The Monkey's NFL Predictions

Last year, I predicted Carolina to beat Denver in the Super Bowl. Neither team made the playoffs. This year, the goal is to have my Super Bowl picks to at least be playing in January.

AFC East
Patriots: 12-4
They do have a weakness: the running game. Lawrence Maroney has always shared carries in his career, so Sammy Morris better be ready.
Jets: 9-7
I like what they did this offseason, but their schedule is a lot harder this year than last.
Bills: 6-10
They have a tough schedule as well, which is going to set them back while they have to find replacements for Nate Clements, London Fletcher, and Willis McGahee
Dolphins: 5-11
Trent Green is not the savior. It is really hard to be this old and this bad.

AFC North
Bengals: 11-5
The window is open, the offense is great, but about that defense...
Steelers: 9-7
I think it is going to take a year for Tomlin to get them completely back on track.
Ravens: 9-7
I find it hard to believe that they are going to stay as healthy as they did last year with all the aging players (Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Steve McNair) they rely on.
Browns: 6-10
Sorry Romeo, the Browns rebuilding process will move forward with someone else.

AFC South
Jaguars: 11-5
I liked picking Jacksonville a lot more when they were starting Leftwich, but given his fued with Del Rio, they are probably better off with Garrard.
Colts: 10-6
Another year, another three defensive starters lost in the offseason (Cato June, Jason David, Nick Harper)
Texans: 6-10
The addition of Matt Schaub could turn that into an above average offense, but they still have too many gaping holes on defense.
Titans: 4-12
They have zero proven skill players, and losing the Pac-Man will kill the defense.

AFC West
Chargers: 11-5
If they had a real coach, they would be my Super Bowl pick.
Broncos: 10-6
I just don't see them missing out back to back seasons.
Oakland: 6-10
Their defense is good. Combine them with the Bengals offense, and they would be Super Bowl bound.
Kansas City: 5-11
You play to lose your job.

NFC East
Eagles: 11-5
If Donavan McNabb stays healthy, they are the best team in the NFL. They might be even without him.
Redskins: 10-6
I'm banking on their defense turning it back around after an embarrassing 2006.
Cowboys: 7-9
I just don't buy in to Tony Romo.
Giants: 5-11
They will quit on Tom Coughlin, who will lose his job. The question is, how early in the season will it happen.

NFC North
Bears: 10-6
Their special teams will not make the impact it did last year.
Packers: 9-7
The talented young defense will carry Brett Favre to one last playoff team.
Lions: 7-9
But they will be the best 7-9 team in NFL history.
Vikings: 6-10
Their defense great but I don't think they can overcome Tavaris Jackson and the four stooges they call wide receivers.

NFC South
Pathers: 10-6
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, I am a complete idiot. Go Panthers.
Saints: 8-8
Last year, I had New Orleans as the worst team in the NFL. Maybe I can completely underrate them two years in a row.
Falcons: 8-8
I like them as a sleeper, but I feel like they are relying on an awful lot of young, unproven players on defense (Jamaal Anderson, Chris Houston, and Jimmy Williams)
Buccaneers: 5-11
Has any coach gone from the next great one to out of a job as fast as Jon Gruden?

NFC West
49ers: 9-7
They are only good enough to make the playoffs in the worst division in football.
Seahawks: 8-8
I think Shaun Alexander is done (think Jamal Lewis), and the rest of the offense will suffer because of it.
Cardinals: 7-9
I would pick this team with this coach in this division if they were any team other than the Arizona Cardinals.
Rams: 6-10
They added a lot of free agent acquisitions, but all of them were on offense. Isn't their defense the problem?

AFC Title Game:
New England over Indianapolis

NFC Title Game:
Philadelphia over Green Bay

Super Bowl:
New England over Philadephia

Super Bowl Sleeper: Denver Broncos - I would not be at all suprised if they rallied around the death of Darrent Williams and won a Super Bowl in his memory.