My shot at a Preview

Before we get into this "homeless man's Sports Guy" preview, a couple things need to be said: (1) In accordance with previous reports, the new Bruce single is outstanding, and (2) Tiki Barber is a joke.

To elaborate on point #2, check out his interview with Mike and the Mad Dog this afternoon (should be posted on wfan.com soon). What does Tiki want, and why do we care? In this half hour-plus interview, he managed to flip-flop on Tom Coughlin, rip Mike and Dog for being hypocritical, and basically blame the media for blackballing his entire season last year. At the end, he challenged Mike and Dog to repeat what he himself said to the media. Mike/Dog did just that, and Tiki denied it. Huh? In a related story, Tiki's new book is now in stores. He'll publish the rebuttal in time for the holidays.

Between the fall of Tiki, Pacman making it rain, Michael Vick's rape stand and Jerramy Stevens getting busted, what an atrocious offseason. But it's over. Let's get to the good stuff. Wins in parentheses.

AFC EAST
So the Pats (13) were ripped off by the refs against Denver in '06 and were basically one play away from winning the Super Bowl in January. They're hungry. And quite good. Eric Mangini is a genie, but it's seriously unrealistic to expect the Jets (7) to repeat their success from last year. Miami (5) and Buffalo (4)? Going nowhere fast. Just look at their QB situations. Don't like the Bills' defense at all.

AFC NORTH
The Ravens can play solid D (9), the Bengals can run up the score (8), but only the Steelers (10) have the personnel to do both. It really is that simple. Nice try, Browns (3). At least they got Brady Q.

AFC SOUTH
Yes, this preview is after last night's stampede, so go ahead and grill me because I really was gonna pick the Colts (11) to go winless. Still, a young defense won't be perfect, and hangovers do happen. Everyone thinks the Titans (9) will have a down year, but VY is the real deal and Pacman was most likely a negative influence in the clubhouse. Lots of young talent here + outstanding coach. The Jags (9) are your classic D+run team, but Garrard isn't the answer. Still waiting for the Texans (6) to get an acceptable offensive line, although Shaub to Andre J will be deadly.

AFC WEST
I don't like Norv Turner as a head coach either but with the talent on the Chargers (12) there really isn't much to coach. An OVERRATED team for once: The Broncs (9). Cutler-Henry-Walker just doesn't feel right, and Shanahan is in his twilight years as a coach. Terrible Darrent Williams tragedy; I do see the Broncs playing very inspired football. The Chiefs (7) are going downhill, the Raiders (5) uphill, at least on defense.

NFC EAST
...AND the answer to your biggest question will treat everyone reading this the same. Cowboys? Giants? Eagles? NO to you all; the Redskins (10) will steal the division behind a solid Campbell season, reliable running game, young tough D and smart coaching. The birds (9) will have some trouble getting O and D to play well in the same game, the 'Boys (8) lose some luster following the Tuna's departure...plus I really really don't appreciate Tony Romo, and the Giants (7) really aren't that good, and have to perpetuate their cycle of finishing in a different place every year.

NFC NORTH
Come on. This is an NFL division? Absolutely no suspense here. Same as the past couple years. Bears (13) by "default" as my buddy Sunil would say, the Vikes (8) still have Childress as coach, although TJax won't be as bad as Favre will be for the Pack (6), who'll steal some games thanks to their up-and-coming D. Finally, the Lions (5) have no chance. Did you realize the NFL had to put a Thanksgiving night game on the NFL network just so fans could get the ugly Detroit taste out of their collective mouths? Come on.

NFC SOUTH
The Saints (10) will have a letdown year, but in this easy NFC, that means ten wins and a division crown. I figure nine wins for the Panthers (9) is about right, what an absolute nightmare to predict. No weapons, no stars, no future for the Bucs (5), and while I agree the Dirty Birds (5) stir up some Ewing Theory-intrigue, the defense was going downhill anyway and Joey Harrington wasn't good regardless of the Lions receivers, as I saw for about five straight years on Thanksgiving morning.

NFC WEST
The time is now and the window is open. Yes they went from being underrated to overrated faster than VD's 40 time, but the Niners (10) have it set up. And they are the single biggest reason why I'm pumped for this season unlike any other. Meanwhile, the Rams (9) will cheat their way to a winning record. The Seahawks (8) are getting old fast, and now without any sense of a fearsome D, they're not going anywhere. Finally, the Cardinals (7) ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE.

SECOND SEASON
I take the Colts over Tennessee in the first round to spoil VY's playoff welcome. Another spoiled welcome will be in Pittsburgh, where the Ravens come in and beat Mike Tomlin. Taking the chalk the rest of the way: Pats over Ravens, Chargers over Colts, Pats over Chargers.
In the NFC, it's the same pattern: Rams lose in New Orleans while the Eagles go down to Washington and shock the Redskins. Now I wouldn't be surprised if the Saints come into Frisco and beat the Niners, but I gotta go with my team. But no team other than the Bears is winning in Chicago this season, so the Eagles and Niners are toast. By default.
Finally, the Pats beat the Bears in SB 42. Maybe by a very familiar 46-10 score.

So there you have it. Five repeat division winners compared to four last year. Pats and Bears sounds too easy, but here in the NFL, the rich seem to get richer. Watch out for a Niners-Titans Super Bowl in '09 though.

Enjoy the season folks.