# NFL Predictions Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 31, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760 "2002-07-31T21:25:07Z")\ **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 31, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/1 "2002-07-31T21:25:07Z")
Say it here for all to see, so that we can prove who had it right when The Big Game comes along in san Diego. Playboy magazine has the Steelers winning the AFC and the Rams winning the NFC, with the Steelers to prevail in the Super Bowl. I wonder how often they are right… Let’s hear your predictions. Be nice, now, in criticizing others’ picks- this is not a troll thread. I think Playboy is right, because the Steelers are essentially the same team as last year, with the exceptions of a new kicker and some veterans who should add to the team’s experience (Terance Mathis, Charlie Batch.) Kordell Stewartseems to have grown into the faith Bill Cowher apparently always had in him, and Jerome Bettis seems healthier than last year. What do you think? ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2002, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/2 "2002-07-31T21:52:58Z")
The Vikings will go further than anyone imagined, but will fall flat on their face at the end of the year, in keeping with tradition. Their special teams will be ranked last in all stats. The lead cheerleader will take over kicking duties halfway through the season. A 13 year old named Josh will be their leading special teams tackler. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2002, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/3 "2002-07-31T22:08:09Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Steelerphan \* > \*\* some veterans who should add to the team’s experience…Charlie Batch_\* As a Central Division devotee myself, I must say that, um,…_snort_ ::::snicker::::: bwaaahahahahahaha. tee hee. _snif_ahhhhh. where was I? Oh, Charlie Batch…BWAAAAHAHAHAHA. chortle. dat chuck, he aint so good Sorry, I forgot this isn’t the pit. ---
**Author:** ![WSLer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@WSLer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WSLer)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/4 "2002-08-01T00:41:32Z")
There will be heart-stopping last second wins, and heart stopping last second losses. Teams will win some games and lose other games. Games will be played on artificial turf and on natural grass. Games will be played indoors and games will be played outdoors. Games will be played at night, in the early afternoon and in the late afternoon. Randy Moss will say something utterly moronic. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/5 "2002-08-01T02:28:21Z")
Hey, **Steelerphan** , good luck for your Steelers this year. I will root for the local Bengals only to vex you, I think they good have been a decent team if they’d picked up a Trent Dilfer-style, no nonsense QB but we’re stuck with Kitna and a guy who couldn’t win the starting job in DC or Denver. Then they threw in Michael “I suck” Westbrook to seal the deal, who immediately rebroke his left wrist. Hurrah! Looks like you’ll own the AFC Central again unless the Brownies suddenly grow wings. Anyway I’m not yet ready to do a prediction, I started a version of this thread last year and got it about half right; I had the Rams in against some AFC Central team IIRC. But I did want a place to discuss preseason and maybe fantasy football. Would you consider that an egregious hijack, if so I’ll start a separate thread? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/6 "2002-08-01T02:30:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ShibbOleth \* > …I think they **good** have been a decent team… Oog, Og speak real good but type real bad. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/7 "2002-08-01T02:34:08Z")
::_Sticks fingers in ears_:: 49ers, this year. Joe, wherever you are, I hope you are happy. Like I’ve said before, when you get tired of Jennifer, I’m here babe. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![UKBankerBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/cab0a1/32.png) [@UKBankerBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UKBankerBoy)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/8 "2002-08-01T02:36:01Z")
The Detroit Lions will improve their winning percentage by 50% this year! Of course now that Batch is gone that may actually be a low prediction. Did Batch really sign with Pittsburgh? Good Lord! ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Kahuna\_Burger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Big\_Kahuna\_Burger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Kahuna_Burger)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/9 "2002-08-01T02:45:14Z")
The Giants will suck. QB: Lead feet. RB: Bad hands. OL: Unknowns. Yeah, you’ll score a lot of points that way. Now that the Cardinals are gone from the division there’s no buffer against finishing last. :::sigh:::. Steelers vs. Eagles in the Super Bowl, as Gov. Ed Rendell is torn over to root for now that he must represent the whole state. He’ll stay with the Eagles, but they’ll lose 20-14. How’s that for prognostication? ---
**Author:** ![Lorenzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4da419/32.png) [@Lorenzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorenzo)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/10 "2002-08-01T04:00:31Z")
Champaign Bears: 5-11 Stronger schedule this year, they can’t possibly be that lucky again, many, many more road games than any other team in the NFL. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/11 "2002-08-01T13:26:06Z")
I actually have some hope with the Falcons this year. Yes, the offense is basically all new, but I feel good about the defense and defenseive schemes. If the special teams hold solid, it will aid the offense by giving Michael Vick less field to have to traverse. Being in a division with the bad Carolina Panthers and the never consistent Saints and Bucs could help us out a good bit. At least it gets rid of 4 games with the Niners and Rams. I say they go 9-7. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/12 "2002-08-01T16:05:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ShibbOleth \* > **Looks like you’ll own the AFC Central again unless the Brownies suddenly grow wings.** Ah, but the AFC Central no longer exists! Although Pittburgh _does_ have a chance to win the AFC North… Since all expansion teams usually do their first year, I predict the Texans will fail miserably. ---
**Author:** ![dirty\_bird18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@dirty\_bird18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirty_bird18)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/13 "2002-08-01T17:33:10Z")
Can you say the BILLS ARE BACK!! Ok, so were not talking superbowl this year, but man what difference in this years team as compared to last year’s. WWOOHHOOO I’m very excited. ---
**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:** [August 1, 2002, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/14 "2002-08-01T19:25:27Z")
Yes, Charlie Batch has signed with the Steelers. I saw it with my own two eyes- I went to Latrobe a few days ago and watched a practice. He is a local high school alum and being such is an instant local favorite. Look for him to make the 2nd quarterback position competition a challenge, with Tommy Maddox and Tee Martin also competing. Todd Peterson (sp?) has replaced Kris “Choker” Brown as the kicker, and he moved his practices to Heinz Field to get a better feel for the field. Hopefully, he will do no worse, but he may be an improvement. The Steelers have also signed the first female trainer. The line for rubdowns stretches out of the locker room… I’ll be going to Camp Cowher again on Monday. I intend to get one of those straw hats that Bill is wearing. Anyone have any messages to pass along to the team? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/15 "2002-08-01T19:35:33Z")
Random predictions: BIG COLLAPSES: Chicago Bears and New England Patriots. Both parlayed good luck into winning records, but I don’t see either team making the playoffs this season. (For all the praise he received, Tom Brady was a mighty medicore quarterback down the stretch and in the postseason.) BIG IMPROVEMENTS: Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins. Steve Spurrier annoys me, but he’s made a host of smart moves (none smarter than hiring Marvin Lewis to run the defense), and I see him energizing that offense a lot. The Skins should be a fun team to watch, win or lose. But if I have to make a Super Bowl selection, I go with… Raiders over Rams, 27-20 ---
**Author:** ![g8rguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@g8rguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/g8rguy)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/16 "2002-08-02T01:38:13Z")
Hmm… I love Spurrier to death, for obvious reasons, but while the Skins will be interesting this year, I think they’re still a year or two away from competing; they don’t have the skill at receiver or quarterback, although their defense will keep them close. My predictions: Steelers over Dolphins in the AFC Rams over Packers in the NFC Steelers over Rams ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/17 "2002-08-02T01:52:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by g8rguy \* > … while the Skins will be interesting this year, I think they’re still a year or two away from competing; _they don’t have the skill at receiver or quarterback_, although their defense will keep them close. Ack! Blasphemy!!! 😃 Here we go Redskins, here we go! ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/18 "2002-08-02T02:09:42Z")
Predictions: Tampa wins their new division Iggles crash and burn. Miami comes up big, but Fiedler on the Roof loses to the Oakland Geriatrics. Steelers lose to the Raiders on an obvious fumble that was called and incom…wait, that’s been done. Rams over Raiders in the Super Bowl 35 - 13. ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/19 "2002-08-02T02:13:38Z")
Steelerphan, I’m jealous you’ll be in Latrobe on Monday. Tell Bettis to watch the groin, Tell Ward to keep bringin’ the hits. Let Bruener know we’re glad to see him back, and give Rooney some pointers on aircraft maintenance. Tell Plaxico we are holding our breath to see if it was a fluke, and Kordell the same thing too. Finally, point Edwards to the closest bus station, he’ll be needing it later. 😉 Here we go Steelers, here we go!! ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2002, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760/20 "2002-08-02T02:16:01Z")
Ah crap, forgot my prediction for y’nz guyz: Steelers get one for the thumb. Shocking prediction eh? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-predictions-thread/121760.md?page=2)