# NFL Predictions, 2003 Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 24, 2003, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694 "2003-07-24T19:05:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/1 "2003-07-24T19:05:11Z")
I’m using my 500th post (finally!) to begin the yearly orgy of prognostication. How will the NFL season work out this year? My confident prediction last year of the Steelers and the Rams in the Super Bowl didn’t pan out. What do you think? Who will win the divisions, the conferences, and the Big One? Explain your choice as much as necessary. I’ll return with my picks presently. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/2 "2003-07-24T19:17:16Z")
The Saints win the Super Bowl. One day, I’ll get it right. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/3 "2003-07-24T20:14:23Z")
E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!! … in about 2525. If we’re lucky. ---
**Author:** ![BlackLabel1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e5b9ba/32.png) [@BlackLabel1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackLabel1)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/4 "2003-07-24T20:55:56Z")
I’m a huge Pittsburgh fan, so I’ll go for Steelers and Bucs. By the way, the Steelers beat the Bucs last year 17 - 0 IN Tampa, and beat em like 4 out of the last 5 times. Now I’m not saying they would beat em in the superbowl… ok so I am saying that! Go Steelers! ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/5 "2003-07-24T22:19:18Z")
Packers win! Packers win! Beating the Raiders in the Super Bowl. ---
**Author:** ![Quack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e99b99/32.png) [@Quack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quack)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/6 "2003-07-24T23:20:32Z")
Divisions: Jets Steelers Titans Chiefs Eagles Packers Bucs 49ers Wild Cards (a bonus you didn’t ask for!): Bills Raiders Rams Cowboys Super Bowl: Steelers over Eagles ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/7 "2003-07-24T23:46:54Z")
It’s easier to say who won’t win. The Raiders. ---
**Author:** ![IUHomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90db22/32.png) [@IUHomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IUHomer)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/8 "2003-07-25T04:46:15Z")
Miami and Philadelphia in the SB and Philly wins. ``` For the record, I am not a big fan of either team. ``` ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/9 "2003-07-25T05:56:27Z")
Buccaneers over Philly, again, in the NFC championship game, and Dolphins over Chargers in the AFC (Yes, I’m on a big freaking limb here, but bear with me)… Bucs defeat Miami in a low scoring Superbowl. LaDanian Tomlinson wins league MVP; Brian Kelly wins Superbowl MVP with 2 interceptions. (It should be noted that I’m a Bucs fan, and it should also be noted that I’m dead serious about all this.) ---
**Author:** ![Paco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a6a055/32.png) [@Paco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paco)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/10 "2003-07-25T05:56:55Z")
What’s the deal with all this Raider hatred? Raiders in 2003/2004 baby! ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/11 "2003-07-25T06:19:35Z")
Oh **Paco** , your post made me laugh. Thanks for that, I was having a bad day… Oh wait, you were being serious weren’t you? Seriously though, folks, I have to say the Broncos will be going to the Superbowl. Do I honestly believe it? No. But hey, I’m not giving up on them now! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/12 "2003-07-25T06:24:00Z")
The league sure has gotten unpreditable, hasn’t it? I bet Chris Berman is picking the Bills against the 49ers. And I do think my Bills could win their division, so who knows… ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/13 "2003-07-25T06:49:05Z")
On a related note, anyone want to suggest a couple sleeper players for my fantasy team? (We’re playing on [NFL.com](http://NFL.com), so my team name is Fifteen Bucks Poorer)… ---
**Author:** ![dead0man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@dead0man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dead0man)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/14 "2003-07-25T10:25:45Z")
AFC Div: Patriots Steelers Colts Chiefs WC: Bills Broncos NFC Div: Eagles Packers Bucs 49ers WC: Falcons 'Skins Steelers over the Patsies in the AFC Champ game Bucs over the Facons in the NFC contest Steelers over the Bucs 23-17 in OT when Plexico returns a punt for a TD [sub]Yes I’m a Steeler fan, whats it to ya?[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/15 "2003-07-25T11:38:34Z")
Lions and Bengals in the Super Bowl. What kind of odds can I get? ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/16 "2003-07-25T13:20:28Z")
The Falcons will actually split the regular season series with the Bucs this year, but lose the division in a tie-breaker. The NFC championship will see Atlanta losing to St. Louis. Mike Vick will win league MVP. But then, I’m a homer. ---
**Author:** ![meathead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@meathead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meathead)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/17 "2003-07-25T14:19:12Z")
AFC Division Winners: East - Miami North - Steelers South - Tennessee West - San Diego AFC Wild Cards: Oakland Buffalo NFC Division Winners: East - Philadelphia North - Green Bay South - Tampa Bay West - St. Louis NFC Wild Cards: Atlanta San Francisco AFC Championship: Steelers over Miami NFC Championship: Green Bay over Tampa Bay Super Bowl: Steelers over Green Bay (barely overcoming Favre’s superhuman abilities) MVP: Favre (with McNabb a close second) Rookie of the year: Charles Rogers ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/18 "2003-07-25T14:20:10Z")
Raiders and Jets miss the playoffs. Browns miss the playoffs, despite playing in a crappy division. Miami does make the playoffs, for once. The Eagles win their division (because it sucks), go out in the first round. Falcons may have some issues with teams gamplanning Vick after watching tapes all season. If the running game doesn’t go, they will not. The following teams will remaing sucky till further notice, Arizona, Cowboys, Detriot, Texans. Sleeper teams: Seattle, San Diego. Playoff glass slipper award: Titans. World Champs 2003-04 Season: Titans (assuming no major injuries for once). ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/19 "2003-07-25T15:54:33Z")
Niners/Raiders. I’d love to see that game. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694/20 "2003-07-25T16:19:46Z")
Nobody has Chicago or Minnesota over Green Bay? GB has been hit hard by free agency, while Chicago and Minnesota are under the cap and spending, and improving. Minnesota had a great offense offset by a horrific defense last year. The off-season pick-ups on defense will make Minnesota a sleeper, just moving from a last place D to a 15th ranked D will be enough to win games. After a 2001 year that most considered a fluke, Chicago showed flashes of brilliance again in 2002. They’ll only be better this year. Green Bay just isn’t the team they’ve been, look for a downer year. At least they get to play Detroit twice a year. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-2003-edition/190694.md?page=2)