Fearless Forecasts

Bold, yes, but our second-half outlook may not be fantastical

Adam Duerson, David Epstein and David Sabino gazed into the SI fantasy crystal football, and here's what they foresaw.

Jacksonville's running back balance will shift in favor of Maurice Jones-Drew, who will top 10 touchdowns and 1,200 yards. Jack Del Rio will do fantasy owners a favor and name Jones-Drew the Jags' starter before next year's fantasy draft rolls around.

On Nov. 18 the Giants will lose to the Lions when Lawrence Tynes misses a last-second field goal. Tynes will then be cut, opening up a spot for everyone's favorite idiot kicker, Mike Vanderjagt.

JaMarcus Russell will get into his first game on Nov. 25 against Kansas City. He will throw three TD passes, causing a late-season waiver-wire frenzy, and then he won't throw another TD pass for the rest of the year.

Owners waiting for Steven Jackson or Rudi Johnson to return and play like their old selves will be seriously disappointed. Respective groin and hammy injuries linger; neither will top five touchdowns.

On Nov. 22, to the dismay of Ryan Grant and Kevin Jones owners, the Lions and the Packers will play the first NFL game in history devoid of a rushing attempt.

Owners who decided to "sell high" with Plaxico Burress, Braylon Edwards or Randy Moss back in September will curse the move as all three receivers make a run at topping Jerry Rice's record of 22 touchdowns in a season.

Leon Washington (below) will finish with more return touchdowns than Devin Hester. Next April the Dolphins will spend their first-round draft pick on "the next Leon Washington."

Baltimore coach Brian Billick will give up trying for touchdowns and order field goal attempts immediately upon crossing the 30-yard line.