Tym Glaser

Are YOU ready for some football? No, not the delayed Manning and daCosta cups, not the twice post-poned NPL (No Play League), not even Jamaica's World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Honduras.

I'm talking about the NFL in the United States. You know, the league where behemoths in helmets and pads run into each other at great velocity.

The funny thing with this game (despite the rules which even Sherlock Holmes couldn't fathom out) is that the season is over just as you are starting to warm up to it.

Schedule

Now, the Major League Baseball regular season 'up there' lasts a mere 162 games per side - it's still going on now, in fact.

The National Basketball Association's regular term is 82 encounters per team.

The NFL weighs in with a hefty 16 games - and a bye week so the big fellas can get a much-needed break during that laborious schedule.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the duress of physical contact sports, and as much courage as skill is required to play games like NFL football, ice hockey, the rugby codes and Aussie Rules.

But, hey, these guys in the States are wearing pads and helmets. I have the sneaking suspicion that the NFL would be a lot safer if the armour was dispensed with as you would not get players using them as weapons as well as protection.

I don't think too many linebackers would be charging head first into running backs sans helmets.

Predictions

Anyways, that's by the by and it's really time for Nostradamus to provide you with a direct line straight through to the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay so you can skip that horribly long 16 rounds and the play-offs.

Bwoy, I'd love to tell you that my Oakland Raiders are going to be representing the American Football Conference (AFC) in Florida. I'd also love to tell you I've just won the lottery and that Halle Berry has me in her Facebook.

However, back in the real world, it looks like it's going to be the same old suspects fighting it out of the AFC. The New England Patriots, who won every game last season - except the big one - the Indianapolis Colts, the San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers look the class of the toughest conference.

I'd like to get 'sexy' with this pick and go for Jacksonville or Pittsburgh, but I just can't go pass Tom Brady and Randy Moss's Pats going for redemption after coming so close to a perfect season.

In the National Football Conference (NFC), the pickings are a little slimmer.

The champion New York Giants didn't look too flashy in the season opener on Thursday night against the Washington Redskins but they did win and will be about the place, even though I'm still not completely sold on their quarterback, Eli Manning.

The winner

The Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles should also have strong seasons. I also think the Detroit Lions also might be a good team to keep an eye on. Still, playing it safe again, just as I did last season, I am going for the Cowboys to meet the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Hey, if I pick 'em often enough, it's bound to come true at least once!

And the winner is - drum roll, please - the Pats. Later!

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