Menudo's Official 2005 NFL Predictions

[Menudo]

I made my preliminary picks on July 8th, here:

 

http://forums.thehuddle.com/index.php?showtopic=97719&hl=

 

I have made a few updates after evaluating the pre-season, and these are my final 2005 Predictions:

 

AFC East

 

1. New England Patriots 11-5 (-3) from last year

2. New York Jets 10-6 (E)

3. Buffalo Bills 6-10 (-3)

4. Miami Dolphins 3-13 (-1)

 

AFC North

 

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5 (-4) from last year

2. Baltimore Ravens 10-6 (+1)

3. Cincinnati Bengals 9-7 (+1)

4. Cleveland Browns 3-13 (-1)

 

AFC South

 

1. Indianapolis Colts 12-4 (E) from last year

2. Houston Texans 9-7 (+2)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7 (E)

4. Tennessee Titans 6-10 (+1)

 

AFC West

 

1. San Diego Chargers 9-7 (-3)

2. Oakland Raiders 8-8 (+3)

3. Kansas City Chiefs 8-8 (+1)

4. Denver Broncos 8-8 (-2)

 

NFC East

 

1. Philadelphia Eagles 10-6 (-3)

2. Washington Redskins 9-7 (+3)

3. Dallas Cowboys 8-8 (+2)

4. New York Giants 7-9 (+1)

 

NFC North

 

1. Minnesota Vikings 11-5 (+3)

2. Detroit Lions 8-8 (+2)

3. Green Bay Packers 7-9 (-3)

3. Chicago Bears 4-12 (-1)

 

NFC South

 

1. Carolina Panthers 10-6 (+3)

2. Atlanta Falcons 9-7 (-2)

3. New Orleans Saints 7-9 (-1)

4. Tampa Bay Bucaneers 7-9 (+2)

 

NFC West

 

1. Seattle Seahawks 10-6 (+1)

2. St. Louis Rams 8-8 (E)

3. Arizona Cardinals 7-9(E)

4. San Francisco 49'ers 2-14 (E)

 

MVP - Peyton Manning

ROY - Cadillac Williams

 

Playoffs

 

AFC Wild Card

 

#3 New England Patriots over #6 New York Jets

#4 San Diego Chargers over #5 Baltimore Ravens

 

NFC Wild Card

 

#3 Philadelphia Eagles over #6 Washington Redskins

#5 Atlanta Falcons over #4 Seattle Seahawks

 

AFC Divisional

 

#1 Indianapolis Colts over #4 San Diego Chargers

#2 Pittsburgh Steelers over #3 New England Patriots

 

NFC Divisional

 

#1 Minnesota Vikings over #5 Atlanta Falcons

#2 Carolina Panthers over #3 Seattle Seahawks

 

AFC Championship

 

#2 Pittsburgh Steelers 27

#1 Indianapolic Colts 24

 

NFC Championship

 

#2 Carolina Panthers 31

#1 Minnesota Vikings 24

 

Super Bowl

 

Pittsburgh Steelers 23

Carolina Panthers 21

 

MVP - Jerome Bettis

 

Edit: Changed rookie of the year to 'Cadillac'. I didn't mean to leave it as

Troy Williamson.

Edited August 29, 2005 by Menudo

[darin3]

Writing comments as I go here:

 

1. No way the Skins go 9-7. Not a chance in Hades. Their D will again be solid, but their offense? Please.

 

2. Giants go 7-9? You're being too kind. They'll be lucky to win 5.

 

3. The Rams will win 10 games.

 

4. Cadillac Williams will be ROY.

 

5. I do, however, agree with your Super Bowl prediction. Steelers have everything to win it.

[Thews40]

The Steelers are one hurting offensive unit. 9-7 is wishful thinking, SB is a longshot.

[Kansas State 2000]

The one team that I do not agree with from each conference. KC will win more and the Foreskins will win less.

 

AFC

3. Kansas City Chiefs 8-8 (+1)

 

NFC

2. Washington Redskins 9-7 (+3)

[Puddy]

5.  I do, however, agree with your Super Bowl prediction.  Steelers have everything to win it.

 

954704[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Sophomore slump for Roth maybe?

[Piranha]

Most of that looks pretty absurd to me

[darin3]

The Steelers are one hurting offensive unit. 9-7 is wishful thinking, SB is a longshot.

 

954716[/snapback]

 

 

 

Bettis is out for at least the first game, maybe 2? Parker should be a decent fill-in. Their D will win games for them.

 

The one team that I do not agree with from each conference. KC will win more and the Foreskins will win less.

 

AFC

3. Kansas City Chiefs 8-8 (+1)

 

NFC

2. Washington Redskins 9-7 (+3)

 

954736[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Agree...

 

Sophomore slump for Roth maybe?

 

954763[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

I don't think so... perhaps if they demanded more out of him, then maybe. Their D is solid, their run game will be solid, despite injuries...

 

Roethlisberger won't have to win games for them. He'll be steady.

 

Pitt wont get to the AFC title game this yr, and the worst prediction of them all is Washington.  They will be lucky to go 6-10.

 

954779[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

I think Pitt has enough to make it...

 

Agree w/ the Washington call, though. They stink.

[Clubfoothead]

I have trouble believing any of these type of predictions when the Cowboys aren't predicted to go 16-0.

[Menudo]

Everyone can feel free to put up their own predictions and we can compare at the end.

[Thews40]

Bettis is out for at least the first game, maybe 2?  Parker should be a decent fill-in.  Their D will win games for them.

 

954785[/snapback]

 

 

 

Not when they're on the field for 45 min a game.

[Menudo]

Not when they're on the field for 45 min a game.

 

954836[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

So, the Steelers offense, which was the best clock-control offense in the NFL last year, loses Plaxico Burress and essentially one starting lineman, and they are now going to be awful at controlling the clock ? Some people take pre-season too seriously.

[Primetime9287]

Pitt winning is a homer pick. Manning gets the monkey off his back this year since he won't have to play in NE this year.

[Menudo]

Pitt winning is a homer pick.  Manning gets the monkey off his back this year since he won't have to play in NE this year.

 

954894[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Of course the Steelers winning is a homer pick. However, they did go 15-1 last year and make it to the AFC Championship game. It's not like I'm a 49'er fan picking my homer team.

[darin3]

So, the Steelers offense, which was the best clock-control offense in the NFL last year, loses Plaxico Burress and essentially one starting lineman, and they are now going to be awful at controlling the clock ?    Some people take pre-season too seriously.

 

954847[/snapback]

 

 

 

Cedrick Wilson's lookin' good, no? Randle-El's ready to make more of a contribution, too.

[Jimmy Neutron]

  Of course the Steelers winning is a homer pick.  However, they did go 15-1 last year and make it to the AFC Championship game.  It's not like I'm a 49'er fan picking my homer team.

954915[/snapback]

 

It's a major homer pick. Their defense looks very solid - to be expected. The offense seems dysfunctional. What happened? Duce is gone for now, Bettis looks good, but shouldn't try and do more than punch in 8-9 TDs from the two. Those other two RBs I seen in action in the preseason look like COP guys, not guys that can carry the load for the year.

 

Ward looks good, but he's the only receiving threat on the field. Randle El is a punt returner and always will be.

 

The Big problem I see is Ben. He hasn't looked like the same QB that was pretty calm last year and let good things happen. I hope he reverts to his form last year - he was fun to watch.

[skins]

I have a problem with these predictions. There is no way the Redskins go 9-7 this year.....they will be 11-5.

[Savage Beatings]

Carolina wins the NFC? Really???

[1stimer]

  Of course the Steelers winning is a homer pick.  However, they did go 15-1 last year and make it to the AFC Championship game.  It's not like I'm a 49'er fan picking my homer team.

 

954915[/snapback]

 

 

 

or a certain Seahawk fan ...

 

[Menudo]

Since we are about at the halfway point, I though I'd see how I was doing with my pre-season predictions:

 

AFC East

 

1. New England Patriots 11-5

4-3: I don't think they will finish 11-5, probably 10-6 or even 9-7, but I still think they win the division.

2. New York Jets 10-6

2-6: Obviously I blew this prediction. The Jets are done, and Rovers made a sig bet with me that the Jets would have a better record than the Steelers.

3. Buffalo Bills 6-10

3-5: I think the Bills will probably end with 6 or 7 wins, so I think I was close here. I just didn't buy into the hype with a rookie QB being handed the keys.

4. Miami Dolphins 3-13

3-5: The Dolphins are better than I expected. I think they end up with 5

or 6 wins.

 

AFC North

 

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5

6-2: Pretty close on this one, though with their remaining schedule, I see 12 or 13 wins and the division title.

2. Baltimore Ravens 10-6

2-6: I've never been so happy to be so wrong !!!!!!

3. Cincinnati Bengals 9-7

7-2: I had them at 9-7, they are going to be better than that. Probably 11 or 12 wins. I still think they finish 2nd, but get a wildcard.

4. Cleveland Browns 3-13

3-5: Cleveland is well-coached and already has the 3 wins I predicted. Probably end with 5 or 6 wins.

 

AFC South

 

1. Indianapolis Colts 12-4

7-0: Looking good on this one, but they will probably end with 13 or 14 wins.

2. Houston Texans 9-7 1-7: What was I thinking. The Texans will be lucky to win one or two more.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7

5-3: I think 9-7 looks about right for the Jags.

4. Tennessee Titans 6-10

2-7: 6 wins is probably too much for the Titans, probably around 4.

 

AFC West

 

1. San Diego Chargers 9-7

5-4: The record might end up close, but I think they dug too big of a whole to win the division

2. Oakland Raiders 8-8

3-5: The Raiders often under-achieve, and they will again this year.

3. Kansas City Chiefs 8-8

5-3: Kansas City will probably finish with more than 8 wins. Probably 9 or 10.

4. Denver Broncos 8-8

6-2: The Bronocs have made me a believer. I look for 11 or 12 wins.

 

NFC East

 

1. Philadelphia Eagles 10-6

4-4: Another one where I'd be happy to be wrong. I don't think the Eagles make the playoffs.

2. Washington Redskins 9-7

5-3: 9-7 might end up being a good call on the Skins, though I think they finish behind the Boys and the Giants.

3. Dallas Cowboys 8-8

5-3: Cowboys will do better than 8-8, probably 10-6

4. New York Giants 7-9

6-2: Way off on this one, I think the Giants win the division with 11 or 12 wins.

 

NFC North

 

1. Minnesota Vikings 11-5

3-5: O.k. I fell into the Vikings trap, they are probably a 6 win team.

2. Detroit Lions 8-8

3-5: Detroit has been a letdown, and I think they continue to fall. I'm looking at 5 or 6 wins.

3. Green Bay Packers 7-9

1-7: The Packers aren't as bad as 1-7, but they aren't great either. Probably 3 wins.

4. Chicago Bears 4-12

5-3: I'll eat crow here. The Bears have a terrific defense, and the offense does enough. I see them getting 9 or 10 wins and winning this division easily.

 

NFC South

 

1. Carolina Panthers 10-6

6-2: I still like the Panthers to win the division and probably end up with 12 or 13 wins. They are playing great football right now.

2. Atlanta Falcons 9-7

6-2: The Falcon are better than my 9-7 prediction, but I still see them ending in 2nd and getting a wildcard

3. New Orleans Saints 7-9

2-7: The Saints keep finding ways to lose. They won't get the 7 wins I predicted, probably 4 or 5.

4. Tampa Bay Bucaneers 7-9

5-3: They have gotten sent back to reality a bit, but will probably finish with 8 or 9 wins.

 

NFC West

 

1. Seattle Seahawks 10-6

6-2: This predictions still looks good, I think the Seahawks win this division easily.

2. St. Louis Rams 8-8

4-4: This prediction looks good, the Rams are still decent, but they won't make

the playoffs this year.

3. Arizona Cardinals 7-9

2-6: The Cardinals let me down again. They won't get up to 7 wins. Probably 4 or 5.

4. San Francisco 49'ers 2-14

2-6: The Niners are showing some heart, and they might eek another win or two out.

 

MVP - Peyton Manning

Not completely out of the question, but with their new offensive style, probably not. Steve Smith would be my pick right now.

ROY - Cadillac Williams

Looked good at first, but he is falling by the wasteside. My pick at this point is Ronnie Brown, followed closely by Heath Miller

 

Playoffs

 

AFC Wild Card

 

#3 New England Patriots over #6 New York Jets

#3 Denver Broncos over #6 San Diego Chargers

 

#4 San Diego Chargers over #5 Baltimore Ravens

#5 Cincinatti Bengals over #4 New England Patriots

 

NFC Wild Card

 

#3 Philadelphia Eagels over #6 Washington Redskins

#3 New York Giants over #6 Dallas Cowboys

 

#5 Atlanta Falcons over #4 Seattle Seahawks

#5 Atlantas Falcons over #4 Chicago Bears

 

AFC Divisional

 

#1 Indianapolis Colts over #4 San Diego Chargers

#1 Indianapolis Colts over #5 Cincinnati Bengals

 

#2 Pittsburgh Steelers over #3 New England Patriots

#2 Pittsburgh Steelers over #3 Denver Broncos

 

NFC Divisional

 

#1 Minnesota Vikings over #5 Atlanta Falcons

#1 Carolina Panthers over #5 Atlanta Falcons

 

#2 Carolina Panthers over #3 Seattle Seahawks

#3 New York Giants over #2 Seattle Seahawks

 

AFC Championship

 

#2 Pittsburgh Steelers 27

#1 Indianapolic Colts 24

Still right on

 

NFC Championship

 

#2 Carolina Panthers 31

#1 Minnesota Vikings 24

 

#1 Carolina Panthers 20

#3 New York Giants 14

 

Super Bowl

 

Pittsburgh Steelers 23

Carolina Panthers 21

Still Right On

 

MVP - Jerome Bettis

Stll right on. The Steelers ride the Bus to Super Bowl victory in his final game in his hometown of Detroit.

[alexgaddis]

Bettis MVP....

[Randall]

Vikings 11-5.

 

 

You ceratinly weren't alone in that prediction.

[Menudo]

Bettis MVP....

 

1129568[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Super Bowl MVP.... get it right.

[Avernus]

Eagles record looks about right

[cre8tiff]

Bettis MVP....

 

1129568[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

What does MVP stand for Meat, Veggies & Pie?

[NAUgrad]

Pretty good picks overall. I'm impressed. If you would've asked me, I would have helped you with the Denver pick, but then again, I always pick them to win the division.