If you can’t pick them, don’t.
Last year’s preseason predictions cursed a good portion of the league. I picked Daunte Culpepper as MVP, which ruined his health and reputation with a knee injury and sex boat scandal.
But I can’t resist throwing out a few wild picks. Here goes:
Teams that will be worse than everybody thinks:
Carolina
Philadelphia
Seattle
Miami (if you watched Thursday night’s opener vs. Pittsburgh, you’ll realize my Culpepper curse has not been lifted)
Teams that will be better than everybody thinks:
Tampa Bay
Detroit
Buffalo
Cleveland
Conference Championship Games:
I’d love to see a Belichick-Parcells Super Bowl. What a great story. But I picked that last year and didn’t come close. And I’d love to pick my Giants to make the leap. But looking at their schedule, I just can’t do it.
AFC: Indianapolis 31, New England 27
NFC: Dallas 20, Chicago 10
Super Bowl XLI
Indianapolis 38, Dallas 13
Super Bowl MVP: Peyton Manning