Sunday, July 23, 2006

Superbowl Predictions

As many of the sports mags and websites present their NFL previews and trainging camp “insiders,” it’s time to unveil my Superbowl pick.
First off, the division and league champions:

AFC North – Have to stick with the Steelers. Although the loss of Bettis will hurt them more than most people seem to think, they’ll pull out the division title over the Bengals.

AFC South – No Contest. The Colts will run away with the division.

AFC East – Here’s my surprise pick of the year. The Dolphins. Yes, I am picking them over the Patriots. They won their last six games and Nick Saban is building a winner. He is also my pick for Coach of the Year.

AFC West – A very tough call, but I pick the Broncos in what is arguably the toughest division when you look at all four teams.

NFC North – I pick the Vikings to take the division. Made some great pickups, like Hutchinson from Seattle, and the Bears are just too weak on offense. Great defense, but Grossman and company will not be able to score enough points. Teams will copy the Panthers’ blueprint from last year when Carolina pounded the Bears in Chicago in the playoffs.

NFC SouthPanthers. Great defense and solid offense anchored by the ground game. Steve Smith will not have as good a year as last year, but he won’t have to.

NFC East – Everyone loves the Cowboys but the Giants will win the division. Bledsoe is a sitting duck in the backfield for Dallas, and although T.O. will behave himself for most of the year, he will blow up at least once on the sideline. Dallas will also find out why the Colts got rid of Vanderjagt when he misses a game winner. Eil Manning for the Giants looked incredible last year and I look to him for further improvement.

NFC West – The Rams and especially the Cardinals have improved, but the Seahawks are still the best team in the division. Give the Cardinals one or two more years and they will win the West, but not this year.

Conference Champions:
AFC – Indianapolis over Miami.
NFCCarolina over New York.

My Superbowl pick:
Although history shows the two losing teams from the conference championships of the previous year almost never both make it back, I am picking the Colts and Panthers to face off in Superbowl XLI. And in one of the best moves of the offseason, the Colts’ Adam Vinatari shows once again he is worth his weight in gold, or in this case Vince Lombardi-trophyesque-silver, as he kicks a game winning field goal.
Colts 28 – Panthers 26.

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