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NFC Predictions

September 04, 2006 by Steel Smitter

NFC Picks for 2006-2007 season:

 

Before I look into my crystal ball for this year�s picks, I thought I would review my preseason picks from last year:

 

On average, I was 3.38 wins away from the actual. I have no statistical proof, but I�m pretty sure that isn�t the greatest. (By the way, I go game-by-game through the entire schedule and pick the winners to get to my totals.) I did pick three teams right on � Dallas, Minnesota, and San Francisco. My worst underestimations were Washington at 8 (I picked 2-14, they were 10-6), Chicago (me 4-10, actual 11-5, but in my defense, did anyone predict the Bears to win 11?), and Denver (me 8-8, actual 13-3). My worst overestimations were Green Bay (I picked 11-5, actual 4-12), and the NY Jets (me 9-7, actual 4-12).

 

I picked 4 of the 6 AFC playoff teams, missing on the Jets and Kansas City. I had the Steelers beating Indy in the AFC Championship, missed that by 1 game. I did pick the Steelers to win the Super Bowl over the RAMS! (I did have the right division!). In the NFC, the only playoff team I correctly picked was Seattle.

 

Since many of the divisional races seem like they are going to be pretty close, I will list the divisional match-ups, as well as the two games each team in the division plays different. These two games could very well determine who makes the playoffs and who doesn�t.

 

NFC East  (NFC South, AFC South)

  1. Washington  10-6  (Minn, at St. Louis)
  2. *Dallas  10-6  (Detroit, at Arizona)
  3. NY Giants 9-7  (Chicago, at Seattle)
  4. Philadelphia 9-7 (GB, at San Fran)

 

In a division that seems like it may go down to the wire, the Eagles playing Green Bay and San Francisco may give them the advantage. I actually have the Eagles leading the division until the last 6 weeks, when I predict them to finish 1-5. The Thanksgiving Day battle between Tampa and Dallas could decide a wildcard, and I have Dallas in the first wildcard over Tampa because of the Turkey Day victory.

 

NFC North (NFC West, AFC East)

  1. Minnesota  8-8 (at Wash, Carolina)
  2. Chicago  8-8  (at NY Giants, Tampa Bay)
  3. Detroit  8-8  (at Dallas, Atlanta)
  4. Green Bay 7-9 (at Philly, New Orleans)

 

This is another division that seems like it will go to the wire, unless a team comes around like Chicago did last year. I don�t see the Bears doing it again, but a 5-1 or 6-0 record in the division would do it. I actually have 5-3 at the halfway point, in first place, but start the second half with 4 losses in 5 games to lose the three-way tiebreaker.

 

NFC South (NFC East, AFC North)

  1. Carolina 12-4 (at Minn, St Louis)
  2. *Tampa Bay 10-6 (at Chicago, Seattle)
  3. Atlanta 6-10 (at Detroit, Arizona)
  4. New Orleans 4-12 (at GB, San Francisco)

 

We all know Tampa�s history in cold weather games, and the NFL was not kind to them this year, with away games to Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland in December. Ouch! That is what will cost them a chance to win the division. Even though I picked them to go 6-10, the feeling with the Falcons is that a healthy Michael Vick could take them further, if he can improve his throwing. I don�t see it.

NFC West (NFC North, AFC West)

 

  1. Seattle 11-5 (NY Giants, at Tampa)
  2. St Louis 8-8 (Washington, at Carolina)
  3. Arizona 7-9 (Dallas, at Atlanta)
  4. San Francisco 6-10 (Philly, at New Orleans)

 

Seattle�s quest for a repeat NFC Championship shouldn�t be hampered at all by this division. I do have them cruising to a 7-1 record and then stumbling some in the second half. Arizona is the pick by some to do well this year and challenge for a playoff spot, I just don�t see it. They need Warner to stay healthy all year, and if he does, with his offensive weapons, they could challenge. I don�t think Leinart is ready to lead the team to the playoffs if Warner gets hurt. San Fran should improve some this year, after all, Alex Smith can�t get much worse than his performance last year.

 

NFC Playoffs

 

  1. Carolina 12-4
  2. Seattle 11-5
  3. Washington 10-6
  4. Minnesota 8-8
  5. Dallas 10-6
  6. Tampa Bay 10-6

 

Wildcard Round

Washington over Tampa Bay

Dallas over Minnesota

 

Divisional Playoffs Round

      Carolina over Dallas

       Washington over Seattle

 

       NFC Championship

       Carolina over Washington (Randle El throws an interception to change the momentum.)

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                               

                                                                                                               

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