The bold predictions are back this week for the NFL's 2nd half; they follow each team's rank.
1. Green Bay Packers (8-0) (Last week: 1)- The Packers outlasted the feisty Chargers in Week 9 to remain the league's only unbeaten. Minnesota comes to Lambeau on Monday night in what shouldn't be that close.
Bold Prediction: 19-0 for the Packers. They'll do what the Pats couldn't in 2008.
2. San Francisco 49ers (7-1) (LW: 2)- They let Washington make it somewhat interesting at the end, but behind another strong performance by Frank Gore the Niners pulled another one out. The Giants are coming to town in what should be a very intriguing matchup.
2. San Francisco 49ers (7-1) (LW: 2)- They let Washington make it somewhat interesting at the end, but behind another strong performance by Frank Gore the Niners pulled another one out. The Giants are coming to town in what should be a very intriguing matchup.
Bold Prediction: The Niners clinch the division in Week 11.
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-2) (LW: 6)- The Ravens beat the seemingly mighty Steelers on Sunday to complete the season sweep. Baltimore's defense remains strong and Joe Flacco proved he can get it done in crunch time with a tremendous 2-minute drill, ending in a game-winning TD to Torrey Smith.
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-2) (LW: 6)- The Ravens beat the seemingly mighty Steelers on Sunday to complete the season sweep. Baltimore's defense remains strong and Joe Flacco proved he can get it done in crunch time with a tremendous 2-minute drill, ending in a game-winning TD to Torrey Smith.
Bold Prediction: The Ravens sweep their division on their way to the AFC's number 1 seed.
4. Detroit Lions (6-2) (LW: 7)- The Lions may have been a little forgotten over the bye week, but I am not willing to have anyone but the Ravens jump them on account of their win over the previous number 3 Steelers. Big divisional matchup with the Bears looms.
4. Detroit Lions (6-2) (LW: 7)- The Lions may have been a little forgotten over the bye week, but I am not willing to have anyone but the Ravens jump them on account of their win over the previous number 3 Steelers. Big divisional matchup with the Bears looms.
Bold Prediciton: The Lions drop their week 10 matchup against the Bears and miss the playoffs at 10-6 like last year's Giants.
5. New York Giants (6-2) (LW: 7)- Huge win over the Pats in a Super Bowl XLII rematch, in which Eli Manning led another impressive game-winning drive. (Told you he was elite). Doesn't get any softer as the G-Men travel to San Fran to take on the 7-1 49ers.
5. New York Giants (6-2) (LW: 7)- Huge win over the Pats in a Super Bowl XLII rematch, in which Eli Manning led another impressive game-winning drive. (Told you he was elite). Doesn't get any softer as the G-Men travel to San Fran to take on the 7-1 49ers.
Bold Prediction: Eli Manning leads the Giants to a win over the Niners on the road.
6. New Orleans Saints (6-3) (LW: 9)- The Saints showed on Sunday that when they get it together and provide a balanced attack on offense, they are as good as anyone. The defense shut the Bucs out until the waning minutes of the 1st half, even without Jonathan Vilma for the whole game and Tracy Porter and Patrick Robinson for most of it.
6. New Orleans Saints (6-3) (LW: 9)- The Saints showed on Sunday that when they get it together and provide a balanced attack on offense, they are as good as anyone. The defense shut the Bucs out until the waning minutes of the 1st half, even without Jonathan Vilma for the whole game and Tracy Porter and Patrick Robinson for most of it.
Bold Prediction: Drew Brees is finally the QB that is on pace to break Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record that does it.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) (LW: 3)- The Steelers couldn't close it out against Baltimore on Sunday and got swept on the season. That doesn't bode well for them in case of a tiebreaker. They go on the road to take on the 1st place Bengals this week.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) (LW: 3)- The Steelers couldn't close it out against Baltimore on Sunday and got swept on the season. That doesn't bode well for them in case of a tiebreaker. They go on the road to take on the 1st place Bengals this week.
Bold Prediction: Steelers beat the Bengals this week by double-digits.
8. New England Patriots (5-3) (LW: 5)- The Pats didn't have enough time on the clock to respond to Eli's late game heroics, but they better get themselves together to keep themselves in first in the division against the Jets. I guess short-haired Tom Brady does lose, and two in a row at that.
8. New England Patriots (5-3) (LW: 5)- The Pats didn't have enough time on the clock to respond to Eli's late game heroics, but they better get themselves together to keep themselves in first in the division against the Jets. I guess short-haired Tom Brady does lose, and two in a row at that.
Bold Prediction: The Pats lose this week to the Jets and settle for a Wild Card spot.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) (LW: 10)- The Bengals completed the come from behind victory against the Titans, staying in a tie for first in the division. The real test of the Bengals will be this week at home against the Steelers.
Bold Prediction: 10 TDs for AJ Green.
10. Houston Texans (6-3) (LW: 11)- The Texans continued their winning streak with a big win against the Browns and widened their lead on the division with a loss by the Texans. They traveled to Tampa to take on the Bucs to try to make their win streak 4 games.
10. Houston Texans (6-3) (LW: 11)- The Texans continued their winning streak with a big win against the Browns and widened their lead on the division with a loss by the Texans. They traveled to Tampa to take on the Bucs to try to make their win streak 4 games.
Bold Prediction: The Texans lock up the division in Week 13.
11. New York Jets (5-3) (LW: 12)- The Jets made a statement in the AFC East with a convincing 27-3 win over the Bills. They can overtake 1st place with a win over the Pats at home this week (that and a Bills loss).
Bold Prediction: Jets win the AFC East.
12. Atlanta Falcons (5-3) (LW: 13)- The Falcons took care of business against the Colts on Sunday with a 31-7 victory in which Julio Jones broke out for 131 yards on 3 catches and 2 long TDs.
Bold Prediction: Julio Jones has more yards and TDs than Roddy White in the 2nd half.
13. Buffalo Bills (5-3) (LW: 8)- The Bills looked bad against the Jets last weekend, plain and simple. They're going to have to be better if they want to keep pace with the Pats and Jets in the East. That must start this week in Dallas.
Bold Prediction: Bills finish 8-8, missing the playoffs.
14. Chicago Bears (5-3) (LW: 14)- The Bears weren't too fond of their role as underdogs Monday Night, and showed why they are still a contender in the NFC. Big divisional matchup against the Lions awaits them this weekend at Soldier Field.
14. Chicago Bears (5-3) (LW: 14)- The Bears weren't too fond of their role as underdogs Monday Night, and showed why they are still a contender in the NFC. Big divisional matchup against the Lions awaits them this weekend at Soldier Field.
Bold Prediction: The Bears win at home against the Lions this weekend and make the playoffs as a Wild Card.
15. San Diego Chargers (4-4) (LW:15)- The Chargers gave the Packers a run for their money at the end of the game in Week 9, but it was the Packers, so there's not much shame in that. They get Oakland at home on Thursday night in a crucial divisional showdown.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) (LW: 16)- The Bucs were kept in check in New Orleans last Sunday, as the Saints got their revenge. The Bucs had to sling it around after getting down early, so they were not able to run it down the Saints' throat. They are now a game and a half out of first, in 3rd place in the NFC South.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) (LW: 16)- The Bucs were kept in check in New Orleans last Sunday, as the Saints got their revenge. The Bucs had to sling it around after getting down early, so they were not able to run it down the Saints' throat. They are now a game and a half out of first, in 3rd place in the NFC South.
Bold Prediction: LeGarrette Blount gets over the 1000 yard plateau with at least 8 TDs.
17. Dallas Cowboys (4-4) (LW: 18)- The Cowboys took care of business against the lowly Seahawks last Sunday, as DeMarco Murray proved he was also a threat in the passing game out of the backfield. They look to get back into the NFC East race at home against the Bills this weekend as the Giants have a tough matchup.
Bold Prediction: The Cowboys, aided by the Giants schedule, roar back with a strong second half and win the NFC East.
18. Oakland Raiders (4-4) (LW: 19)- The Raiders got shown up at home by a weak Denver team, as Carson Palmer tossed two picks late in the game. Lucky for them the Chargers also lost to maintain a share of the AFC West lead.
Bold Prediction: Darren McFadden misses significant time and Michael Bush averages a touchdown a game in his absence.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (3-5) (LW: 17)- The Eagles couldn't capitalize on an opportunity to climb into a 2nd place NFC East tie with a loss to the Bears at home on Monday night. They continue to find ways to lose in the fourth quarter, and unless that changes immediately, the Eagles will undoubtedly be watching the playoffs from home.
Bold Prediction: The Eagles lead the league in rushing and are top 3 in total yardage, but with a losing record.
20. Kansas City Chiefs (4-4) (LW: 20)- The Chiefs got absolutely stunned by the winless Dolphins at home, and it was bad to say the least. Luckily they get the Broncos this week to try to get back on track.
20. Kansas City Chiefs (4-4) (LW: 20)- The Chiefs got absolutely stunned by the winless Dolphins at home, and it was bad to say the least. Luckily they get the Broncos this week to try to get back on track.
Bold Prediction: Chiefs finish 6-10, third in the West.
21. Tennessee Titans (4-4) (LW: 21): Tennessee doesn't get to jump KC because they also lost. The Titans continue their slide and will try to stay within reach in the AFC South in Carolina this weekend.
21. Tennessee Titans (4-4) (LW: 21): Tennessee doesn't get to jump KC because they also lost. The Titans continue their slide and will try to stay within reach in the AFC South in Carolina this weekend.
Bold Prediction: Chris Johnson is relegated to the bench, as Javon Ringer gets a chance to start when they are out of contention.
22. Cleveland Browns (3-5) (LW: 22)- The Browns got pushed around in Houston last weekend, as they are quickly falling out of contention.
Bold Prediction: Peyton Hillis walks after this season after not getting a sufficient deal from the Browns.
23. Denver Broncos (3-5) (LW: 28)- Tebow is now 2-1 as a starter this season, somehow. The Broncos are miraculously only a game out of the division lead in the NFC West, and get a chance to stay in striking distance with a divisional matchup against the Chiefs.
Bold prediction: The Broncos beat the Chiefs this week as the Chiefs start to spiral downward after the loss to Miami.
24. Minnesota Vikings (2-6) (LW: 24)- The Vikes had a week off to prepare for the Packers this Monday night, but I'm not sure how much it's going to help. Christian Ponder led them to a semi-close game against the Pack earlier in the year, but I'm not convinced it's going to be close again on the road.
Bold Prediction: 20 TDs for Adrian Peterson.
25. Washington Redskins (3-5) (LW: 25)- The Redskins scored late to make the score closer than it should have been against the 49ers, but it was another loss for the plummeting 'Skins.
Bold Prediction: The Redskins, after starting 3-1, steal only one game en route to finishing 4-12.
26. Carolina Panthers (2-6) (LW: 23)- Cam Newton continues to impress this year and will look to increase his win total for pride's sake this week at home against Tennessee.
Bold Prediction: Cam Newton finishes in the top 5 in rushing TDs with 15.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) (LW: 26)- The Jags get a treat this week as they travel to take on the winless Colts in Indy. They better make the most of this golden opportunity.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) (LW: 26)- The Jags get a treat this week as they travel to take on the winless Colts in Indy. They better make the most of this golden opportunity.
Bold Prediction: The only two games they win from here on out are against the Colts.
28. Seattle Seahawks (2-6) (LW: 27)- Another game, another loss for the Seahawks. It looks as though that win against the Giants will have been their Super Bowl.
28. Seattle Seahawks (2-6) (LW: 27)- Another game, another loss for the Seahawks. It looks as though that win against the Giants will have been their Super Bowl.
Bold Prediction: The Seahawks finish 2nd in the West with 4 wins.
29. Arizona Cardinals (2-6) (LW: 30)- The Cards came back and stole a game from the Rams in OT with a spectacular 99-yard punt return from rookie Patrick Peterson, even though I'm not sure why he ever would field a punt at his own 1 yard line.
Bold Prediction: Larry Fitzgerald comes on in the 2nd half with 5 TDs in the remaining 8.
30. Miami Dolphins (1-7) (LW: 31)- The Dolphins got their first win with style as they clobbered the Chiefs 31-3. They look to keep it rolling against the Redskins on Sunday.
Bold Prediction: The 'Fins win 3 more games to finish 4-12, the first of those 3 coming this week against Washington.
31. St. Louis Rams (1-7) (LW: 29)- The Rams couldn't keep it going after beating the Saints, as they lost to another 1 win team last week, that being the Cards in OT.
31. St. Louis Rams (1-7) (LW: 29)- The Rams couldn't keep it going after beating the Saints, as they lost to another 1 win team last week, that being the Cards in OT.
Bold Prediction: Mark Clayton comes back and is the team's leading receiver in the second half over Brandon Lloyd.
32. Indianapolis Colts (0-9) (LW: 32)- Why bother.
32. Indianapolis Colts (0-9) (LW: 32)- Why bother.
Bold Prediction: 0-16 and Andrew Luck is the heir to Peyton Manning's throne.
-TA
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