Our football staffers make their picks for the 2013 season:
Christopher L. Gasper
Patriots: 11-5. Tom Brady will make it work on offense. But there are some very good quarterbacks on the schedule. That doesn’t bode well for a defense that since 2010 has allowed more comfortable air travel than some airlines.
Playoff forecast:
AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Steelers
AFC South: Texans
AFC West: Broncos
AFC wild cards: Chiefs and Bengals
NFC East: Giants
NFC North: Packers
NFC South: Falcons
NFC West: 49ers
NFC wild cards: Saints and Seahawks
Super Bowl: Falcons over Steelers. BC alum Matt Ryan lives up to his nickname “Matty Ice” in frigid conditions as fans shiver their way through a Super Bowl that could have been played in a meat locker, which would be more picturesque than New Jersey in February.
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Awards forecast:
MVP — Drew Brees, QB, Saints
Most underrated player — Alex Smith, QB, Chiefs
Most overrated player — Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers
Ben Volin
Patriots: 11-5. The Patriots might have a few hiccups on the road at Cincinnati, Houston, or Baltimore, but will easily coast to another division title.
Playoff forecast:
AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Bengals
AFC South: Colts
AFC West: Broncos
AFC wild cards: Texans and Ravens
NFC East: Giants
NFC North: Packers
NFC South: Falcons
NFC West: 49ers
NFC wild cards: Seahawks and Lions
Super Bowl: 49ers over Broncos. Jim Harbaugh’s teams have reached the NFC Championship game and the Super Bowl, and finally get over the top with a championship against Peyton Manning’s Broncos.
Awards forecast:
MVP — Andrew Luck, QB, Colts
Most underrated player — Anquan Boldin, WR, 49ers
Most overrated player — Jay Cutler, QB, Bears
Dan Shaughnessy
Patriots: 12-4. Ho-hum. Winning the putrid AFC East is like getting 200 points to sign your name on the SAT. The Patriots have three playoff wins since 18-0 — none of them impressive. See you in January.
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Playoff forecast:
AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Ravens
AFC South: Texans
AFC West: Broncos
AFC wild cards: Dolphins and Steelers
NFC East: Giants
NFC North: Packers
NFC South: Saints
NFC West: 49ers
NFC wild cards: Redskins and Seahawks
Super Bowl: 49ers over Broncos. Wes Welker drops game-winning TD and gets ripped by Mrs. Manning.
Awards forecast:
MVP — Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers
Most underrated player — Matt Simms, QB, Jets
Most overrated player — Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins
Shalise Manza Young
Patriots: 11-5. The Dolphins look like they’ll pose a challenge in the AFC East, but the Jets and Bills are serious works in progress. New England’s non-division schedule is not going to be easy, with several tough road games.
Playoff forecast:
AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Bengals
AFC South: Texans
AFC West: Broncos
AFC wild cards: Colts and Steelers
NFC East: Giants
NFC North: Packers
NFC South: Falcons
NFC West: Seahawks
NFC wild cards: 49ers and Bears
Super Bowl: Seahawks over Broncos. Peyton Manning will get another shot to tie his little brother in Super Bowl rings, but Seattle’s young quarterback, Russell Wilson, and stellar secondary will win the day for Seattle.
Awards forecast:
MVP — Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
Most underrated player — Rob Ninkovich, DE, Patriots
Most overrated player — Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens
Michael Whitmer
Patriots: 11-5. All predicated on Tom Brady staying healthy. Cupcake division (as always), but some tough road games. Offense will surprise, though.
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Playoff forecast:
AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Bengals
AFC South: Texans
AFC West: Broncos
AFC wild cards: Chiefs and Colts
NFC East: Giants
NFC North: Packers
NFC South: Falcons
NFC West: Seahawks
NFC wild cards: Saints and 49ers
Super Bowl: Broncos over Seahawks. How would Patriots fans react to Wes Welker winning the ring he came to New England for? Happily, I’m guessing.
Awards forecast:
MVP — Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos
Most underrated player — Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals
Most overrated player — Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers
Jim McBride
Patriots: 10-6. The “AFC East Champions” T-shirts and hats were printed in June. But to go any further, they have to find a way to make opposing QBs uncomfortable.
Playoff forecast:
AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Ravens
AFC South: Colts
AFC West: Broncos
AFC wild cards: Texans and Bengals
NFC East: Giants
NFC North: Packers
NFC South: Falcons
NFC West: 49ers
NFC wild cards: Seahawks and Saints
Super Bowl: Patriots over 49ers. The division schedule is a joke, but the rest of the slate is pretty tough (check out the QBs on that list). The pups will take their lumps, but come December, these Patriots will be battle-tested and ready.
Awards forecast:
MVP — Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
Most underrated player — Lance Briggs, LB, Bears.
Most overrated player — Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys.