Welcome to the fall, where your Sundays are not spent on schoolwork and cramming for tests. If they still are, the first thing that probably comes to your mind when your hear NFL is the National Forensics League. Speech and Debaters you know exactly what we’re talking about. By now, for those of you that didn’t know, the National Football League is heading into its 11th week of play otherwise known as the second half of the regular season. With the first half wrapped up, let’s go back to our preseason predictions and see what we’ve hit and what we’ve missed so far.

NFC South will have two playoff teams

So far, this one has panned out well, except for the fact that Cam Newton and the Panthers are making us feel pretty stupid for leaving them out of the postseason conversation. Now the Falcons, they are having some serious success. The only thing that worries me about them is that their only wins have come against teams in the AFC south and NFC east, which doesn’t say much. That’s where I am with Atlanta’s Dirty Birds right now.

New York will finally host a playoff game again

With the way the Patriots are playing, the AFC east seems out of reach. Yet, with the way the NFC east has gone thus far this year, all we really need to do is switch conferences to find a playoff contender in New York. The Giants at this point, not the Jets, have a great chance of hosting a playoff game. Let’s face it. The NFC east, like the Giants, is a complete disaster this year. As for the Giants, all they need to be is mediocre if they want to make the playoffs.

The Detroit Lions will win the NFC North and earn a first round bye

2-7 on the year thus far. That’s the Detroit Lions record. The Lions haven’t been living up to Detroit’s or my expectations. The Lions have been consistently struggling, despite what looked like a promising season. And that’s why the city of Detroit should be looking forward to hockey.

The league MVP will not be a quarterback

Two words, one name, whatever you want to call it — that’s all I got for you. Tom Brady. If you haven’t noticed Mr. Brady happens to play quarterback, and with the stellar season he has had thus far, Brady should have no trouble adding a third league MVP honor to his already strong resume.

JJ Watt will break Michael Strahan’s record

This one could still happen but it would take a very impressive second half from Watt to do so. Sitting at 8.5 sacks right now, Watt is on pace for 17 on the season, which would be 5.5 shy of Strahan’s record. It’s not impossible but not likely either.

Predicted Playoff Picture

NFC West: Arizona Cardinals

Arguably one of the most consistent teams in the NFC, the Cardinals should run away with the division. The Rams and the Hawks are climbing up the ladder and will get their chances to play Arizona and chip away at their lead, but the Cardinals will hold their own and find a way to get things done.

NFC South: Carolina Panthers

Looking ahead to their upcoming schedule, the Panthers should win at least four games putting them at 11 wins. The team also plays the Falcons twice in two crucial games. If the Panthers win both of those matchups along with the easier games left on their schedule, which we think  is likely, then they are a lock for the division crown and possibly a first round bye.

NFC North: Minnesota Vikings

Two weeks ago, I had the Vikings missing the playoffs. Now, with impressive wins against St. Louis and Oakland, the Vikes find themselves atop the north with a favorable schedule down the stretch. Their two biggest games will both be against

Green Bay, but the pack have struggled while Minnesota has flourished over the last few weeks. It won’t be easy, but I think this team has what it take to win the north.

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys

Once Tony Romo comes back from injury, the Cowboys will be in a hole. Yet, considering the NFC East’s current situation, that hole won’t be a big one by any means. A healthy Romo, Dez Bryant and that outstanding defense is too tough to overlook.

Wild Card 1: Green Bay Packers

The Packers have been on a slump as of late, losing three straight games. The first two are understandable. Denver and Carolina are both exceptional football clubs. The loss against Detroit is what drops them to a wild card. Not to mention, the Vikings are pretty good as well and the cheeseheads have to play them twice. The pack are certainly a playoff team. I’m just not so sure about a division winner.

Wild Card 2: Seattle Seahawks

There is just something about this team that makes me not want to give up on them. If you look at all of their four losses, they could have won every one of those games. They are not a bad team this year. They just haven’t been very lucky.

AFC West: Denver Broncos

Have you seen this defense? If you haven’t, then watch their week eight game against the Packers and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. The questions lie within the offense. When your best quarterback at this point in the season is Brock Osweiler, you know you have some work to do.

AFC East: New England Patriots

Tom Brady. Need I say more. Actually, I will say more. Bill Belichick. Given the team’s success and this duo’s history for dominance, New England will have no trouble winning the AFC East.

AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals

This is a two team division race. Cleveland is out. Baltimore is out. Only Cincinnati and Pittsburgh remain. Already with a win against Pittsburgh and the current undefeated mark, the Bengals are currently the better team and will win the division. The question then becomes: Will they get home field advantage in the playoffs, more or less, a first round bye itself. We’ll have to talk to the Broncos and Patriots about that.

AFC South: Houston Texans

This is probably my boldest pick yet for a division winner. As bad as the Texans have looked this year, they find themselves tied for first place within the division at 3-5. At this point, I’ve stopped trusting the Colts. Until Andrew Luck and company can prove me wrong, I will pick against them.

Wild Card 1: Buffalo Bills

Many picked them to be a dark horse in the AFC this year and so far they have lived up to the billing despite an inconsistent first few games of the season.

Wild Card 2: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers when completely healthy are probably the best offensive team in the NFL. Of course, the injury bug has bit them again, but I still see their much improved defense carrying them into the postseason.

Story by Aditya Krishnan and Aditya Pimplaskar.