Reviewing My 2010 Regular Season Pigskin Prognostications – NFC

This past year I embarrassed myself on a bi-weekly basis picking NFL games against Joe Munley at “The Altered States of Munley”.  But before that I made season long predictions of both conferences.  As we are in the interminable week between meaningful football I decided to review my predictions for the NFC from back in early September:

NFC West:

I blew it, falling for the hype and picking San Francisco to win the division and loving Mike Singletary.  I did have Seattle in 2nd, which was higher than some people thought.  I whiffed on Sam Bradford and the Rams.

NFC North:

A shock, another mixed bag.  I had Green Bay winning the division, but Minnesota in 2nd and Chicago behind Detroit.  And people ask me why I have no interest in gambling…

NFC South:

I had the top two teams right.  I am especially proud at calling out Gregg Williams and his defense.  I knew that he didn’t have it in him to get them at the same level.  Yes, I am still a bitter man, I am a Bills fan.  It comes with the territory.

I did whiff on Tampa Bay.  They are promising, and I would not be shocked for them to step up next year, if there is a next year, and if they draft as well this year as they did last.

NFC East:

A complete failsauce, I had the Eagles in last place.  In fairness I had them there with the thought that Kevin Kolb would be QB1.  I think had he been QB1 all year they would have been in the lumberyard, Danny.  I did not account for the rebirth of Michael Vick.

I also did not account for the meltdown in Dallas.  I was always down on Wade Phillips as head coach.  I told any Dallas fan that would listen that they would not win it all with him at the helm.  It turns out they could not even win two games with him this year.  It was a miss by me on many levels, worst of which was picking them to win the division.

I whiffed on one wild card, picking Minnesota, and my NFC Super Bowl team lost to 7-9 Seattle.

All in all unimpressive, most unimpressive.

2011 NFL Playoff Picks, Wild Card Round

After losing to Joe Munley over at “The Altered States of Munley” by one foolishly loyal Bills pick, 152-151 I threw down the gauntlet to him;  Let’s pick the playoffs as an addendum to our season long battle.  He obliged.

Here are my picks for the Wild Card Round,which should not be called that as there are as many division winners involved as wild card teams:

Matchup: New Orleans Saints @ Seattle Seahawks

Brees and Co. are too much for the vaunted and overinflated 12th man mystique.  How many  times did NBC need to show that graph on false starts last Sunday?

My Pick: New Orleans Saints

Matchup: New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts

An emotional selection, to be sure.  The Colts will have trouble cobbling together a run D vs. the big, bad Jets.  But I think Peyton has just enough left to help the Colts take out the Jets.  Coach Grimace running his mouth this week will give the man with no need for extra incentive some, no matter what he says to the fishwraps.

My Pick: Indianapolis Colts

Matchup: Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs

This one should not be close.  Ray Rice is on fire, and the Chiefs got blown out at home by the Raiders last week.  And the Raiders are no Ravens.

My Pick: Baltimore Ravens

Matchup: Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick owes Clay Matthews and the Green Bay Packers.  Had Matthews not wrapped up Kevin Kolb’s arms in week 1 and forced his head to bounce unprotected off the Linc’s turf then we may never have gotten to see Vick’s NFL fairy tale unfold.

I have no good reason to do this, but I am flipping my pick and flapping my wings; Eagles win.

My Pick: Philadelphia Eagles

Good luck Joe.  With me picking against you, you probably don’t need it.

2010 NFC Predictions

For What it’s Worth, I will not waste my time going through the schedules picking apart each game trying to factor in injuries that have not occurred yet if they will at all.  So does it matter who I think will win the KC – STL matchup in week 15?  No, but I will take K.C.;  this is more a broadstrokes take on how I see the 2010 NFL season, NFC style.

NFC West

1. San Francisco – I love Mike Singletary. I had him coaching my teams many times in Madden before the NFL and 49ers ever thought about hiring him.  They look to be the best team in a weak division, in spite of their QB1.

2. Seattle – Now that Pete Carroll can have money out in the open imagine what he can do.

3. Arizona – Subtract the QB of the offense ( Warner) and of the defense (Dansby) and you have the makings of a long year in the desert.

4. St. Louis – Too many holes, but they look to be turning the corner, Ronnie.

NFC North

1. Green Bay – I am a huge Aaron Rogers fan and love the linebackers on the squad.

2. Minnesota – Still a strong contender but I think the Favre drama hurts the team in the long run.

3. Detroit – They look to be on the way up every since they ditched all that dead weight in the front office.  I love their last two drafts.

4. Chicago – Can Urlacher stay healthy?  No A.C. Green in either chastity nor toughness; he is like the NFL’s version of T-Mac.  Who is Cutler going to throw to?

NFC South

1. Atlanta – It is hard to bet against history, this division does not like repeat champs.  I love Matt Ryan, damn I wish he were a Bill.

2. New Orleans – I am not a fan of all the character guys they let go but they are still plenty dangerous, especially on Offense. The defense will have a hard time with a repeat performance, especially with Darren Sharper being out for six weeks.  I am pulling for them though, Brees is my starting QB for Davie Hogan’s Blueberries.

3. Carolina – I am huge John Fox guy but I can’t see him coaching up his guys to pass the two above teams.

4. Tampa Bay – You will be relevant again when you go back to the Creamsicle’s full time.

NFC East

1. Dallas – I hate them, I hate Jerry Jones stretched out Ad’har Ru’afo-like face.  Click on the link, you know you want to, and it is safe.  Still they look dangerous, in spite of Wade Phillips.

2. New York – Another team I hate, but I love their D, especially with Keith Bulluck on the inside.  If they return to power football and give the call to Bradshaw more than they do Jacobs they could be dangerous.

3. Washington – I really love what Mike Shanahan is doing with Big Al.  Make him suffer Mike, I think you won over your team by making him earn his playing time.  I think that along with Donovan’s spite will get you progress in a tough division.

4. Philadelphia – I am not a believer in Kevin Kolb.  I think the Eagles made a huge mistake trading McNabb and giving the reins to the kid. It reminds me of what happened when they failed to resign Darren Sharper last year.  Like Quintin Demps replacing Sharper before him I see Kolb falling on his face and with him the whole unit taking a step back.  I know Kolb looked good in relief appearances last year, but I think it was fool’s gold; call it the Rob Johnson Effect.  I think this one will cost Andy Reid his job.

Wild Card Teams: Minnesota and New Orleans

NFC Champ: New Orleans