NFL. Birds Quick Preview, Division Predictions, College and Pro Picks Against the Spread

Sorry it is late and I have to be pretty quick, but I am swamped with trying to get the Win or Die pool ready to go.....

Hallelujah, the NFL season is underway. Pittsburgh is back to their old tricks, winning with a blitzing defense and just enough big plays from the offense. And it didn’t hurt that Miami’s coach throws like a girl. Saban has no one to blame but himself for not getting to challenge that Heath Miller touchdown last night. What was he waiting for? For my selections for both college and pro football, they are listed below.

As far as the Eagles go, I think they have a team that could be described similarly to Gay Focker’s stock portfolio: Strong to quite strong. The lines are both stocked, especially the defensive line which features two great pass rushers on the outside backed up by great depth, and some great young talent inside in Patterson and Bunkly. With the line in the shape that it is, you watch how fast Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard return to their All Pro form of two years ago. The only question on D is if the linebackers are stout enough to control the opponents running game and cover the backs and tight ends. Overall, the defense should be a pleasure to watch this year. Offensively, I look for McNabb to have a great year, with more weapons than he ever enjoyed in pre-TO days. By the way, I view Reggie Brown as the likely top threat at wide receiver, not Stallworth, who will be valuable in clearing coverage for the former Georgia Bulldog. This team has an amazingly easy schedule to start (Giants, Cowboys, Packers at home, Texans, 49ers, and Saints on the road to start), so 6-0 is not improbable, and anything less than 5-1 is simply unacceptable. The problem is the schedule at the end of the year is stacked, including three straight road games in December against all the divisional opponents. Because of the tough end of season schedule, I give the slight nod in the division to the Giants, who I think will see Eli Manning blossom this year. I am picking the Birds to win a wild card this year, which I view as the conservative selection. If things roll right, this team can very easily go to and win the Super Bowl. That is why they play the games….

As for my predictions of what will happen in the NFL this season, I predict the following:
AFC East: New England
AFC Central: Cincinnati
AFC South: Indy
AFC West: Denver
AFC Wild Card #1: Pittsburgh
AFC Wild Card #2: Baltimore

NFC East: NY Giants
NFC Central: Da Bears
NFC South: Carolina
NFC West: Seattle
NFC Wild Card #1: E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!!!
NFC Wild Card #2: Tampa Bay

Super Bowl: Cincinnati over NY Giants

First Draft Choice in 2007 Draft: Cleveland Browns
MVP: Carson Palmer
Comeback Player of the Year: Donovan McNabb

As for this weekend, here are my picks. I went 2-2 last weekend in college. (Note: My buddy Stephen Moss who you can find at the Moss report (link in links section to the right) is something like 14-4-1 so far in his college and pro picks. I suggest checking his cite out.

Duke (+19.5) at Wake Forest. Duke is not quite as bad as they looked against Richmond last week. They have some good, albeit young, players, who will compete after being embarrassed a week ago. Wake should not be giving this many points to a high school team. Wake wins, but by single digits.

Notre Dame (-8) versus Penn State. I think Notre Dame bounces back in a big way after a terrible performance in week 1. Vegas is begging you to play Joe Pa, don’t fall in the trap. Lay the lumber here.

Colorado (-1) versus Colorado State. Lubick’s club has been down the last couple years. Colorado is coming off a horrific performance, and their new coach will have them ready to go for this rivalry game this week. Look for the Buffs to win at home.

Ohio State (+2.5) at Texas. You have to give the nod to the team with experience at the quarterback, and that is Troy Smith and Ohio State. I also think Texas has the offense that will put point up at home against an inexperienced Buckeye defense, so go OVER the 50.5 as well.

South Carolina (+3) versus Georgia. The Shamecocks came within a two point conversion of taking their game last year in Athens to overtime, and I think Spurrie and his crew will get it done at home against a team that they will be fired up for. Georgia looked lethargic in their win last week between the hedges, so look for more of the same when they come up a team that is talented and wants it more than they do.

New Mexico St (+6) versus New Mexico. The Aggies have a great transfer quarterback that came with Hal Mumme. Look for them to upset the Lobos at home.

And in the NFL:

EAGLES (-4.5) at Houston. This is a mismatch; it’s just that Vegas has not figured it out yet. The Eagles defensive line will give David Carr fits. The Eagles will win this game by 14+.

Tampa (-3) versus Baltimore. Tampa has too much defensively for Baltimore’s offense, even with McNair, and Baltimore’s defense is not what it used to be.

New Orleans (+3.5) at Cleveland. Cleveland is going to horrible. Just you watch.

New York Giants (+3.5) versus Indy. The G-Men will win this game outright. Payton will take at least one nasty shot without having Edge back there to protect him.

Enjoy the games all weekend!