The Big Boys

Well, we've looked at the undergrads, time to look at our seasoned graduates. I've long said that we know there is a God because as we slowly begin to pack up the beach cabanas, the bathing suits, the sunscreen...we unpack the tailgating equipment, the hooded sweatshirts and the Sam Adams Octoberfests! Summer may be coming to a close 501 fanatics, but tackle football is just beginning baby!!! Let's have a look at how I think 2009-2010 will shake out...

The American Football Conference

East

The Stetson model and Gisele Bundchen Boy Toy is back. I hate to go old hat here, but you can't pick against the Pats...expect HUGE numbers from both The Miiiiiiiiiichigan Boy and Randy Gene Moss. Bold Statement: Second only to Jerry Rice, Moss will go down as the greatest pass catcher in NFL history when he hangs up the cleats. Sleeper Pick: J E T S...Jets, Jets, Jets... could we have a third act to Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan's stellar freshmen seasons? I don't think it will be quite as good, but I do expect some good things from Matt Sanchez early on, however, the swirling December winds of GIANTS Stadium will be nothing like the 75 deg. SoCal weather you are accustomed to my friend!

North

It's the Steel City's division to lose, but this Big Ben injury is certainly something to keep your eye on. Look for Ray Lewis' bunch to take a slight step back from their AFC Title game appearance last season. Bold Playoff Prediction: The Bunguls, yes the Bunguls! Carson Palmer will have a stellar season throwing to Mr. Ochocinco (by the way, did you see the man not only kick a beautiful extra point, but one hell of a kickoff last week as well!) and the now levelheaded Chris Henry. Lock it up!

South

You could make an argument that this is the most intriguing division in all of football...the steady Colts, the upstart Texans, the always consistent Jags and the surprising Titans of last season. I just don't have a good feeling about this year's team in Indy...no Tony Dungy, no Marvin Harrison and an irritable Peyton Manning who not long ago asked what the hell the team was doing this offseason. I'm going to stick with my boy Kerry Collins...they don't ask him to do much down in Tennessee, protect the ball, throw it 20 times and handoff to their dynamic duo of LenDale White and Chris Johnson (the most underrated and overlooked player in the NFL). Team to Watch Out For: The Texans...led by Mario Williams (hey, I guess he was the right pick over Reggie Bush a few years back!) the Houston defense is nasty and the passing attack anchored by soft spoken and soft handed Andre Johnson is lethal. Look for a huge season out of running back Steve Slaton.

West

From one of the best divisions to perhaps the worst. The San Diego "Supa"Chargers! are the obvious pick, and I don't think the final standings will even be close. The usually rock-steady Broncos are an absolute catastrophe and the Chiefs spent a fortune on Matt Cassel...have we forgotten the man had one good season in relief of Tom Tom, and never started a game in college!!!! My advice to KC..give the ball to Larry Johnson 100x a game. What team have we left out? Ahhh, yes the dysfunctional Al Davis-lead, Commitment to Stupidity Silver and Black Raiders...Boldest Prediction of Them All: Those very Raiders will go 8-8. Led by their all-world cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (yes, he is the man in that Dick's Sporting Good's commercial lighting the store on fire!) and solid running game, the Boys by the Bay will get back to respectability this year. Lock it up!

The National Football Conference

East

Major U.S. cities, nasty and bitter rivalries, legendary coaches and players, and now a certain dog-killer. How can you not love the NFC East! Should be another fantastic year between the Boys, Skins, Eagles and G-Mennnnnnnn. I'm gonna go with my heart and pick Big Blue, but it won't be easy. The Boys went addition by subtraction in getting rid of T.O., the Eagles could put my grandmother at middle linebacker and still scare the shit out of me and you gotta figure Daniel Synder is going to get things right in our nation's capital one of these years. Biggest Step Back: As if the placement of their $40 million scoreboard is not enough of a ominous premonition, things won't be pretty this year in Big D...Wade Phillips will be on the hot seat all season long.

North

The Old Black and Blue Division...fantastic QB depth in the Great White North...Cutler, Stafford, Rodgers and the Hag from Hattiesburg. I've already declared this Brett Favre debacle won't end well so I'm going with the Cheeseheads, but expect a fantastic battle for the wild card between the Purple People Eaters and the Monsters of the Midway. MVP Worthy Season: Fueled by his former teammate's refusal to accept retirement, Aaron Rodgers will go ballistic! 30 plus touchdowns, half of which will land in the outstretched arms of Greg Jennings.

South

The NFL's big crap shoot year in and year out! Four years in a row with a different team winning the division. I don't believe Matt Ryan will have a sophomore slump and Tony Gonzalez is a huge addition...I like the Birds to win the South with the Saints finishing a very close second. The Panthers will be respectable, but it's time to give up on Jake Delhomme. BIG Prediction: Every team in this division will finish at or better than .500.

West

Not sure what to make of this division..definitely the least sexy in the league. Are the Cards for real, can the Hawks bounce back, will Mike Singletary pull down his pants in the locker room again, are the Rams even in existence anymore??? Lead by Shaun Hill and Frank Gore, I like the 49ers to compete for much of the season, but Kurt Warner and his array of weapons will triumph. What is Everyone Thinking?: I hear all these so-called experts promoting the Seahawks as the NFL's biggest sleeper...what do they see that I don't? Matt Hasselbeck is getting long in the tooth, the D is nothing to write home about, a banged up Walter Jones and Edgerrin James as the solution at running back? 8-8 at best for Seattle...they do, however, have the most underrated fans perhaps in all of sports...sheer fanatics and the stadium is constructed beautifully to lock in the noise from the 12th man!

Playoff Predictions

AFC

Division Winners:

New England

Pittsburgh

Tennessee
San Diego

Wild Card Winners:

Cincinnati

Indianapolis

NFC

Division Winners:

New York

Green Bay

Atlanta

Arizona

Wild Card Winners:

Philadelphia

Minnesota

AFC Title Game: New England over San Diego

NFC Title Game: Atlanta over Philadelphia

Super Bowl: Atlanta over New England, 31-24

Why??? As much as I hate to say it, the Pats are just too well coached not to win the AFC. As for the NFC, Matt Ryan is the real deal and how fitting would it be for Michael Vick to be beaten by his old mates. Falcon fans rejoice after years of believing Vick was the answer!