Final predictions and a word on Peyton

Admittedly, it's been a very busy past couple of days.

I apologize for this, because I was hoping to continue blogging about my NFL predictions.

I didn't get a chance to blog about the NFC, so I'll be brief.

The following are my predictions for finishes in the NFC:

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles 12-4 (just too good for the rest of the division right now),

2. New York Giants 10-6 (Eli and Co. should be fine),

3. Dallas Cowboys 8-8 (I've never been sold on Tony Romo),

4. Washington Redskins 7-9 (continued improvement, but not enough),

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers 13-3 (see Philadelphia),

2. Chicago Bears 9-7 (not this year, Bears' fans),

3. Minnesota Vikings 8-8 (this pains me),

4. Detroit Lions 7-9 (Not there yet),

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints 11-5 (Drew Brees. Enough said),

2. Atlanta Falcons 10-6 (They'll be right there)

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-6 (Same as the Falcons)

4. Carolina Panthers 3-13 (Ugh!)

NFC West

1. St. Louis Rams 9-7 (Sam Bradford is the real deal),

2. Arizona Cardinals 8-8 (not sold on Kevin Kolb),

3. San Francisco 49ers 6-10 (Jim Harbaugh will have a rough first season)

4. Seattle Seahawks 4-13 (Things could get ugly in Seattle).

By the way, can I have my AFC South picks back?

A few weeks ago, I blogged about not necessarily believing Peyton Manning was really hurt.

I guess I was wrong.

And so were a lot of people.

It now appears Manning may miss significant time this season, making the Colts less likely to win their division.

I really thought the injury talk was a smokescreen. Much like what New England does practically every week when Tom Brady is listed on the injury report.

And yet, week in and week out, Brady trots onto the field.

I really expected Manning to do the same in the first week of the season.

But Kerry Collins will lead the Colts onto the field Sunday in Houston. Besides Manning, Collins will be the first quarterback to lead the team in a regular season game since, you guessed it, Harbaugh.

It could be ugly in Indianapolis this season.

It's too bad also, because that means it could be ugly on the home front as Merry is a huge Colts fan and is grooming James David to be one as well.