Ironic, isn't it?
When the New England Patriots were the class-act of the NFL and represented everything that was good and true in sports, they could never garner the respect they deserved. Now that they've effectively turned "heel" by stockpiling players, running up scores, taking cheap shots, talking trash, injecting HGH, and using illegal video cameras, everyone's trying to outdo each other in their praise for this team. Seriously, we just wrapped up Week 4 and the media has already managed to beat the "16-0" story to death. I can only imagine how sick of this angle all the fans of the other teams must be. If this keeps up I may find myslef rooting for the Patriots to intentionally lose a game by Week 6 just to shut everyone up. Look, I understand that the Pats have looked phenomenal thus far, but let's get some perspective before we start gushing about the '72 Dolphins. The Patriots opponents are a combined 4-12 this year and there's twelve more games to play. I'll admit, I was the first person to begin predicting "19-0" the day Randy Moss got traded, but I'm a fan. I'm supposed to be irrational and biased about these types of things. I'm not getting paid large amounts of money to give my "expert" opinion on national television. And if I was, you can be assured that the words 16-0 wouldn't dare come across my lips until the Patriots were 9-0 and fresh off a victory in Indianapolis.
You would think that after years of clamoring for more respect, I'd be riding high off of all the attention the Patriots have gotten this year. But all those seasons of neglect just eccentuated how shallow and empty the media's praise truly is. As I watch the television and see that the people touting the Patriots are the very same people who were dragging the franchise through the mud and questioning the validity of the dynasty not even three weeks ago, it makes my stomach turn. The only solace I have is knowing that no matter how hard these talking heads try to hop on the Patriots' victory parade, the bandwagon left the station a long time ago. They can continue to heap on the praise and get excited about the potential of a perfect season all they want. Deep down, every man in that locker room and every fan in the stands knows that each Patriots victory is simply a means to shove the words they carelessly spewed during "Camera Gate" back down their throats. Every game this team gets closer to perfection only serves to mock them for their ignorance at questioning if Brady and Belichick were ever really that good. Sure, they can try to act like they're on our side, but unfortunately for them, the line was drawn in the sand a long time ago. No matter how the masses try to rally around us to get their piece of the excitement, will always be "us against the world" for the New England Patriots.
And the world is going to lose fifteen more times.
Predictions:
NFC NORTH:
1. Packers
2. Lions
3. Bears
4. Vikings
How about those Packers? I have to say, I thought Brett Favre was washed up. Now there's a decent chance I'll get my last shot at revenge for Super Bowl XXXI. I'm very excited about this!
NFC SOUTH:
1. Buccaneers
2. Panthers
3. Saints
4. Falcons
Nobody predicted a collapse like this for the Saints. It's things like this that make the NFL so much fun. (As long as it's not your team that's collapsing!) Seriously, out of my 6 NFC Playoff picks from four weeks ago, only one is still going to be on the list! Talk about some major upsets!
NFC EAST:
1. Cowboys
2. Redskins
3. Giants
4. Eagles
The Cowboys are the odds-on favorite to go to Arizona. However, I'm not sure if that's because they're so good or everyone else in the NFC is so bad.
NFC WEST:
1. Seahawks
2. Cardinals
3. 49ers
4. Rams
Never, ever trust the trendy sleeper pick. I knew this rule, but I still went with the Niners to take the division. No more, my friends. I'm giving the Seahawks the edge, but the "trendy sleeper pick" for the past few years who repeatedly disappointed everyone, causing them to give up on them, may just be this years sleeper pick. Confusing? Yeah, but the Cardinals may actually make the playoffs!
NFC SEEDING:
1. Cowboys
2. Packers
3. Seahawks
4. Buccaneers
5. Lions
6. Cardinals
Did I really just put the Lions AND Cardinals in the playoffs? Did I?
AFC NORTH:
1. Steelers
2. Browns
3. Ravens
4. Bengals
The Steelers are back. In some ways this makes me happy because the Patriots may get the opportunity to knock them out of the playoffs yet again. Other than that, it looks like Romeo has finally built the Browns into a respectable team, while the Ravens and Bengals are disappointing and dysfunctional, respectively.
AFC SOUTH:
1. Colts
2. Titans
3. Texans
4. Jaguars
The Colts are a lock. I'm going to give Vince Young's squad the nod, as the Texans are a little inexperienced with success, and the Jags are having problems scoring.
AFC EAST:
1. Patriots
2. Jets
3. Bills
4. Dolphins
If the bottom three teams didn't have to play each other a combined six times, there's a good chance they would have had as many wins combined as the Patriots will have losses. (Remember, I'm predicting a 19-0 finish for the Pats!)
AFC WEST:
1. Broncos
2. Chargers
3. Raiders
4. Raiders
What is this? The NFC? Talk about a competition to see who's the tallest midget at the circus!
AFC SEEDING:
1. Patriots
2. Colts
3. Steelers
4. Broncos
5. Titans
6. Texans
First the Lions, then the Cardinals, now... THE TEXANS??? What has this league come to? But honestly, look at the teams I left out. Do any of them have a better chance of getting in? I don't think so.
NFC PLAYOFFS:
Wildcard Round:
Seahawks over Cardinals, Buccaneers over Lions
Divisional Round:
Cowboys over Buccaneers, Packers over Seahawks
NFC Championship:
Packers over Cowboys with some curious calls which keep the "Brett Favre" story alive.
AFC PLAYOFFS:
Wildcard Round:
Steelers over Texans, Titans over Broncos
Divisional Round:
Patriots over Titans, Colts over Steelers
AFC Championship:
Patriots over Colts
SUPERBOWL XLII:
Patriots over Packers
It's the ultimate battle of good vs. evil, and for the first time my team is the dark side. Favre throws four picks as my first Super Bowl loss is avenged!
