Re: Don's Crystal Ball 2009 Season Predictions
NFC EAST
DALLAS COWBOYS
2008 Record: 9-7
2009 Projection: 11-5 (Wild Card)
There are questions about the WR position by the dismissal of TO but this is more created by the media that the real thing the fact is Dallas has a balance offense with tons of weapons the biggest problem in Valley Ranch is depth this team has the worst backups in the NFL they can’t afford any injuries to their top players especially the defense. Plus they got one of the most talented O lines in the NFL but they don’t play up to their level. If this team play up to their potential they can go deep for once it all comes down if they want it in December.
NEW YORK GIANTS
2008 Record: 12-4
2009 Projection: 12-4 (1st Place)
This team looked way better after FA and the Draft that it looks now. They got better at D-line but their acquisitions are hurt some might end up on IR, plus their stop starter has totally come back from injury. The lost of DC Spagnuolo has hurt as we expected and it has shown in the events in the preseason. At first we thought they had depth at WR position with tons of rookies and former 1st and 2nd round picks but after nobody other than Steve Smith stepped up during the preseason the questions still remains who will be the deep threat.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
2008 Record: 9-6-1
2009 Projection 10-6
This team will self destruct in 3…2…1. Finally McNabb has wr and a decent backup for Westbrook when he falls apart during miss season. But now the biggest question mark is the defense three big loses with leader Brian Dawkings, Starting MLB S. Bradley the core of that defense and the Architect of it all the tragic loss of J.Johnson to cancer this past summer. It will be too much for this team, plus people might believe the signing of M.Vick will help them I believe it will just be a distraction.
Washington Redskins
2008 Record: 8-8
2009 Record 8-8
When a team is trying to ship their Starting QB not once but twice it isn’t a great sign, there still questions with the offense especially with the WR. The defense will be better with Haynesworth and can keep games close but it won’t matter if the offense can’t score.
NFC NORTH
CHICAGO BEARS
2008 Record: 9-7
2009 Projection: 11-5 (3rd Place)
Changing Kyle Orton for Cutler and a healthy Urlacher should be worth at least 2 more wins. Still I don’t buy into the hype of automatic SB the media has put. Obviously that shift to Minnesota once Favre came back.
DETROIT LIONS
2008 Record: 0-16
2009 Projection: 3-13
I would give them 1 more win if Culpepper played but since it looks like Stafford will start this team is finally moving in the right direction and it all started with the firing of Matt Millen last year let’s hope the Ford keep moving that way and bring back some respect to a once proud franchise.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
2008 Record: 6-10
2009 Projection: 10-6 (Wildcard)
Aaron Rodgers did good last year the defense let them down. Here comes Cappers to save the day. New formation, new look and it looks great right now. If they keep it up this team looks scary.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2008 Record: 10-6
2009 Projection: 8-8
Some might think having Brett Favre is a step forward I believe it’s a step back. The running game is crazy Percy Harvin will make some big plays and the defense is great but I do expect the Williams getting suspended by the league and the run defense will suffer. I don’t expect Favre to last the whole season he even got hurt in his first game back.
NFC SOUTH
ATLANTA FALCONS
2008 Record: 11-5
2009 Projection: 7-9
I expect a drop-off from the falcons this year their defense has big problems and I don’t expect Ryan to have another big year. Teams didn’t expect the Falcons team they saw last year but they will be prepared this year.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
2008 Record: 12-4
2009 Projection: 9-7
Same thing big running game but Delhomme has lost a step the past few years and will cost this team some games. They face tougher competition this year it won’t be a smooth ride anymore.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
2008 Record: 8-8
2009 Record 10-6 (4th Place)
I expect the team we all have been expecting since they went to the Championship 3 years ago. The defense has been upgraded and the offense last time I checked still has Brees. This team is due.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
2008 Record: 9-7
2009 record: 5-11
No QB, No OC and No defense no way. Plain and simple this team is rebuilding and needs a lot.
NFC WEST
ARIZONA CARDINALS
2008 Record: 9-7
2009 Projection: 12-4(2nd Place)
Arizona finally shows up after years of making us analyst look bad. But the payday in the playoffs I got make me even with them so no hard feelings. The team finally tasted victory and loved it. Only problem winning can go to their heads and mess everything up. We all know what usually happens to the Super Bowl losers the Next year but they don’t play In the AFC west. Expect them to get back to the playoffs.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
2008 Record: 7-9
2009 Projection: 5-11
Singletary has this team in the right direction but that doesn’t mean this team problems are fixed. They still don’t have a QB and pep talk can only get you so far.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2008 Record: 4-12
2009 Projection: 8-8
A healthy Seahawks team is a way better team but still not good enough to get back in the big game. Hasselbeck isn’t what he used to they got no threat at RB they will be better but unless Arizona has a major collapse they won’t make it.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
2008 Record: 2-14
2009 Projection: 3-13
Spagnuolo will get this team going in the right direction but still a long way to go too many holes, too many things too fix in just one season but his the best man to turn this franchise around.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Baltimore Ravens vs New England Patriots
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys
SUPER BOWL
Baltimore Ravens vs Green Bay Packers
SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS
Baltimore Ravens
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