NFL season predictions

NFC North

Vikings: 11-5
If Adrian Peterson stays healthy, he tops 2,000 yards rushing.

Packers: 9-7
Aaron Rodgers has a better season than Brett Favre

Bears: 6-10
More on them later

Lions: 6-10
Calvin Johnson goes over the 1,000 yards, 10 touchdown plateau

AFC North

Steelers 10-6
Shard Mendenhall makes Willie Parker expendable in the offseason.

Bengals: 5-11
After six consecutive huge seasons, Chad Johnson fails to top 1,000 yards receiving.

Ravens: 5-11
Flacco sucks.

Browns 8-8
Age finally catches up with Jamal Lewis.

NFC East

Cowboys 12-4
Romo throws more touchdowns than Peyton Manning

Philadelphia Eagles 8-8
Brian complains that Andy Reid is the reason his team sucks, despite the fact that Melky Cabrera can’t OPS over .600, and Cano is hitting .180. Oh wait, wrong sport.

Washington Redskins 8-8
Todd Collins relieves Jason Campbell of his QB duties by Week 5.

New York Giants 7-9
People once again remember how bad Eli is.

AFC East

New England Patriots 14-2
Pats start off season 2-2; win out.

New York Jets 7-9
They fail because they don’t have a running game; draft Beanie Wells next year.

Buffalo Bills 7-9
Trent Edwards turns out to be pretty good.

Miami Dolphins 5-11
Ricky Williams rushes for over 1,000.

NFC West

St. Louis Rams 9-7
Steven Jackson reminds everyone he’s one of the three best backs in the NFL.

Seattle Seahawks 8-8
Bobby Engram doesn’t go over 1,000 yards receiving again.

San Francisco 49ers 6-10
JTO isn’t half bad.

Arizona Cardinals 5-11
One of the easiest defenses to slice in the NFL.

AFC West

San Diego Chargers 11-5
LT’s last great season.

Denver Broncos- 7-9
Champ Bailey’s last great seasons.

Kansas City Chiefs 7-9
Huge year from Larry Johnson.

Oakland Raiders 5-11
JaMarcus Russell proves he’ll turn out to be half way decent.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints 9-7
Reggie Bush continues to reinforce he’s a draft bust.

Carolina Panthers 8-8
Julius Peppers rebounds to tally 13+ sacks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11
Griese takes over as starter by Week 8.

Atlanta Falcons 5-11
Michael Turner tops 1,250, 8 TD.

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts 12-4
Addai’s carries increase significantly.

Jacksonville Jaguars 10-6
MJD cracks SportsCenter’s Top 10 at least five times.

Houston Texans 8-8
13 or more sacks again for Mario Williams. This team would be decent with a real running back.

Tennessee Titans 6-10
As much as it pains me to say this, Vince Young: bust.

NFC title
Cowboys over Vikings

AFC title
Pats over Colts

Super Bowl
Pats over Cowboys

Bears predictions:

The Bears aren’t good, I think most people realize that, but I’m not sure they’re terrible either. I actually think they’re better than any team in the NFC West or South. I wouldn’t shocked if the Bears finished 9-7 and snuck into the playoffs, mostly because everyone- seriously, everyone- thinks they are going to suck. You know what that usually means.

- Matt Forte will be good, not great. Lets say 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns.

- Greg Olsen won’t be thrown to nearly enough

- Urlacher has a huge season.

- Garrett Wolfe: bust

- Orton will actually be ok. If he can be as good as Jim Miller circa the early 00’s, the Bears certainly have a chance to win nine games. I expect Orton to start every game- which for a Bears QB is a huge accomplishment- and throw five-ish more touchdowns than picks.

- Tommie Harris should get double-digits sacks.