As of now, my record’s .500. I was 4-4 going through the north. Since, obviously, I’m going to do the East last, we’ll head south for round 2.
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts: Prediction, Under 11 (9-7); Actual (12-4). I said: Welcome to the year in which Peyton Manning officially becomes Dan Marino. What can I say? Oops.
Tennessee Titans: Prediction, Under 5.5 (3-11); Actual (8-8). What can I say? I forgot that All Vince Young Does Is Win Football Games. The Titans overachieved on the back of a rookie quarterback and their future is ridiculously bright with Young at the helm. One thing to note for the Titans is they should certainly think about building the offense around Young rather quickly. The shelf life of the “mobile quarterback†has shown itself to be rather short. Don’t dawdle.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Prediction, Under 9.5 (8-8); Actual (8-8). Considering they had the hardest schedule in the league (highest strength of victory in the league at .555), they did well to go 8-8. I still don’t know where Vegas found 9 or 10 wins for this team. Regardless, had they not dropped two inexplicable games to the Texans, they would have been in the playoffs.
Houston Texans: Prediction, Under 5.5 (5-11). Actual 6-10. Two previously mentioned inexplicable wins against the Jaguars put them over. My favorite conspiracy theory of the year is that the Texans were paid off to not take Reggie Bush so he could save New Orleans. It has conquered the Patrick Ewing Frozen Envelope Theory. Until this team fixes its management, the replacement Oilers aren’t going to do much.
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans Saints: Prediction, Over 7 (10-6); Actual 10-6. The fact I called this as my breakout pick while everyone else was calling the Panthers or the Falcons makes me giddy. It should also make fans of awful teams excited, as apparently four or five good moves can turn your team around. The Saints will likely be putting up a pretty similar team next season, along with a good coach, and a revitalized fanbase. Another team with a bright future.
Carolina Panthers: Prediction, Under 10 (7-9); Actual 8-8. Everyone’s sexy NFC Championship pick, I didn’t understand it. If their pattern of the last ten years applies, they’ll be a 10-win team next season. Unfortunately, for them, this division could be the most competitive in the NFC next season.
Atlanta Falcons: Prediction, Under 8 (7-9); Actual 7-9. Nailed this one. The Vick apologists have a new coach next year to blame everything on. Since, for some reason, the Giants play the Falcons every year, I hope they keep Vick for a good long time.
Tampa Bay Bucs: Prediction, Under 8.5 (6-10); Actual 4-12. I gave the Bucs too much credit. New rule: when your starting quarterback has an organ ruptured mid-game, you get a free season. Man law? Man law. The draft is going to be huge for the Bucs this season.
The NFC South surged me back to over .500. Next week, the West and the East, closing up with the most important division in the history of the universe, the NFC East.
After that… baseball!
