2014 NFL Super Bowl Predictions

Back to football! Although the World Cup did help during the off season, I'm so glad to finally be back to some relevant sports in the U.S. So, lets get right to it. The Flex annual Super Bowl prediction of the up coming NFL season.

I will say that I realize I failed to post this before the start of the regular season. However. there was only one game played so it won't bias my predictions. Although it did confirm that Seattle is pretty dominant in the league right now and show no signs of slowing.

Speaking of Seattle, there is a lot of talk of them pulling a repeat this year. My opinion will be shown below, but there is definitely a good chance that can and will happen. However, from my perspective, the NFL is now consisting of 5 or 6 really good teams (Seattle, New Orleans, Green Bay, Denver, New England, and I think Indianapolis this year. Normally San Francisco would be in the mix, but I'm predicting a very down year) who are very strong and well coached and can basically beat ANY other team in the league and go all the way.

From that thinking its pretty hard to do this bracket. Not much will change from last year as far as winners of divisions and playoff teams, with a few exceptions. But the bracket will be interesting because these 5 to 6 will beat each other up. Nonetheless, we'll do it. Here we go!

** = Clinched Wildcard Spot



AFC North
For once, I want to go a whole NFL blog without mentioning that one QB from Cleveland. He's a complete bust anyway just there to generate revenue. But this will end the same as last year. Bengals defense will cruise them into top spot. Baltimore will have a bounce back year but just barely squeak into post season. Pittsburgh is old as hell and will probably break their walkers. Browns suck, per usual.

1) Bengals
2) Ravens**
3) Steelers
4) Browns


AFC West
Denver all day. San Diego actually looks fairly scrappy. I would not be suprised at all if this prediction was wrong and they took the wildcard spot from Kansas City. However, KC is far too well coached and has a system for success under the veteran coach Andy Reid. The just need to figure out who they will throw the ball to...

1) Broncos
2) Chiefs**
3) Chargers
4) Raiders

AFC South
I believe in Andrew Luck and everything that is going on around that Indianapolis squad. No on paper they do not have the best of every position or even on either side of the ball. However, they know what they're doing. Armed with great pieces in every facet and the leagues easiest schedule, I am predicting at least twelve to thirteen wins and a number one seed. This is Indy's year to prove they are among the best in the NFL and they will. The Texans acquiring Ryan Mallet is very interesting. I've always believed Mallet was starting material and after sitting behind Tom Brady for three years, he should have some true potential. We'll see. I'm rooting for Blake Bortles so hard. Everyone laughed when I said he was the best QB in the draft and that taking him third overall was a great move. We'll see who's laughing now. 

1) Colts
2) Jaguars
3) Texans
4) Titans

AFC East
No change to last year's prediction. New England will have a down (read "average" for New England standards) year, but no one else in this division is ready to step up and take their crown. I'm waiting for the day when New England doesn't win this division. It will come pretty soon, just not quite yet... 

1) Patriots
2) Dolphins
3) Bills
4) Jets


NFC North
I'm putting Green Bay on top here. However, I could see Chicago taking the top spot IF Green Bay truly struggles on the defensive side of the ball AND Aaron Rodgers has even just an average year. However, they will both make playoffs. Vikings have too many new pieces to work out and will be rebuilding.

1) Packers
2) Bears**
3) Lions
4) Vikings

NFC West
Easily the toughest division in the NFL. It got just slightly softer with the news of Sam Bradford being out for the year but nonetheless, it is ruthless. Seattle will dominate the regular season even though they have a top 10 hardest schedule. I've been saying it for a while: Carson Palmer will throw for nearly 5,000 yards this season and squeak Arizona into a playoff spot pushing out San Francisco who will have a very down year. 

1) Seahawks
2) Cardinals**
3) 49er's
4) Rams

NFC South
New Orleans is back, for real this time. Carolina has a fairly dominate defense again this year, but offensive struggles will deny them a playoff spot. Buccaneers will pull a Kansas City and be the surprise team of the league. They'll just miss playoffs, however.

1) Saints
2) Buccaneers
3) Panthers
4) Falcons

NFC East
When I watch Nick Foles, I think Tom Brady. I'm not saying my any means that he will be the next Come Back Kid, I'm just saying he will be GREAT. Philly is stacked offensively and has an opportunistic defense that will win them this division outright. Trust me, as a die-hard Giants fan, it pains me to write or even think that. However, the Gmen look terrible. Redskins and RGIII have a bounce back year, nothing like his first year though. Cowboys are about the be the new Browns.

1) Eagles
2) Redskins
3) Giants
4) Cowboys



PLAYOFFS

AFC SEEDS
Bengals will finally get their first playoff win in a millions years. Or not, who knows with the Bungals. Chiefs pull the upset and take out the Patriots in their home field. Bengals get r*ped by the Broncos next round though while a rematch of last year's wildcard round proves the same result, but with much less pain. Broncos take out the Colts in the house that he built.

1) Colts
2) Patriots
3) Bengals
4) Patriots
5) Chiefs
6) Ravens

Bracket
(6) Ravens @ (3) Bengals --> (3) Bengals @ (2) Broncos--> (2) Broncos @ (1) Colts
(5) Chiefs @ (4) Patriots--> (5) Chiefs @ (1) Colts

2014 AFC Champion: Denver Broncos


NFC SEEDS
The NFC is tough. There are so many good teams and this could end up any way. Anyway, here's how it goes down. Bears will be on a late run that will knock off the Packers, but it stops there. Eageles pull off the surprising playoff upset of the decade behind Nick Foles.

1) Saints
2) Seahawks
3) Eagles
4) Packers
5) Bears
6) Cardinals

Bracket
(6) Cardinals @ (3) Eagles --> (3) Eagles @ (2) Seahawks --> (3) Eagles @ (1) Saints
(5) Bears @ (4) Packers --> (5) Bears @ (1) Saints

2014 NFC Champion: New Orleans Saints


SUPER BOWL PREDICTION
Broncos make it back to the Super Bowl. The Saints make it there again. This is very difficult because, unfortunately, I'm not 100% confident about how this turned out! But, I've got to choose only one....... 









Super Bowl Winner: Denver Broncos



Same picture from last year. But this time, it will come true.

The Next To Join the Heat?

After the big three was formed in Miami, a new era in the NBA was born. The era of superstars teaming up to try and win a championship. The big three, the two down in Houston, even rumblings of Kevin Love and Russel Westbrook teaming up in LA to make a run with the Lakers. Add in rumors of Durant going to Houston and the impending Carmelo free agency and you have a lot of questions regarding who will be the next to follow the super friends model in the NBA. While it's fun to talk about Melo to the Bulls or Kyrie in LA many seem to be overlooking where the next shake up in the league could occur and if they keep ignoring it they will be surprised even though they should see it coming now. History repeats itself.

Who will be the next to join the Miami Heat?

Kyrie Irving

All the speculation going into Lebron's free agency was surrounded by the possible return to Cleveland but it's more likely that the Cavs give me a max contract than Lebron going back to work for Dan Gilbert again. Much of the talk is based on Lebron wanting to play with a young star in Kyrie Irving. However, Lebron could still end up playing side by side with Kyrie but it could be in a Heat uniform. Recent rumors have come out of Cleveland over the last few weeks that Kyrie and his camp have said he wants out of Cleveland (who wouldn't?) and who better to flee Cleveland with than the prodigal son himself, Lebron James. Assuming Wade and Bosh opt in and Lebron stays in Miami (he will) Kyrie could take about 14 million a year to run the team in South Beach. Watch your back Rio. 

Carmelo Anthony 

Melo inst signing up for more years in New York. More years of JR Smith (sorry JR) and Raymond Felton along with James Dolan pooping himself in the front office aren't exactly intriguing to Melo as he is still in his prime. While some say he won't walk away from more money from New York to go play elsewhere, we saw Dwight Howard do just that in order to play on a contender with James Harden in Houston. The same scenario as I offered for Kyrie can be given to Melo. The big three return and Melo takes 14 million per year to play with them. I as a Heat fan salivate at this thought. Kyrie is a nice player but Melo is a bonifide superstar despite what some may tell you. A foursome of Lebron, Wade, Bosh and Melo would be simply unstoppable. Look at the way Melo played in the Olympics with stars on his team. His game was perfect. He took the jumpers he had open and drove to the rim with an open lane, and he didn't try to do too much. If Melo can play that way at the small forward spot in Miami, the rest of the league might as well hand them the title on a platter. 

Kevin Love

This one may sound a little crazy but trust me it isnt. There were rumors this year of a Bosh for Love trade and if Chris Bosh opts for free agency this year there is a chance the Heat could figure out how to get him to South Beach or he could head there in free agency in 2015. Love would be a terrific fit with Bron and Wade should they both stay, and would provide a younger compliment than Bosh in the post. Love is a rebounding machine and can hit the three ball as well which would fit right in in the Heat's small ball philosophy. Not to mention how fun it would be to watch Love throw outlet passes to Lebron. I think Love is the least likely option of the three to come to Miami and I stil belive he will head to LA and team up with Russell Westbrook on the Lakers in 2015, but if something happens between now and then it wouldnt shock me to see him in a Heat jersey. 

Reds Report: New Season New Questions

Before the 2014 Redlegs even took the field for the first time on Wednesday, even before pitchers and catchers reported earlier this month, all us Reds fans had to brace for a change of culture with a new manager, as well as mourn for the season lost last October in Pittsburgh while we yearn for opening day in the Queen City and a new incarnation of our squad formed over the offseason. We were forced to say goodbye to our center fielder and now we put all our eggs in the insanely fast basket of Billy Hamilton to fill the shoes of Choo. We said goodbye to the toothpick chewin, armband wearin Dusty Baker and now we get to know the watch wearin Bryan Price as he takes over as manager. We saw the prodigy Homer Bailey gets his pay day and every one's favorite goon Mat Latos is back throwing off the mound just days after knee surgery. Is he this team's ace? Or can Johnny Cueto repeat his 2012 Cy Young worthy performance and take the spot at the top of the rotation? Will Ryan Ludwick and Chris Heisey get it done in left field as a platoon or will one finally win out and take the starting job deservedly? New questions mean the arrival of a new season. New players mean uncertainty going into Spring. But most importantly, it all means that baseball is back.


Can Bryan Price Change The Culture?



Unless you spent last season hiding under a rock, you know that fans weren't too happy with the way the season ended last year and even more unhappy with the old school, anti-statistical and sometimes anti-logical managing philosophy of Dusty Baker which ultimately proved to be enough for him to be fired and Bryan Price was promoted to take over as the ship's captain. Price is a favorite of the players and very respected by the pitching staff and more importantly he is a new school, analytically driven manager. Gone are the days of sac bunts ahead of Votto and double switches for no reason. And hopefully we never see Cozart batting second ever again. Along with these changes it seems we will see Jay Bruce given the opportunity to hit cleanup, something Dusty refused to try for fear of batting leftys back to back in the order. It seems the culture and philosophy around the team is changing dramatically with Price and the biggest challenge for him will be getting his players to buy in. After years and years of Dusty's influence we will see how long it takes for Price to implement his new strategies into the game play and approach of his hitters. How long will that take? And will it be a smooth ride? I have full confidence in Price and he isn't a new face in the clubhouse. As respected and liked as he is by the returning players he should have no problem getting the to buy in to a new mindset and approach. He has a month to get it planted in their heads and come opening day I think we will see a whole new hitting approach and improved at bats for the Reds most important hitters.


Can Billy Hamilton Live Up To The Hype?



As much as Reds fans fell in love with Shin Soo Choo, it would take one heck of a rookie to make us forget about him so soon. Billy Hamilton did just that and did it rather quickly. (As he does most things) Hamilton will be the starting center fielder all through spring training and will do the same on opening day in GABP and he may be the X-factor on this Reds team when it comes to them having the level of success that they and fans both expect. Billy will be asked to take over the leadoff spot in the order and while he has shown his speed and base running ability to all of us we will need to see him hit at the top of the order before we can rest easy. Billy is the fastest player I have ever seen in the majors and if he can get on base at a high clip and cause havoc in the bases in front of Phillips, Votto and Bruce then the Reds could have an offense to be feared to go along with their elite pitching staff. Run Billy Run. Hit Billy Hit.


Who Is the Ace?



A year ago today this would have been an almost laughable question for the Reds. Johnny Cueto was the unquestioned ace of this staff and the number one in the rotation. After the 2013 season in which Cueto dealt with injuries all year and then imploded in the playoffs, and Mat Latos carried the staff all year, it is a fair question to ask. We saw Homer Bailey get paid this offseason and while the Reds have Latos under control for the next few years, he could be the next one due for a massive pay day and if he proves this year to be the ace for this team once again, he could be cashing in sooner than later. The 2014 Reds have amazing depth in their starting pitching, and that only grows more with an ace like Cueto on the hill. Add in Latos and Bailey along with Leake and Cingrani and you could be looking at one of the best or even THE best rotation in baseball. Time will tell.

Go Reds. Baseball is back.

Kings Could Get A Steal In Derrick Williams

Most of us haven't heard the name Derrick Williams since draft night, when he was taken 2nd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Most of us haven't sen him play meaningful basketball since even before that, when he was shredding Duke in the NCAA tournament while playing for Sean Miller at Arizona. With that said most people are quick to label him a bust and a lost cause but it seems the Sacramento Kings see something different. Last night it was being widely reported that the Kings had agreed to a trade with the Timberwolves for Derrick Williams in exchange for Luc Mbah a Moute. With Williams receiving a fresh start in a new city, with a system that will fit him better and a cast of players he can mesh well with, the Kings got themselves quite a steal.

Let's all take a step back and remember Williams is only 22 years old and still has plenty of time to develop in this league. He may not be a star or even live up to the hype of being the second overall pick, but come on would you rather have Mbah a Moute? Have you ever even heard that name before I just typed it? That,s what I thought. If Williams gets a chance in Sactown to play alongside Boogie Cousins and be the stretch four/three he is built to be then he can be a hell of a bargain for the Kings and could prove many of us in the basketball world wrong. Not only will he get to play with a down low center like Cousins, he will also have veterans Chuck Hayes and Patrick Patterson in Sacramento to mentor him. With all those helping hands and a solid role for him to play on the court, we could see the Derrick Williams we saw at Arizona and the one we expected to see his rookie season in Minnesota.

Williams will get to play his game, the way he likes to play and will get to return to his spot on the floor where he dominated not that long ago. Minnesota can enjoy the Mbah a Moute era, but they just gave the Kings a hell of a steal.

Who Will Be The Number One Pick?

There will be much debate this college basketball season over the three heralded freshmen Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle and Jabari Parker. Ask any NBA analyst or scout and they'll tell you one of them will be going number one overall in April. Some may say Marcus Smart is making a push early on to be included in that group, but lets be honest. That ain't happening. One of the freshman phenoms will be given the honor of hearing his name called first, and that first name read will be......Julius Randle.

All the hype this summer came in on Wiggins like he was LeBron. Well, he's not. Not even close. No one on the planet is close to LBJ and while that may be an unfair way to criticize Wiggins, he also looks like the third best of the freshman, something that not a lot of people expected to see. He stole headlines from Jabari once he reclassified and everyone got a look at his athleticism. While that has been on full display so far at Kansas, nothing much else has been. Wiggins looks too small to play the four spot and not a good enough ball handler to play the three. He looks small by college standards much less NBA standards and his shot early on has been less than impressive. Couple that with the fact that Bill Self has never done well developing one and done players and Wiggins will find himself being picked 3rd in the draft, and don't let the hype tell you any different.

Now about that guy who Wiggins stole all the headlines from, Jabari Parker. The mormon sensation has lived up to and exceeded his hype early on in Coach K's system and while he may have benefited from added hype given to Wiggins, he has blown people away. Comparisons have been drawn to Melo and rightly so and Parker can shoot from anywhere on the floor with confidence and has underrated athleticism for such a tall guy at 6'9''. The Melo comparison doesn't stop there unfortunately, one reason the comp works so well is that like Melo, Parker has been lackluster on the defensive end of the floor. You see Parker catch a lob and while you're still watching the replay, he's giving up a drive and an offensive board on the other end of the floor.  He has time to improve that facet of his game he will have to in order to be the number one pick. Like Wiggins, there is also some debate over whether he should play the small or power forward position at the next level. Parker very well could be the top pick, but if he has a few off nights against good opponents, or starts chucking up bad shots the media will jump all over him and scouts will be more than aware of it.

So who does that leave, you know it, Julius Randle. I can hear it now, as Adam Silver announces his name and he walks to the stage with that big Julius smile on his face. While all three of these players could be a worthy number one pick, only one has the size, strength, and total game to be absolutely NBA ready. Julius Randle is a more athletic Chris Webber, and as a Chris Webber fan I don't give that compliment out lightly. Randle has the size and brute strength that not many NBA stars posses and HE'S ONLY 19. Yeah. That's ridiculous. Not only does Randle have a hell of a post game already, he has the coach who will develop him more in his one year than any other coach in the country could in John Calipari. Calipari has shown he knows how to prepare his players for the next level in one year. Just ask Derrick Rose, John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, and Anthony Davis. Cal is working with Randle on his game away from the basket and that will make him just about unguardable. Randle already has a smooth mid-range jumper and can hit the three when it's open if he has consistently take big men off the dribble AND beat them up down low, he will be unstoppable in college as well as against most players in the NBA. Bow down basketball world, Julius Randle is your next big star, and your number one pick.

Jaylen Johnson is a Card!

Big news for Rick Pitino this morning as ESPN 100 Power Forward Jaylen Johnson commits to the Louisville Basketball program. This really isn't a shocker as Louisville has been rumored the favorite for the past month or so for Johnson's services. The Kid is only sixteen so there is still room for him to improve and mature. This now gives Pitino and his staff three verbal commitments for the class of 2014 all being in the ESPN 100. This has the potential to be Pitino's best class here while at Louisville. He is still in on one of the best players in the country Trey Lyles and according to many experts it is down to Louisville and Kentucky. There is no doubt that Pitino is using the momentum from last years National Championship to keep the ball rolling here at Louisville. With Louisville heading into the ACC the 2014-2015 athletic year, we will need the best players we can get. If Pitino keeps recruiting like this there is no doubt we will continue to have Years of the Cardinals! Make sure you follow @theflexblog on twitter and me to keep up with all things Louisville. I will have my first official post of a review from this weeks football game against EKU and all other things cardinals. As always GO CARDS!!!

The Flex's NFL Preview

If you know anything about us here at The Flex, or anyone in America for that matter, we love football and we are counting down the seconds to kickoff of the NFL season. I can smell it. It smells like facemasks and aggression. Well seeing as how well myself and Michael Herrmann broke down the stage set for the college football landscape this year (go read that now!) , its only right that we do the same for the big boys. And this time were bringing in some new blood, helping us will be The Flex's newest writer, Craig Lucas. Lets face it there are as many if not more questions waiting to be answered in the National Football League. Its getting close people, your favorite team will be taking the field of gladiators in a matter of days. Lets get to it.

Will The Patriots Struggle With Lack of Receivers?

Craig: The patriots are the patriots and as long as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are running the show they are a playoff contender. We are talking about a team that has won the AFC east nine times in the last ten years. The Pats let go of Deion Branch and Gronkowski health is still a concern but I believe they will be fine. They signed former Rams receiver Danny Amendola to replace Wes Walker who will be catching balls from another Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning this season, but the patriots never struggle and I see no reason for them to this year.

Davey: The answer to this question would be an absolute, indisputable yes, if any other quarterback in the league was running this offense. Fortunately for Foxboro, Tom Brady could turn my father and his friends into pro bowl caliber receivers. This guy made a superstar out of Wes Welker and brought Randy Moss back to life. Anyone ever heard of Troy Brown before or after Brady? Didn't think so. With Brady at the helm the Pats will fill the void left by Hernandez with young TE Zach Sudfeld and will keep rolling until they get the Frankenstein monster that is Rob Gronkowski back in the huddle. Danny Amendola is basically the Pepsi to Wes Welker's Coca Cola, if Pepsi was good. As long as Gisele's husband in under center the Pats will be fine.

Michael: Nope, Tom Brady is a great quarterback and they always do well. Hell, they even did well with Matt Cassel at the helm. I think their success lies in video cameras, not wide receivers. 

Which Young Quarterback Will Take A Step Back?

Craig: I believe the 2012 NFL draft will go down as the best Quarterback class of all time, yeah I said it. Even better than the 2004 draft class which features Eli Manning, Ben Rothislberger, and Phillip Rivers. That class has a combined four super bowl wins between them, pretty Impressive. But I still like the 2012 class better, but one of these young guns will have a sophomore slump and I think it will be Andrew Luck. As much as I like Luck I feel he is in the worst situation out of all the second year quarterbacks right now. The Colts did go out and sign Ahmad Bradshaw but that will not be enough to help Luck. The Lack of an Elite receiver, Reggie Wayne is ageing, not the best Offensive Line and you have a Sophomore slump in the making. I do believe that Luck will have the better career, he just doesn't have the team around him right now to be successful this year. 

Davey: With so many first or second year quarterbacks playing at elite levels last year, one is destined to take a step back. For me it comes down to two, Andrew Luck who even though no one wants to admit it had the WORST year of the QBs in this discussion and Colin Kaepernick who probably has the least to work with on offense and will face the toughest competition. My pick has to be Luck. He through an ungodly amount of interceptions last season in a system that babied him the entire year. Yet, for some reason people think he stacks up to RG3 or could even be better. Based on last year that notion is laughable and this year Luck gets exposed. His turnovers will cost the Colts games with a tougher schedule and Luck will take a step back, even if only in perception. Quit foolin yourselves, he is no RG3.

Michael: Andrew Luck, solely because of the talent around him. Luck is the most prolific passer of the last two draft classes, but he doesn't have the same talent around him as does Russell Wilson or Robert Griffin III. I really, though, think Andrew Luck, and all of the young quarterbacks, succeed in their sophomore campaign. 

Can Adrian Peterson Pull Off A Repeat Performance?

Craig: No no and no. Adrian Peterson is an amazing talent and you have to be to run for 2097 yards and twelve touchdowns in a season, but not even superman himself could repeat that performance. Adrian Peterson will have a great year, but it would be tough for anyone to go through that again.  

Davey: YES. Why should anyone doubt this guy? He obviously isn't human so why should I doubt that he can do something that humans aren't capable of. If any running back could put up an even more impressive season than a 2,000 yard almost record breaking year its Purple Jesus. Defensive backs and linebackers beware, this man will not be stopped and if he has his eyes on Eric Dickerson and his out dated rec specs then hes going to shatter that record even if he has to chew Christian Ponder's arm off to make sure he gets the ball every play. Look out Christian, just give him the ball and slink away quietly, don't get eaten.

Michael: He sure can! He won't, but he can! Adrian Peterson is a very, very hard-luck player. He could get 1,500 yards in the first 12 games, then break his leg. He could rush for 1,994 yards. He could simply have a down year and rush for 800 yards and 9 touchdowns. Don't get me wrong, he's an incredible talent, but I don't think the stars will align for this lispy wolverine.

Will The Eagles Thrive In Chip Kelly's Offense?

Craig: If I could give Chip Kelly any NFL team to run the offense he ran at Oregon it would have been the Eagles. They have weapons all over the field and not to mention Micheal Vick at Quarterback. This offense will be tough to stop this year especially in a division that doesn't really have a great defensive team. Look for the eagles to have one of the better offenses in the NFL. Sadly for Chip Kelly and the Eagles this won't result in very many wins as they lack the tough Philadelphia spirit that their beloved city has. They are are in a tough division with the Cowboys, and Redskins and Micheal Vick has only completed one NFL season in his career. They also lost receiver Jeremy Maclin for the year, but I still believe they will put up points, just not enough to win football games.

Davey: Thrive? Possibly but they wont win many games with their lackluster defense behind them, but there is no doubt they will be a high powered excited offense. Vick is still a serviceable NFL quarterback and is the perfect QB for the Kelly system. DeSean Jackson will put up some big numbers this year and they will win some shootouts for sure. It will basically look like a madden offense out there for 16 weeks. Don't sleep on Shady McCoy either, Chip Kelly will run the ball in a lot of different ways (draws, wildcat, read option) and Shady is always a threat in the passing game. Chip will get him the ball in space and give him room to work with which as we all know can leave any NFL defender looking for their broken ankles. If they can stretch the field with Jackson and get McCoy in space they could score ridiculous amounts of points. The Eagles defense however, may give up an even more absurd amount of points this year.

Michael: Sure they will. The offense will, at least. Even without Jeremy Maclin, the high-paced Screech Attack will thrive with DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy and Michael Vick. Pete Carroll has done quite well with Seattle as a coach from the Pac-10, so I believe Chip Kelly will succeed, even if it's moderately and solely offensively.

Who Takes Home The MVP?

Craig: This man is dangerous, this man also has the most underrated hair in the NFL, this man can fly! His name is Larry Fitzgerald. Larry struggled last year as did the Arizona Cardinals. It is time for him and the Cardinals to redeem themselves. The Cardinals now have a quarterback in Carson Palmer throwing him the ball which should be a major upgrade from Kevin Kolb and John Skelton last year. He also has receiver Micheal Floyd to take all the attention off him, he can make plays too. Larry also has the help of former Colts great offensive coordinator Tom Moore calling the plays. All this leads up to an MVP season for the great Larry Fitzgerald!

Davey: First off Craig, I will be as good a quarterback this year as Carson Palmer and I went undrafted yet again. I love Larry but not with that ginger train wreck throwing to him. Now, to my MVP pick. There is really only one choice here. A man who will score 99% of his team's touchdowns, a man who has set passing as well as rushing records in this league, a man who can run you over or throw absolute bombs over the top of a defense, and a man who will take the next step this year and become an absolute superstar all the while smiling and screaming while he rips your team's throat out. That man, is Cam Newton. Cam has his doubters for whatever reason (his body language, REALLY?!) and this year he proves them wrong. He alone will lead the Panthers to a winning season and take home the hardware. Remember the year he had at Auburn? It will be like that, except more impressive on the big stage. Don't doubt Cam!

Michael: Peyton Manning. Peyton, with Welker, Decker, Thomas, and Tamme, the Broncos will dominate the AFC West and make a Super Bowl Push. Peyton will pass for 5,000 yards and win his first outright MVP award all while leading Team Michael (name pending) to a fantasy title over Team Davey and Team Craig.

Which Team Will Surprise Us?

Craig: This is a hard one for me. I think the talent in the NFL over the past couple of years has gotten better as a whole and any team could breakout this year and have a great year. I'm going up north to Cleveland and picking the Cleveland Browns. Yes the factory of sadness. Cleveland has all the tools to have a breakout season this year. Trent Richardson can't wait to run all over that division. Brandon Weeden is the quarterback no one is talking about and will fly under the radar. Lets not forget the defense. Joe Hayden is ready prove he can shutdown any great receiver in the NFL. Bring on A.J. Green and Torrey Smith. Barkevious Mingo is also a sleeper for defensive rookie of the year. The talent is up and so will the brownies. They will surprise everyone and make the playoffs this year!

Davey: With the parody level of the NFL, this might be our toughest question to answer. Every year a team jolts into the playoff race after being written off in the pre-season. My pick has to be the Detroit Lions. Last year they posted a 4-12 record last season with a disastrous year. This year they added Reggie Bush who is a perfect fit for the Detroit offense and who is being written off way too early in his career. Bush will have a breakout performance this year catching passes out of the backfield and returning kicks, and of course there is always Megatron. In the tough NFC north the Lions are being slept on but take a peek at their defensive line. Nick Fairley is progressing very well and will surprise this year and rookie Ziggy Ansah will he an impact player from week 1. That's two very good defensive lineman and we haven't even mentioned the monster himself, Ndamukong Suh. Suh may rip Jay Cutler limb from limb this year and no one would be surprised. With Stafford at the helm throwing for 5,000 yards, the Lions will find themselves in the playoffs this season.

Michael: The Clevelands will have a very solid 8-8 season. Brandon Weeden is much improved from last years getting trapped under the flag fiasco and Paul Kruger strengthens the front seven. Joe Haden proves a shutdown corner and Trent Richardson leads the league in rushing, rushing touchdowns, and ties for the league lead in linebackers decapitated. Brown makes a good playoff push, but, while missing the postseason, they surprise everyone.

Which Team Will Disappoint?

Craig: Seattle Seahawks. My main reason for picking the Seahawks is because of Russel Wilson . I'm not ready to name him the next Drew Brees yet. The Seahawks whole team really came out of nowhere with names like Russel Wilson, Richard Sherman, and Bruce Irvin. There is no doubt the talent is there but not the experience of sustained success that you see with the other top NFL teams. Look for the Seahawks to disappoint this year.

Davey: This honor goes to the New Orleans Saints. After last year spiraled out of control Sanits' fans blamed Roger Goodell for their woes, but Goodell wasn't out there playing cornerback. Th Saints defense is getting worse and worse and its also getting really OLD. They have no pass rush to speak of and will get picked apart by the likes of Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and other big armed quarterbacks they face this season. Sean Payton is back I know, but they also hired Rex Ryan's fatter and dumber brother to run an already abysmal defense. Brees will bounce back from last year but outside of Jimmy Graham his best target will be Darren Sproles out of the backfield. Not exactly a formula for a Super Bowl team. The Saint will have a very similar year to last year, and they wont be able to blame Fidel Goodell for this one. 

Michael: Atlanta will not live up to expectations. Be them the expectations of a great regular season or the expectations of finally making a postseason run, I think the Falcons fall short. Steven Jackson is a good running back, but, to LaRome White's dismay, he's not the back that he once was. Matt Ryan is a good quarterback, but he's not on the same level as Peyton Manning or Drew Brees or, hell, even Andrew Luck. The Falcons fall short.