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2011 AFC Predictions

AFC DIVISIONAL PICKS

AFC NORTH

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: The defense should be solid as usual, look for WR Mike Wallace to have another big season. Will LB LaMarr Woodley live up to his big contract? In a word, YES. (11-5)

2. Baltimore Ravens: Will the free agency losses of WR Derrick Mason and TE Todd Heap come back to haunt QB Joe Flacco and the Blackbirds? RB Ray Rice should be a top fantasy pick this year as usual. (10-6)

3. Cleveland Browns: QB Colt McCoy looked better towards the end of last season, look for him to be a decent NFL starting quarterback, but the Browns are in too tough of a division. (7-9)

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Losing WR Chad Ochocinco is a textbook case of addition by subtraction. However, losing your franchise QB to "retirement" in what should be the prime of his career is a clear sign that your organization is screwed up. (4-12)

AFC SOUTH

1. Houston Texans: This is the year that the Texans finally take the division. Key additions to the defense (i.e. CB, S, DE) and a solid offense should finally put the Texans in the playoffs. (10-6)

2. Indianapolis Colts: How will QB Peyton Manning recover from his neck surgery? Is the D strong enough to keep them in games? Either way I think the Colts have taken a minor step backwards this year. (9-7)

3. Tennessee Titans: They better sign RB Chris Johnson soon if they want a chance at winning a game. Look for another rough year down in Tennessee. (6-10)

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rookie QB Blaine Gabbert will be playing no later than week 5... that means chalk this season up to "re-building for the future." Look for RB "Some People Call Me" Maurice Jones-Drew to get plenty of touches, especially with the young gun at QB. (5-11)

AFC EAST

1. New England Patriots: Coach Bill Belichick thinks he can do the impossible... tame the beast they call Ochocinco. If Ole' Cut-Off Sleeves can get Chad to play like a normal human being, the Pats could be incredibly good on offense, but that's a BIG IF. If not, they still have QB Tom Brady and many other weapons. (11-5)

2. New York Jets: QB Mark Sanchez has had a dominant defense to bail him out in the past. The D is still good, but he needs to have a better TD to INT ratio (17 TDs-13 INTs) if the J-E-T-S, Jets Jets, Jets want to make another serious Super Bowl run. (10-6)

3. Buffalo Bills: The Bills should surprise you this season. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is serviceable. RB C.J. Spiller should take a positive step forward and WR Stevie Johnson will continue to make plays. Buffalo hopes their 1st round draft pick DT Marcel Dareus from 'Bama can help bolster a defense that was dead last against the run in 2010. (7-9)

4. Miami Dolphins: RB Reggie Bush took his talents to South Beach, if only he took a quarterback down there with him. If Coach Tony Sparano can find someone to get WR Brandon Marshall the ball they could have a mediocre year, If not, they could be first in line to pick Stanford QB Andrew Luck in the 2012 Draft. (6-10)

AFC WEST

1. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: S Bob Sanders should be a difference maker if he can stay on the field and DT/DE Corey Luiget looks to be very good on the defensive line. But mainly, the BOLTS have one thing the rest of the division doesn't... a solid QB. As long as they don't have the worst special teams unit in the history of the league again, they should run away with the division. (11-5)

2. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs have a stud at RB in Jamaal Charles and a big play WR in Dwayne Bowe. Sack master DE Tamba Hali and S Eric Berry key a defense that was middle of the pack last season. (9-7)

3. Oakland Raiders: The field just doubled in size to opposing QBs now that CB Nnamdi Asomugha is in Philly. RB Darren McFadden is still a very good back but Oakland should have some major issues defensively this year. (7-9)

4. Denver Broncos: The big controversy in small D is over who will start at QB? Well it's pretty simple, if you want to complete a pass every once-in-awhile, put in Kyle Orton. If you want more completions to the chain gang than to WRs, put in fullback Tim Tebow and let him run wild. That said, it won't matter if John Elway himself is under center if the Broncos don't play considerably better on defense this season. (5-11)

North: Pittsburgh Steelers

South: Houston Texans

East: New England Patriots

West: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Wild Card: Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets

AFC Championship Game: CHARGERS vs. Patriots

AFC Champion: CHARGERS

---J

2011 NFC Predictions

NFC DIVISIONAL PICKS

NFC NORTH
1. Green Bay Packers: QB Aaron Rodgers should pick up right where he left off last season, plus he has weapons galore. (11-5)
2. Detroit Lions: Detroit will be threatening for a division crown soon. WR Calvin Johnson is fantastic. (9-7)
3. Chicago Bears: Can QB Jay Cutler win over the Windy City faithful or more importantly his own locker room? Can the Soldier Field playing surface hold up for all 8 home games? (8-8)
4. Minnesota Vikings: RB Adrian Peterson is great, QB Donovan McNabb is getting old and WR Sidney Rice is wearing lime green in Seattle. Coach Leslie Frazier could be "pondering" starting rookie QB Christian Ponder later in the season. (6-10)

NFC SOUTH
1. Atlanta Falcons: Look for QB Matt Ryan to spread the ball to his many weapons, now including WR Julio Jones out of 'Bama. RB Michael "The Burner" Turner should still be a good fantasy pick. (11-5)
2. New Orleans Saints: RB/KR Darren Sproles will fill in nicely for Reggie Bush, but can the defense step up when needed? Keep an eye on rookie RB Mark Ingram and his physical running style. (10-6)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Josh Freeman will be a Top 12 Fantasy quarterback. But can RB LeGarrett Blount repeat last season's success. (9-7)
4. Carolina Panthers: They were very active in the very brief off-season, but they will continue to be inactive in the post-season without a proven QB. (4-12)

NFC EAST
1. Dallas Cowboys: QB Tony Romo has talent around him, but the defense is highly questionable. (10-6)
2. Philadelphia Eagles: Philly made a big splash signing FA CB Nnamdi Asomougha amongst other big names, but QB Michael Vick will miss at least 3 games and the Eagles will get knocked out in the 1st round of the playoffs again. (10-6)
3. New York Giants: This team is going in the wrong direction. (7-9)
4. Washington Redskins: Who will start at QB? John Beck or Rex Grossman, flip a coin... they both aren't very good. (4-12)

NFC WEST
1. Arizona Cardinals: QB Kevin Kolb will be the savior in Glendale...well no, but he will be better than what the Cards had behind center last season. Plus the rest of the team as a whole is stronger this year. (10-6)
2. St. Louis Rams: QB Sam Bradford will take major steps forward towards becoming a top-tier signal caller in the league. The Rams are working in the right direction. (9-7)
3. Seattle Seahawks: Pretty brutal at the quarterback position, but Qwest Field is good for +2 wins a season. (6-10)
4. San Francisco 49ers: Also pretty brutal at the quarterback position, but whoever plays QB has a solid TE in Vernon Davis and very good RB in Frank Gore. (6-10)


North: Green Bay Packers
South: Atlanta Falcons
East: Dallas Cowboys
West: Arizona Cardinals
Wildcard: New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles
NFC Championship Game: Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons
NFC Champion: Atlanta Falcons

2011 MLB Playoffs and Awards Predictions

Playoff Predictions

ALCS: Boston Red Sox over the New York Yankees in 6 games.

NLCS: Philadelphia Phillies over the Milwaukee Brewers in 6 games.

World Series Champions: Boston Red Sox over the Philadelphia Phillies in 6 games.

World Series MVP: 1B Adrian Gonzalez (BOS)

Here are my 2011 MLB Award Predictions

NL Cy Young: SP Tim Lincecum (SF)

AL Cy Young: SP Jon Lester (BOS)

NL MVP: OF Carlos Gonzalez (COL)

AL MVP: OF Carl Crawford (BOS)

2011 MLB Predictions

National League

East

1. Philadelphia Phillies



2. New York Mets



3. Florida Marlins



4. Atlanta Braves



5. Washington Nationals

Central

1. Milwaukee Brewers



2. Chicago Cubs



3. Cincinnati Reds



4. St. Louis Cardinals



5. Pittsburgh Pirates



6. Houston Astros

West

1. Colorado Rockies



2. San Francisco Giants



3. SAN DIEGO PADRES



4. Los Angeles Dodgers



5. Arizona Diamondbacks

American League

East

1. Boston Red Sox

2. New York Yankees

3. Tampa Bay Rays

4. Toronto Blue Jays

5. Baltimore Orioles

Central

1. Detroit Tigers

2. Minnesota Twins

3. Chicago White Sox

4. Cleveland Indians

5. Kansas City Royals

West

1. Texas Rangers

2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

3. Oakland Athletics

4. Seattle Mariners

2010 NFL Division Predictions- NFC

NFC DIVISIONAL PICKS

NFC NORTH

1. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers will be the MVP of the league. (12-4)

2. Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson will be great, but can Brett Favre hold up? (10-6)

3. Chicago Bears: Look for more interceptions from Jay Cutler. (6-10)

4. Detroit Lions: Should be a little better for Detroit but not much. Matt Stafford should make positive strides in his second full season. (4-12)

NFC SOUTH

1. Atlanta Falcons: Michael "the Burner" Turner should be in for a big year. (11-5)

2. New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees will dominate again, but I don't think the defense will force as many turnovers. (10-6)

3. Carolina Panthers: Great combo at tailback but look for Jimmy Clausen to start by week 9. (5-11)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cadillac Williams should have a solid year if he can stay healthy, and that's a big if. (3-13)

NFC EAST

1. Dallas Cowboys: The 'Boys never seem to live up to the hype, but I think they could be the first team to play in a Super Bowl in their own stadium. (11-5)

2. New York Giants: The offense line has to play much better than it did last season, and I think it will. (9-7)

3. Philadelphia Eagles: Kevin Kolb should play well, but I think they'll take a step backward defensively. (7-9)

4. Washington Redskins: Too old at running back and too many off the field distractions to compete in the East. (5-11)

NFC WEST

1. San Francisco 49ers: Watch out for Michael Crabtree in his first full season with the Niners. (9-7)

2. Arizona Cardinals: Derek Anderson won't be Kurt Warner but he should play decent, just not well enough to win the division. (8-8)

3. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford will show signs of why he's paid so much, he will also show signs of why he should be sitting on the bench. (5-11)

4. Seattle Seahawks: All NFL players are getting paid, so Pete Carroll has no advantage. Look for Charlie Whitehurst to start mid-way through the year. (4-12)

North: Green Bay Packers

South: Atlanta Falcons

East: Dallas Cowboys

West: San Francisco 49ers

Wildcard: New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings

NFC Championship Game: Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys

NFC Champion: Dallas Cowboys

2010 NFL Division Predictions

Jake's Take has returned!!!

Another NFL season is here, which means I have another twenty or so weeks to make a fool of myself... so without further ado, here are my 2010 AFC predictions.

AFC DIVISIONAL PICKS

AFC NORTH

1. Baltimore Ravens: A strong defense, solid running game and game-manager Joe Flacco now has many offensive weapons. (11-5)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers: The defense should carry the team as usual but will they be 1-3 or 0-4 by the time Big Ben returns? (9-7)

3. Cleveland Browns: Jerome Harrison should have a big year and if Jake Delhomme can limit turnovers they should stay out of the cellar. (7-9)

4. Cincinatti Bengals: The VH1 primetime line-up should self-destruct before the half-way mark in the season. (6-10)

AFC SOUTH

1. Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning is still the class of the division but the defense may not be as good as years past. (11-5)

2. Houston Texans: The Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson connection should open up running room for Mission Bay HS product Arian Foster. (10-6)

3. Tennessee Titans: The divisions' best running game and perhaps the divisions' worst passing game. (8-8)

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: It's going to be a long season down in Jacksonville. Hey, at least Jacksonville State beat Ole Miss last weekend. (4-12)

AFC EAST

1. New England Patriots: The Justin Bieber look-a-like at QB wants a new contract, so look out NFL defenses. (12-4)

2. New York Jets: Hard Knocks has me believing, Vinnie Chase in his second season at quarterback doesn't. (10-6)

3. Miami Dolphins: Look for Chad Henne to improve a bit this year but a 8-8 finish is about right for the Fins. (8-8)

4. Buffalo Bills: C.J. Spiller will impress this season, Trent Edwards won't. (5-11)

AFC WEST

1. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: The BOLTS still have the best team in the West, but the gap is shrinking quickly. Ryan Mathews should give Philip Rivers a goofy smile all season. (12-4)

2. Oakland Raiders: Jason Campbell is an improvement over JaMarcus Russell, but then again so is Bruce Gradkowski. (9-7)

3. Kansas City Chiefs: KC had a good draft this year, look out for S Eric Berry and WR Dexter McCluster. Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones are a nice 1-2 punch at tailback. (9-7)

4. Denver Broncos: If you didn't already Knowshon Moreno, then you know he had a pretty good rookie campaign. Hopefully someone will use the clippers on Kyle Orton's neck beard this time rather than Tim Tebow's head. (6-10)

North: Baltimore Ravens

South: Indianapolis Colts

East: New England Patriots

West: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Wildcard: Houston Texans, New York Jets

AFC Championship Game: CHARGERS vs. Patriots

AFC Champion: CHARGERS

---J

AFC West Draft Grades

Oakland Raiders: B+

Al Davis may no longer be alive because the Raiders used their first round pick on a guy who can actually play football. LB Rolando McClain (ALA) is a beast and will sure up the middle of that defense. DT Lamarr Houston (TEX) should help stuff the run and free up McClain to make plays. As usual, the Raiders reached a little bit and took to offensive lineman who had great Combine workouts but not the best game film. Overall, a good draft plus picking up QB Jason Campbell from Washington for a 4th round pick made this a very successful weekend in Oaktown. However, I was somewhat surprised based on Al Davis' obsession with speed that Commissioner Goodell didn't announce: "With the 8th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select... Usain Bolt, runner, Jamaica."

Kansas City Chiefs: B

Taking S Eric Berry (TENN) at No.5 overall will immediately make their defense better. He is always around the ball and AFC West QB's will learn that soon enough... most likely the hard way .
RB Dexter McCluster (MISS) is a game breaker who is very versatile. I thought GM Scott Pioli did well getting him in the 2nd round. CB Javier Arenas (ALA) is a big time player as well and he should help out in the secondary. The Chiefs added offensive line help later in the draft which doesn't excite the fans but improves the team dramatically.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: B-

The BOLTS made a bold move by trading up from No. 28 to No. 12 to draft RB Ryan Mathews (Yes, Mathews with one t) out of Fresno State. I think he is a great pickup and will have a strong NFL career, but I also think we gave up an awful lot to get him. History is on AJ Smith's side, the last 1st round running back he drafted out of the WAC had a pretty good run in SD. As for our other picks I feel like we filled a few major holes with quality players. The literally/figuratively enormous hole left in our defensive line by the releasing of DT Jamal Williams was filled. The selection of Cam Thomas (UNC) made me very happy as I was hoping we would pick up a big inside presence. Early on I thought the trade to get Mathews cost us a chance at a guy like Thomas but luckily it didn't. 3rd round pick MLB Donald Butler (WSH) is a good player and should help add athleticism to our linebacking corp. 3rd rounder Darrell Stuckey from Rock Chalk Jayhawk land (KU) is a physical, hard-hitting safety... I would say that we could definitely use one of those. The 5th round pick of QB Charlie Whitehurst 2.0 aka Jonathan "Straight Outta" Crompton (TENN) will add depth to our clipboard holding and our fake signal calling. He should make an immediate impact bringing Philip Rivers his Gatorade. I thought AJ Smith and Norvell Turner could have picked up some more offensive line depth but all in all I say job well done.

Denver Broncos: C

Head Coach Josh McDaniels replaced the void left by WR Brandon Marshall with WR Demaryius Thomas (GT), a solid pick. Then Denver made the move you knew someone would make but you just weren't sure when. With the 25th pick they selected FB Timothy Richard Tebow (UF)... oh did I say FB I meant QB, I guess. McDaniels pushed in all of his chips into the Tebow pot and is hoping that #15 will be the QB to lead them to the promised land. I don't see it happening. The guy is a great competitor and obviously a physical specimen but the guy played at Florida where he is surrounded by a ton more talent in 95% of the time. Sure he lit it up against that stout Charleston Southern defense but here's the thing about the NFL, everybody is freakin' good (save the Raiders and Lions). Hey Tim, you see that corner over there? 3 time All American... That safety? 9 time Pro Bowler... The linebacker? 2-time defensive player of the year. In the NFL, there are no extreme talent gaps like Tebow had in Gainesville and he'll learn that quickly if he ever gets on the field. Name the last successful NFL QB that played at the University of Florida... and don't you dare say Rex Grossman. Tebow may turn out to be a serviceable NFL QB, but not an elite signal caller and not anytime soon.

AFC West Best Pick: KC No. 5 overall S Eric Berry (TENN)

AFC West Sleeper Pick: DEN No. 87 overall WR Eric Decker (MINN)

Overall, I am happy with what the BOLTS did, but I think the CHARGERS need to beware, because the rest of the AFC West is getting much better. Plus the Raiders are going to cut JaMarcus Russell soon, making them an actual NFL caliber team.

---J

MLB Playoff Calls and Award Predictions

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Here's who I think will be playing in October and no, it's not the PADRES... sorry Friar Faithful...

Playoff Predictions

ALCS: New York Yankees over the Minnesota Twins in 6 games.

NLCS: St. Louis Cardinals over the Philadelphia Phillies in 7 games.

World Series Champions: New York Yankees over the St. Louis Cardinals in 6 games.

World Series MVP: OF Curtis Granderson (NYY)

Here are my 2010 MLB Award Predictions aka "The Takies"

NL Cy Young: SP Roy Halladay (PHI)

AL Cy Young: SP CC Sabathia (NYY)

NL Rookie of the Year: 1B Ike Davis (NYM) **former Sun Devil

AL Rookie of the Year: P Brian Matusz (BAL)

NL MVP: 1B Albert Pujols (STL)

AL MVP: 1B Mark Teixiera (NYY)

Exclusive Jake's Take Awards

Best Off Season Pickup: P Roy Halladay (PHI)

Worst Off Season Pickup: OF Milton Bradley (SEA)

Best Uni of the Year: SAN DIEGO PADRES (1984 throwback jerseys--white on white)

Worst Uni of the Year: SAN DIEGO PADRES (2010 away jerseys--"sand on sand")

Where am I right? Where am I wrong?... Let me know...

---J

2010 MLB American League Predictions

The season is a week old... so without further a do, here are the other half of my 2010 predictions.

American League

East

1. New York Yankees: The best lineup with a strong starting rotation and a great closer... and if they begin to struggle they will trade for a stud to take them over the top.

2. Tampa Bay Rays: A ton of young talent, look for huge years out of OF BJ Upton and P David Price.

3. Boston Red Sox: Perhaps the deepest rotation in baseball, but the lineup doesn't scare me anymore. Front runners to win the 2006 AL East.

4. Toronto Blue Jays: OF Vernon Wells should have another solid year. P Shaun Marcum has great stuff.

5. Baltimore Orioles: OF Adam Jones (Morse HS) is one of the best young players in the game. P Brian Matusz (USD) is in his 1st full big legaue season. C Matt Wieters will be an All-Star someday, but I think he's a few years out still.

Central

1. Chicago White Sox: The return of OF Carlos Quentin and a full season with a healthy P Jake Peavy should be enough to win the Central.

P Mark Buerhle already made the defensive play of the year on Opening Day

2. Minnesota Twins: They don't have 1B "Sweet, Sweet" Lou Collins, 2B "Touch 'Em All" Mickey Scales or young Billy "Bill" Haywood as a manger... but they do have C Joe Mauer, 1B Justin Morneau and OF Michael Cuddyer... not too shabby in their own right.

3. Detroit Tigers: P Justin Verlander is a stud, but I don't think they have the offensive firepower to keep up with the White Sox and Twins.

4. Cleveland Indians: OF Grady Sizemore is an all around threat, but they may have the weakest/shallowest rotation in the Central. They need P Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn and the big bat/good hands of OF Pedro Cerrano and the speed of OF Willy Mays Hayes.

5. Kansas City Royals: Cy Young Award winner P Zack Greinke is the man, but the rest of the team is not very good. However, they do have the best alternate unis in the Show.

West

1. Texas Rangers: The addition of OF Vladimir Guerrero to an already powerful lineup consisting of OF Josh Hamilton, OF Nelson Cruz and 3B Michael Young make them my favorite in the West. Keep an eye on Closer turned starting pitcher C.J. Wilson.

2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: First off, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim name is stupid, as for the team I think the loss of OF Vladimir Guerrero and P John Lackey will prove bigger than management may have thought.

3. Seattle Mariners: A decent lineup with the star obviously being OF Ichiro Suzuki. May have the best starting pitching in the division if P Cliff Lee can get off of the DL and on the bump.

4. Oakland Athletics: I think they will finish in last like their football counterparts in Silver and Black. OF Jack Cust has led the team in HRs for 3 years straight, so management decided to send him to Triple-A. Makes sense right? P Ben Sheets may have a little resurgence if he can stay healthy. Don't worry PADRES fans, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff will still be stowing nuts in his cheeks instead of driving in runs... he'll just be doing it in a better looking uniform.


Stay tuned for my World Series Predictions soon to be released...


---J