Don't get ahead of yourselves, folks

There's nothing I love more than watching ESPN analysts come up with ludicrous predictions after only three games have gone by in the NFL season. I myself came up with the "very boldest" predictions possible just a few weeks back. But with only three games played so far this season and nearly a dozen games left to go, no prediction is a safe one.\nIf the Super Bowl were to be played tomorrow, fans would most likely see the improbable match-up between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Philadelphia Eagles. This, of course, is highly unlikely. And as Chris Berman loves to say, "That is why they play the game." \nThere is already talk of the league MVPs, with the Eagles' Donovan McNabb and the Colts' gunslinger Peyton Manning leading the way. Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Miami and Buffalo are all winless, while the Atlanta Falcons remain undefeated. OK, something is wrong with this picture.\nBut the punishment of being winless has fit the crime for these teams. So far, the teams with the best defenses have prevailed and the Jaguars are a perfect example of that. Teams like the Chiefs and Bills are simply being manhandled on the field despite having halfway decent offenses. Defense wins championships folks, and that goes for any sport.\nNow for the moment where I will lose half of everyone's interest. It has to be said though. At this point in time, the Indianapolis Colts look great. I will give them that. However, with the way their defense is performing -- or underperforming -- there is no way they will win the Super Bowl. The Colts have allowed 75 points so far this season. Only San Diego, Kansas City and Houston have allowed more. Manning will have no choice but to use his arm, Marvin Harrison's hands and The Edge's legs to carry them into the postseason.\nIf any of you are still reading, I personally thank you. I won't remind you of my Chicago Bears playoff prediction because at this point I don't feel you could stomach it. What I will say, though, is how this season, more so than past seasons, is completely up for grabs. \nTeams are seriously injury- plagued and prime-time players, such as Ricky Williams, Steve McNair and Michael Vick, are nowhere to be found on a stat sheet, for various reasons, of course. The AFC has some heavy competition boiling up, but the NFC looks more like NFL Europe. The Seattle Seahawks appear to be the only team making headlines, as they have allowed a miniscule 13 total points on the year with little-to-unknown players.\nWhat the NFL is experiencing this season is what every league has or is going through. Veteran players, such as Tim Brown, John Lynch and Warren Sapp, are being forced off of teams with which they spent nearly their entire careers. Certain dreadlock-wearing drug addicts are retiring in their prime and leaving their teams hanging out to dry. And injuries are depleting depth charts. All of this has completely changed the scenery this season.\nAt this point in time though, nothing can be set in stone. The MVPs won't be decided for months down the road and the Super Bowl won't be played until February. \nSo if I may, I would like to adjust my previous predictions accordingly. I'll go with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl. And let's say Peyton Manning and Daunte Culpepper as league co-MVPs.\nThat's boring though. Now throw in the Bears making the playoffs, and I think it's complete. \nAnd that is why I write this column.