Cleveland is probably going to make the playoffs this year, but they have to prove to me that they can beat the Steelers before I pick them to overtake the Steelers.The Steelers don’t have a glaring weakness like the Browns’ pass defense. That said, Pittsburgh has an impossible schedule and will have to play better than they did last year if they want to repeat as division champs I think they will do that.   2008 Pittsburgh Steelers’ Record: 11-5 – AFC North Divisional Champion; AFC No. 4 Seed Derek Lofland is the NFL director for Fantasy Maniaxs . The St. Louis Cardinals have had the Chicago Cubs as their main nemesis all season, but after Tuesday night, they may just have another: Albert Pujols’ calf.For tonight’s game against the Washington Nationals, manager Tony LaRussa, in conjuction with head trainer Barry Weinberg decided to scratch Pujols from a start.It will be just the second game Pujols has missed all season, but sitting out one or even two games, as LaRussa estimates, should help Albert tremendously. He is hitting the cover off the ball this year, at a torrid .362 BA with 14 HRs and 39 RBIs.Pujols, who is a huge competitor, wants to get back on the field as soon as possible, but LaRussa is playing it smart, knowing that Pujols is the best player in the organization, by far.”You’ve got to be careful with it,” LaRussa said, in an interview with USA Today.He is exactly right, the last thing the Cardinals want to do is see the 28-year-old first baseman turn into the second-coming of Ken Griffey Jr Reds edition.Many St.

Louis fans were under the impression that Pujols’ injury stemmed from getting hit in the lower back, but as it were told, Pujols’ injury was to his calf. He said he suffered it in the first inning, running out a groundball, and LaRussa wanted to pull him out at that point.Pujols, being the competitor that he is, plead with LaRussa to stay in the game to help out the ballclub, but once the two-hour rain delay hit, there was no reason for Pujols to touch the field again.Although the injury isn’t something Cardinal Nation is fond of, it is certainly nice to see Albert understand his role on the team. If he were to go out and play tonight and reaggrevate the injury, he could be sidelined for weeks. Therefore, it is of utmost important that Pujols and LaRussa made the correct decision to sit out today, with the definite possibility of taking tomorrow off as well.Although the Cardinals are currently in a rain delay, there is optimism from the weather gurus that the game will be played.

If not, the Cardinals will make up the game at a later date, hopefully with Pujols and outfielder Rick Ankiel back. . The bestGroup of the lot, heres my predictions HollandCan be a very hard side to beat and play some class football at times. They will certainly be a force going forward but face a hard task by keeping Henry, Toni and a few more strikers quiet.Many people are writing these off but dont besurprised if they sneak second place Key Players -Wesley Sneijder, Van Der Vaart, Arjen RobbenPrediction- Semi Finals – class going forward but the defence could let them down.ItalyThe world champions faced a setback with Cannavaro Being ruled out for 2 months, this could be a big blow for he is a rock at the back. I get this feeling that they are not as good as the world cup and could struggle to get through.Dont expect a class act Italy.Key Players- Andre Pirlo, Luca Toni , Di NatalePrediction – 3rd in group stage - i think they will slightly miss out of second placeFranceYou only have to look at the squad and you get a gut feeling that they are very strong favourites. However the injury to Veira could leave a massive hole in the midfield. The form of Lassana Diarra and Benzema could push france all the way and if Henry hits his top of his game they could be very strong.

These aredefinitely strong favourites.Key players -  Theiry Henry, Frank Ribery, Claude MakelelePrediction – If Henry hits form these can win this- WinnersRomaniaThese are strong underdogs and many people feel they have no hope of gettng through.They would need some good luck as france,italy and holland will be too strong for Romania.Key Players -Cristian Chivu, Adrian MutuPrediction- I can strongly see this side Putting up a fight but it wont be good enough, i feel they would come out pointless – Group Stage. Boise State, though not raking in preseason media love this year, has still found itself in the top 25 of a much more important list?one that has taken years of winning football to secure. Boise State is rated the 24th toughest place to play on NCAA Football 09. First Jared Zabransky was the cover boy…now “the Blue” will be pwning noobs. The video game rankings appear to mimic real-life success rates at venues around the NCAA?it is because of this that I’m a little worried when I see #7 on the list…Autzen Stadium in Eugene. The Broncos, digital and otherwise, are going to have to bring their “A-game” on September 20th.Full List This article is also featured on Boise State Broncos Football. The previous trivia question:In 1999, perhaps one of the most endearing photos of Pedro Martinez of all time was taken.