My 2006 NFL Predictions

Since I was barred for some reason to do this years football picks, I thought I would do my own.

NFC East:
1.) Philadelphia Eagles 10-6
They have quietly reloaded for another NFC East title while the Cowboys have had the limelight on them all preseason. With some nice weapons in Dante Stallworth, L.J. Smith, Reggie Brown / Greg Lewis, and a healthy Brian Westbrook, McNabb should be able to consistently move the offense down the field. The defense may be a little old, but they still have talent at all positions and if they can reduce their 24 ppg they allowed last year, they will be an excellent team.
2.) Dallas Cowboys 10-6 / 9-7
Did you know that the Cowboys have a very talented team besides T.O? With TO, Terry "She" Glenn, Jason Witten, and Anthony Fasano, Drew "Statue" Bledsoe has a ton of weapons to throw to. Plus, the defense looks solid with Roy Williams, Terrance Newman, and the Rook Bobby Carpenter (I know he is not starting right now, but they have tremendous depth). The only question is the O-Line. If the O-Line sucks, Bledsoe won't have time to throw and Julius Jones won't have anywhere to run. You know they are in trouble when Marc Columbo starts at RT. Despite this huge question mark, the Cowboys should go 10-6, but 9-7 or 8-8 could happen in close games.
3.) New York Giants 7-9
Eli Manning had a tremendous first half last year. But then he had an awful second half. Yes he has lots of weapons with Burress, Barber, Toomey, and Shockey, he has a suspect O-Line. Plus their defense won't be much better than last year. They signed Arrington, bravo, he's good for about 8-9 games. Giants will have a tough year and then we can all say good bye to Tom Coughlin.
4.) Washington Redskins 5-11
Top running back hurt + a quarterback whom should have retired years ago = not many points. Nothing much else to say except, hopefully Gibbs will get over his young guy phobia and play Jay Campbell. If he plays early, then they might be able to turn this season around and finish in the top 2, but it won't happen with Brunell.

NFC North:
1.) Chicago Bears 11-5
No reason to think they won't win at least 11 this year. They have 6 very winnable games in this division, plus games against Buffalo, San Fran, and Arizona. They do have a very tough game against Seattle in Chicago and have to travel to New England and to St. Louis, but otherwise, their schedule is not too tough (at least for now). Solid Defense with addition of Ricky Manning Jr plus the addition of a very nice KR and PR in Davis and Hester, an area they struggled big time last year. Rex or Brian, it really doesn't matter. Both guys are about the same. The Bears should be able to run the ball with a very solid O-Line. Ultimately, the should be about the same as last year, except not as many dumb turnovers on the special teams.
2.) Detroit Lions 7-9
I am sure I will be ridiculed big time for this pick, but with the addition of Mike Martz, that offense should move the ball. The will score plenty of points, but they will give a lot of them up. Nothing much to say about them.
3.) Green Bay Packers 5-11
For some reason, a lot of people believe that the Pack will be a surprise team. Maybe...but the same people annually say the Cardinals will be a sleeper team. For the Packers, I just don't see it and maybe I'm wrong. The addition of AJ Hawk was a great move, but honestly I don't think it will make much of an improvement this year, which is fine. He will be an outstanding player in the future and will probably have a decent season this year. Charles Woodson only played in 6 games last year and is historically injury prone. He is an upgrade over Carroll, but not by much. He was burned all preseason for big plays and he is really showing his age. Offensively, the Packers are a mess. Their O-Line is awful (2 Rookies starting means Favre getting hit a ton), their receiving corps is nothing special at all (Donald Driver and who else, Greg Jennings???). Driver will be great this year, but you can't win with one player. Ahman Green, whom was ridiculed mercilessly is the top RB. Finally Brett Favre...a great QB who unfortunately won't be much better than last year. Hopefully he will realize the Packers need Rogers to play (not in blowout loses, but when it counts). Rogers will be a very solid QB, it is about time he get the reps.
4.) Minnesota Vikings 4-12
Party Boat II??? Maybe not, but this team still sucks. Old quarterback, unproven runningback. They have decent receivers, but they can't score if they can't get the ball. They have a defense that should be better with Childress, but who cares when you can't score points. This is a rebuilding year, which if done right, they should be pretty good next year. Look for Taarvaris Jackson to get some reps this year.

I'm tired of writing for now, but I'll finish the NFC later tonight and then do the AFC tomorrow. Stay Classy!