Predicting the 2015 NFL season

It's one of the most pointless exercises known to man, but it's just too much fun to pass up. So I sat down and predicted all 256 NFL regular season games.

I mean, picking the winner of a meaningless game between Tampa Bay and Chicago in late December packs an adrenaline wallop that just can't be matched.

After going through every game in each of the 17 weeks, I added up each team's win total and compiled what the NFL standings will look like on Jan. 4.

But before I get to that, I'm going to throw out my pick for tonight, something I'll be doing every Thursday and Saturday of the regular season if you want to follow along. I'll pick every game straight up and again the spread and keep a tally of my tomfoolery.

For entertainment purposes only, of course.

Pittsburgh at New England (-6.5) -- New England 34, Pittsburgh 24

So on to the local club. I know you're eager to read what the Bengals record will be this year because I get asked that very question every day on Twitter, on Facebook, at the bar, at the barber, at parties and even on my front porch.

So without further delay, here is how I see the season playing out:

AFC East

New England 12-4

Buffalo 10-6

Miami 8-8

New York Jets 5-11

AFC North

Pittsburgh 12-4

Baltimore 11-5

Cincinnati 10-6

Cleveland 3-13

AFC South

Indianapolis 14-2

Houston 12-4

Tennessee 4-12

Jacksonville 2-14

AFC West

Denver 12-4

San Diego 9-7

Kansas City 8-8

Oakland 4-12

NFC East

Philadelphia 12-4

Dallas 9-7

New York Giants 3-13

Washington Redskins 2-14

NFC North

Green Bay 15-1

Detroit 7-9

Minnesota 7-9

Chicago 5-11

NFC South

Carolina 9-7

New Orleans 9-7

Atlanta 6-10

Tampa Bay 5-11

NFC West

Seattle 13-3

St. Louis 7-9

Arizona 6-10

San Francisco 5-11

The playoff seeds in the AFC will be:

1.) Indianapolis

2.) New England

3.) Denver

4.) Pittsburgh

5.) Baltimore

6.) Houston

And the playoff seeds in the NFC will be:

1.) Green Bay

2.) Seattle

3.) Philadelphia

4.) Carolina

5.) Dallas

6.) New Orleans

I have Indianapolis beating Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship game and Seattle topping Green Bay in the NFC Championship game. And in Super Bowl 50 it will be Indianapolis over Seattle.

In case you're wondering how I got to 10-6 for the Bengals, here is the week-by-week breakdown.

@Oakland - W

San Diego - W

@Baltimore - L

Kansas City - W

Seattle - L

@ Buffalo - L

@ Pittsburgh - L

Cleveland - W

Houston - W

@Arizona - W

St. Louis - W