Rainman Suite

No, not because I think the black man was bred to be the better athlete. Because my preseason picks were so damn accurate. Let’s take a look back, shall we? The predicted records are in parenthesis.

AFC

East
1. New England Patriots (12-4) 13-3
2. New York Jets (9-7)* 8-8
3. Miami Dolphins (6-10) 6-10
4. Buffalo Bills (5-11) 6-10

Stone’s preseason take: The Pats won’t be as unstoppable as they were last year but the Jets will still struggle to score points. Expect them to lose one or two games they should win.

Stone’s postseason take: Pretty spot on. I forgot the part about Rex Ryan crying.

North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3) 12-4*
2. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)* 12-4
3. Cleveland Browns (8-8) 4-12
4. Cincinnati Bengals (3-13) 9-7*

Stone’s preseason take: The Steelers bring it every year and the fact that they’ve been together for a while will help them after the lockout. The Browns should also improve as Colt McCoy continues to improve.

Stone’s postseason take: We all knew the Steelers and Ravens would be good, but who could have predicted that Howdy Doody would lead the Bengals to the playoffs?

South
1. Tennessee Titans (9-7) 9-7
2. Indianapolis Colts (8-8) 2-14
3. Houston Texans (8-8) 10-6
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) 5-11

Stone’s preseason take: UPSET ALERT! With so much flux in the division, why go against the team with an absolute beast at running back and a veteran quarterback that’s been to the Super Bowl before? If Matt Hasselbeck stays healthy, that is.

Stone’s postseason take: Nailed the Titans even with Chris Johnson holding out the entire season. What’s that? He didn’t hold out? Could’ve fooled me.

West
1. San Diego Chargers (12-4) 8-8
2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) 7-9
3. Oakland Raiders (7-9) 8-8
4. Denver Broncos (6-10) 8-8

Stone’s preseason take: The Chargers are the best team in the division and should win if they don’t get off to one of their patented slow starts.

Stone’s postseason take: TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NFC

East
1. New York Giants (11-5)  9-7
2. Dream Team (10-6)* 8-8
3. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)* 8-8
4. Washington Redskins (6-10) 5-11

Stone’s preseason take: This is a total homer pick but the Giants aren’t going to be as bad as everyone thinks. The Cowboys will also be vastly improved. Let’s see Michael Vick stay healthy.

Stone’s postseason take: I didn’t take into account that the Giants, Dream Team, and Cowboys would all blow easily winnable games, but who else do you know that had the Giants?

North
1. Green Bay Packers (12-4) 15-1
2. Minnesota Vikings (8-8) 3-13
3. Chicago Bears (7-9) 8-8
4. Detroit Lions (6-10) 10-6*

Stone’s preseason take: Aaron Rodgers and the Champs still have that swagger and won’t go down easily. The Vikings will be more stable with a competent coach. Don’t forget about that kid Adrian Peterson. He’s pretty good. The Lions have been supposed to be good for like three years now.

Stone’s postseason take: What was I thinking with the Vikings? I feel like I hooked up with a fat chick. Or this guy.

South
1. New Orleans Saints (12-4) 13-3
2. Atlanta Falcons (9-7) 10-6*
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) 4-12
4. Carolina Panthers (5-11) 6-10

Stone’s preseason take: The Falcons struggled at the end of last season and the playoffs, failing to prove they belong among the game’s elite. The Saints are always great and there’s no reason to believe that’s changed. The Bucs caught lightning in a bottle last year but teams will be better prepared for Josh Freeman this year.

Stone’s postseason take: Like Montell Jordan would say, this is how we do it.

West
1. San Francisco 49ers (9-7) 13-3
2. St. Louis Rams (7-9) 2-14
3. Seattle Seahawks (6-10) 7-9
4. Arizona Cardinals (5-11) 8-8

Stone’s preseason take: The Rams are everybody’s favorites but they have an extremely difficult schedule to start the season. The Niners finally have a non-insane coach, which should help, and some weapons but obviously Alex Smith is still a liability. Why wouldn’t they go after David Gerrard? To Seahawks and Cardinals fans, I will hold you in my prayers.

Stone’s postseason take: I was four games off, but I still think the 49ers were my best pick. I knew the defense would thrive with a little stability. However, I did not know that the Rams would turn into a M*A*S*H unit and Alex Smith would be competent. To Seahawks and Cardinals fans, I still hold you in my prayers.