Facts: (1.) The NFL season starts in about nine seconds, and (2.) I'm more than a little tardy with my NFL season predictions.
But first, take a look at the NFL wagers I made for the upcoming season:
Saints OVER 8.5 wins (-180)
Vikings OVER 8.5 wins (-190)
Romo +9.5 TD passes vs Brady (-140)
Frank Gore +0.5 rushing TDs vs. Edgerrin James (-120)
Marques Colston -35.5 receiving yards vs. Houshmandzadeh (-115)
I shall be swimming in pools of $100 bills in about four months!
Another gambling note: The Brian Vickers System is now 2-0. Details to be posted tomorrow, along with the Vickers picks for the weekend! This should excite you - hence the usage of the exclamation point at the end of the previous sentence.
Without further ado, here are my quick predictions for the 2008 NFL season:
AFC playoffs:
1. Jags (12-4)...Jones-Drew gets more and more touches, becomes legitimate star
2. Pats (11-5)...Up and down all year. About time for them to suffer bad luck.
3. Steelers (11-5)...Mendenhall is best back on team - fumbling issues result in fewer carries
4. Chargers (9-7)...Merriman plays in eight games; regrets decision to play.
WC: Colts (10-6)...Gonzalez becomes No. 2 over Harrison
WC: Browns (9-7)...Quinn makes an appearance and impresses; controversy gains momentum.
Close, but no cylindrical roll of tobacco cured for smoking: Jets (9-7); Texans (9-7)
On the rise (relatively speaking): Raiders (7-9)...I think JaMarcus Russell proves not to be a bust; Zach Miller becomes top 8 fantasy TE
Random AFC predictions: Dwayne Bowe avoids the curse of Michael Clayton; Ben Utecht catches 65 balls; Ted Ginn returns three kickoffs for TDs; The Bengals finish with a 5-11 record; Ricky Williams reminds people how talented he still is.
AFC Championship: Jags over Steelers
NFC playoffs:
1. Saints (12-4)...Brees goes for 35-40 TDs; Bush catches 85 balls.
2. Cowboys (12-4)...Felix Jones wows people in limited duty.
3. Vikings (11-5)...Jared Allen, 20 sacks; Peterson, 1,600 yards without being overworked.
4. Cardinals (8-8)...Tim Hightower slides ahead of Edgerrin James by midseason.
WC: Packers (10-6)...Rodgers, top 10 fantasy QB; Jennings sees increase in production.
WC: Lions (9-7)...What the hell?
Close, but no cylindrical roll of tobacco cured for smoking: Eagles (9-7); Panthers (8-8)
On the rise (relatively speaking): 49ers (7-9)...Patty Willis might be the best LB in the NFL, and I haven't given up on Martz just yet.
Random NFC predictions: Jason Campbell continues to be the walking definition of mediocre; Giants don't use Ahmad Bradshaw as much as they should; Tampa wins four games; Frank Gore hits 2,000 total yards and 15 TDs; Matt Ryan is somewhat non-terrible from day one; Nate Burleson catches 85 balls; Calvin Johnson hauls in 15 TDs; Kyle Orton starts 16 games; Justin Tuck once again posts double digit sacks despite the losses of Strahan and Umenlkmdkknfdyoura; Marques Colston, top fantasy WR.
NFC Championship: Saints over Vikings
Super Bowl: Jags over Saints.
End of words. And the first game ain't even started yet. Word up!
-Brad Spieser (Brad@TwinKilling.com)
9/4/08
