2009 NFL Predictions

AFC East
Patriots - 12-4
Dolphins - 9-7
Bills - 7-9
Jets - 7-9

With Tom Brady returning, the Patriots will once again dominate the AFC East. Miami could keep things interesting, but I don't see anyone else from the East sneaking into the playoffs. The Bills and Jets should be competitive, but both have question marks at quarterback that will hold them back.

AFC North
Steelers - 11-5
Ravens - 10-6
Bengals - 6-10
Browns - 5-11

I expect the North to be a hotly contested battle between the Steelers and Ravens. The Steelers have the best defense in the game, but I have serious doubts about their offense. The offensive line has too many holes and Willie Parker isn't the same player he was two or three years ago. The Ravens are just the opposite - the offensive is on the upswing (finally) but the defensive is starting to lose its swagger. Its the same old story with the Bengals and Browns; both should be satisfied with a 6-win season.

AFC South
Colts - 11-5
Texans - 9-7
Titans - 9-7
Jaguars - 7-9

The AFC South could be one of the most entertaining division races this years - expect lots of offense and not much defense. The Colts are still the class of the division, but the Texans, Titans and Jaguars will all compete for a playoff slot. In the end, I think the Texans defense is finally good enough to earn them their first playoff berth.

AFC West
Chargers - 13-3
Broncos - 6-10
Chiefs - 4-12
Raiders - 4-12

The AFC West will likely feature some of the worst football in the league this year. The Chargers will benefit from playing in a miserable division and should come away with the No. 1 seed in the AFC as a result. The Broncos offense will likely still win them some games, but the defense is still a mess. The Chiefs and Raiders, meanwhile, will battle it out for for the No. 1 pick in the 2010 Draft.

NFC East
Giants - 13-3
Cowboys - 10-6
Eagles - 10-6
Redskins - 7-9

The NFC East should provide us with another entertaining year of football, but in the end I see the Giants running away with it. They may have the most balanced team in the game and should be the favorite in the NFC. The Cowboys and Eagles are a step behind the Giants, but I think both will find themselves in the playoffs. The Redskins will be competitive, but they just don't have the offensive firepower to hang with the rest of the East.

NFC North
Bears - 10-6
Vikings - 9-7
Packers - 8-8
Lions - 3-13

The NFC North will be an interesting three-team race. The Bears, Vikings and Packers all have a realistic shot and all three should finish within a game or two. I like the Bears to take a huge step forward this year due to the acquisition of Jay Cutler. He'll take their offense to the next level. Brett Favre's return will provide plenty of great storylines throughout the year but he just isn't effective enough to take the to the playoffs. The Packers' offense will be fun to watch again, but I just don't see how they improved from last year. They'll finish right around .500 again.

NFC South
Falcons - 11-5
Saints - 9-7
Panthers - 7-9
Buccaneers - 3-13

The Falcons are here to stay. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner will struggle to meet lofty expectations, but overall I think the team is for real. The Saints have the best offense in the game, but the defense has far too many holes to make a playoff run. The Panthers are sitting in the calm before the storm right now. They're on the verge of a full rebuilding process, which could come sooner rather than later if Jake Delhomme can't stay healthy. And the Bucs are already in rebuilding mode; its going to be long year in Tampa.

AFC West
Cardinals - 10-6
Seahawks - 8-8
Rams - 6-10
49ers - 6-10

The Cardinals were no fluke in 2008. They're back for more and if Kurt Warner stays healthy they'll be a legitimate title contender once again. The Seahawks should bounce back, but Matt Hasselbeck isn't getting any younger and they don't have a running game. The Rams should show signs of improvement, but there are still some serious question marks on both sides of the ball. Same goes for the 49ers, who desperately need a reliable quarterback.

AFC Championship Game: Chargers over Steelers
NFC Championship Game: Giants over Bears
Super Bowl: Giants over Chargers

MVP: Phillip Rivers, Chargers
Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, Saints
Defensive Player of the Year: DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Knowshon Moreno, Broncos
Defensive Rookie of the Year: James Laurinaitis, Rams
Coach of the Year: Lovie Smith, Bears