Hours Before Kickoff: Week 14

Does anybody remember preseason predictions? All those TV personalities and media experts always make it a point to pick which team will win the Super Bowl before the first kickoff.

Preseason predictions are completely illogical. Scoring the best free agents and having a NFL Draft rated highly by draftniks has nothing to do with on-field performance. And injuries can turn a team’s fortunes in an instant.

But still they keep making calculated guesses. And why not? It’s not like they’re being held accountable for being wrong. I recall Sports Illustrated’s Peter King selected the Pittsburgh Steelers to go all the way. They still have a shot, but by the halfway point, King put his word behind Green Bay. The Packers would beat the New York Jets.

Does King still feel good about that pick after the Pack lost to Atlanta and the Patriots destroyed the Jets?

I’m not a fan of predictions, but I had to make one. As a guest on QTV’s Sports Night, I selected division winners and the Super Bowl matchup. I already know my Super Bowl isn’t going to happen (although I was looking like genius after the Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts in the season opener. The Texans are now 4-8).

As for the Patriots, I picked them to finish 9-7, second in the AFC East. Not so smart, huh?

Can you blame me? New England was coming off a 10-6 season with a flawed team and a playoff throttling at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens. The Pats were in the process of turning over the roster. Another 12-selection draft was further proof.

An average team typically takes a step back when turning over a roster. New England’s defensive makeover looked more like an overhaul as first and second year players were expected to replace veterans and play larger roles. A younger, more athletic player is no replacement for experience.

That’s why head coach Bill Belichick took a more hands-on approach this season. It was evident during training camp and through the season when it was revealed Belichick was also handling defensive coordinator duties. With his years of knowledge and his tutelage, the defense grew up quickly.

Quarterback Tom Brady also stepped up. He pointed out the lack of leadership on the team last season. As the face of the franchise with three Super Bowl rings to his credit, Brady already was a leader with plenty of accomplishments to back him up. But with more and more veterans departing, Brady took it upon himself to be an even better leader.

It shows. Brady has been very animated this season, whether it was celebrating touchdowns, pointing out errors to teammates, or urging players to do better, we’ve seen a different Brady from years past. Tom isn’t just a cheerleader anymore. Encouragement comes in a kick to the backside as well as a pat on the back.

Because of their extra efforts, people are suggesting that Belichick and Brady are turning in their best performances this year. Bill is being praised for fulfilling a dual role and getting a young defense to come together quicker than anyone could had expected. Brady, though his numbers aren’t jaw-dropping like his 2007 season, adjusted to a mid-season offensive approach change and became a vocal leader to compliment his leading by example.

Thanks to them, the Patriots stand at 10-2 and currently are on top of the AFC East. That makes me wrong on one prediction already. If the Pats hold the division lead, I’ll be proven wrong twice.

I did say New England would be a playoff team in 2010. But I felt they wouldn’t be Super Bowl contenders until next season. Can I forward the latter prediction to this year?

A few things I’m looking for:

Stone Hands: Not for catching the ball, but for holding on to the pigskin. Chicago likes to strip the ball. Put two hands on the ball and don’t fumble.

Put it On the Lines: Chicago allowed 45 sacks so far. DEs Israel Idonije and Julius Peppers have seven sacks each. Protect Brady and pressure QB Jay Cutler into mistakes.

An Inside Job: With ILB Brandon Spikes suspended for the rest of the season, Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher have larger roles to fulfill.

New England faces another elite defense. They tore up Pittsburgh’s unit in week 10. The numbers won’t be as gaudy, but the Patriots get the job done.