Welcome to Sean's CornerIf you really want to know who's going to win the Super Bowl this year, don't waste your time watching my Big Bro squander his prognosticating opportunities this season. Follow a proven winner — the only Gehlke Bro in posession of the famous Surfy trophy. Grab your pen and paper (or hit the print button on your browser) and keep this handy list for future reference. Maybe at season's end we'll both be winners!
December 29, 2000To the loyal fans in Sean's Corner:Overall, I definitely had some large hits and misses in my preseason predictions. I correctly guessed the 6-10 record of the team I know best, the 49ers. Other bullseyes include Dallas (5-11), Seattle (6-10), and Tennessee (13-3, and division champs). I also was close on St. Louis (10-6), correctly guessing a wild card birth. I was also within a game on Green Bay, Denver, and Cleveland. I also correctly predicted 3 out of 6 NFC playoff teams (including the surprise Giants), and 4 out of 6 AFC playoff teams. |
Teams listed in order of predicted finish. (T=tie)
1) CAROLINA (10-6): The last team to repeat as division champions was the 49ers under George Seifert ('94 - '95). If their defense holds up, Carolina wins this mediocre division.
2) ST. LOUIS (9-7) — WILDCARD: In a move that some may consider risky, I believe St. Louis will suffer a post Superbowl letdown. The team also has to deal with a new head coach.
3) ATLANTA (7-9): Should improve dramatically if Jamal Anderson makes a successful comeback and if the fragile Chris Chandler can stay healthy.
4T) SAN FRANCISCO (6-10): A year's experience for Jeff Garcia and a strong defensive draft should be enough to buy this team at least two more wins than last year's squad. A lot depends on the learning curve of their frosh-soph class, especially in the secondary.
4T) NEW ORLEANS (6-10): Team will improve minus Mike Ditka and plus Jeff Blake (no more Billy Joe roulette). However, there are still plenty of holes. I'm still not convinced about Ricky Williams. He may eventually develop into one of the best backs in the league, but even Barry Sanders' teams could still stink.
1) TAMPA BAY (12-4): Already a defensive powerhouse, this team could be deadly with Keeshawn and some consistent quarterback play.
2) CHICAGO (9-7) — WILDCARD: My surprise wildcard pick. This team has been improving and they looked good in several games last year in a tough division.
3) GREEN BAY (8-8): Another new coach. This team that looked like a potential dynasty only 3 years ago, just looked old last year. If Bret Farve, the only veteran QB in the division, returns to MVP form, the team could surprise.
4) MINNESOTA (7-9): Will be hurt by porous defense and quarterback musical chairs.
5) DETROIT (6-10): Surprise last year will suffer a delayed Sanders withdrawal.
1) WASHINGTON (12-4): With the money they spent and the weak competition, it would be a major upset if anybody could catch them. Thank you very much Mike Ditka.
2) N.Y. GIANTS (10-6) — WILDCARD: Team is good just about every other year. They finished last in 1999. This is their year to surprise people.
3) PHILADELPHIA (8-8): Another team with a promising young quarterback.
4) ARIZONA (7-9): A team that once had a promising young quarterback... will the real Jake Plummer please stand up!
5) DALLAS (5-11): Another old-looking former dynasty. Coaching roulette, age, stupidity, and poor post Jimmy Johnson drafts are starting to catch up to them.
1) DENVER (10-6): They'll win it in a tight race with a healthy Terrell Davis and better play from the quarterback position.
2) KANSAS CITY (9-7): Mediocre, but good enough to finish second by beating up on some NFC West opponents. Should have made the playoffs last year.
3) OAKLAND (8-8): Some people are predicting the Raiders will win the division this year, but I'm still not convinced. They have the talent, but always seem to underachieve. Drafting a kicker in the first round who has had several brushes with the law was risky. It also shows they don't have a lot of convidence in their offense getting them in to the end zone. The Raiders haven't finished better than .500 or made the playoffs since 1993, and until they prove otherwise, I won't pick them to finish better than 8-8.
4T) SEATTLE (6-10): Last year proved that Seattle didn't have as much talent as people thought. Give Holmgren a couple more years.
4T) SAN DIEGO (6-10): Perhaps if Ryan Leaf is healthy and has his head screwed on right, this team can climb out of the cellar.
1) TENNESSEE (13-3): Only a yard short last year, this team should dominate.
2) JACKSONVILLE (12-4) — WILDCARD: Would probably be at the top of any other division.
3) BALTIMORE (10-6) — WILDCARD: Yet another up and coming AFC Central team. It's scary that Tony Banks, a quarterback who looked so terrible with the Rams, could look so good with the Ravens.
4) PITTSBURGH (6-10): Kordell's last chance??? This team leads the cellar dwellars.
5) CLEVELAND (4-12): Will still be terrible, but this young expansion team should improve in their 2nd year.
6) CINCINNATI (2-14): YUCK! YUCK! TERRIBLE! If there were a minor leagues in football, this team would be demoted to it.
1) INDIANAPOLIS (13-3): The class of the division, this young team should only get better.
2) BUFFALO (10-6) — WILDCARD: A veteran housecleaning and a two-headed monster at quarterback. Should have beaten Tennessee last year.
3) NEW ENGLAND (7-9): Hasn't been the same since Bill Parcells left.
4) N.Y. JETS (6-10): See New England. Post Big Tuna letdown.
5) MIAMI (4-12): Sinkin' like a stone, Dolphins bring up the rear in this Tunaless division. Dan is no longer the man at quarterback.
NFC WEST: Carolina
NFC CENTRAL: Tampa Bay
NFC EAST: Washington
NFC WILDCARDS: St. Louis, Chicago, N.Y. Giants
AFC WEST: Denver
AFC CENTRAL: Tennessee
AFC EAST: Indianapolis
AFC WILDCARDS: Jacksonville, Baltimore, Buffalo
NFC CHAMPION: Tampa Bay
AFC CHAMPION: Indianapolis
SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: Indianapolis
For better or worse (most likely for worse), those are my predictions.
Gehlke Bro, the younger
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