NFL pre season prognostication

[jakez4ut]

for me, this season presents a lot of different opportunities for a lot of teams....i think it's pretty wide open this year.....but, i digress...

NFC South...
1. Panthers, obvoulsy. I think Carolina has the goods this year, but the big drawback is the schedule....they play every team in the NFC south twice, the NFC East and AFC North, arguably the two toughest divisions in football.
2. Tampa Bay...not getting a lot of love from what i can tell, but they did win the division last year. I think they'll be extremely tough, but have the same problem as the panthers, schedule.
3. Falcons...they got better on Defense by adding Malloy and Abraham, but not sold on the offense...no real threats at WR, and Vick, i don't know.
4. Saints. they may be better, and i may be way off, but i can't see them being THAT MUCH better.

NFC East...
1. NY Giants...prolly the most balanced team in this division...can't ignore their weapons on offense, and are still very solid on Defense.
2. Dallas...For some reason, i think Dallas is going to be pretty good this season....not sure why?
3. Eagles...they simply won't suck. Ried is too good of a coach, and the offense will find a way...health is their key.
4. Redskins...i know this won't be popular(sorry OWB), but i do think they take a step back this year. Of course watch them now come out and win the darn thing.

NFC West...
1. Arizona...i know? if they have any kind of offensive line, they will put points on the board. D should be OK...and the rest of the division is not very good, and the past 5 super bowl losers failed to make the playoffs the next year....which brings me to...
2. Seattle...super bowl hangover and no way Alexander repeats what he did last year...
3. St. Louis...greatest show on turf turns in to what the hell happened?????
4. SF...they're just not going to be very good.

NFC North...
1. Chicago...on paper, thier the logical choice in a division that could be the worst in football.
2. Vikings...no culpepper, no moss, no mas.
3. Packers...Favres swan song goes out with a very small pop.
4. Lions. until they start winning, i'll never think these guys are any good...Matt Millen is rivalling MJ as the worst former player in management of a professional team.

AFC South...
1. Indy....basics of the offense return, most all the D returns (i think)....more of the same from Indy.
2. Jax....could sneak up on Indy if the qb situation doesn't turn them in....JAX should make the play offs...their biggest problem is that they play in the same division as the Colts.
3. TN...rebuilding is never easy, especially in a top heave division like this one.
4. Houston....uh, you were supposed to take Reggie bush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AFC East...
1. New England...unti these guys lose, i won't pick against 'em....Brady bunch will be just fine and the D will be good enough.
2. Miami...Nick Saban is settling in, and i look for big things from them. a couple of lucky bounces and they could win this division.
3. NY Jets...is Chad Pennington the guy? IS curtis martin still playing? won't be enough this year.
4. Buffalo...JP lossman. Tulane. just gets me thinking about winning ways, what about you?

AFC West...
1. Denver...this is the hardest one to figure...jake has to prove he can win the big game in the playoffs....the offesne should be just fine and the D will be as good as last year, and it will be interesting to see if Cutler gets and PT should Jake falter...they seem to be very high on the rookie.
2. KC...love Herm Edwards. but not convinced that they have all the problems on D solved yet, and LJ will have to have a career season....
3. SD...breaking in the former wolfpack qb....i expect a big learning curve for the qb there this year.
4. Oakland....i'll tell you how bad Oakland is...they went after and signed anthony wright...the same guy that the Saints CUT!!!! that's bad. Plus could this team get any older?

AFC North...
1. Pittsburgh (homer pick i know) but the core of the team is back, big question is can Deuce Staley replace Bettis....and who is going to replace Bettis as the heart of this team? Is Big Ben ready to take that step? doubtful considering his wreckless, no pun intended, yeah, there is, offseason...but the core of the D will be there, the offensive core will be there...no reason not to think they won't be back as division champs.
2. Cincy....could very well repeat the division championship if Palmer is really healthy. the offense will pose problems for opposing defenses again, but the D has to toughen up, espcially against run oriented teams like Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
3. Baltimore...i know a lot of peopel are high on them, but i'm not convinced. this team is getting older, and J. Lewis has yet to return to pre prison performance....plus the offense hasn't exactly lit it up at all....i like the move of bringing in McNair...but can he stay healthy....? the d will be solid.
4. Cleveland...poor old Cleveland. they're just not going to be very good.

so, there's my division predictions...the wild cards:
AFC:
JAX or Miami and Cincy
NFC:
Tampa and Dallas

AFC championship:
Pittsburgh vs. New England
NFC championship:
Carolina vs. NY Giants

Super bowl
Carolina vs. New England

this time Carolina closes the deal and beats the Patriots.

that was fun. Go Steelers, Go Panthers.

 

[allvol123]

nothing against your avatar, but I predict Steelers miss the playoffs.

 

[jakez4ut]

nothing against your avatar, but I predict Steelers miss the playoffs.

my avatar is not offended. :blink:

and you may be right....it wasn't like they tore thru the reg. season last year....but, if they stay healthy, they will be dangerous...i mean, they won't suck. they missing the playoffs, would likely have more to do with the improvements made in Baltimore and Cincy, rather than just the Steelers beign awful.

 

[OWB]

I don't see how the Skins could possibly take a step back this year. Their defense will most likely be the same as last year and we've loaded up on offense. Sure, Brunell will be the QB, but you have to understand Gibbs' track record with QB's and making them work in his system.

Portis will be running behind a much improved offensive line. We're leaps and bounds better at WR with Moss, Randle-El, Lloyd and Patten. We'll have Cooley running around making plays everywhere.

I think this Skins team will be very well balanced on both sides of the ball. Considering how good our defense is under Williams, it's not going to be hard for our offense to score the 14-21 points needed to win.

 

[jakez4ut]

I don't see how the Skins could possibly take a step back this year. Their defense will most likely be the same as last year and we've loaded up on offense. Sure, Brunell will be the QB, but you have to understand Gibbs' track record with QB's and making them work in his system.

Portis will be running behind a much improved offensive line. We're leaps and bounds better at WR with Moss, Randle-El, Lloyd and Patten. We'll have Cooley running around making plays everywhere.

I think this Skins team will be very well balanced on both sides of the ball. Considering how good our defense is under Williams, it's not going to be hard for our offense to score the 14-21 points needed to win.

Now that's what i'm talking about!!!!!!....hell, i'm convinced. i still say the Giants win the Division....but if you guys can take care of the cowboys, that'd work well for me....cause, there is one thing i'm sure you and i can agree on, i hate the cowboys.

 

[jakez4ut]

I don't see how the Skins could possibly take a step back this year. Their defense will most likely be the same as last year and we've loaded up on offense. Sure, Brunell will be the QB, but you have to understand Gibbs' track record with QB's and making them work in his system.

Portis will be running behind a much improved offensive line. We're leaps and bounds better at WR with Moss, Randle-El, Lloyd and Patten. We'll have Cooley running around making plays everywhere.

I think this Skins team will be very well balanced on both sides of the ball. Considering how good our defense is under Williams, it's not going to be hard for our offense to score the 14-21 points needed to win.

Plus, it's just a hard division to pick, it seems every team has gotten better during the off season, excecpt the Eagles, and who they have isn't all that terrible to begin with, and you got 3 great coaches, and one real good one in Coughlin, in that division...

....the NFC South, NFC East and AFC West and AFC North are the hardest ones to figure out for this coming season imo....

 

[tidwell]

Two of your last place teams, are two teams I'm looking to maybe break out and finish... 3rd in their division. :lol:

New Orleans - That offense is vastly improved with Brees at QB. Even without Bush, I'd be saying this. IF, and of course it's a big if, Brees is healthy and close to his form from the last two years, that offense can be very formidable. Brees, McAllister, Horn, Stallworth, plus whatever Bush can bring to the table.

Detroit - I'm a believer in the Mike Martz offensive scheme. The Lions might not have the weapons that Martz had in St. Louis, but he has a decent enough QB in Kitna, plus who knows how good the weapons in Detroit can be? They've never been utilized in a system like Martz' with an adequate QB like Kitna.

 

[OWB]

Plus, it's just a hard division to pick, it seems every team has gotten better during the off season, excecpt the Eagles, and who they have isn't all that terrible to begin with, and you got 3 great coaches, and one real good one in Coughlin, in that division...

Yeah, it is a difficult division. I'll give you that.

 

[tidwell]

I wouldn't be surprised to see every team in the NFC East finish .500 or better. Everyone keeps talking about the Giants revamped defense... who did they add other than Arrington?

 

[OWB]

I wouldn't be surprised to see every team in the NFC East finish .500 or better. Everyone keeps talking about the Giants revamped defense... who did they add other than Arrington?

To be honest, I don't know. I'll just say that I'm not worried about Eli Manning.

 

[tidwell]

heh, I would be if he progresses as much from year 2 to year 3 as he did from year 1 to year 2. He has a lot of weapons to use on that team, that definitely makes the progression easier and faster.

 

[jakez4ut]

Two of your last place teams, are two teams I'm looking to maybe break out and finish... 3rd in their division. :lol:

New Orleans - That offense is vastly improved with Brees at QB. Even without Bush, I'd be saying this. IF, and of course it's a big if, Brees is healthy and close to his form from the last two years, that offense can be very formidable. Brees, McAllister, Horn, Stallworth, plus whatever Bush can bring to the table.

Detroit - I'm a believer in the Mike Martz offensive scheme. The Lions might not have the weapons that Martz had in St. Louis, but he has a decent enough QB in Kitna, plus who knows how good the weapons in Detroit can be? They've never been utilized in a system like Martz' with an adequate QB like Kitna.

i can see your point about New Orleans....there's reason to believe there...and i think Sean Peyton could be a very good HC for them...kind of reminds me of John Gruden/Jim Mora mix....but they're the saints....McCallister if healthy for the whole season will be huge as the offense goes, Horn is a great receiver...and i wonder how much Bush can really contribute as a rookie...don't get me wrong, i think he'll be great, but he's still a rookie, and the defensive linemen and linebackers he'll face in this division are a far cry from what he faced in the pac 10.

as for the Lions...i would go on record right now and tell you that they have the best college football team EVER. Prblem is that those great college players have never, ever translated in to even good NFL teams....and what i've heard is that martz is less than impressed with his WR corp, despite their headlines coming out of college....but that division should be pretty weak, so if there was ever a time for htem to do something, this would be it....

 

[jakez4ut]

I wouldn't be surprised to see every team in the NFC East finish .500 or better. Everyone keeps talking about the Giants revamped defense... who did they add other than Arrington?

i could see a scenario where that happened, but the NFC east has the same problem as the NFC south...they paly 6 tough divisional games, plus the 4 teams from each opposing division....tough, tough schedule.

 

[tidwell]

Yep, that's what I was getting at with the Lions, that terrible division. Would it surprise anyone at all if the Bears slip back into mediocrity? Not exactly sold on the Vikings or Packers either.

 

[jakez4ut]

To be honest, I don't know. I'll just say that I'm not worried about Eli Manning.

really? i think this could be a big year for him. i will say this, if he doesn't make a lot of progress and/or Barber is slowed down at all, that offense could struggle.

 

[jakez4ut]

Yep, that's what I was getting at with the Lions, that terrible division. Would it surprise anyone at all if the Bears slip back into mediocrity? Not exactly sold on the Vikings or Packers either.

agreed...definitely the worst division in football on paper right now.

 

[jakez4ut]

Yeah, it is a difficult division. I'll give you that.

and that's really my basis for my prediction...maybe last was a bit harsh...by all rights, the Eagles probably should finish last.....after that, it could be considered a toss up between the other three...the skins, cowboys and Giants all got better....

 

[VolinArizona]

NFC East:
1. Washington (and I hate the Skins)
2. New York Giants (and I hate the Giants)
3. Philadelphia (I love the Eagles)
4. Dallas

NFC North:
1. Chicago
2. Detroit
3. Minnesota
4. Green Bay

NFC South:
1. Carolina
2. Tampa Bay
3. New Orleans
4. Atlanta

NFC West:
1. Seattle
2. Arizona
3. St. Louis
4. San Francisco

AFC East:
1. New England
2. Miami
3. New York Jets
4. Buffalo

AFC North:
1. Cincinnati
2. Pittsburgh
3. Baltimore
4. Cleveland

AFC South:
1. Indianapolis
2. Jacksonville
3. Houston
4. Tennessee

AFC West:
1. Kansas City
2. Denver
3. San Diego
4. Oakland

Playoffs--

NFC:
1. Carolina - Bye
2. Washington - Bye
3. Seattle v. 6. Philadelphia
4. Chicago v. 5. Arizona

AFC:
1. Indianapolis - Bye
2. New England - Bye
3. Kansas City v. 6. Jacksonville
4. Cincinnati v. 5. Miami

(The San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens will all be within 1 game of making the playoffs, and will all have a better record than at least 1 NFC team)

NFC Semis:
1. Carolina v. 6. Philadelphia
2. Washington v. 4. Chicago

AFC Semis:
1. Indianapolis v. 4. Cincinnati
2. New England v. 3. Kansas City

NFC Championship:
1. Carolina v. 2. Washington

AFC Championship:
1. Indianapolis v. 2. New England

(yeah right, 1 v 2 in both confs? I already know I'm wrong)

Super Bowl:

1. Carolina v. 1. Indianapolis

Does it happen for Peyton?

No.

Carolina will break some of our hearts.

 

[jakez4ut]

NFC East:
1. Washington (and I hate the Skins)
2. New York Giants (and I hate the Giants)
3. Philadelphia (I love the Eagles)
4. Dallas

NFC North:
1. Chicago
2. Detroit
3. Minnesota
4. Green Bay

NFC South:
1. Carolina
2. Tampa Bay
3. New Orleans
4. Atlanta

NFC West:
1. Seattle
2. Arizona
3. St. Louis
4. San Francisco

AFC East:
1. New England
2. Miami
3. New York Jets
4. Buffalo

AFC North:
1. Cincinnati
2. Pittsburgh
3. Baltimore
4. Cleveland

AFC South:
1. Indianapolis
2. Jacksonville
3. Houston
4. Tennessee

AFC West:
1. Kansas City
2. Denver
3. San Diego
4. Oakland

Playoffs--

NFC:
1. Carolina - Bye
2. Washington - Bye
3. Seattle v. 6. Philadelphia
4. Chicago v. 5. Arizona

AFC:
1. Indianapolis - Bye
2. New England - Bye
3. Kansas City v. 6. Jacksonville
4. Cincinnati v. 5. Miami

(The San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens will all be within 1 game of making the playoffs, and will all have a better record than at least 1 NFC team)

NFC Semis:
1. Carolina v. 6. Philadelphia
2. Washington v. 4. Chicago

AFC Semis:
1. Indianapolis v. 4. Cincinnati
2. New England v. 3. Kansas City

NFC Championship:
1. Carolina v. 2. Washington

AFC Championship:
1. Indianapolis v. 2. New England

(yeah right, 1 v 2 in both confs? I already know I'm wrong)

Super Bowl:

1. Carolina v. 1. Indianapolis

Does it happen for Peyton?

No.

Carolina will break some of our hearts.

Nice....

 

[therealUT]

I am going to be a homer right now. I believe that Edwards is just what KC needs to finally put that defense on top. The offense should continue to do what it does best, make holes for LJ (will be tougher without Willie Roaf...) If Roaf stays another year, then I believe the Chiefs win 13 games this year, take home field advantage, and roll through to the Super Bowl.

 

[tidwell]

Didn't the Chiefs lose their other starting tackle as well? That along with losing Saunders as the offensive coordinator, could be a little more difficult for them on offense. Who did they get to replace Saunders?

No doubt Edwards should make the defense better, I expect that too.

 

[therealUT]

Didn't the Chiefs lose their other starting tackle as well? That along with losing Saunders as the offensive coordinator, could be a little more difficult for them on offense. Who did they get to replace Saunders?

No doubt Edwards should make the defense better, I expect that too.

Mike Solari. He has been the Chiefs O-Line coach for about 10 years. Expect that O-Line to continue to improve. Willie Roaf is being replaced by Kyle Turley. The other tackle spot is being contest by Kevin Sampson and Jordan Black.

I would love to see Chris Hannon focus himself and get significant playing time for the Chiefs. His natural ability and speed, coupled with Dante Hall, would make it hard for opposing secondaries to match up.

 

[OWB]

Didn't the Chiefs lose their other starting tackle as well? That along with losing Saunders as the offensive coordinator, could be a little more difficult for them on offense. Who did they get to replace Saunders?

No doubt Edwards should make the defense better, I expect that too.

I forgot to mention the addition of Saunders to the Redskins staff when I was blowing them up in my first post.

There's another reason they're going to be good this season. :rock:

 

[tidwell]

Redskins are definitely loaded, on and off the field.

 

[OWB]

With Saunders at OC, Williams at DC and Gibbs at HC, how could you not win?