

Predictions continued

AFC North

1.) Pittsburgh Steelers- Projected Record: 11-5 - Playoff Bound

If it had not been for schedule reasons, I would have placed the Ravens over the Steelers in my rankings. While I do believe that the Ravens are the better team, their schedule is a little tougher (Both have very difficult remaining schedules). The fate of this team rests on the shoulders of QB Ben Roethlisberger. If he plays like he did against the Colts on Sunday night, theSteelers will not win the AFC North.

2.) Baltimore Ravens - Projected Record: 9-7 - Playoff Bound.

Joe Flacco has been tremendous for the Ravens, and along with their sturdy D, they have to be considered a contender. Unfortunately for them, their remaining schedule pits them against 4 other legitimate contenders. Eventually Joe Flacco will play like a rookie, and eventually the defense will give up more points than the offense can muster. Fortunately, the Ravens, because of a weak AFC, will, according to my projections, be making the playoffs. 

3.) Cleveland Browns - Projected Record: 5-11 

There is no doubt that the decision to start Brady Quinn will turn out to be a good one. However, there are too many other holes on this team for there to be a large enough turn-around. With the right off-season moves, expect the Browns to be a contender in '09.

4.) The Cincinnati Bengals: Projected Record: 3-13

So much went wrong this year in Cincinnati, and I do not know why. Prior to the season, I had them doing much better than they are. They are loaded with offensive talent, and like the Saints, I thought their offensive prowess would be able to override their poor defensive play. I was, obviously, completely wrong. While their defense has met my expectations, their offense has under-performed all possible expectations.

NFL Predictions

As the second half of the season begins, NFL fans across the nation now know who their team is, what they have the potential to become, and what the realistic goals are for this season. For many , the realities include post-season play and pro-bowl berths. For others, the mind has already begun to wander towards the upcoming 2009 NFL Draft. In order to avoid the overused "32 Team Power-Ranking", I will break it down division by division.

AFC West

1.) Denver Broncos - Projected Record : 10-6 - Playoff bound

While not a premier team in the NFL, the Denver Broncos are still my favorite to win in the second worst conference in the NFL (Behind the NFC West). Led by the strong arm of Jay Cutler, and an explosive offense, they will make up for the deficiencies in their defense.

2.) San Diego Chargers - Projected Record: 9-7

LaDainian Tomlinson is not the running back he once was. Nonetheless, the Chargers have an above-average QB in Rivers, and L.T. remains a top RB. Like the Broncos, their above-average offense will hide their vulnerable defense.

3.) Kansas City Chiefs - Projected Record: 4-12

Perhaps the hardest decision in this entire projection was deciding who would be last in the AFC West. The woeful Chiefs or the deflated Raiders. The Chiefs started off the season looking as bad as anyone in the NFL. However, Thigpen has seemingly re sparked the offense, at least to the point where they can win a few games.

4.) Oakland Raiders - Projected Record: 3-13

Did anyone else see the Raiders play the Falcons? This was a mismatch in all aspects of the game. That game left me wondering what I would do if I was Al Davis. Amazingly, I could only come up with a single answer. The Raiders are a long long way away from being a force in the NFL again, and the only thing I could do to improve the state of the Franchise if I was Davis, would be to fire myself. On a bright note, their defense looked outstanding against the Panthers.

Welcome to The Other Sports Illustrated

Hi, so, let me just start off by introducing myself. I am an avid fan of sports. I mainly follow the NFL, MLB, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA (to a lesser extent than the others). Unfortunately (or fortunately, for me), NASCAR does not fall under my sports-interests. I do have specific teams that I follow (again, avidly), but with the intention of un-biased journalism in mind, I will not reveal them. Hopefully, my writing doesn't either.

I will try my best to cover all topics of sports, but, I will obviously focus my attention onto the most relevant sport. Right now, that is the NFL.