NFL Season Predictions 2009

August 29, 2009

With the NFL season just around the corner, this is good time to predict what could materialize this year on the football field. Future numbers are out for every team. Last year I looked at Steelers, who were projected for 9 victories, and said: Pittsburgh had 10 victories in 2007 with the best defense. The offense was already decent (17th overall, 3rd in rushing), with outstanding balance, and they add Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall and Texas WR Limas Sweed. Mendenhall was a bargain and gives them a strong back to compliment speedy RB Willie Parker.

They possess a great QB in Ben Roethlisberger, plus receivers Hines Ward and former Buckeye speedster Santonio Holmes. This team was dominant at home winning seven of nine, allowing 13.8 ppg and once again they look like the best team in the AFC North. Take the over 9 wins. What happened: This team went 12-4 on the way to winning their second Super Bowl in four years.

This season the Patriots are seeing their over/under set at 12 victories, while the New York Giants and San Diego Chargers are at ten . Different factors come into play when assessing futures, in addition to offseason transactions. Keeping that in mind, let s take a look at changes that took occurred with certain teams and how that might determine their position for the current over/unders.

Carolina Panthers (8.5): Everyone remembers the terrible playoff defeat, when Jake Delhomme tossed 5 INTs in a 33-13 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals. What bettors forget is that Carolina was a dominant team, 12-4 during the year, gaining the second highest playoff seed. They have balance on offense, with a strong offensive line and a power running back duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jon Stewart.

Plus, the Panthers gave 34-year-old Delhomme a five-year, $30.4 million contract extension to take his mind off any money issues. When Delhomme is asked to attempt more than thirty passes, the team gone just 7-22, so Jon Fox knows the ground game is important. The defense is in great shape after re-signing Julius Peppers. Carolina also re-signed cornerback Chris Gamble and offensive tackle Jordan Gross to multimillion-dollar offers before they would have become sought-after free agents. Resignings are often passed over when measuring a team s offseason activity. The Panthers look very good again; take Over 8.5 wins.

Bears (posted at 8 wins): All the buzz has been on new quarterback Jay Cutler, a big name who is just what the Bears sought after. While QB is the most important position, he can t do it without getting some help. And I see problems all over the field for the Chicago Bears (and on the coaching sideline).

Chicago was near the bottom in running the ball a year ago, with no rushing attack and a vulnerable offensive line. And who will Cutler throw to? The Bears are banking on sizeable output from several unproven guys at pass catcher in 2009. Earl Bennett is slotted to start with no NFL grabs, first-year guys Juaquin Iglesias and Johnny Knox are being counted on, leaving starter Devin Hester and veteran slot receiver Rashied Davis as the only certain pass catchers. And Brandon Rideau could project in the discussion, but he has virtually no NFL experience.

On defense, Chicago were 21st overall and 30th in pass defense in 2008, giving up a whopping 241 yards passing per game. DT Tommie Harris left knee makes you inquire what the Bears were thinking when they inked him to a contract extension last summer. Lovie Smith and the GM have done a poor job on roster decisions, Chicago didn t have a draft pick until the third round and don t have a first-rounder in the 2010 draft. The Cutler euphoria could go away immediately after a few 30-23 defeats. Under 8 wins.

New Engand (over/under 12 wins): So which Patriots team is going to show up? The unstoppable team of 2007, or the injury-hampered group of 2008? Even without Tom Brady, they won 11 games last season, giving them 13.5 wins per year over their last two. The offense is rich with talent and all indications are that Brady is back at full strength.

The defense has a lot depth in the secondary, using three second and third round draft choices, including second rounders safety Patrick Chung (Oregon) and CB Darius Butler (UConn). They were the 2nd best scoring offense in the AFC last year, even without the 2007 NFL MVP and his record 50 TDs. Have to believe the AFC East is going to take a step back, as the Dolphins won t surprise teams and have everything go their way, plus the Jets have a rookie coach and a rookie QB. The schedule is fairly easy, with the only tough games as a visitor are at Indianapolis and New Orleans in November. Over 12 wins is the better bet.

Written by Jack Jones · Filed Under NFL

Comments

Got something to say?

NFL Season Predictions 2009

Comments

Expert Sports Picks

Winning Handicappers