NFL Picks: Midseason Check-up

Alex: It looks like we were right about the west divisions being a crap shoot. In the AFC, the Chargers look like a mess, but after pulling out a win against Tennessee, I won’t rule out their typical second half surge, especially with Vincent Jackson’s return on the horizon. A record of 9-7 could win the division. In the NFC, I stand by my selection of Seattle, especially since 8-8 could win over there. What I feel great about is that I was the only one to pick the Steelers, Giants, and Falcons to all win their divisions. I also feel good about the Patriots, though omitting the Jets from the playoffs could prove to be an oversight, but somebody good is going to miss the AFC playoffs. My NFC wild card picks, however, are a mess. I totally whiffed on the Cowboys; I should’ve known better. They have an awful secondary and the worst O-line in the NFL. The Lions, however, I insist would’ve been in the mix had Stafford and others not gotten hurt, and for you gamblers out there, the Lions, while only 2-5, are 6-1 against the spread.

Patrick: Not too bad with my picks, I guess. If last week’s game against the Steelers was any indication, the Saints are about to pick things up and, most importantly, play defense like we all know they can. I probably shouldn’t have picked the Bengals, but whatever. As much of a mess as that team is, I’ll still root for a team with both Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. That’s just fun. Also, Dhani Jones wears really fly bow ties. At least I picked the Ravens for one of the wildcard spots. Either them or the Steelers will win that division, while the other gets one of the wildcards. I was dead wrong about the Panthers also, but that’s okay because I feel like the Bucs have a real shot at one of the NFC wildcards. I hope that happens, because then maybe someone in Florida will finally be able to watch a Bucs game on TV. I still feel good about the Rams taking the NFC West because the Seahawks and everyone else in that division couldn’t beat the 1-8 WSU Cougars. I propose we give the NFC West division to the AFC West, and let the Chiefs and Raiders both make the playoffs.

Ian: This is a mess. I think I can get a pass for the Cowboys and Vikings picks, as they have the talent, but complete breakdowns due to penalties and poor coaching are pretty hard to predict. I’d like to assume that if someone is one of the lucky 32 who gets to be an NFL head coach that they kinda know what they’re doing. But I have no excuse for my Broncos and 49ers picks other than “The divisions are awful, so it’s a crapshoot” and “Hey, I picked Bradford in the TNIIB Fantasy league.” I guess six of my picks have a shot. I don’t have much faith in the Bengals or Redskins either.