Bears vs 49ers Prediction

While I usually pick all the games at once, due to the first Thursday night game I will just be posting my prediction for this game. Look later in the week for my other predictions and my fantasy studs.

The Bears defense has really struggled lately and with a west coast trip on a short week, I don't like their chances against Alex Smith and the 49ers improving passing game alongside Frank Gore running the ball.

My prediction is Bears 21 49ers 27

Fbkid's top ten shocking predictions for the NFL season

During the course of the NFL season, many unexpected things happen; from players breaking out, to teams who were Super Bowl favorites not making the playoffs So I thought it would be fitting if I continue my lists with my top ten shocking predictions of the 2008 NFL season.

1. Troy Smith will be the starting quarterback for the Ravens week one: Many people would expect Kyle Boller or possibly Joe Flacco to be starting for the Ravens, but they may have forgotten about Smith. The former Heisman trophy winner last year looked good in limited playing time and so far the team is really impressed with what they have seen in mini camp. Flacco could be the long term answer for the Ravens, but don't be surprised if Smith starts for the next year or two.

2. The Cowboys won't be representing the NFC in the Super Bowl: For the last two years, many people have been saying that the Cowboys are the team to beat in the NFC. But come playoff time, they don't beat anyone. This team has loads of talent but for this team to succeed, ego's can't be colliding in the locker room and the odds of that happening aren't very good.

3. The Pittsburgh Steelers won't make the playoffs: Many people think the Steelers are going to win the AFC North again but if you look inside the numbers, the odds aren't very good. The Steelers have the highest strength of schedule in the league and their offensive line had lots of issues last year and the loss of Alan Faneca won't help. Looking at that, the Browns are the best bet to win this division.

4. The Buffalo Bills will make the playoffs: The Bills had a solid year last year at 7-9 but this year, they can be even better. They now have a clear choice at quarterback in Trent Edwards as well as an every down back in Marshawn Lynch. The receiving corps also improved as the team drafted 6'6 James Hardy in the second round. The defense is also improving as Paul Posluszny will be healthy and Leodis McKelvin should improve the secondary and the return game. Plus they don't have the strongest division. Other than the Patriots, they play the Dolphins and Jets a combined 4 times. If they play .500 football the rest of the year, the Bills would have a 10-6 record which should be good for a wildcard birth in the AFC.

5. Jonathan Stewart will win offensive rookie of the year: Most people say that Darren McFadden will be the clear choice for rookie of the year honors. But Lane Kiffin already came out and said that he will be using him in a Reggie Bush type role. Stewart is most likely going to be the feature back in Carolina as DeAngelo Williams hasn't proved he's able to carry the ball 20 times a game. Stewart has fresh legs as he wasn't used that much in college so he should see lots of carries this season and could bring a ground game the Panthers haven't had in a while. Speaking of the Panthers...

6. The Carolina Panthers will make the playoffs: The NFC South is a weird division. Every single year, a different team wins it. This year could be the Panthers turn. Jake Delhomme was having a great season until it got cut short by Tommy John Surgery. If his great play carries over, the Panthers are in good shape. Plus they have one of the best receivers in the league in Steve Smith for Delhomme to throw to. If Julius Peppers and the rest of the defense improves, this team could be dangerous in the NFC.

7. The Oakland Raiders will be a playoff spoiler come December: This offseason, the Raiders did a very good job of getting talent through free agency and the draft. JaMarcus Russell now has a full year of the offense under his belt and the defense is much improved with the additions of DeAngelo Hall and Gibril Wilson. The Raiders may not start off that great as they have lots of new players adjusting, but by the end of the year, they can stop some teams from making the playoffs and possibly be a 7 or 8 win team.

8. Keith Rivers will win defensive rookie of the year: Like Patrick Willis last year, Rivers has the chance to step in right away and be the leader of a defense. The Bengals have gotten some young defensive talent in the draft the last couple of years and now with the addition of Rivers, they are headed in the right direction.

9. Drew Stanton will be the starting quarterback for the Lions by the end of the year: If Stanton didn't have a season ending knee injury in preseason last year, there was a good chance he could have been starting as a rookie. But Jon Kitna is now 35 and isn't the long term answer. The only problem with Stanton is Mike Martz was spending the preseason last year changing Stanton's mechanics. Now he's gone and he will now have two different offensive coordinators in two years. But if the Lions are going to struggle, there isn't a better time to start the Stanton to Calvin Johnson connection.

10. Matt Forte will run for 1,000 yards as a rookie: With the release of Cedric Benson, the Bears think they have found the bruising back they were looking for in Forte. Forte should be the feature back for the Bears and with the weak passing game, will be the focal point of opposing defenses. His running style is perfect for the cold games in December.

Fbkid's preseason power rankings

Training camp is almost here so what better time to do my first power rankings of the season. Many teams have improved through the draft while others through free agency. The list should be interesting and my rankings will next be updated after the preseason games.


1.New York Giants: Considering they are the defending Super Bowl champs, until they lose they are my number one team.

2.New England Patriots: All of the offensive fire power returns but the corners are an issue.

3.Indianapolis Colts: Bob Sanders is the leader of the defense and when he and Dwight Freeney get healthy, the Colts can be a scary team.

4.San Diego Chargers: If not for the injuries, they might have been playing for the Super Bowl last February.

5.Dallas Cowboys: On paper this team looks great but will Tony Romo win a playoff game?

6.Jacksonville Jaguars: The media is starting to notice the Jaguars as many people are calling them contenders in the AFC. It all depends on David Garrard's play though.

7.Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks are one of the most consistent teams in the league and should be among the elite in the NFC again.

8.Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashard Mendenhall should help take the load off of Willie Parker but the offensive line is a big concern.

9.Cleveland Browns: We know they can score but with lack of depth at corner will the additions of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams on the defensive line get them to the playoffs?

10.Green Bay Packers: This team could either go 12-4 or 4-12. We haven't seen much of Aaron Rodgers yet to see if he can lead the Packers back to the playoffs.

11.Minnesota Vikings: Once Tarvaris Jackson or John David Booty develop, this is the team to beat in the NFC.

12.New Orleans Saints: The defense has improved but corner is still a major issue. If the defense gets going the Saints will be marching far into the playoffs.

13.Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles got going late in the season but if Donovan McNabb stays healthy they are in good shape.

14.Houston Texans: If Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson stay healthy, this team is the darkhorse in the AFC.

15.Buffalo Bills: If Trent Edwards improves on his play from last year, they are in very good shape to do some damage. The return of Paul Posluzny will be huge as well.

16.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs lack depth at running back but in a weak division have a shot at making the playoffs again.

17.Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are a year or two away from being a legitimate contender in the NFC. The offensive line is still an issue though.

18.Carolina Panthers: If Jake Delhomme is healthy, this team has a good chance of pushing for a wild card spot.

19.Denver Broncos: If Jay Cutler turns into the elite quarterback many think he is, this team could push for a wild card spot.

20.Washington Redskins: This team has lots of question marks with a new coach in Jim Zorn. The only sure thing is that Clinton Portis will have a big year.

21.Tennessee Titans: The Titans made the playoffs last year because of the defense not Vince Young. If the Titans go out and get a big play receiver for Young to throw to, then they could take the next step. Until then the offense will go as far as LenDale White and Chris Johnson will take them.

22.Baltimore Ravens: Troy Smith is looking very impressive in mini camp and should be the guy starting in week one. Expect a big year from Willis McGahee as Cam Cameron loves utilizing his running backs.

23.New York Jets: They spent lots of money this offseason but do they have a quarterback yet?

24.Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals still have an explosive offense but Rudi Johnson is starting to decline. Keith Rivers will be stud at linebacker and will be a force for years to come.

25.Oakland Raiders: The Raiders improved their offense this offseason and with the defense they have in place,this team could be dangerous by the end of the season.

26.Chicago Bears: Can you believe this is the team that won the NFC two years ago? Until they improve at quarterback the Bears should be around this spot for a while.

27.Detroit Lions: The Lions should actually have a running game now with Mike Martz gone. Look for Kevin Smith to be one of the frontrunners for rookie of the year honors.

28.St.Louis Rams: The defense is getting better but the offensive line hasn't been able to protect Marc Bulger. If Bulger stays healthy the Rams could really improve from last year.

29.Atlanta Falcons: Chris Redman played well in relief last year but is only the answer until Matt Ryan is ready. The main question is if Michael Turner can carry the workload?

30.San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith hasn't been worthy of the number one pick so far and in a Mike Martz offense he will take a beating. On the bright side, Patrick Willis is turning into one of the premiere linebackers in the league.


31.Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs had a great draft but they still don't have a quarterback to get Dwayne Bowe the ball.

32.Miami Dolphins: No matter who they start, it will be a young quarterback. At least the Dolphins are looking towards the future.