My NFL Playoff Picks

Colts over Chiefs
Eagles over Saints
Bengals over Chargers
Packers over 49ers

NFL Preview: AFC North

Can the newly christened "Chad Ocho Cinco" lead the Bengals to the AFC North title?

The AFC North was pretty much a disappointment last season. Baltimore was a dud last season. That led to the firing of Brian Billick as head coach. While Cleveland was the surprise team of 2007, led by Derek Anderson. The Bengals revolved around Chad Johnson and the Steelers revolved around the team concept. As a result of Pittsburgh's team play, they made the playoffs for the first time since they won Super Bowl XL.

Here's my first NFL Preview:

BENGALS
The Bengals released the injured Rudi Johnson. Chris Perry may be the one that takes Rudi's place. Carson Palmer may have another Pro Bowl Season. How much money Will Chad Ocho Cinco lose due to "Excessive Celebration?" Will the Bengals defense improve?

We know the Bengals explosive offense will return. Will their defense show up this year? Can the Bengals avoid any talk of the slammer this season? If so, expect The Bengals to make a return to the playoffs.

STEELERS
We finally saw the return of Ben Rothlisberger. Big Ben threw for 3,154 yards and 32 touchdowns. The Steelers had a solid running game with Willie Parker, and Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes were the Steelers most reliable recievers. The Steelers just drafted another reliable reciever in Limas Sweed. Pittsburgh's defense was anchored again by Troy Polamalu. James Farrior anchored Pittsburgh's linebacking Corps.

If Big Ben has another breakout season like they did last season, Pittsburgh should win the AFC North again.


RAVENS
The Baltimore Ravens have many questionmarks entering this season. They have lost the veteran leadership of Steve McNair, and now the Ravens will depend on Rookie Quarterback Joe Flacco. The Ravens still have Willis McGahee, and he should have another shot at a 1,000 yard rushing season. The Ravens Linebacking Corps is still anchored by Ray Lewis, who is still one of the best linebackers in the NFL.

The Ravens have a lot of questions. Too many to win the division.

CLEVELAND BROWNS
The Browns were the surprise team of last season. Led by Derek Anderson. Their return game was sparked by Josh Cribbs. Jamal Lewis had a solid first season in Cleveland. Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards should shine this season.

It will be tough for Cleveland to repeat their success from last season, starting the very first week of the season.

Chad Johnson Wants To Be Traded Before Draft

The Master Of the Touchdown Celebration wants a new home.

Three-time All-Pro wide receiver Chad Johnson, who has been selected to the Pro Bowl the last five seasons, wants out of Cincinnati and will not report to any Bengals team functions.

"I want to be traded before the draft," Johnson told ESPN.com's John Clayton. "And if that doesn't happen, I want to be traded as soon as possible. I don't intend on reporting to anything.''

Johnson's comments come on the heels of Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer saying that Johnson indicated he would be at Cincy's mandatory minicamp in June, Clayton reported.

"I want to make this very clear,'' Johnson told Clayton on Wednesday. "I don't know where he got that. I made no assertion to Carson that I would do that. Nothing has changed from what I've been saying for three months that I don't want to play for the Bengals."

In regard to Palmer, Johnson said, "I wish he would stay out of my business."

The Bengals have up until now indicated that they have no plans to trade Johnson. The team has not yet commented on Johnson's latest remarks.

I wonder if Jerry Jones is listening? If I had a choice on whether Dallas chose Chad Johnson or PacMan Jones, I would say,let's give both a chance. If Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens can co-exist on the same field and Pac-Man Jones can quit "Making It Rain" at local Dallas Strip Clubs, the Cowboys would be a very dangerous team this season.

Week Four NFL Preview

Brett Favre is one touchdown pass away from becoming the all time leader in Touchdown Passes.


The NFL is one-fourth of the way through the season. Week four is about to kick off. Here is a preview with every game and a prediction of the winner.

EARLY GAMES
Baltimore At Cleveland, 1:00 PM EST
Analysis: The Baltimore Ravens are on the road in Cleveland, but they will pull out a win thanks to their defense. The Ravens are a subpar offensive team, but their defense is how they win ballgames.
BALTIMORE OVER CLEVELAND

Chicago At Detroit, 1:00 PM EST
Analysis: The Rex Grossman era in Chicago (for now) is over. Brian Griese takes over as the Bears starting Quarterback this week, and he is taking on a Detroit Lions defense that was shredded last week by the "perfect" Donovan McNabb. Chicago will win against Detroit on the road, as their defense will perform better this week.
CHICAGO OVER DETROIT

Green Bay At Minnesota, 1:00 PM EST (THE GAME OF THE WEEK)
Analysis: This game is the Game of The Week simply because Brett Favre is one Touchdown Pass away from becoming the new all time leader in Touchdown Passes. With one more pass, he will have career Touchdown pass Number 421. Many consider the all-time homerun record the greatest record in the history of American Sports, Second Place is the All Time Touchdown Pass Record. Brett Favre will go down as the one of the greatest Quarterbacks in the history of the game, perhaps the greatest pure passer in the history of the game. Green Bay's defense has stopped LaDanian Tomlinson cold, and I expect them to do the same to Adrian Peterson.
GREEN BAY OVER MINNESOTA

Houston At Atlanta, 1:00 PM EST
Analysis: Houston's defense will stop Joey Harrington from clompleting passes, and stop Jerious Norwood from finding the holes. Atlants's winless streak will continue.
HOUSTON OVER ATLANTA.

New York Jets At Buffalo, 1:00 PM EST
Analysis: Two good Quarterbacks going at it. J.P. Losman for the Bills and Chad Pennington for the Jets. These two teams also have two good runners. Thomas Jones for the Jets and Marsahwn Lynch for the Bills. I'll go with the Jets because they have more wepons than the Bills.
JETS OVER BILLS

Oakland At Miami, 1:00 PM EST
Analysis: Daunte Culpepper will get the nod for the Raiders. You know he wants to beat Miami, his former team. This game will be won with the running game. LaMont Jordan will try to run through the tough Miami Dolphins defense. Ronnie will have an almost as difficult time running through Oakland's defense. Who gonna win? It's a toss up. I go with Miami because they are at home, although this game really could go either way.
MIAMI OVER OAKLAND

LATE GAMES
St. Louis at Dallas, 4:05 PM EST
Analysis: Tony Romo and the Cowboys Offense will score a lot of points in this game. The Cowboy defense will prevent Marc Bulger and The Rams from breaking out of their winless streak.
DALLAS OVER ST. LOUIS

Seattle at San Francisco, 4:05 PM EST
Analysis: This is a Huge NFC West Matchup beacuse of what it means for both teams. San Francisco is coming off a loss to the recharged Steelers. Seattle is coming off a last minute win over The Bengals. Whoever wins this game will lead the NFC West. This game could come down to the running backs, Frank Gore for San Francisco and Shaun Alexander for the Seahawks. This is another tough one. I'll go with Seattle because of Matt Hasselbeck and Deion Branch.
SEATTLE OVER SAN FRANCISCO.

Tampa Bay at Carolina, 4:05 PM EST
Analysis: It doesn't matter who's starting for Carlolina, they're in trouble in this game. Tampa Bay will win this game. Carolina has been plagued by inconsistent play. It hasn't helped them win ballgames.
TAMPA BAY OVER CAROLINA

Denver at Indianapolis, 4:05 PM EST
Analysis: This is Indianpolis' first meet up with Denver ever since Adam Vinateiri kicked the game winning Field Goal for The Colts with five seonds remaining. Peyton Manning has been all calm and collected so far. i don't expect that to change. Jay Cutler may have a good day passing the Football, but Indianapolis will still win the game.
INDY OVER DENVER

Kansas City at San Diego, 4:05 PM EST
Analysis: Two underacheiving teams playing in this game. Kansas City is so desperate to win, Larry Johnson will play injured in this game. San Diego will win, simply because San Diego is at home and they feel like they have to prove something after losing to Green Bay last week.
SAN DIEGO OVER KANSAS CITY

Pittsburgh at Arizona, 4:05 PM EST
Analysis: Arizona Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt and Assistant Coach Russ Grimm are taking on the team that they were with in the Bill Cowher Era.Arizona is coming off a tough, last second defeat to the Ravens last week. I'll go with Pittsburgh in this game because they have looked really good so far in the season.
PITTSBURGH OVER ARIZONA

LATER GAMES
Philladelphia at New York Giants, 8: 15 PM EST
Analysis: This is a big NFC East Matchup with both teams coming off a couple of big wins in an attempt to save their season. I'll go with the Eagles in this game. Thier Offense has been hot, and their defense had played well enough for Philly to break out of their winless streak.
PHILLY OVER NEW YORK GIANTS

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
New England At Cincinnatti, 8:30 PM EST
Analysis: The Bengals will be reeling in this game without Rudi Johnson. Tom Brady will light up the Cincinnati Secondary, and New England will pull out another victory.
NEW ENGLAND OVER CINCINNATTI

Enjoy Your Weekend! Watch The Games!

NFL Preview: AFC North

Ray Lewis is the heart of the Ravens defense, and he will help the Ravens win the AFC North again.



The Baltimore Ravens may have lost Adalius Thomas to Free Agency, but the Ravens still have Ray Lewis, the best linebacker in the AFC. Add to that defense Samari Rolle, Steve McNair's old buddy from Tennesee, and that the Ravens now have upgraded their running game with Willis McGahee, and Baltimore is going to win the AFC North.

Prediction: 10-6, 1st Place.

What have the teams like Cincinnatti, Pittsburgh and Cleveland done to try to keep up? Here's a quick recap.

CINCINNATTI BENGALS: If The Cincinnati Bengals can spend more time on the field than behind bars, they have a chance to keep up with Baltimore through the early part of the season. The loss of David Pollack for the entire season hurts, but the Bengals still have one of the best offenses in the AFC. Carson Palmer needs to take the next step this year, and Chad Johnson, "Ocho Cinco" will continue to be the focal point of the Bengals passing game, although the loss of Chris Henry for the first eight games will hurt. The Bengals will continue running the ball with Rudi Johnson, who will carry the ball enough times to reach 1,000 yards rushing. I just think Cincinnati needs to show they can step it up in the abscence of David Pollack on the defense and Chris Henry for the first half of the season on offense.

Prediction: 8-8, 2nd Place.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS: The Pittsburgh Steelers finally "Won one for the thumb" with their Super Bowl XL victory over the Seahawks, but Pittsburgh is a totally different team since they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy two seasons ago. Jerome Bettis, "The Bus" is gone, Antwaan Randle-El is now with the Redskins, Joey Porter is now with the Dolphins, Ben Rothlisberger is still trying to recover from the adverse effects of his Motorcycle Accident, and former Head Coach Bill Cowher has, at least for now, retired. The Steelers now have former Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator Mike Tomlin as their Head Coach. Joey Porter has been replaced by Linebacker Lamar Woodley out of Michigan. Hines Ward is still there, and he will be the focal pointr for Ben Rothelisberger this year, as always. Willie Parker, who broke the longest Touchdown Run in the History of the Super Bowl in Super Bowl XL, could run for up to 1,000 yards, as longtime Steeler Alan Faneca in fact will get ready for the season despite his unhappiness with his current contract. There is just too much missing from the Steelers to have a playoff year this year, but I think they will be in better position next season.

Prediction: 7-9, 3rd Place.

CLEVELAND BROWNS: The "Dawg Pound" is clamoring for Brady Quinn to be the Starting QB for the Browns by the start of the season opener, but it doesn't appear as if it's going to happen. Right Now, the Strting QB job is Charlie Frye's to lose and Brady Quinn's to gain. The Browns have Jamal Lewis, but he is really on the downside of his career. I don't see him rushing for 1,000 yards. Willie McGinest, the former Patriot, is winding down his carrer in Cleveland, and if the team does not show improvement right away, Romeo Crennel might get the axe as Head Coach before the season is over.

Prediction: 6-10, 4th Place.

The Next NFL Preview will be the AFC South. Is Vince Young ready to take the next step, or will hw suffer the "Sophomore Slump", or worse, the "Madden Curse?" Did Jacksonville make a mistake by letting go of Byron Leftwich? Find out all of this and more in the next NFL Preview.