NFC
NFC East
1. Cowboys (11-5) - An improved team this year, defense should improve drastically with Phillips. The season hinges on Romo. 13-3, better than I thought...lets see if they can keep it up in the playoffs
2. Eagles (10-6) - The typical Eagles injury spree has already begun. They'll be a good team, but the defense needs some work 8-8, tough year, they were better than their record shows, if they're smart they'll keep McNabb and get a star WR
3. Redskins (7-9) - A little better than last year, but not much. Campbell will do fairly well, but no pass rush on defense hurts 9-7, Todd Collins hasn't thrown an interception in 10 years?
4. Giants (5-11) - Will be a bad year for the Giants. Eli struggled with Tiki Barber as a security blanket. Subtract him, and potentially Strahan..no go 10-6, surprised most people. I'm still not entirely sure how they are 10-6, they were mediocore in most aspects of the game, not really great or terrible at anything
NFC North
1. Bears (12-4) - The most overrated Superbowl team of all time. The defense is still strong, but the offense will be worse. 7-9, this team needs a QB bad...and the defense needs to be healthy
2. Lions (9-7) - Improved, especially on offense. But that defense will let them down big time. 7-9, ok ok they didn't quite get a winning record, but they did improve. So hot and cold.
3. Vikings (8-8) - A solid defense, but no QB or WR, and only average at RB 8-8, got the record right, not quite in the analysis...oh well, I'll take it
4. Packers (6-10) - Sorry Favre, better retire soon. Make way for the future, this team isn't winning soon. 13-3, we've already covered this. I'm sorry leeland
NFC West
1. Seahawks (10-6) - They talk like losing Jackson was a good thing. It isn't. 10-6, quietest division winner of the year, I think everyone forgets they are here
2. Cardinals (9-7) - There are a lot of very good individual players on this team. If the line can play well, they can go far. 8-8, close...injuries to QB killed them
3. Rams (9-7) - Jackson is very good, but he won't top last year. No defense will more than offset the former greatest show on turf. 3-13, another team rocked by injuries. When your QB, RB, and over half your o-line goes out, you're in trouble
4. 49ers (5-11) - Everyone is so high on the 49ers. I'm not. I don't think Frank Gore is as good as last year suggests, plus overspending on free agents doesn't always work, just ask the Redskins. 5-11, thank god they won a few games and pushed back the Pats' pick next year
NFC South
1. Panthers (11-5) - They'll bounce back from last year if they stay healthy, but Delhomme is starting to slip. 7-9, injuries, Peppers didn't play very well. Fell off after a decent start.
2. Saints (10-6) - Very exciting offense, but they aren't the Colts...they need a defense, and they don't have it. 7-9, another maddeningly inconsistant team
3. Bucs (6-10) - Cadillac ruined my Fantasy world last year. The once-dominant defense is aging. 9-7, I don't think they'll get very far in the playoffs
4. Falcons (5-11) - Not that Vick is the best QB in the league, he helped this team immensly, and that will show. 4-12, I feel bad for Arthur Blank. At least, as bad as you can feel for the founder of home depot and owner of an nfl franchise
AFC
AFC East
1. Patriots (13-3) - They just aren't fair. 16-0, covered plenty. I think my analysis says it all
2. Jets (10-6) - Thomas Jones needs to stay healthy to keep pressure off Pennington, but they've got a chance 4-12, well that didn't quite work out now did it?
3. Bills (7-9) - I don't know why people think they'll improve after losing McGahee 7-9, hooray
4. Dolphins (5-11) - Trent Green was a horrible decision, and that doesn't bode well for Ronnie Brown. I apologize for picking them to go to the playoffs last year 1-15, they weren't good
AFC North
1. Ravens (12-4) - Frightening defense, running game will improve with McGahee, but McNair is losing more every year 5-11, maybe Troy Smith turns them around next year?
2. Bengals (11-5) - I love Carson Palmer, best non-Manning QB in the league. The defense holds them back though. 7-9, I think Palmer is a schizo, he can't decide if he is Peyton Manning or AJ Feeley
3. Steelers (6-10) - Once again the biggest farce of a championship team will show us that Roethlisburger is amazingly overrated 10-6, another one I obviously was wrong about.
4. Browns (3-13) - They have a promising offensive line, but Quinn isn't ready for the big time. 10-6, I don't think Romeo Crennel expected this. Damn you Derek Anderson
AFC West
1. Chargers (12-4) - The defense will take a hit without Phillips, but Turner should help the offense. LT might be the best player of this generation. 11-5, rebounded from a slow start
2. Broncos (10-6) - Cutler has a lot of potential, but still a little green. No pass rush offsets a great secondary. 7-9, can't quite figure the broncos out
3. Oakland (7-9) - They'll be better with Culpepper and that defense, but the offensive line is a travesty. 4-12, so much for Oakland improving
4. Chiefs (5-11) - RBs always slow down after 400+ touch seasons, and who is playing QB? They never had a good defense either. 4-12, Arrowhead ain't so scary anymore
AFC South
1. Colts (13-3) - Every year people say they'll fall off because they let defensive starters go. Every year it doesn't happen. Manning is a god. 13-3, playoffs will be interesting. The reverse of 2004?
2. Jaguars (11-5) - One of the best defenses in the league, but a curiously unproductive offense considering how many top picks they have 11-5, I'm pretty surprised Garrard played as well as he did
3. Titans (6-10) - Vince Young is the most over hyped, overrated player in the league. Plus they lost their best WR, RB, CB/kick returner. 10-6, thanks to their defense and running game. The epitome of winning DESPITE the QB, not BECAUSE of him
4. Texans (4-12) - Matt Schaub was a good backup, not a starter. 8-8, good season for them, which is kinda sad
6/32 on the dot, 10/32 within 1 game, 14/32 within 2 games. 13/32 correct division finish. 5/8 for division winners, 6/12 for playoff spots, 10/12 for midseason playoff update.
Not a very good year I'll admit - a few glaring mistakes (the entire AFC North, Packers, Giants), a bunch of smaller ones. To be fair, I'm not surprised that the records are pretty far off - at the beginning of the season we determined that I had too many wins on the board and I didn't feel like fixing it, haha.
Now, for the playoffs
Round 1
Washington @ Seattle - I don't care how well Todd Collins has played. He's gotta fall off...I'm not toos ure of this one though, Washington has been playing very well recently
New York @ Tampa Bay - I don't think either of these teams are that good, so I'll go with the home team
Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh - they're on a tear recently. I certainly wouldn't want to face them
Tennessee @ San Diego - Vince Young implodes. Literally.
Round 2
Tampa Bay @ Dallas - Well rested and healthy, Dallas gets their groove back
Seattle @ Green Bay - mostly to upset leeland
Jacksonville @ New England - Everyone's favorite upset here falls short
San Diego @ Indianapolis - The Colts are good
Round 3
Seattle @ Dallas - You thought playing in front of Jessica was bad, Tony? Try playing in front of 100 million viewers...but at least you get to reverse "the bobble"
Indianapolis @ New England - Peyton Manning gets revenge for playoff upsets past, spoiling the perfect season
Superbowl
Dallas over Indianapolis - come on, what do you expect me to say?