NFL Picks

It's Aaron Rodgers' world and we're just living in it.

This is really going to be a rare occurrence for the three regular readers of The People Say Booyah: a very short column.

I had a really elaborate plan to do the Frequently Asked Questions style column that I did for the NBA free agency review and then…I didn’t have any time. I’m too busy to throw 5,000+ words together in a coherent fashion.

This forces me to just do straight picks for the divisions and Super Bowls, while I will throw in a couple blurbs for the teams that deserve it (playoff teams in italics).

NFC East:
1. Dallas Cowboys (11-5): Please stop overreacting to preseason. It pains me to say but Tony Romo is really, really good. They have a defense with playmakers. The only concern should be this face.
2. New York Giants (10-6): If the defense is half-decent, the growth and maturation of Eli Manning over the last few years should propel them back to the playoffs.
3. Washington Redskins (9-7): I don’t care what their offensive line or receivers look like: Donovan McNabb wins and he wins no matter what is around him. He’s done it his whole career. With a solid defense, they’ll get the second wildcard.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (6-10): Don’t believe what Andy Reid or brainwashed Philadelphia radio hosts tell you: this team is rebuilding, and another thing: this team stinks. There are questions at quarterback, a horrendous offensive line, and a defense that struggled last year. Where are the positives? Look forward to the Aaron Rodgers air show in week one.

NFC North:
1. Green Bay Packers (13-3): Speaking of Mr. Rodgers aka Kevin Durant of the NFL aka my personal man crush, expect him to win the MVP. He may set records. I paid an inordinate amount of money for him in my auction draft. I had them going to the Super Bowl last year, so you can probably imagine how far I think they’ll go this year.
2. Minnesota Vikings (8-8): Brett Favre will return to his interception prone self without Sidney Rice.
3. Chicago Bears (5-11): Jay Cutler+ Mike Martz + a bad offense line= 5-11
4. Detroit Lions (3-13): Give them two years and they’ll be very dangerous.

NFC South:
1. New Orleans Saints (11-5): With Drew Brees, they will always be in contention. Especially in this crappy division
2. Carolina Panthers (7-9)
3. Atlanta Falcons (7-9): Don’t buy the hype: the defense is suspect and Michael “the burner” Turner is burned out.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14)

NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers (5-11)
2. Seattle Seahawks (5-11)
3. Arizona Cardinals (5-11)
4. Rams (4-12)
Is this above scenario possible? Probably not but when you’re dealing with the worst division in the history of sports, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! Whenever you are being Sold Derek Anderson and Alex Smith as the guys leading sleeper teams, something has gone horribly wrong. I pray this will be the last time I ever write about these four teams this year.

AFC East
1. New York Jets (11-5) I was really high on the Jets last season. Watching Rex Ryan on Hard Knocks only made it better. Having Revis Island in the fold makes it even better.
2. Miami Dolphins (10-6): Chad Henne is good and everyone will realize this.
3. New England Patriots (8-8): I know Bill Belichick is a genius but his defense has no talent and he’s not spying on anyone anymore, so how are they going to stop people?
4. Buffalo Bills (1-15)

AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5): If they can play .500 ball without Big Ben, he’s going to come back and light the world on fire.
2. Baltimore Ravens (10-6): I don’t entirely trust Joe Flacco or Anquan Boldin’s health, but Ray Rice is a bad man. Oh, and they still have Ray Lewis
3. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9): Dear everyone: Carson Palmer hasn’t been good since 2007.
4. Cleveland Browns (3-13)

AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts (12-4): The last time they won less than 12 games, America just gained independence from England.
2. Houston Texans (8-8): I like Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson and nothing else.
3. Tennessee Titans (8-8): They can’t run Chris Johnson on every play.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)

AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers (9-7): AJ Smith is an idiot.
2. Oakland Raiders (5-11)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)
4. Denver Broncos (2-14): Josh McDaniels is a giant idiot.

Super Bowl Pick
Packers over Jets