So last Wednesday night on the eve of the NFL season opener I went through and picked every game on the NFL schedule just to whet my whistle. Of course, the other point of doing it was to prepare myself for the all-important Parents’ Basement NFL preview, but then I figured it would only be fitting if our preview was posted until after week 1 just because that’s how we like to do things around here. Anyway, I haven’t changed any of my projected records following the results of week 1, although I will say that I only missed three of the 16 games. I had the Bucs beating the Cowboys at home, the Raiders upsetting the Chargers at home, and the Eagles losing to the Panthers on the road.

AFC East

Patriots (10-6) – Well, Tom Brady was lucky to pull one out of his ass last night and the Patriots definitely have some serious problems on defense. But they’re still the cream of this division’s crop and I don’t think they should have too much trouble winning the division. As a Jaguars apologist, I like the addition of Fred Taylor to the backfield even if he didn’t look so great last night. Taylor is a truly patient runner, which is something they haven’t had in the past in New England. The only other random thing I’ll throw in there is that I’ve always really liked Leigh Bodden for some reason. That’s the kind of great analysis I know you’re looking for.

Jets (9-7) – Even before this week I had a good feeling about this Jets team, although I have them falling one game short of the playoffs. I’m not ashamed to admit that I have a full-on man crush on Mark Sanchez and like I said before the draft, I think he turns out to be a superior player to Matt Stafford. I watched him in person against the Eagles in the preseason and he only played one series, a long touchdown drive, but he was already progressing through his reads with ease and I think he’s in a good position to succeed. Rex Ryan already has a lot of talent on the Jets’ defense to work with and I think this is a team that’s going to make some serious noise. They’ll also be helped by a pretty easy-looking schedule.

Bills (6-10) – They’ve got some nice pieces but ultimately I’m just not a believer. I like Lee Evans a lot, think Fred Jackson is extremely underrated, and I like their defensive backfield. I don’t like a crappy, young, offensive line, an aging defensive line, and I don’t have enough faith in Trent Edwards to make enough plays on his own to lead them to a successful season. And I’m happy because I’ll never have to hear about how T.O. always does well in his first year with a team ever again.

Dolphins (6-10) – Last year’s single biggest fraud of a team, the Dolphins will come crashing back down to earth this season. Chad Pennington sucks. I don’t believe Ronnie Brown can be as productive as he was last year. And the two biggest factors in their playoff run last year, the easy schedule and the success of the wildcat, aren’t going to be in play this year. The run-only wildcat option is not going to be successful anywhere this year, and I know they have Pat White to run packages with but color me skeptical. Here’s what I will say for the Dolphins though. I love Chad Henne, thought he was the best QB coming out that year, and I think when he gets the reins full time next year the Dolphins might make some noise again.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens (10-6) – One of my longer-shot Super Bowl possibilities, I think the offense will definitely improve with Flacco another year into the league and the offense, and a little more Ray Rice. The defense should decline a little, but they have a manageable schedule.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) – I think the Super Bowl champs have a lot of issues still along the offensive line, but that didn’t stop them from going all the way last year. To me, Roethlisberger is probably the fourth best quarterback in the league right now and I like Santonio. The running back situation is obviously questionable, but it’s still a top-five defense.

Cincinnati Bengals (7-9) – I don’t believe in Carson Palmer or their defense. Or Cedric Benson.

Cleveland Browns (5-11) – At least Josh Cribbs is kind of fun to watch.

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts (11-5) – I think the Colts are absolutely destined for a decline. Manning doesn’t have the supporting staff he once had on offense, be it the line or the receivers. The defense has never been good against the run and if Jim Caldwell got fired from Wake, how can he make a good NFL coach? But, they actually have a really easy schedule, Manning is still Manning, and they’re still a well-built regular season team. I would have them finishing behind the Titans in the division if I thought Kerry Collins could stay healthy for a whole year.

Tennessee Titans (10-6) – Yeah Albert Haynesworth was a monster, but, having followed this division closely the past however many years, the rest of the Titans defensive line is really underrated. They won’t miss a beat, and the defense will still be really good. I’d love the Titans to win 12-13 games if, like I said before, I thought Kerry Collins would stay healthy for a whole season but I’m expecting him to miss a couple games.

Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) – Very wishful thinking and realistically I’m probably expecting somewhere around seven wins. But I went through the schedule and every game is winnable. I’m a believer in David Garrard, although he didn’t have a good game against the Colts. I expect the Jags to start out slow having such a young nucleus but I really believe they’re going to finish the season as a real surprise team. This projection is more of a stamp of approval for the direction the roster has taken than anything else. New GM Gene Smith is building through the draft, getting the big guys early, and I’m excited about the future.

Houston Texans (7-9) – They’ll be the same thing they are every year, inconsistent with flashes of brilliance.

AFC West

San Diego Chargers (11-5)

I really don’t like the Chargers as a whole. Despite all evidence to the contrary, I’m still not that high on Phillip Rivers. LT really did not look good last night. And I think the defense is overrated. They’ve been such a lock to win this division according to everyone that I’m weary of it, but I just couldn’t picture a scenario with another team winning more games, barring injury to Rivers.

Denver Broncos (9-7) – My other big sleeper, which I called before the miracle win in Cincinnati. I just have a good feeling about them, although I have them missing the playoffs by a game too. Anyway, I think this season will be a pleasant surprise for Josh McDaniels, Alphonso Smith, and Will Schwartz.

Oakland Raiders (7-9) – I’m not spending more than a sentence on a team that traded a first-round pick for an aging DE, but I do think the Raiders will be a feisty team all year.

Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) – I think the Chiefs actually have the worst roster in the NFL. I think there might be two players on the Chiefs I’d want on my team, Branden Albert and Dwayne Bowe. Maybe Tamba Hali? That’s it.

Playoffs

Titans win at Patriots
Ravens beat Steelers

Titans win at Colts
Ravens win at Chargers

Ravens beat Titans