I'm not very good at making predictions, I have to admit. But I'm quite proud of a couple that came to fruition over the weekend.
On the eve of the 2009 NFL campaign, I predicted this would be one of the most open races in recent league history. And it is proving to be the case after another wild set of games on Sunday night.
Who would have thought the Denver Broncos and New York Jets would be 3-0 while three playoff teams from 2008 - Tennessee, Miami and Carolina - would be waiting for their first wins at 0-3?
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One of the most controversial figures in NFL history returns to the field this weekend as the .
will be available to play for the first time since 31 December 2006. He served 19 months in prison for his part in a dog-fighting ring and . While some would rather he never be given a second chance, there are those within league circles hoping Vick is a reformed character and they have given him the opportunity to rebuild his career.
I'm all for giving people a chance to right their wrongs in life, but what Vick did was pretty despicable and there is no way to put a positive spin on his actions.
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There is a common misconception when it comes to NFL head coaches. The assumption often made is that they are well-trained in how to deal with the media and therefore than their counterparts in the soccer world.
I beg to differ - try sitting through one of Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid's media conferences as he grunts an array of one-word answers and truncated sentences and you'll be crying out to go and watch some paint dry.
American football head coaches can be such as "we're taking it one game at a time" or "they are a fantastic team and we really respect them."
It can all become a little mind-numbing and that's why New York Jets rookie head coach Rex Ryan is a breath of fresh air.
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When the Houston Texans kicked off the by selecting North Carolina State defensive end they were the laughing stock of the league. Their brave move was greeted with .
Heading into that selection of the leading players in college football, anyone with half a gridiron brain thought the Texans would choose Reggie Bush, a star running back from the who went to the New Orleans Saints with the second pick.
No one is laughing at the Texans now - at least not about that move, anyway. While Williams has become a dominant defender who has recorded in the AFC over the past two seasons, Bush has been inconsistent, injury-prone and largely uninspiring.
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The soap opera has begun. The 2009 NFL season kicked off with the usual array of , , controversy and .
Opening weekend featured outstanding offensive performances and, surprisingly, one of the best displays was put together by the Baltimore Ravens - a team normally associated with a hard-hitting defence, with just enough attacking prowess to get by.
It could be a very different story this season if into a fine passer in his second year. He threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns during a and the Ravens gained 501 offensive yards.
I visited the Ravens' mini-camp in June and from talking to some guys I know who work on that team, they are expecting Flacco to come of age. I tend to agree with them after meeting him and watching him in action during practice.
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All eyes will be on legendary NFL quarterback Brett Favre as he makes the of his career when the on Sunday.
Even with a limited period of preseason work under his belt (Favre conveniently decided to return to the NFL after the Vikings had completed most of their miserable summer training camp), I expect the future to put up big numbers against the woeful Browns.
But I'm more concerned about where and how Favre - who spent the bulk of his career as a folk hero in Green Bay - finishes the season, rather than how he starts what should be a fascinating campaign.
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What a challenge. My first blog and the editor asks me to predict the line-up for this season's in Miami on 7 February.
Would somebody pass me a list of the ?
OK, it's not quite that tough but this is one of the most open races I can remember since I began covering the NFL in 1991. I'll get to the predictions shortly but first, a little bit about myself and the .
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Hello, I'm Neil Reynolds. I commentate and write about the NFL. I've followed the NFL since 1983 and covered the league as a journalist and broadcaster since 1991. I also played for 10 years in the British American Football League.
