The Sports Inquirer

Time for my NFL predictions for this upcoming season.

Music to listen to: Hoops & Setting Sun by The Chemical Brothers (live)

Some of you don’t like to read my extended analysis so here are the cliff notes version of my predictions. Enjoy:

AFC East: New England, Miami, New York Jets, Buffalo

AFC North: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Cleveland

AFC South: Indianapolis, Houston, Tennessee, Jacksonville

AFC West: San Diego, Oakland, Kansas City, Denver

AFC Wild Card: Cincinnati and Houston

AFC Title Game: Indianapolis over San Diego

NFC East: Dallas, New York Giants, Philadelphia, Washington

NFC North: Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit, Chicago

NFC South: New Orleans, Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa

NFC West: San Francisco, Arizona, Seattle, St. Louis

NFC Wild Card: Atlanta and Minnesota

NFC Champion: Green Bay over New Orleans

Super Bowl: Green Bay over Indianapolis

MVP: Drew Brees, New Orleans

Offensive MVP: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay

Defensive MVP: Patrick Willis, San Francisco

Offensive Rookie of the Year: CJ Spiller, Buffalo

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Ndamukong Suh, Detroit

OK, now that is over with, lets get some analysis going

AFC Overrated Team: New York Jets. This is too easy. I’ve seen people putting the Jets as the AFC East division winner, even in the Super Bowl. If you’re willing to do that, you have to put your faith in Mark Sanchez. He may turn out to be an elite quarterback but he isn’t there yet. Plus, the defense will be excellent but I think the rushing game has been overvalued as well. Tomlinson will not be the answer.

AFC Underrated Team: Miami Dolphins. The Brandon Marshall signing was crucial for the offense. Chad Henne will be making a major step this season at quarterback. The defense is improving and will be good enough to help the Dolphins be a Wild Card team.

A close second is the Cincinnati Bengals. They did win the AFC North last season and are actually brining in more talent this season.

NFC Overrated Team: Washington Redskins. This would have originally gone to the Minnesota Vikings but I think people are starting to truly see them as a borderline playoff team between the injuries and ineptitude in the head coaching position.

I like Mike Shanahan as the head coach. I even like Donovan McNabb as the quarterback. However, I think its too much to ask of the organization to be a playoff team with all of the changes that have been put in place. Furthermore, the Albert Haynesworth situation will be a major distraction for the team.

NFC Underrated Team: Atlanta Falcons. The New York Giants have won a Super Bowl with many of the same players that are currently on the roster so a playoff appearance for them wouldn’t be a surprise.

I think people have been too down on the prospects of the Falcons, especially quarterback Matt Ryan. He will make a major step in his third season. I think the defense will be well enough to get Atlanta a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.

MVP:

1) Drew Brees, New Orleans

2) Peyton Manning, Indianapolis

3) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay

Thoughts: All three quarterbacks will not only have excellent seasons while leading their respective teams to division titles, but each will look well doing it and garner most of the MVP votes. Brees will get the nod because he’s never won the award before and will have more wins than the other two

Offensive MVP:

1) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay

2) Chris Johnson, Tennessee

3) Drew Brees, New Orleans

Thoughts: Rodgers will lead the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Johnson will lead the league in rushing. Brees will lead the league in completion percentage and a close second to Rodgers in other QB stats.

Defensive MVP:

1) Patrick Willis, San Francisco

2) DeMarcus Ware, Dallas

3) Darrelle Revis, New York Jets

Thoughts: Willis may have a good enough year to garner votes for the overall MVP. However, the 49ers will finally win the division and clinch the Defensive MVP for the linebacker. Ware will lead the league in sacks this year. Revis is still the best cornerback in the league and has garnered enough attention this offseason to stay in the voters’ minds.

Offensive Rookie of the Year:

1) CJ Spiller, Buffalo

2) Jahvid Best, Detroit

3) Ryan Matthews, San Diego

Thoughts: This award usually goes to the most productive rookie and Spiller will get his chances since Buffalo doesn’t have much else. Plus, he will provide some highlight moments as a returner. Best and Matthews will also get chances as well.

Defensive Rookie of the Year:

1) Ndamukong Suh, Detroit

2) Eric Berry, Kansas City

3) Rolando McClain, Oakland

Thoughts: Suh will not only be a Pro Bowler this year, he may be the best defensive tackle prospect of the last decade.

Finally, some parting thoughts on the way out:

-Joe Flacco will cost the Ravens a playoff game this season.

-The last team to lose a Super Bowl game and then return to the title game the next season was Buffalo in 1993. The Colts will break that trend this season.

-Mark Sanchez will throw more interceptions than touchdowns for the Jets this season.

-Brett Farve’s consecutive starts streak will be broken this season because of injury.

-Vincent Jackson’s holdout from the Chargers won’t hurt them as much as people are projecting.

-Speaking of the Chargers, if anyone else but Norv Turner was coaching the team, I would pencil San Diego in the Super Bowl without hesitation.

-Watch out for New England, they aren’t dead yet. In fact, they have one more run in them.

-I’m so bullish on the Bengals that I almost had them making an appearance in the AFC title game but held back.

-I may be kicking myself in a few months if the Titans make a run in the AFC because I like what I’m seeing from that team as well.

-I don’t have Pittsburgh making the playoffs beyond the Ben Roethlisberger situation. Injuries are starting to get to these guys and will ultimately hurt the Steelers down the road.

-I don’t get how people are bullish on Carolina, I just don’t see it.

-The Bears may be a four-win team this season.

Those are my thoughts, what about yours?