2005 NFL Season and Week One Picks

AFC EAST:
New England (1)
NY Jets (5)
Buffalo
Miami

Bill Belichek does it again. Jets would probably win any other division in the league, and should be considered legitimate contenders. Buffalo might improve their 6-10 record if they can do things offensively with JP Losman (but I'm skeptical), and Miami is at least another year or two away from being a factor.

AFC North:
Baltimore (2)
Pittsburgh (6)
Cincinnati
Cleveland

Baltimore did really well in free agency and the draft, and now Kyle Boller is out of excuses. Their success this year will depend solely on him, as they have good receivers, running backs, and probably the best defence in the league. Pittsburgh will rely heavily on their defence playing like they did last season, but I don't think Ben will be as good.

AFC South:
Indianpolis (3)
Jacksonville
Houston
Tennessee

There's a lot of hype surrounding Jacksonville, but Indianapolis has running game and passing game, but a worse defence than the Strathmore Spartans.

AFC West:
Oakland (4)
Kansas City
San Diego
Denver

This division is totally wide open. Any team could win. Oakland has several cases of locker room cancer, but that shouldn't stop them from winning games. Their 3-4 defence is a terrible scheme for the type of players they have, and this is going to hold them back.

NFC East:
Philadelphia (2)
NY Giants
Washington
Dallas

Washington and Dallas won't be factors. Dallas did well in the draft, so they'll be a next season team. The Eagles will take this one easily.

NFC North:
Minnesota (1)
Detroit
Green Bay
Chicago

Another division that's completely wide open, except for Chicago. Minnesota did the best this offseason in free agency and the draft and fixed their crappy defence. Detroit looks pretty good offensively. Green Bay needs to learn how to tackle, but they're also very good offensively.

NFC West:
Seattle (4)
St. Louis (6)
Arizona
San Francisco

Probably the crappiest division in all of football. St. Louis makes it close, but ultimately, it will be the team that's .500 that will win the division. Pick the Seahawks because they got a lot better on defence.

NFC South:
Atlanta (3)
Carolina (5)
Tampa Bay
New Orleans

A lot of experts pick the Panties to win, but don't believe the hype. The road to win the NFC South goes through Atlanta, and the Panties have never beaten Mike Vick. Tampa Bay has no offence, but a good defence so they should steal 6 games this season. And I have to wonder how New Orleans will do without playing any home games, so they're last for now. Plus Aaron Brooks sucks.

Speaking of the Falcons, they have a tough schedule this year. I expect them to start out this season 2-5, go in to their bye week, and then win every game after that. The first 7 games in the schedule are brutal: Eagles, Seahawks, Bills, Vikings, Patriots, Saints, and Jets.

Week one picks:

New England
Washington
Cincinnati
Denver
Houston (Pepto)
Carolina
Kansas City
Jacksonville
Minnesota (Lock)
Pittsburgh
NY Giants
San Diego
Detroit
St. Louis
Baltimore
Philadelphia

And finally, CFL Week 12:

B.C.
Edmonton
Toronto
Saskatchewan