Slammin Stevie Cook's NFL Predictions!

We here at THE Ultimate Sports Blog are happy to announce that ourselves and resident NFL pick'em expert "Slammin" Stevie Cook have agreed on a contract extension this season that will make Cook the highest paid NFL pick'em expert in his city. That is an outstanding accomplishment for both Mr. Cook and the wonderful city he currently resides in. Anyway, before he makes his long-awaited return this year and picks every single winner of every single NFL game it's time for......

"Slammin" Stevie Cook's NFL Predictions!

NFC 

West - Seahawks: The toughest division in the NFC gets a little less tough with the downfall of San Francisco. I think Arizona makes this division a battle just like they did last year, but Seattle's still too good on defense & the addition of Jimmy Graham upgrades the offense.

East - Cowboys: Speaking of division battles, I think the East will go down to the wire as well with Dallas & Philadelphia. I favor the Cowboys because even though Tony Romo is a common scapegoat among football fans, you can't tell me Sam Bradford is anywhere near his level.

North - Packers: You can't feel too good about Jordy Nelson being out for the year & Randall Cobb being banged up...oh, who am I kidding, it's Aaron Rodgers. And Eddie Lacy's there too if things get tricky. Green Bay's gonna be fine.

South - Falcons: It's the NFC South. Absolutely anybody could win this division, even Tampa Bay if Jameis Winston is a lot better than we think he is. I think Atlanta has the most talent on offense & as long as their defense doesn't completely shit the bed like they did too often last year they can make it to 8 wins.

AFC 

West - Chiefs: Probably my most risky pick here, but I like what Andy Reid & company are doing here. Alex Smith is steady, the addition of Jeremy Maclin & maturation of Travis Kelce should help the passing game, they still have Jammal Charles, and the defense can be pretty effective.

East - Patriots: Tom Brady is asking Roger Goodell to tell him how his ass tastes and he's playing all 16 games as I predicted. The Dolphins & Bills could be better than they have been in recent history but they won't be good enough to topple the Brady/Belichick Revenge Tour Part Infinity.

North - Ravens: They're the sexy pick to win it all, which might be the first time in recorded history that something sexy originated in Baltimore. They've done a damn good job of replacing all the people that got old and had to retire.
 
South - Colts: There's nobody else in this division even worth talking about. Even if Andrew Luck didn't get another guy to throw to in Andre Johnson & a consistent runner in Frank Gore, they'd be the easy pick here.

Wild Card Teams

AFC

Broncos: I might not have Denver winning the West, but I think Peyton's farewell tour leads to a wild card appearance. He'll be more like the Peyton of the first half of last season than the Peyton of the second.

Bengals: They are what they are. Good enough to get a playoff spot, not good enough to win a game once they get there. Pittsburgh is a sexy pick to get this spot or the North title, but their defense isn't good enough.

NFC

Cardinals: Just like last year, they make it in even though they won't beat the Seahawks. But they'll have a better QB than Ryan Lindley at the helm this time.

Vikings: Adrian Peterson returning makes all the difference here. Teddy Bridgewater will have more seasoning & weapons at his disposal, and Mike Zimmer will continue coaching up the defense. Don't sleep on these guys.


AFC Title Game: Patriots vs. Ravens

NFC Title Game: Packers vs. Seahawks

Nothing really new there, but what do you expect?

Super Bowl: Patriots over Packers

I made the Packers pick before the Nelson injury but I stand by it. The best way for this season to end is for Goodell to be forced to hand the Lombardi Trophy to Robert Kraft & company. Shades of when Pete Rozelle had to give Al Davis the trophy after Davis beat the NFL in court.

MVP: Andrew Luck, QB Indianapolis Colts

Luck will use his better weapons to have an even better season than he did in 2014. It won't matter in the postseason, but he'll put up some crazy stats in the regular season.

Defensive MVP: JJ Watt, DE Houston Texans

Because why not.

Rookie of the Year: Marcus Mariota, QB Tennessee Titans

I like what I've seen out of the kid so far. If the Titans can get to 6-8 wins or so, which is certainly possible with their weak schedule, Mariota will get the bulk of the credit.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB New York Jets

Gonna go with some Louisville love here. Mauldin emerged from a difficult upbringing & is widely considered one of the highest-character football players out there. His heart will get him out on the field & making life difficult for quarterbacks.