5:44 p.m.: The NFL season kickoff is but a couple of hours away, just in time to sneak 16 predictions under the wire:
1. Brett Favre will not survive the season. Sorry, Vikings fans. I don't wish the man harm. I'm a big Favre fan. But with that ankle and another year older/slower reflexes in the pocket, I don't think his "last'' season is going to end well.
2. Ben Roethlisberger will return to lead the Steelers to the playoffs — and be cheered at Heinz Field.
3. Tim Tebow is the Bronco's starting quarterback by October. And finishes third in the Heisman Trophy balloting.
4. Lovie Smith and Wade Phillips will have new jobs next season. So will Brad Childress.
5.The Kansas City Chiefs will beat San Diego in the opener and go 9-7.
6. San Diego, with AFC rookie of the year Ryan Mathews, will still win the AFC West. And still lose in the playoffs.
7. Jahvid Best will be the NFC rookie of the year. He and Ndamukong Suh will lead the Detroit Lions to an 8-8 record. Detroit throws a parade.
8. The New York Jets win the AFC East but lose in the second round. Coach Rex Ryan tells the team to get a "@*%$%* snack!''
9. Pete Carroll improves the Seahawks but they don't make the playoffs. However, Carroll does take Seattle to the Rose Bowl.
10. Bill Belichick drives Tom Brady to work every day. Randy Moss pouts. New England makes the playoffs but the defense springs leaks.
11. Mike Shanahan trades pain-in-the-rear Albert Haynesworth to Tennessee. New York Giants and Eli Manning carve up Redskins' defense twice and win NFC East.
12. Sam Bradford says he will donate part of his $50 million for a new offensive line.
13. Peyton Manning cuts back one commercial and leads the Colts to 15-1 season. Indy plays all of its starters in week 15 but loses at Oakland.
14. Indianapolis beats Baltimore in the AFC Championship game.
15. Aaron Rodgers is the NFL MVP and leads Green Bay in shootout win over New Orleans in the NFC championship game.
16. Manning outduels Rodgers at Cowboys Stadium and wins his second Super Bowl. Announces he will retire when Favre does.
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
RSS Feeds