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DraftInsiders.com 2009 NFL Predictions
Giants Edge Chargers in Super Bowl Forecast
Photo - QB Peyton Manning - Colts
NFC
EAST
NEW YORK GIANTS - 12-4 - Eli looks to take another step up this season and directs this potent attack. Their veteran defense is one of the top five in the league.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - 11-5 - Eagles are among the best in the league again. They are capable of winning the East and going to the show with McNabb and Vick giving them a unique tandem.
DALLAS COWBOYS - 9-5 – With no T.O. this season, QB Tony Romo might struggle more than expected. Defense is good, but not near the top two in this division.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS - 8-8 – Skins face the acid test this season with young QB Jason Campbell the main performer under the microscope. Skins might again struggle to make .500 in the best division in the game.
NORTH
CHICAGO BEARS - 11-5 - Bears can win this division with new QB Jay Cutler. The defense is the best in this division that could spell the difference over the course of the season.
GREEN BAY PACKERS - 10-5 - Aaron Rodgers is the Man here and Packers may be the best club in the division.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS - 10-5 - Vikes look to veteran Brett Favre to be the difference maker on an erratic club that is capable of big wins or total self destruction.
DETROIT LIONS - 0- 16 – Please keep the streak alive. What a joke this organization is.
SOUTH
CAROLINA PANTHERS - 10-6 - Panthers are the best in this division, but they face a very tough schedule that either makes or breaks them.
ATLANTA FALCONS - 9-7 - Falcons are thinking title but they face a very tough schedule that might be the equalizer.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - 7-9 – This organizations can not get the defense right and a .500 record might be the best to expect despite high production from QB Drew Brees and his big play weapons.
TAMPA BAY BUCS - 5-11 - Bucs are a disaster in the making. This club won 9 games the past two seasons, but they may not be able to register more than 6 wins this fall.
WEST
ARIZONA CARDINALS - 9-7 - Cards looking to repeat in the weakest division in the NFL.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - 9-7 – Seahawks look to rebound after a poor 4-12 season, but only if veterans return to former levels. Young defense will determine if they can make the playoffs.
ST. LOUIS RAMS - 6-10 - Rams look to potent offense to help them to return to respectability. Their changing defense is still not up to playoff levels at this point.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS - 4-12 – Despite HC Mike Singletary, this club is still struggling to find an identity. They will struggle to even approach the .500 mark.
Divisional Champs
N.Y. Giants, Chicago, Carolina and Arizona
Wild Card Clubs s
Philadelphia & Minnesota
NFC Championship
N.Y. Giants over Carolina – G Men go to the Big Show.
AFC
EAST
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - 11-5 - Pats look to healthy QB Tom Brady to help them return to the Super Bowl but their young changing defense may dictate their final fate.
MIAMI DOLPHINS - 9-7 - Dolphins will not surprise teams this season and face a difficult task
to return to the playoffs. Defense is at playoff levels.
NEW YORK JETS - 7-9 - Jets turn the page with a new regime and rookie QB Mark Sanchez. They have many key questions that probably leave them short of a .500 record.
BUFFALO BILLS - 4-12 – Bills are showing signs of blowing up already this season and if they struggle early they could start making major changes.
NORTH
PITTSBURGH STEELERS - 12-4 - Big Ben makes impact plays and the Steel defense is still among best in the game.
BALTIMORE RAVENS - 11-5 - The Ravens are in the hunt with young QB Joe Flacco directing this offense. The defense is capable of ranking with the best in the game
CINCINNATI BENGALS - 6-10 – QB Carson Palmer must prove healthy for this team to even approach the .500 mark. Their defense has never improved under HC Marvin Lewis.
CLEVELAND BROWNS - 4-12 - Browns are rebuilding again and look to young QB Brady Quinn to get them to respectability. Only one winning season in past five seasons may continue this fall.
SOUTH
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS - 12-4 – Peyton Manning can carry this club to the playoffs, Whether the defense plays up to the Tony Dungy years remain to be seen.
HOUSTON TEXANS - 9-7 – A .500 record won’t get it done this season. They will push for the playoffs but only if veteran passer Matt Schaub finally proves durable the full season.
TENNESSEE TITANS - 9-7 - This veteran club gets in done but may find it very difficult to match recent performances. They will be hard press to return to playoffs.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - 6-10 – Jaguars have taken a few steps back recently and another sub .500 record appears likely unless many questions are answered positively.
WEST
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS - 11-5 - Rivers directs a veteran club that can surprise in the AFC and get it done to make a run at the NFL title. Veteran defense is improving quickly and should rank with the best in the conference.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - 6-10 - Chiefs hope the addition of QB Matt Cassel gets this club pointed in the right direction. They are still a few seasons away from competing for a playoff berth.
DENVER BRONCOS - 6-10 - Broncos made huge changes this offseason under new HC Josh McDaniel. They should face difficult growing pains that will push them to the bottom of the AFC.
OAKLAND RAIDERS - 5-11 - Raiders are a franchise in disarray and have not won more than 5 games since the 2002 season and this year looks like another repeat disaster.
Divisional Champs
New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis & San Diego
Wild Card Clubs
Baltimore & Miami
AFC Championship
San Diego over Indianapolis – Chargers show a top defense can stop a potent offense in big
games.
Super Bowl Matchup
N.Y. Giants over San Diego Chargers
Giants win a wild Super Bowl showdown with Chargers.