OK, so before I wade into these murky waters, let's get a few things straight. I'm not a mathematician. I'm comfortable in my own skin, but I'm not going to add the numbers and make sure all the wins equal all the losses. Please understand and forgive my limitations in this regard. I am a simple man.
That said, I've given this some considerable thought. Here's my thoughts and predictions on the Cowboys and the 2013 NFL Season.
AFC West
Denver (11-5) - Not a great team, but a crappy division. Peyton trumps all in the West.
Kansas City (8-8) - Decent, but record is bloated because of the division.
San Diego (6-10) - Awful offensive line and defense.
Oakland (2-14) - Just putrid, this team.
AFC North
Cincinnati (11-5) - Yes, I'm buying in, but only because the division is weakening, and the conference is poor overall. These guys are talented and well-coached though.
Baltimore (10-6) - Wasn't great last year, and leaders Lewis and Reed are gone. Flacco supremely overpaid.
Pittsburgh (8-8) - The Steeler are in transition, and Roethlisberger can't save them.
Cleveland (6-10) - This is their chance to beat Pittsburgh if they can get the young-uns on the same page. But, they're still Cleveland.
AFC South
Houston (10-6) - They win it, but it'll be a struggle with Schaub yet again.
Indianapolis (8-8) - Last year was an illusion. Luck is really good, but roster is still young and not particularly talented.
Tennessee (5-11) - Not sure what the plan here is.
Jacksonville (4-12) - They lose because of the gawd awful helmets alone.
AFC East
New England (11-5) - Record bloated because of a ridiculous division.
Miami (7-9) - This is their chance to beat the Pats if they can get it together. Tannehill looks better.
Buffalo (6-10) - The roster is decent, but the quarterback situation is a mess.
NY Jets (3-13) - Nothing but a circus.
NFC West
San Fran (11-5) - Kaepernick will get knocked off his high horse, but the 49er defense will still win be strong enough to win the division. Tough division where everybody beats up everybody.
Seattle (10-6) - Much the same, Wilson will also struggle a bit his sophomore year, but the defense and power game will be too much for most.
St. Louis (9-7) - The Rams will be much improved, but suddenly, the West is too tough.
Arizona (6-10) - Nice roster, but the QB position is messy, and Palmer will wilt under the pass rush of this division as he tends to do.
NFC North
Green Bay (12-4) - Rodgers is simply the best QB in the game, and he'll roll through this division.
Detroit (10-6) - The considerable talent will finally kick in, and Reggie Bush will add what they need in the dome to get into the playoffs.
Chicago (8-8) - Lovie and Marinelli will be sorely missed, and Cutler is still Cutler.
Minnesota (5-11) - Peterson will get banged up as this team struggles with poor QB play.
NFC South
Atlanta (12-4) - Too much offense for this division and just enough defense.
New Orleans (10-6) - Also too much offense for this division, but a terrible defense. Rob Ryan will implode (if that's possible for that bloated belly). Lions edge them out for the wildcard.
Carolina (6-10) - I just don't believe in Cam Newton.
Tampa (5-11) - Shiano is losing this team already, and Freeman is regressing.
NFC East
Dallas (11-5) - The defense is improved, and the offensive weaponry is unmatched in the conference. It's all about the maturation of the offensive line.
Washington (8-8) - The RG3 magic vanishes his sophomore year, and the team returns to what it is.
New York (8-8) - Aging, predictable, and stale. The Giants look like the early 80s Cowboys.
Philadelphia (6-10) - Gadgetry gets them off to a good start, then Vick gets hurt, and Foles is a lost sheep in this offense. Defense is atrocious.
PLAYOFFS
Wildcard round
AFC - New England over Indianapolis, Baltimore shocks Houston
NFC - Seattle upsets San Fran in bloodmatch on the road, Dallas handles Detroit at home
Divisional round
AFC - Denver torches Baltimore for revenge, Cincinnati handles New England with relative ease
NFC - Dallas shocks the world by beating Green Bay in Lambeau, Atlanta repeats against Seattle
Championship
AFC - Cincinnati defense controls Peyton on a bitterly cold day
NFC - Atlanta outscores Dallas in a classic in the Peachy dome.
Super Bowl (two scenarios)
Atlanta wins its first Super Bowl, and Tony Gonzalez retires as a champion and the greatest TE of all time.
or......
In a blinding snowstorm, Cincinnati beats a more talented Atlanta team with a 27-yard knuckleball field goal in the waning seconds.
