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As the summer heat fades into the fall breeze, it means one thing: Football. Yes, it’s that time of the year again. And, as always, it’s time for speculation, opinions, and little facts. Let’s face it: My predictions here are about, I don’t know, going to be 10% right. Because so much happens in 16 weeks. But I’m going to try anyway.
NFL MVP:

This one could go a number of ways. LaDanian Tomlinson, Tony “Jessica Simpson” Romo, Tom Brady (although as of 8:30 on Sunday, it looks like he might be out for the year). But, I think that LT will take home the crown. He’s just too good, and might be the best running back since Emmitt Smith entered the league. He’s that good. And don’t be surprised if he has another record breaking season.

NFC DIVISION WINNERS:

EAST: New York Giants

It’s funny how everyone discounts the World Champs. But, last I checked, they were still on top of the football world. And this ‘us against the world’ mentality is what served them so well during their magical playoff run. Look for them to make a deep run in the playoffs.

NORTH: Minnesota Vikings

With the Packers losing Brett Favre, the Bears seemingly forgetting to get Wide Receivers, and the Lions still hanging on the bottom, the Vikings will take the crown. In fact, some experts have picked them to win it all. I’m not so sure about that. But they do have a tremendous amount of talent, led by Adrian Peterson, who could challenge LT as the best running back in the league. This is a team that will be contended for many years to come.

SOUTH: New Orleans Saints

I feel bad for this team. Every summer, they have to deal with concerns about Hurricanes, rather than football concerns. And except for a tough schedule a year ago, they’ve been able to respond well to these catastrophes. With so many weapons on offense, they should take this division easily.

WEST: Seattle Seahawks

It’s not that the Seahawks are that great, it’s just that the rest of the division is terrible. I don’t think the Seahawks will make a big run, but some college teams would win this division.

NFC WILD CARD WINNERS:

DALLAS COWBOYS: They’re too good, and could challenge for the Super Bowl. That is, of course, the many rambunctious and volatile personalities find a way to mesh. If they don’t, it could spell trouble.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Donovan McNabb is healthy, and providing he stays that way, they’ll make the playoffs.

AFC DIVISION WINNERS:

EAST: Buffalo Bills

Yesterday this would have been the Patriots. But with Brady going down, the Bills take their spot. They’re very young, and growing pains come with that, but they also have a ton of talent, on both sides of the ball, making them a tough team to play, especially in the winter months. I like this team a whole lot.

NORTH: Pittsburgh Steelers

Big Ben Rothlisberger, and the return of the vaunted Steelers’ D, will lead this team to the playoffs. Combine that with a formidable running game, and good coaching, and this team will be there long into January.

SOUTH: Indianapolis Colts

Two Words: Peyton Manning.

WEST: San Diego Chargers

Perhaps the most talented team in the AFC, they take this division easily. Phillip Rivers, LT, Antonio Gates, lead a tremendously talented offensive attack, and they will blow out many opponents this year.

AFC WILD CARD WINNERS:

HOUSTON TEXANS: I absolutely love this team. Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Mario Williams. They’ve been bottom dwellers for a long time, but this year they will bust out and make the playoffs, much like the Tampa Rays are about to do in Baseball.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: A chic pick for the Super Bowl, I’m not going to go that far. But they have a balanced team, a good D, and a legitimate case to be the AFC’s representative in Tampa for the Super Bowl.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

DALLAS COWBOYS VS. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
A close game, the Saints edge the Cowboys out and make the Super Bowl

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS VS. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
The Chargers will overmatch the Jags, making this an easy one for San Diego.

SUPERBOWL XLIII

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS VS. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Chargers win this one, and Phillip Rivers joins Eli Manning and Ben Rothlisberger in becoming Super Bowl Champs from the ’04 Draft Class.

There you have it. Hopefully I’m right. But in this business, I’ll take just the Super Bowl Champ. Enjoy the football season.

About the Author

Your favorite writer from The Blog of Champions, is also writing for Tastefully Driven. He brings his sports expertise and knowledge to Tastefully Driven, and will continue to provide the insight and opinions you’ve grown to know and love. Any questions, comments, suggestions? You can contact him here.