Green's 2009 NFL Predictions

A brand new National Football League season starts tomorrow night with one game, thirteen games on Sunday and two games on Monday Night Football, one of which is my beloved New England Patriots. This is also the 50^th Anniversary season of the AFL. All of the original AFL teams will be wearing throwback uniforms during certain games this season. I think when ever two original AFL teams play each other is when they'll break out the retro unis. For example, the Patriots will be dressed in red and white with old Pat Patriot on the helmet, as you see on the left, for their Monday Night game vs. Buffalo.

With the start of a new season, I thought I ought to give you my predictions (some of which more than likely will be wrong). Prognosticating is a tuff biz, but I can handle it. Someone's gotta do it - may as well me moi.
Last year I predicted good things for my Patriots and gave my thoughts on the reality that unfortunately came to pass, with #12 going down for the season less than halfway through the first quarter of the opening game against Kansas City. They still finished 11-5 but missed out on the playoffs due to the NFL's complicated but fair tiebreaker rules.

I gots news for y'all. Some of you may like it, others not so much.

Tom Terrific looked well, terrific, during the preseason and the record setting offense of 2007 is essentially in tact. So, NFL, you've been warned. Will Brady throw for 50 touchdowns again? Not likely. 35-40 is a distinct possibility. Will the Patriots offense break its NFL record 589 points scored from 2007? Possibly. They'll give it a run, anywhoo. This will be a hard team to defense and will give teams fits.

Here we have my predictions:

AFC EAST
1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ----> Brady's back. MVP redux. Comeback Player of the Year.
2. Miami Dolphins ----> Will slip back to reality at or near .500
3. Buffalo Bills ----> T.O. gets the damn ball but it's not enough.
4. New York Jets ----> Sanchez' new favorite old TV show: Growing Pains.

AFC NORTH
1. Pittsburgh Steelers ----> Because they're the defending Champs, obviously.
2. Baltimore Ravens* ----> Tough D. Just a bit short on O.
3. Cleveland Browns ----> Could make a run at the division title if...
4. Cincinnati Bengals ---->Sadly, Head Coach Marvin Lewis 1^st to be fired in 2009.

AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis Colts ----> They'll be good as long as it's Peyton's place.
2. Tennessee Titans* ----> Was last years' record a fluke or are they really good?
3. Jacksonville Jaguars ----> Probably will win 9 or 10 games but miss playoffs.
4. Houston Texans ----> I can realistically see 8-8 this season but probably 7-9.

AFC WEST
1. San Diego Chargers ----> In a weak, rebuilding division, still finished 8-8 in '08.
2. Kansas City Chiefs ----> Cassel's dream '08 season redux? Not quite. Maybe 6 wins ~ sorry Matt.
3. Oakland Raiders ----> Better with Richard Seymour but still bad.
4. Denver Broncos ----> Chaos reigns in Denver. 5 wins max.

SEEDS
1. NEW ENGLAND
2. Indianapolis
3. Pittsburgh
4. San Diego
5. Baltimore
6. Tennessee

Wild Card Games:
3. Pittsburgh over 6. Tennessee
5. Baltimore over 4. San Diego

Conference Semifinals
1. New England over 5. Baltimore
3. Pittsburgh over 2. Indianapolis

Conference Championship
1. NEW ENGLAND over 3. Pittsburgh

NFC EAST
1. Philadelphia Eagles ----> How will they use Michael Vick?
2. Dallas Cowboys* ----> Will they win a playoff game this year?
3. Washington Redskins ----> Another late season collapse.
4. New York Giants ----> Just not good enough in a tough division.

NFC NORTH
1. Chicago Bears ----> Monsters of the Midway? No, but good enough.
2. Green Bay Packers* ----> some say QB Aaron Rodgers will be MVP in '09. Not me.
3. Minnesota Vikings ----> Favre should have stayed retired. Sorry Brett, it's time.
4. Detroit Lions ----> Lions win! Lions win! Only 3 games but it's an improvement.

NFC SOUTH
1. Atlanta Falcons ----> Matt Ryan leads Falcons to 2nd Super Bowl appearance. Same result.
2. Carolina Panthers ----> Just not enough in a tough division.
3. New Orleans Saints ----> Surprising late season collapse ruins the Brees.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ----> Should never have fired Jon Gruden.

NFC WEST
1. Arizona Cardinals ----> Courtesy pick for Super Bowl XLIII loser. Seattle is better.
2. Seattle Seahawks ----> Could easily win this division by three games.
3. San Francisco 49ers ----> Better, but still need work.
4. St. Louis Rams ----> Lowlight of season - losing to Detroit to break their streak.

SEEDS
1. Atlanta
2. Philadelphia
3. Chicago
4. Arizona
5. Green Bay
6. New York Giants

Wild Card Games:
3. Chicago over 6. New York Giants
5. Green Bay over 4. Arizona

Conference Semifinals
1. Atlanta over 5. Green Bay
3. Chicago over 2. Philadelphia

Conference Championship
1. Atlanta over 3. Chicago

SUPERBOWL XLIV at Miami
1. NEW ENGLAND (AFC) over 1. Atlanta (NFC)

For the record, here are ESPN's expert predictions.

Wild Card Weekend - NFL Playoffs 2008

Admittedly this years NFL Playoffs hold slightly less interest for me than if the Patriots were involved. Still, football is football and the games ought to be good.

So here's how I see this weekend's games shaping up:

Saturday: #5 Atlanta Falcons (-2½) at #4 Arizona Cardinals- Atlanta is my team to root for on the NFC side this year because of #2. Former Boston College QB Matt Ryan has had an unbelievable season this year. Who knew a rookie would have such a positive impact on a franchise and region that just last year was devastated by the Michael Vick disgrace? Arizona played miserably in Week 16 against the Patriots and wasn't very convincing last week. The bonus for the Cardinals and their fans is that this is a rare home playoff game for them, courtesy of winning the weak NFC West. Still, Atlanta is playing as well as anyone in the league right now and riding positive momentum can be huge in the playoffs (see 2007 New York Giants, who rode momentum all the way to the (still painful) upset win in Super Bowl XLII.) Prediction: Atlanta 24, at Arizona 14. Actual result: at Arizona 30, Atlanta 24 Did anyone tell the Falcons that you have to play 60 minutes of football in order to win? The Falcons lost because they took the 3^rd quarter off. Who will Arizona play next week?

#5 Indianapolis Colts (-2½) at #4 San Diego Chargers- The Chargers come in having won three in a row to close out the regular season and win the weak AFC West. At 3-4, the Colts looked pretty washed up, and now are riding a nine game winning streak, including wins over my Patriots and a three point win here in San Diego. The Chargers always give Peyton Manning and company trouble but have faced way too many injuries this season. If LaDanian Tomlinson doesn't play, that will make it worse for the Chargers. Prediction: Indianapolis 21, at San Diego 16. Actual result: at San Diego 23, Indianapolis 17 OT Overtime losses are tough. Overtime losses in the playoffs are even worse.

Sunday: #6 Baltimore (-2½) at #3 Miami- Miami has had a remarkable season, going from 1-15 last year to 11-5 this year. But that remarkable season ends with this game. The Ravens defense is one of the best in the league and their offense finally has found a franchise QB in rookie Joe Flacco. That, plus the confidence of winning in Miami in Week Seven should put them in Tennessee next weekend. They'll just use the same strategy they used in their week seven win. Miami's wildcat offense will struggle. Prediction: Baltimore 31, at Miami 17. Actual result: Baltimore 27, at Miami 9 Turnovers will kill you every time. Ask Chad Pennington.

#6 Philadelphia (-3½) at #3 Minnesota- Admittedly, I never thought either of these teams were good enough to make the playoffs, but here they are. Philadelphia, under QB Donovan McNabb,is playing well right now. But their 3-4-1 road record does not inspire confidence. Minnesota's 6-2 home record does. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson will have a good game and will be the difference maker. Prediction: at Minnesota 27, Philadelphia 10. Actual result: Philadelphia 26, at Minnesota 14 I didn't get to see much of this game, cuz I had to take my kids home. But I did see Brian Westbrook's 71 yard catch and run TD that effectively sealed the win for the Eagles. Man that boy is good.

UPDATE: Ok, so I was 1-3 for the weekend both straight up and vs. the point spread. I almost have to do better next week, right? More predictions on Friday.

Football season is here!

College football games started last weekend.

The NFL season started tonight with Washington losing to the New York Giants, 16-7, at the exit 7W Meadowlands in the wilds of New Jersey. There's also a full slate of games on Sunday and a Monday night doubleheader.

Now it's time to officially put the Patriots heartbreaking Super Bowl loss in the rear view mirror and focus on the new season.

Do I think the Patriots will go 16-0 in the regular season again?

No.

But with a soft schedule, a 13 win or better regular season record is a real possibility. Home field advantage in the AFC goes through Foxboro until further notice.

With that, here are my predictions for another wonderfully glorious, highly emotional NFL season:

Division Champions

AFC East- New England Patriots
AFC Central- Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South- Indianapolis Colts
AFC West- San Diego Chargers

AFC Wild Card teams- Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars

NFC East- Dallas Cowboys
NFC Central- Green Bay Packers
NFC South- New Orleans Saints
NFC West- Arizona Cardinals

NFC Wild Card teams- Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles

SEEDINGS:
AFC:

1. New England
2. San Diego
3. Indianapolis
4. Pittsburgh
5. Cleveland
6. Jacksonville

NFC:

1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Green Bay Packers
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Arizona Cardinals
5. Seattle Seahawks
6. Philadelphia Eagles

Wild Card Playoffs
AFC- Cleveland over Pittsburgh and Indianapolis over Jacksonville
NFC- Seattle over Arizona and New Orleans over Philadelphia

Conference Semis (Divisional Round)
AFC- New England over Cleveland and San Diego over Indianapolis
NFC- Dallas over Seattle and Green Bay over New Orleans

Conference Championships
AFC- New England over San Diego
NFC- Dallas over Green Bay

Super Bowl XLIII @ Tampa, FL
New England over Dallas

Seriously people, did you really think I'd pick against the Patriots? When you come as close to perfection as they did in 2007 and not get it leaves you with a big chip on your shoulder and a super bad taste in your mouth. I don't care if you hear that they've put that devastating loss behind them. They're human and want to prove that they can regain the mantle of champions. Afterall, it has been three years since the last one. Plus, no one plays the us vs. them card better than Coach Bill. Nobody. Even if he never shows emotion in public or in the press, you can bet he does with his team. He'll drill it into their heads until they're repeating it in their sleep.

Green's 2008 Baseball Predictions

Even though the Red Sox have already played two games in Japan that count in the standings for this season, the rest of Major League Baseball got underway last night with one game and today with a full set of games in both leagues.

You know I like to tell y'all what I think, even if y'all don't care as much as I do. Everyone's got an opinion so I thought I'd give you my predictions for this new, wonderful baseball season!! With a full 162 game schedule for each team between now and October, anything can happen and it usually does. One thing I know for sure is that I'm going to enjoy the ride.

American League

East
1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles

Central
1. Detroit Tigers
2. *Cleveland Indians
3. Minnesota Twins
4. Chicago White Sox
5. Kansas City Royals

West
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Seattle Mariners
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Texas Rangers

National League

East
1. New York Mets
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Philadelphia Phillies
4. Washington Nationals
5. Florida Marlins

Central
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Houston Astros
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Cincinnati Reds
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
6. St. Louis Cardinals

West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. *-San Diego Padres
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. San Francisco Giants
5. Colorado Rockies

*= Wild Card teams

WILD CARD PLAYOFFS (best of five)

AL- Boston over Cleveland
AL- Detroit over Los Angeles
NL- Chicago over San Diego
NL- Los Angeles over New York

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (best of seven)

AL- Boston over Detroit
NL- Chicago over Los Angeles

WORLD SERIES (best of seven)

Boston over Chicago

Since I was in college, the Chicago Cubs have consistently been one of my favorite National League teams. Lou Piniella is an outstanding manager who has won a World Series (1990 Cincinnati Reds) and the Cubs look to have a very good team this year. Plus, they are the sentimental favorites, since their last World Series championship was in 1908. Yes, 1908. 100 years ago. And you thought the pre 2004 Red Sox and pre 2005 White Sox were pathetic. C'mon admit it, you did. Yes. You. Did.

I may be a bit of a homer when it comes to predicting for or against my Red Sox, but the defending World Series Champions are essentially returning with the same team as the one they won with last year, which rarely happens in this day and age of professional sports, so how can I not pick them to repeat?

2007 MLB Playoff Predictions- Division Series

I'm your self-proclaimed resident "expert" sports pundit here in blogger-land. That being the case, I just know you want to know how I think the baseball playoffs will go this year. Here are my picks for the Division Series, which are best-of-five series. Predictions for the two League Championship Series and World Series to follow later in the month.

Since three of the four series start tonight, let's begin with the National League:

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Season Series: Col 4-3

My prediction: Phillies win 3 games to 1.
Actual result: Rockies won 3-0.

After Colorado's exciting one game "playoff" to decide the NL Wild Card last night plus a cross country trip to Philly I see fatigue and a messed up rotation playing a big role in this series for the Rockies. Plus, the Phillies are playing on-fire baseball right now. They will be more rested, have their pitching rotation in order and have home field advantage.

Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Season Series: Arz 4-2

My Prediction: Cubs win 3 games to 2.
Actual result: Diamondbacks won 3-0.

The Diamondbacks, I think, were supposed to be decent this season but nobody, save for die-hard Cubbies fans thought their team would make the playoffs this season, especially after a 96 loss last place finish in 2006. Even though the Cubs have the worst won-loss record of any playoff team in either league this year, it's a new season and anything can happen. I think Lou Piniella is a great manager and Alfonso Soriano had a phenomenal season in his first year in Chicago. Thank God he now plays in the NL! It's all about momentum and pitching in the second season and the Cubbies have more of it.


Now for the American League:

New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians
Season Series: NYY 6-0

My Prediction: Indians win 3 games to 2.
Actual result: Indians won 3-1.

Kudos to the Yankees for having a heckuva second half and even getting to the playoffs- combined with the second half meltdown of the Detroit Tigers. Still, the Indians will win this series because pitching wins in the playoffs. The Yankees just have too many questions in their rotation outside of Chien-Ming Wang as their #1 guy. I know the Indians lost all six games to the Yankees in the regular season, but a 1-2 punch of C.C. Sabathia (whom the Yankees haven't faced since 2004) and Fausto Carmona is just too much to handle in a short series. Having said that, it wouldn't surprise me if the Yankees won this series, setting up another potential monster Yankees-Red Sox ALCS.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Boston Red Sox
Season Seires: Bos 4-2

My Prediction: Red Sox win 3 games to 1.
Actual result: Red Sox won 3-0.

Potential CY Young winner Josh Beckett will face the Angels twice if the series goes four games, Matsuzaka once and possibly twice, if it goes the full five games. The Angels didn't face Dice-K in the regular season. Oh, yeah. Then you have 2004 World Series hero Curt Schilling to pitch Game 3. Angels Ace John Lackey won 19 games this season but his personal house of horrors is Fenway Park. Not to mention uber-freak power guy Vlad Guererro is battling serious injuries and the Angels other power bat, Gary Matthews, Jr. is inactive for this series due to injury. Both managers are excellent and both have won World Series this decade (Angels 2002; Red Sox 2004). Not that it matters, but the Red Sox swept the Angels in the Division Series in 2004, en route to a World Series Championship and are 2-0 vs. the Angels all-time in the playoffs (won the LCS in 1986 en route to a heartbreaking WS loss to the Mets).

Green's 2007 NFL Predictions

Well here we are again at the start of another season of the National Football League (season #88 all told). And since I consider myself to be one of the "experts", I'm going to let you know how I think the season will unfold, by division, then I'll give you my predictions for the playoffs and for Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona, come February 3, 2008.

NFC East

1 Philadelphia Eagles (if Donovan McNabb stays healthy.)
2 Dallas Cowboys* (strong Dallas team, despite Wade Phillips coaching ineptness.)
3 Washington Redskins (improvement from last season, but not enough for playoffs.)
4 New York Giants (Poor Tom Coughlin. Good coach, bad team and he'll get fired for it.)

NFC South

1 New Orleans (despite last night's season opening beatdown, this is the best team in a weak division.)
2 Carolina Panthers* (rebounding nicely from off year in 2006.)
3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (poor Jon Gruden. Good coach, aging team and he'll get fired for it.)
4 Atlanta Falcons (questionable team with Michael Vick, no chance without him. Poor Bobby Petrino.)

NFC North

1 Chicago Bears (best team in weak division, despite QB Rex Grossman.)
2 Detroit Lions (best finish in long time, 8-8 is realistic but no playoffs yet.)
3 Green Bay Packers (swan song for one of NFL's all time greats in QB Brett Favre.)
4 Minnesota Vikings (young team with promise for 2008.)

NFC West

1 Seattle Seahawks (better than 2006 record due to horrific injuries to key players.)
2 San Francisco 49ers (Good coach, getting back to franchise respectability - look out in 2008.)
3 Arizona Cardinals (New Coach shines as does offense - scary thought from this team.)
4 St. Louis Rams (I'm just not impressed. This year's Carolina Panthers very underachieving.)

AFC East

1 New England Patriots (missed Superbowl XLI by a very narrow margin. Improved to scary good this year.)
2 New York Jets (Gang Green overachieved last year. 8-8 is realistic.)
3 Buffalo Bills (Offensive promise, defensive problems.)
4 Miami Dolphins (Defensive promise, offensive problems.)

AFC South

1 Indianapolis Colts (defending champs too good not to win weak division.)
2 Tennessee Titans (look out league, VY is scary good in year two.)
3 Houston Texans (will finish with between 6-8 wins, viable for playoffs in 2008.)
4 Jacksonville Jaguars (mutiny on the bounty... Jack del Rio loses control, gets fired.)

AFC North

1 Baltimore Ravens (underachieved in 2006 playoffs, best team in strong division.)
2 Cincinnati Bengals* (sleeper for playoffs this year. Could win division with a few breaks.)
3 Pittsburgh Steelers* (new coach = same Steelers.)
4 Cleveland Browns (poor Romeo Crennel. Good coach, bad franchise. Gets one more year in 2008 to prove he can win here.)

AFC West

1 San Diego Chargers (despite Norv Turner, still have the weapons to be scary good.)
2 Denver Broncos (miss playoffs on tiebreakers - what a shame.)
3 Kansas City Chiefs (Poor Herm Edwards. Good coach, bad and aging team.)
4 Oakland Raiders (NFL's version of hell ain't getting any cooler. Offense wanted.)

Playoff Predictions:

byes: Patriots, Colts, Saints, Bears. *-Wild Card team.
Wild Card- Chargers over Bengals, Ravens over Steelers, Panthers over Eagles, Seahawks over Cowboys.
Divisional- Colts over Chargers, Patriots over Ravens, Seahawks over Bears, Saints over Panthers.
Championship- Patriots over Colts, Seahawks over Saints.

Super Bowl XLII - Patriots over Seahawks.