Weekly Words
Aaron McFarland
Football season is here
Right around the corner is football season. For most of you males and some females, this marks one of the most glorious times of the year. For former players, present players, and fans alike, the air starts to change and so do our Sundays. Chips and dip and whatever your beverage of choice is, marks the start of a weekend pastime that can make or break your year.
For me, this will mark the first football season in 14 years that I will not be on a team. It quite possibly might be the weirdest feeling I have ever had in my life. For anyone that has played you know that feeling. It comes back every year when the August heat turns up and you can almost feel the sweat dripping off your pads again. Your old team is playing and the memories of the Friday night lights of high school or the Saturday afternoon college games mesmerize you.
Enough about me. I’ll tell you my predictions for the upcoming seasons. I’ll start with the NFL.
Patriots, Patriots, Patriots. They may go undefeated again this year during the regular season. With a relatively trouble-free schedule this year, the Pats will make the playoffs and have a first round bye. Although they may go undefeated, or at worst my prediction is 13-3, there are four games to watch for with the Pats. The two road games against the San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts could be a problem, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers at home. Two of those three could potentially be losses, but there is another game that I am picking for the upset. Last year at home the New York Jets played the Pats to a tough 20-10 game. This year, with the addition of Brett Favre, I predict an even closer and more exciting game. The Pats will win the AFC and go to the Super Bowl, but who will they be playing.
The NFC will be dominated by the Dallas Cowboys. The Boys have made some key additions without losing anyone that will devastate the team. The addition of Felix Jones in the draft to compliment the already strong run game with Marion Barber will be a tough one-two punch to handle. Zach Thomas and Ken Hamlin will fill spots on the defensive side of the ball that are needed. Leonard Davis’s big body at offensive tackle will also be a force in the run game. Although the Boys are my pick to dominate the NFC, I am predicting they fall at the demise of Tony Romo once again. Romo played tough in the playoffs last year, but I look for another NFC East team to knock them off in the playoffs.
The NFC East is the toughest division in the NFC and one of the other teams, whoever makes it out alive, will beat the Boys in the playoffs. The Giants are the easy pick coming off a Super Bowl win, but I’ll go with an underdog. Other than the Boys and the Giants going to the playoffs, a third NFC East team will make it as well. The Eagles, depending on Donovan McNabb’s status, could be the ultimate sleeper pick to upset the Boys in the playoffs. They have added one of the best corners in league with Asante Samuel. They have also added a potential weapon in DeSean Jackson at receiver. Those two could help solidify the Eagles as a contender. My other pick is the Washington Redskins. Coming off a strong 9-7 season and making some huge additions, the Skins could be the Giants of last year. Jason Campbell will come back and do a very good job at quarterback replacing Todd Collins. He too, will have an explosive offensive attack to work with. The draft boded well for the Skins at the skill positions. Two big receivers in Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly will transition very well to compliment the speedy Santana Moss and Antwan Randle-El. The Skins also added Fred Davis at tight end to go along with Chris Cooley. My prediction is the Skins sneak into the playoffs, but shock the world just like the Giants.
So my official picks for the Super Bowl are the New England Patriots vs. the Washington Redskins (sleeper pick). The Pats win it all with a 17-2 overall record and are still searching for that perfect season.
College is an easy pick for me. This title game will be a rematch of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Florida Gators. The outcome will be the same. Ohio State travels to USC for what will basically be an elimination game for both teams. Whoever wins that game will be headed for the BCS National Championship game. My pick is the Buckeyes to win the game though. Beanie Wells at running back and James Lauranaitis anchoring the defense, the Buckeyes will win the game and dominate a weak Big Ten conference. They will make it, but the Florida Gators will be there to stop the Buckeyes once again. Tim Tebow will dominate college football, win the Heisman, and take down the Buckeyes. I say good luck to all the teams that play the Gators this year. With the most talented team, a genius coach, and fans that could take on the Spartans, the Gators won’t be beat.
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Any questions concerning the Press may be directed to Aaron McFarland at mpeditor@iowatelecom.net or 563-927-2020.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008