Football
Looking Into My Crystal Ball
By Lloyd Vance
Sep 4, 2008

PHILADELPHIA -- Once again it is time for me to get out my crystal ball and see if I can prognosticate the upcoming NFL season. As all of my friends can attest to I have never been totally right or wrong and I have never gotten the Super Bowl match-up or champion completely right.

But please tell me who could have predicted the ’07 season’s ending with the G-Men going from 10-6 wildcard to four consecutive road playoff wins including knocking off the near invincible 18-0 Patriots in the Super Bowl.  

Maybe this is my year to be the envy of my doubters (Big V, I am specifically talking to you).   However, you know I will have to eat some crow later this NFL season from these predictions.

My NFL tea-leaf reading   is all in good fun, so with the season ready to kickoff --Thursday night with the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants hosting the Washington Redskins led by new head coach Jim Zorn -- we can rejoice and say “Hallelujah” as the 2008 NFL Season is finally here.  

NFC

NFC South

New Orleans Saints 11-5

Carolina Panthers 9-7

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-10

Atlanta Falcons 4-12  

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings 10-6

Green Bay Packers 8-8

Chicago Bears 7-9

Detroit Lions 3-13  

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys 12-4

Philadelphia Eagles 9-7

New York Giants 9-7

Washington Redskins 6-10  

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks 9-7

Arizona Cardinals 7-9

SF 49ers 5-11

St. Louis Rams 3-13  

Division Champions: Saints (Bye), Cowboys (Bye), Seahawks, Vikings,

NFC Wild Cards: Eagles, Giants

NFC Wild Card Round: Eagles over Seahawks, Vikings over Giants

NFC Divisional Round: Cowboys over Eagles, Saints over Vikings

NFC Championship: Saints over Cowboys

AFC

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts 13-3

Jacksonville Jaguars 12-4

Houston Texans 9-7

Tennessee Titans 7-9  

AFC North

Cleveland Browns 11-5

Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6

Cincinnati Bengals 6-10

Baltimore Ravens    5-11  

AFC East

New England Patriots 12-4

New York Jets 9-7

Buffalo Bills 8-8

Miami Dolphins 5-11

AFC West

San Diego Chargers 13-3

Denver Broncos 8-8

Kansas City Chiefs 7-9

Oakland Raiders 5-11  

Division Champions: Chargers (Bye), Colts (Bye), Browns, Patriots

AFC Wild Cards: Jaguars, Steelers

AFC Wild Card Round: Jaguars over Browns, Patriots over Steelers

AFC Divisional Round: Colts over Patriots, Jaguars over Chargers

AFC Championship: Colts over Jaguars

Super Bowl XLIII: Colts over Saints

AWARDS

NFL Coach of the Year: Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL Offensive MVP: Quarterback Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

NFL Defensive MVP: Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee Titans

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year:   Running back Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

**Also keep an eye on WR/KR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles and RB Rashard Mendenhall

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: Linebacker Jarod Mayo, New England Patriots

** Also keep an eye on DT Sedrick Ellis, New Orleans Saints

NFL Co-Comeback Players of the Year: Running back Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints and Cornerback/Kick Returner Adam “Don’t Call Me Pacman” Jones, Dallas Cowboys

NFL Breakout Player:  Wide Receiver Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis Colts

First Pick of the 2009 NFL Draft: LSU pass rusher Tyson Jackson by the Detroit Lions.