Analysts Go On The Record For 2006
The only thing for certain in the NFL is uncertainty. Year in and year out someone or some team will come out of nowhere to make an impact. That's why the experts at NFL.com will try their hands at predicting the top performances of 2006.
So which teams will be the top contenders for Super Bowl XLI in South Florida? Who is most likely to run away with the rushing title? Who are this year's top rookies? There are plenty of viable candidates, and the experts can only agree to disagree.
The 2006 season is about to begin and here are the picks. Don't worry, we'll keep this handy and show it off again at the end of the year to see whose picks were right and whose weren't. In the meantime, check out last year's predictions column to see who is hot heading into this season.
 Vic Carucci |  Pat Kirwan |  Gil Brandt |  Boomer Esiason |  Shannon Sharpe |  Adam Schefter |  Cris Collinsworth |
| Offensive MVP | ||||||
| Peyton Manning IND | Peyton Manning IND | Peyton Manning IND | Carson Palmer CIN | Carson Palmer CIN | Peyton Manning IND | LaDainian Tomlinson SD |
| Defensive MVP | ||||||
| Brian Urlacher CHI | Troy Polamalu PIT | Shawne Merriman SD | Shawne Merriman SD | Julius Peppers CAR | Shawne Merriman SD | Brian Urlacher CHI |
| Offensive Rookie of the Year | ||||||
| Reggie Bush NO | Reggie Bush NO | Addai or Maroney IND/NE | Reggie Bush NO | DeAngelo Williams CAR | Reggie Bush NO | Laurence Maroney NE |
| Defensive Rookie of the Year | ||||||
| Kamerion Wimbley CLE | Tamba Hali KC | Mario Williams HOU | A.J. Hawk GB | Kamerion Wimbley CLE | Mathias Kiwanuka NYG | Mathias Kiwanuka NYG |
| Top three teams in AFC | ||||||
| IND, CIN, NE | IND, NE, PIT | IND, DEN, CIN | IND, NE, CIN | DEN, MIA, NE | IND, CIN, PIT | IND, NE, CIN |
| Top three teams in NFC | ||||||
| CAR, SEA, NYG | SEA, CAR, NYG | CAR, SEA, DAL | SEA, CAR, NYG | CAR, SEA, DAL | SEA, CAR, NYG | SEA, CHI, CAR |
| Biggest surprise | ||||||
| BAL | PHI | SD | BAL | BAL | PHI | PHI |
| Super Bowl winner | ||||||
| CAR | IND | IND | NE | DEN | IND | NE |
| Most successful new head coach | ||||||
| Brad Childress MIN | Brad Childress MIN | Herm Edwards KC | Brad Childress MIN | Scott Linehan STL | Rod Marinelli DET | Herm Edwards KC |
| Most likely to have breakout season | ||||||
| Chris Simms TB | Chester Taylor MIN | Philip Rivers SD | Philip Rivers SD | Daunte Culpepper MIN | Greg Jennings GB | Sam Adams CIN |
| Backup QB who will make impact | ||||||
| Brian Griese CHI | Matt Leinart ARI | Tony Romo DAL | Brian Griese CHI | Tony Romo DAL | Tony Romo DAL | Brian Griese CHI |
