Ah, at last, it has finally arrived. No, not Christmas, but the next best thing: football season.
It is finally back. The National Football League season is upon us once more and I am ready for some good ol' pigskin. With the season kicking off tonight at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado there are many questions on many people's minds. Will RGIII not get injured this year? Can the Baltimore Ravens be anything like they were last season minus Ray, Ed, and many other key players? Will Andy Reid turn around the Chiefs? Will the Jets be as bad as we think they'll be? Will Peyton Manning and the Broncos win the Super Bowl as expected? WHO WILL WIN THE SUPER BOWL?
All great questions.
Now for some of my predictions which may (we'll see in the future) answer your questions.
It is finally back. The National Football League season is upon us once more and I am ready for some good ol' pigskin. With the season kicking off tonight at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado there are many questions on many people's minds. Will RGIII not get injured this year? Can the Baltimore Ravens be anything like they were last season minus Ray, Ed, and many other key players? Will Andy Reid turn around the Chiefs? Will the Jets be as bad as we think they'll be? Will Peyton Manning and the Broncos win the Super Bowl as expected? WHO WILL WIN THE SUPER BOWL?
All great questions.
Now for some of my predictions which may (we'll see in the future) answer your questions.
1) Robert Griffin III
Many pundits and experts have been highly skeptical of Robert Griffin III's decision making regarding sliding, his durability, his "tension" with Head Coach Mike Shanahan, and how well he'll play this year.
Here's what I think. RGIII will slide more this year. He values his opportunity at helping a franchise win a championship and at marking his place in football history. He's a smart guy and he'll do what's best for him, his team, and what his coaches tell him to do. He got thrown around a lot last year; other teams took advantage of him running the ball so much and being in the open field. Also, there is NO fighting between Shananhan and his stud quarterback. The media, and football analysts, have a tendency to make stories out of nothing. RGIII in the off season wanted to play and was vocal about it because that is the type of player he is; competitive and driven. He never went against his coach and he did what Shanahan wanted which was to sit and rest him. They both spoke what they wanted, respectfully, and RGIII complied.
So with all that being said, RGIII will slide more, there is nothing between Shanahan and him, he will be injury free this year, and he will have a great year that will result in a division title and playoff berth. I predict RGIII will throw for 4,000 passing yards, rush for under 500 yards, will throw 28 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, and will show people that he can be a pocket passer - who happens to be ridiculously fast.
Many pundits and experts have been highly skeptical of Robert Griffin III's decision making regarding sliding, his durability, his "tension" with Head Coach Mike Shanahan, and how well he'll play this year.
Here's what I think. RGIII will slide more this year. He values his opportunity at helping a franchise win a championship and at marking his place in football history. He's a smart guy and he'll do what's best for him, his team, and what his coaches tell him to do. He got thrown around a lot last year; other teams took advantage of him running the ball so much and being in the open field. Also, there is NO fighting between Shananhan and his stud quarterback. The media, and football analysts, have a tendency to make stories out of nothing. RGIII in the off season wanted to play and was vocal about it because that is the type of player he is; competitive and driven. He never went against his coach and he did what Shanahan wanted which was to sit and rest him. They both spoke what they wanted, respectfully, and RGIII complied.
So with all that being said, RGIII will slide more, there is nothing between Shanahan and him, he will be injury free this year, and he will have a great year that will result in a division title and playoff berth. I predict RGIII will throw for 4,000 passing yards, rush for under 500 yards, will throw 28 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, and will show people that he can be a pocket passer - who happens to be ridiculously fast.
2) How Good Will The J-E-T-S Be?
Sorry Jets fans, but I don't expect the New York Jets to be good at all this year. The Jets have just been a media and football nightmare the past few seasons and things aren't looking up. The Jets have just about given Mark Sanchez the boot after a not bad 4 seasons, and now they want to throw a rookie into the New York media limelight - a rookie that really only had a 3/4 strong season in college his senior year. So, a weak and lacking offense coupled with a pedestrian defense will result in a 2-14 season. Yes, 2-14. The highest I will go would be 4-12.
Sorry Jets fans, but I don't expect the New York Jets to be good at all this year. The Jets have just been a media and football nightmare the past few seasons and things aren't looking up. The Jets have just about given Mark Sanchez the boot after a not bad 4 seasons, and now they want to throw a rookie into the New York media limelight - a rookie that really only had a 3/4 strong season in college his senior year. So, a weak and lacking offense coupled with a pedestrian defense will result in a 2-14 season. Yes, 2-14. The highest I will go would be 4-12.
3) Divisional and Playoff Predictions
Alright, here are some quick division and playoff predictions that will probably be revised in the future.
NFC: East - Washington Redskins North - Green Bay Packers
West - San Francisco 49ers South - Atlanta Falcons
Wild Cards - Seattle Seahawks & Tampa Bay Buccaneers
AFC: East - New England Patriots North - Cincinnati Bengals
West - Denver Broncos South - Houston Texans
Wild Cards - Baltimore Ravens & Buffalo Bills
Wild Card: Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Washington Redskins vs. Seattle Seahawks
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Buffalo Bills Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens
Divisional Round: San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers
New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans
Conference Championship: San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots
Alright, here are some quick division and playoff predictions that will probably be revised in the future.
NFC: East - Washington Redskins North - Green Bay Packers
West - San Francisco 49ers South - Atlanta Falcons
Wild Cards - Seattle Seahawks & Tampa Bay Buccaneers
AFC: East - New England Patriots North - Cincinnati Bengals
West - Denver Broncos South - Houston Texans
Wild Cards - Baltimore Ravens & Buffalo Bills
Wild Card: Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Washington Redskins vs. Seattle Seahawks
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Buffalo Bills Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens
Divisional Round: San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers
New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans
Conference Championship: San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots
Super Bowl XLVIII Prediction
Denver Broncos 38-34 San Francisco 49ers
Denver Broncos 38-34 San Francisco 49ers