The NFL is Upon Us: 2006-07 Predictions
August predictions are just that. Predictions made in August. However, with many usual powerhouses armed and ready in both the AFC and NFC, it appears as though many playoff contenders are set with the rest of the league clamoring for the remaining playoff spots and the role as the 2006-07 Surprise (better known as this year’s 2005 Chicago Bears).
AFC
The AFC is loaded and as usual boasts an inordinate number of the NFL’s most talented teams. While the playoff picture could easily field a few newcomers, it looks like this year’s bracket should closely resemble that of last year.
New England should easily lock up the East with Miami relying too heavily on the uncertain return of Daunte Culpepper. With Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s defense primed and ready, the Pats should ease past Week 17 as they have 4 out of the last 5 years. The North is top heavy with Cincinnati being perhaps the most powerful offense in the league with a healthy Carson Palmer and of course the top defense, Pittsburgh, who should have no problem recovering from the loss of receiver Antoine Randle El. The South brings Peyton Manning and the Colts to the table, re-armed with young Joseph Addai carrying the ball, along with scrappy Jacksonville and their ‘star in the making’ Byron Leftwich. That leaves Denver coming out of the West with both Kansas City and San Diego needing another year to gel.
While most teams are grappling with the loss of old stars and the addition of new personnel, the strongest franchises still have the upper hand in the AFC. Look for New England to maintain until the playoffs and then battle their way back to the Conference Championships. Also, it’s about time Peyton Manning got over his postseason hump and willed his team to the Super Bowl. Any which way, the AFC is stacked and watching these teams go at it every Sunday will be a pleasure.
East North South West
New England Cincinnati* Indianapolis Denver*
Miami Pittsburgh Jacksonville Kansas City
Buffalo Baltimore Tennessee San Diego
NY Jets Cleveland Houston Oakland
Teams in Bold are Playoff Bound
*First Round Byes
Wild Card Playoffs
New England beats Jacksonville
Indianapolis holds off Pittsburgh
Divisional Playoffs
Indianapolis beats Cincinnati
New England upsets Denver
Conference Championship
Indianapolis finally gets to New England
NFC
While the NFC rundown lacks the depth enjoyed by the AFC, there are still a handful of teams set up perfectly to contend come February. With any number of possible surprises waiting in the wings, the NFC playoff picture could only begin to take shape in December. But the Division favorites look strong and could be waiting for whatever surprise comes roaring out of the rest of the pack.
Tom Coughlin’s NY Giants should contend with the now sure-handed Tiki Barber and an ever progressing Eli Manning. If anyone can navigate a ship through TO infested waters, it’s Bill Parcells and his Cowboys should ride tough nosed defense and Drew Bledsoe’s arm to the playoffs. The Bears will rule the North again with their defense, but they just don’t seem to be after the kind of offense needed to win in the post-season. The South has Carolina, perhaps the most complete team in the conference, along with a team always on the verge of something special, Atlanta. Seattle rounds out the bracket with another solid, balanced attack that will have them waiting in the Second Round.
Most of these NFC teams added on to already powerful rosters and should be better prepared to take on both one other and those juggernauts from the AFC. Look for Carolina to plow through towards the Championship behind the stellar play of Steve Smith and now 2nd man Keyshawn Johnson. Also, look out for Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons with their bolstered, lightning-fast defense and the league’s top rushing attack. They could surprise a lot of people come January.
East North South West
NY Giants Chicago Carolina* Seattle*
Dallas Green Bay Atlanta St. Louis
Washington Minnesota Tampa Bay Arizona
Philly Detroit New Orleans San Francisco
Teams in Bold are Playoff Bound
*First Round Byes
Wild Card Playoffs
Dallas beats Chicago
Atlanta takes down NY Giants
Divisional Playoffs
Carolina crushes Dallas
Atlanta upsets Seattle
Conference Championship
Atlanta holds off Carolina
SUPER BOWL XLI – SOUTH FLORIDA
Atlanta takes down Indianapolis for 1st ever Super Bowl win!
