Ryan's NFL Preview: Awards and Predictions

The good news is, this is the last NFL predictions post for about a year! The bad news is I have to think of new topics to entertain the masses. Fortunately I'll be kicking around some NHL Preview material over at BMR.

I said a lot of things in the team by team previews, but looking at how the playoffs played out for me, well, I lied on some stuff. You'll see why.

NFL MVP - Tony Romo, Cowboys - Let's see... The non-Dallas teams I have in the final 4, the Patriots, Jaguars and Seahawks (sorry to ruin it for you) are rather team oriented or don't have any big time stars. The Cowboys operate a two back system, and as Steve said, wideouts just don't win the MVP. That leaves Romo. Congratulations, you're the MVP by default!

Coach of the Year - John Harbaugh, Ravens - I picked the Ravens to win the divison. I'm sort of obliged, aren't I?
Offensive Player of the Year - Tom Brady, Patriots - He has a lot of good receivers. (Analysis!)
Defensive Player of the Year - Lofa Totupu, Seahwaks - Marking the first time anyone named Lofa has won anything. He will bring pride to the entire Totupu clan.

Comeback Player of the Year - Adam Jones, Cowboys - Would the NFL allow this to happen? Almost certainly not. If they don't, mark me down for Kurt Warner.

Walter Payton Man of the Year - Reggie Bush, Saints - Let's see, Bush has a marketable name and face, and he lives in an impoverished city where he workse with charitable organizations and has appeared in ads encouraging children to excersize. Also, he is with Kim Kardashian, so thanks for falling on that grenade. I believe he also single handedly prevented Gustav from destroying New Orleans.

Postseason Predictions:
AFC Playoff teams: 1. Patriots 2. Chargers 3. Jaguars 4. Ravens 5. Colts 6. Steelers
NFC Playoff teams: 1. Seahawks 2. Cowboys 3. Saints 4. Vikings 5. Eagles 6. Giants
Wild Card Playoffs:
Jaguars over Steelers: A vicious defense will lead to a lot of dropped balls over the middle, ending the Steelers' playoff run early.
Colts over Ravens: Come on. they're still the Ravens.
Saints over Giants: As a throwback to '05, this Saints home game will be played in New York.
Eagles over Vikings: In case you haven't caught on, I think the Vikings are wildly overrated.

Divisional Playoffs:
Patriots over Colts: If you need me this week, I'll be sticking a fork in the toaster.
Jaguars over Chargers: The Jags are simply a better team than the Chargers, especially after Shawne Merriman's knee explodes.
Seahawks over Eagles: If the Seahawks are going to slip up at home in the playoffs, it's going to be this game. 53 year old Matt Hasselbeck will probably be a little stiff, not playing for so long.
Cowboys over Saints: I don't think the Saints are equipped to win big road games.
Conference Championships:
Jaguars over Patriots: New England realizes suddenly that the average age of the linebacking corps is 65.
Seahawks over Cowboys: Can you believe it's been 3 years since we've had a team clad in dark turquoise in the big game?
Super Bowl XLII:
Jaguars over Seahawks: Finally, the Jaguars shake off their reputation as postseason chokers, and David Garrard becomes a household name outside of Jacksonville. Then the Jags promptly move to Los Angeles. I can't believe I picked this Super Bowl either.