May 31, 2006

I am surprised that the Broncos are not included as a good bet. Good solid team.

posted by slbyers at 7:49 AM CDT on May 31

At least we can email HJJ the caps lock jpg.

It's called an opinion, H - like most pundits predicting before the season Mr King will probably be hideously wrong, but that's ok, because we can mock him afterwards. Especially when my picks Cleveland beat Phoenix in the Superbowl next January.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 8:08 AM CDT on May 31

New England is past their prime. they will be lucky to make the playoffs.

/updates profile

posted by yerfatma at 8:11 AM CDT on May 31

Being a Pats fan myself, I totally agree with Peter King. I think it would be great to see the Pats in the Super Bowl against the Cowboys. I mean really, can you think of a better story line than Master VS Protege? Think about it. Belechick taught Parcels everything that he knows!

posted by grabofsky74 at 8:16 AM CDT on May 31

if mcnair is healthy

Thats a big freakin if, he also has to remeber how to play football...
With the exception of one Amazing season and a couple of ok seasons, Steve Mcnair has always seemed mediocre at best to me.

posted by everett at 8:23 AM CDT on May 31

I see cincy vs seattle...if Palmer's ok

posted by scottyooooo at 8:31 AM CDT on May 31

Don't know about the heart...all i know is they have the nfc's best qb,rb,o-line,and argueably the best coach.

Put them in the afc and i might agree with ya, but the nfc doesn't seem to require a heart.

posted by scottyooooo at 8:42 AM CDT on May 31

seattle had a great o line. they traded half away

posted by Debo270 at 8:45 AM CDT on May 31

Debo, I'm not trying to be rude, but you are killing me with the sentence fragments. Sorry if I seem anal, but I really feel like it brings down the level of discourse when people don't take the time to make quality posts.

posted by everett at 8:48 AM CDT on May 31

I don't think he's that far off base, though his homerism for the Boston teams is really starting to annoy me lately. The Pats upgraded significantly on offense with their draft (watch... Maroney will be the best RB taken), but I do expect their defense to be a little bit worse. That's OK though, because the Dolphins still have another year before they're really a huge threat to the Pats. They're a wild card contender for sure though.

In the north, of course you have the Steelers in the mix, and the Bengals, but I still don't trust the Bengals to go deep in the playoffs yet, though I'd love to be proven wrong. Like the Colts, who they remind people of on offense, they too need to improve on defense. And they will, but they could end up being just like the 05 Colts. I do predict that Palmer will be back in time, and it'll be a much huger story than it should be. I don't think the Steelers will miss Randle El (nor do I think he'll be useful to the Skins at all), and they'll improve. (At least over their regular season mark last year. Hard to play any better than they did in the postseason.)

Speaking of the Colts, they'll be fine without Edge because Addai is awesome, though Peyton will be on his back more often in the first half of the season while 29 adjusts. There'll be an adjustment period but they're still a 11-5 and 12-4 team since they get Tenn twice and Houston twice. But the Jags can sneak in and take the division if they play as well as they did last year and can handle the NFC East.

Out west I see Denver running away with it. I think people who pick the Chargers, with a new QB, are insane. Letting Brees go was the right move, money-wise, but they're not going to get better this year with a brand new QB. Larry Johnson might single handedly carry the Chefs to the playoffs.

I hate them, but I'm taking the Broncos right now, unless Plummer folds under the pressure of the fact that Cutler is already better than he is, but Shanahan sticks with him too long.

In the NFC, I don't really know. I like the Panthers. I'm a Giants fan but see them dropping off and going 7-9 this year in that division. I don't take the Skins seriously, don't think the Cowboys can really win the conference with Bledsoe as the QB, and don't think the Eagles will be a legitimate contender (better but not there yet). The Bears will have the same problems as last year, plus a tougher schedule, the Vikings will be surprisingly good, The Cardinals will make the playoffs, and the Seahawks will continue to whine about the refs in the Super Bowl. (And we'll see a sharp decline in Alexander's production). I'll take Carolina for now.

So...
AFC: same 6 as last year (Miami and KC just miss out, Pittsburgh takes the north by a game)
NFC: Boys, Bears, Panthers, Seahawks, Cards, Vikes

It's May though. What the hell do we know?

posted by Bernreuther at 9:11 AM CDT on May 31

Are you on crack

posted by Debo270 at 8:21 AM CDT on May 31


Apparently, some people can't understand sarcasm.

posted by grabofsky74 at 9:58 AM CDT on May 31

The Eagles will be back this year. Now I am not saying superbowl, but they will have a strong playoff run. Donovan is out to set the world on fire. They have revamped both lines(offense and defense). As far as Dallas goes. They're o-line weakened in the off season. With a statue standing back there, watch how productive T.O. is. What everyone forgets is T.O. has won one playoff game in his career. Donovan being hurt ALL year last season was the reason for the drop off. Plus, T.O. has to make it out of Philly alive in Oct. They are gonna have a target painted on him like no other, and T.O. has never produced against Philly. Dallas has to make the playoffs first.something they did not do last year.

posted by phillygator at 10:04 AM CDT on May 31

Dallas vs. New England couldn't be more wrong. When your best player is team cancer youre not gonna make the playoffs. New England will still be good cause of their great coach but they lost too much in the offseason. Don't count out the Colts, who still have a good defense and Peyton Manning's arm can win a lot of games on its own. But at this point it looks like Denver is the most solid team, they may meet Carolina in Super Bowl XLI.

posted by tim at 10:22 AM CDT on May 31

Instead of speculating let's see how it plays out. I am a big Steeler fan, but I still think the Super Bowl was fixed for Bettis to go out on top.

posted by rickburns1 at 10:35 AM CDT on May 31

Instead of speculating let's see how it plays out.


Uhhh... its a sports blog, speculate is what we do...

I am a big Steeler fan, but I still think the Super Bowl was fixed for Bettis to go out on top.

Fixed in what way? are you saying the Seahawks sandbagged, or would you seriously try to argue that the officials botched the game on purpose?

posted by everett at 10:42 AM CDT on May 31

One other thing: If it really did turn out to be Dallas-New England, I think King is crazy for picking Dallas. Sure, it's teacher-student and that whole media wet dream, but the student surpassed the teacher long ago. By a lot. Belichick would embarass Parcells in a super bowl with two evenly matched teams, and the Pats will almost certainly be a better team than the Cowboys.

posted by Bernreuther at 11:25 AM CDT on May 31

As far as Dallas goes. They're o-line weakened in the off season.

I guess what your talking about is letting Larry Allen go to the 49'ers. While Larry was one of the greatest Cowboys ever his time was over. To replace Larry - Dallas picked up Rob Petitti from the Steelers. Add the fact that they drafted 2 -300# plus lineman that they expect to compete for a starting spot and I think they have undoubtably improved thier O-line. And....Don't forget we drafted big, strong, smart, Linebacker Bobby Carpenter out of Ohio State to play right behind the O-line. All in all this has been a great off season for the Cowboys.

posted by Termite at 1:23 PM CDT on May 31

seattle had a great o line. they traded half away


One guy, and his replacement, has quality starts under his belt. They will be fine.


seattle is still crying over the super bowl and the refs. they dont have the heart to go back.


F.Y.I. Holmgren signed an extension, that shows heart! He is a rich man with a couple rings. He quits now he still goes to Canton. I havn't heard any player say anything other than we'll just have to go get it next year. Holmgren made 2 remarks and it got blown up! They don't have to whine to show me anything, all I have to say is......Illegal block below the waist on Hasselbeck Hmmmmm.......!

posted by BigSpizznizzle at 2:56 PM CDT on May 31

Wow, post a thread and go to sleep and boom, it explodes. Nothing like good old football predictions to stir up the opinions. Being a 49er fan I'm in perpetual depression these days (God, why didn't Leinert come out a year early?). As for Mr. King's supposed to bias to Boston teams, I would wholeheartedly agree with that statement. I read his Monday Morning Quarterback column every single week and have been for a long time and when in doubt he always goes with the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins...it's almost embarassing sometimes. It's particularly evident when talking about the Patriots. I love his column for the most part but that is really starting to get old.

As for my Super Bowl picks? I would go with Denver if it wasn't for Cutler making Plummer nervous by waiting in the wings. Plummer has never had a solid psyche and this can't be good for him. I'm playing a wait-and-see game with Peyton and the Colts, especially with Edgerrin gone. The Patriots will be good, if only because Tom Brady and Tedy Bruschi won't let them be bad. And Pittsburgh and Cincy (especially if Palmer is healthy) will duke it out for the division, so whoever is left standing from that one will be strong. My thought is that if Palmer is back to normal the Bengals go to the Super Bowl. They would've last year if he hadn't gotten hurt. If Palmer isn't up to par, well, I like the Patriots by a fraction over the other teams, mainly due to the Brady factor.

In the NFC, Carolina is always a trendy pick and they always stumble so who knows with that bunch. The Cowboys are intriguing but I've never really liked Bledsoe and he's more immobile now than ever. My choice will be either Seattle or Philly. They have the best players and solid coaching and well, it doesn't take much more than that in the NFC. So if I have to choose, I say Seattle goes back.

Whew, that was fun

posted by donnnnychris at 3:53 PM CDT on May 31

What everyone forgets is T.O. has won one playoff game in his career.

Dec 29, 1996 SF 14 PHI 0
Owens 1 reception, 7 yds

Jan 3, 1998 SF 38 MIN 22
Owens 4 receptions, 49 yds, 1 TD

Jan 3, 1999 SF 30 GB 27
Owens 3 receptions, 73 yds, 1 TD (the game winner)

Jan 5, 2003 SF 39 NYG 38
Owens 9 receptions, 177 yds, 2 TD

posted by The_Black_Hand at 4:24 PM CDT on May 31

I love the optimism shown by Philly fans. After so many years of saying, "They don't have any receivers for McNabb to throw to" they finally get him one, and it proceeds to blow up in their face. Now it's back to the old question: Who will McNabb throw to? His choices are Reggie Brown, Jabar Gafney, Greg Lewis, Todd Pinkston....yawn.......zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

posted by dyams at 4:56 PM CDT on May 31

Now it's back to the old question: Who will McNabb throw to? His choices are Reggie Brown, Jabar Gafney, Greg Lewis, Todd Pinkston....yawn.......zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Sure, I'm a homer, however, Philly went to 4 NFC championship games with "no one to throw to". You didn't list Westbrook, league leading 73 catches out of the backfield the year before and you didn't list TE L.J. Smith who was leading all TE's (including Gates and Tony G.) in receptions until just around the time that Mcnabb went down. While I'm not a big fan of Pinkston's, all he did was lead the league in yards per catch in 04'. According to different draftniks, Philly had about the 3rd or 4th best draft this year. Maybe they won't see the superbowl, but they're right back on top of the NFC easy.

posted by Bishop at 10:39 PM CDT on May 31

HERESY ALERT

I think Parcells has lost the magic. I have no real reason, no real proof, I just don't think he can cut it anymore.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 4:43 AM CDT on June 1

As a long time Dallas fan, I appreciate Mr. Kings optimism for the home team, but remain unconvinced myself. The defensive line play needs to step WAY up, a dependable, capable running back needs to emerge, and the offensive line is unproven. I do take exception to Clevelander32's remark that Bledsoe is still an average QB, and not because I am, or have been, a huge fan of his. (Pats and Bills players just aren't held in high regard around here, ha ha) Look at his place on the all-time passing list, and realize that he has never had great wheels or a great ability to avoid a heavy pass rush. Given time, he can make any throw on the field, and he still has a very accurate and powerful gun. I wish they had kept Keyshawn as a #2 receiver, for cryin' out loud, because with teams doubling up on Owens, I think Keyshawn would have become much more of a threat. And as the above HERESY ALERT alerted us, I think the fire in Bill Parcels' belly does not burn as hot as it once did, and although I respect him a great deal, he has definitely been out-coached on game day more than once the last couple of years.

posted by mjkredliner at 10:17 AM CDT on June 1

Love it GoBirds! That is the whole thing here in Philly. T.O. took our birds from us last year. I am really excited about all the positive reports this year. I just want to see them have fun again. And I believe Donovan will make that happen. Fly Eagles Fly on the road to victory........E.A.G.L.E.S....Eagles.

posted by phillygator at 1:33 PM CDT on June 1

I can't help but recall how the Dallas fans let the eagles have it when it came to TO. Then they let the eagles have it when they lost 10 starters to injury. The eagles 2nd string almost beat the cowboys 1st string last year until the turnover late in the game. I'm waiting for Dawk and M.Lewis to ring TO's bell early and often.

It really is funny though to see dallas fans respond to TO the way they have. It reminds me of us Philly fans a little while back. If TO couldn't get a team that went to 3 straight NFC championship games over the hump, how the hell is he going to get a team that hasn't seen the 2nd round in years over the hump.

Dallas fans really think he is going to do something. They are really happy to have him. Who knew all that bitching and moaning they did the past 2 years was hidden envy.

I spent some time looking back at old threads and I found a comment that kind of says it all. I replaced the word Philly with dallas. "Dallas fan's deserve TO, he's an asshole's asshole".

posted by Bishop at 8:50 PM CDT on June 1

You guys are going to be really surprised when the Niners win the Super Bowl.

A truer statement has never been made.

I assume this is supposed to happen sometime this century, yes?

posted by The_Black_Hand at 4:59 PM CDT on June 2

My goodness, I'm a Niners fan and even I don't have that big of an imagination. Alex Smith couldn't lead a Pop Warner team, let alone the Niners. Let's just say it was a sad, sad day last year when Matt Leinart decided to stay in school.

posted by donnnnychris at 12:56 AM CDT on June 4