Some predictions fared a little better:

1. Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis would be on the hot seat.

Despite a great quarterback in Carson Palmer and one of the top receiving duos in T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson, the Bengals are alone in the AFC North cellar with a 2-6 record. After a playoff season two years ago, the Bengals have fallen apart once again and it doesn’t appear that Lewis has an answer.

2. Minnesota rookie RB Adrian Peterson would remind NFL fans of Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson

Tall, strong, athletic and explosive, Peterson appeared to have the right stuff to team with veteran Chester Taylor and give the Vikings a solid running game. He appeared to have many of the same qualities as the former Rams and Colts stud. Halfway through his rookie season, Peterson is on pace to exceed Dickerson’s rookie rushing record (1,808 yards) and could challenge his single-season record (2,105 yards).

3.  The Steelers would bounce back after last year’s disappointing 8-8 finish.

Rookie coach Mike Tomlin has provided this veteran team with some much-needed energy. The team had clearly grown weary of hearing Bill Cowher’s message and needed some new leadership. Tomlin came with an optimistic and hard-charging attitude and his players have adopted his tone and attitude. The Steelers are 6 -2 and in 1^st place in the AFC North and seen as the team that has the best chance of beating New England and/or Indianapolis.

4. The presence of Vince Young and a tough defense would make the Titans a tough out every week.

There is nothing pretty about the way the Titans play football. Young is ranked last among qualifying AFC quarterbacks with a 61.6 passer rating. The Titans are 31^st in passing yards per game, 31^st in average gain per play and 28^th in red zone efficiency. However, they have a great running attack with LenDale White and Chris Brown and the defense is one of the nastiest and toughest units in the league. The Titans are 6-2 and right on the heels of the Colts in the AFC South.

5. The Michael Vick debacle would take its toll and the Falcons would serve as cannon fodder for the rest of the league.

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Their stud quarterback becomes Public Enemy No. 1 and their rookie head coach Bobby Petrino alienates the entitled veterans on the team with his attitude and strategy. The Falcons are a team divided and sit in last place in the NFC South with a 2-6 record. This team appears incapable of turning things around and Petrino is already on the hot seat.

6. Tony Romo is becoming the next superstar quarterback in the league and has many Tom Brady-type characteristics.

We’re not just talking about the quality of his dating pool, either. Romo has a quick release, sees the field well and has excellent leadership skills. He has put last year’s playoff loss to Seattle in the distant pass and is the top-ranked quarterback in the NFL. He has thrown 19 TDs and 10 interceptions in completing 170-of-264 passes for 2,308 yards. Romo has shown steady improvement since winning the Cowboys’ starting QB job last season and he has helped make the Cowboys the team to beat in the NFC.

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