Unpredictability of the NFL shines again

I never did get around to posting season-ending predictions for the 2008 season which might be good because if things hold up I’d be about 75 percent wrong.

Never would I have suspected that Indianapolis and Jacksonville would both be 1-2, staring up by two games at Tennessee, which has been brought alive by Chris Johnson’s running, Kerry Collins’ steady passing presence and a fun, solid defense.

Nor would I have guessed that Baltimore would be undefeated (albeit with one of their games canceled) or that San Francisco would be tied for first place.

The Miami blowout this afternoon of New England, even sans Tom Brady, was the season’s biggest shocker of the season so far for me. It’s the great thing about the NFL – and the reason I cringe when I see the owners opting out of their labor agreement, bringing the potential of one or more seasons without a salary cap.

Anyone can compete in any given year – many teams don’t, but it’s generally bad signings, bad coaching or bad ownership that keeps teams in the doldrums for any long period of time. The NFL is the best professional sports league out there and it isn’t close.