PICKING WINNERS

Every preseason, NFL fans and analysts attempt to predict how the upcoming season will unfold. They often base these predictions on such factors as how teams finished up the previous season, what players were added or subtracted from each team, how well each team did in the draft, and who is coaching the teams. These are all ways that people make educated predictions. Then you have those who make decisions based solely on emotions. This is when you hear phrases like, “The rebuilding is finally over and we are ready to make the playoffs” (Lions fans). You also hear, “Our defense is great, all we need is consistent QB play and our defense will carry us to the Super Bowl” (Bears and Ravens fans). Then my personal favorite is the “if” fan. This guy invents a way for his pathetic team to have a chance in the upcoming season. For instance, “If Brodie Croyle plays like Peyton Manning and if Larry Johnson returns to form, and if our defense play up to their potential and be the best unit in the league, the Kansas City Chiefs will be playing in Tampa on February 1st” (Chiefs fans). Let’s be honest we all like to put on our prognosticator hat and predict what will happen in the upcoming season. It’s fun and if you are correct, you feel like a genius. If you’re wrong, who cares because the people who will point out to you that you were wrong, were probably just as wrong or even more wrong than you were. No matter what happens we all tend to look back at the season and find some way to make our initial predictions seem as though they were right.

Each season, I challenge a couple of my friends who are also huge NFL fans to put our picks in writing and review how well we did at the end of the season. In the past we have done pretty well. For instance, during the 2007 NFL draft I boldly predicted that the New England Patriots would have a perfect regular season and win the Super Bowl. Everyone thought that no team would go through a regular season undefeated and questioned my sanity. Although they did eventually lose the Super Bowl, I was very proud of my prediction about the perfect season. I was also correct in boldly stating that former MVP Shaun Alexander would absolutely suck once he got a new lucrative contract from the Seattle Seahawks (He will be watching this season from home just like you and me). Another surprisingly accurate pick occurred when one of my friends boldly picked DeMeco Ryans to win the 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year and he was correct.

I have decided this season to up the ante. Instead of simply putting my picks for the 2008 season down on paper, I have decided to make them available for the entire world to see. (If you are confident enough to do the same, please post them in the comments section. You don’t have to pick everything, just the categories that you feel comfortable putting your name and reputation on.)

I hope everyone enjoyed the series of posts ranking various NFL positions and units. I had a lot of fun doing it and the feedback and comments I received were awesome. They were all leading up to this moment. My friends and I pick EVERYTHING including team standings and rankings, individual awards and rankings, and we even make a BOLD PREDICTION about the upcoming season.

IT IS NOW TIME TO MAKE MY 2008 NFL PICKS!!!! Sit back, enjoy, and get your comments ready.

****NOTE****
These picks were very difficult to make because they were made according to what I think will happen and not what I hope will happen. I tried very hard not to let emotions or “fandom” interfere with my thinking while making these picks.

MY 2008 NFL PICKS ARE A FOLLOWS….

DIVISIONAL STANDINGS:
NFC SOUTH
1. Saints
2. Buccaneers
3. Panthers
4. Falcons

NFC EAST
1. Cowboys
2. Eagles
3. Redskins
4. Giants

NFC NORTH
1. Vikings
2. Packers
3. Lions
4. Bears

NFC WEST
1. Cardinals
2. Seahawks
3. Rams
4. 49er’s

AFC SOUTH
1. Colts
2. Jaguars
3. Texans
4. Titans

AFC EAST
1. Patriots
2. Bills
3. Jets
4. Dolphins

AFC NORTH
1. Browns
2. Bengals
3. Steelers
4. Ravens

AFC WEST
1. Chargers
2. Raiders
3. Broncos
4. Chiefs


PLAYOFF TEAMS:
NFC
1. Cowboys
2. Saints
3. Vikings
4. Cardinals
5. Eagles
6. Redskins

NFC Championship Game:
Cowboys v/s Vikings


AFC
1. Colts
2. Chargers
3. Patriots
4. Browns
5. Jaguars
6. Texans

AFC Championship Game:
Colts v/s Patriots

Super Bowl:
Colts v/s Cowboys

Super Bowl Champion:
Colts


TEAM RANKINGS:
#1 Offense (Highest Scoring):
Colts

#32 Offense (Lowest Scoring):
Chiefs

#1 Defense (Fewest Points Allowed):
Vikings

#32 Defense (Most Points Allowed):
Rams

Most Special Teams Touchdowns:
Bears

Best Regular Season Record:
Colts

Worst Regular Season Record:
Falcons


INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
MVP:
Peyton Manning

Offensive Player of the Year:
Peyton Manning

Defensive Player of the Year:
DeMarcus Ware

Offensive Rookie of the Year:
Darren McFadden

Defensive Rookie of the Year:
Curtis Lofton

Coach of the Year:
Brad Childress


INDIVIDUAL LEADERS:
Passing Yards:
Carson Palmer

Passing TD’s:
Peyton Manning

Rushing Yards:
Adrian Peterson

Rushing TD’s:
LaDanien Tomlinson

Receiving Yards:
Chad Johnson

Receiving TD’s:
Randy Moss

Sacks:
DeMarcus Ware

Interceptions:
Antonio Cromartie

Tackles:
Patrick Willis

Defensive TD’s:
Antonio Cromartie

BOLD PREDICTIONS:
1. Marion Barber and Felix Jones of the Dallas Cowboys will both rush for at least 1,000 yards this season.
2. Brett Favre will throw more interceptions than touchdowns.

These picks are just one man’s opinions and predictions about the upcoming NFL season. I know that many of you will disagree with many of my picks. If you do, please comment and let me know. There is only one condition, if you disagree with one of my picks you must tell me who you would pick in their place and why. Also, if you have any questions about why I have picked a certain team or player in a particular place, simply ask me in your comment and I will reply with my reason. I look forward to hearing from you.

****NOTE****
We are now only 11 days away from the season opening kickoff. Get your popcorn ready. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!