NFL Pre-Season Predictions

The NFL season is just around the corner, so what better time to get some last minute, unprejudiced predictions in. I’d give a longer intro but I know you want the cold, hard facts. (Really didn’t mean to quote SportsCenter, but it could be worse)

NFC East:

1.       Dallas Cowboys-The Cowboys take the division again, the combination of Romo, Witten, Owens, and Barber is just too good. And I didn’t even mention Felix Jones in the backfield, Adam Jones improving the secondary and return game, and Tank Johnson getting a second chance to put more pressure on QB’s on the defensive line.
2.       Philadelphia Eagles- This of course depends on the health on Donovan McNabb, if he stays healthy they could contend for the title, if he’s hurt they lose it all. Westbrook is the second best player in the league, much improved defense, DeSean Jackson improves the receiving core and return game. Solid team, solid season, might be enough to go over .500 and grab a wild card spot.
3.       New York Giants- They lost key parts of their defense, Jacobs’ health is an issue, we’ll see if Kevin Boss falls into a sophomore slump and if Eli can perform at Superbowl MVP form, but they simply don’t have the talent and will fall into the “superbowl winner one year, miss the playoffs the next” category.
4.       Washington Redskins-There will come a year when the Redskins will regain dominance in the east, but not this year. Portis can’t stay healthy, QB issues, weak receiving core, Taylor doesn’t help enough on defense and he could be hurt, overall too many issues to contend this year.

NFC North:

1.       Green Bay Packers-Despite losing Farve, they actually improved their team in the off-season, it’s time to see if Aaron Rodgers is up to the challenge. If recent history of two major quarterback’s in the same draft shows us anything, it’s that usually the guy who doesn’t get picked first plays with a chip on his shoulder (Leaf and Manning), look for a solid season from Green Bay.
2.       Minnesota Vikings-One of the best rush combinations in football and the best in the league at run defense will supply some wins, but with too many questions in the defensive backfield and at quarterback the Vikings aren’t ready to make the transition to a power in the NFC.
3.       Detroit Lions-Kitna is simply not a franchise QB, he will have stats and be a solid fantasy player but he needs to mentor a potential franchise quarterback, the defense is still too weak and the running game is questionable at best. Loads of talent but they need another strong draft or two before they reach their potential.
4.       Chicago Bears-Where to start? They no longer have the same intimidating defense, they let their two leading receivers go, Benson doesn’t have the respect of his team or the fans, Kyle Orton at QB, really? Devin Hester and Robby Gould will score 80% of the teams points this year (yes an exaggeration but you get my point).

NFC West:

1.       St. Louis Rams-Steven Jackson is a beast, Bulger to Bennett will click much better this season, team is healthy (for now) and improved enough in the off-season to make this wide open division.
2.       Arizona Cardinals-A difficult pick because of the quarterback issues and the frustrated Anquan Boldin, but still a very strong young team. Rodgers-Cromartie solidifies the secondary and look for Alan Branch to have a breakout year, and Edge to live up to his Indy days.
3.       Seattle Seahawks-Weak running game, decent receivers, strong defense but not a complete team. Too two dimensional to have a great year, teams will figure them out and they won’t be able to lean on Alexander anymore, definitely a rebuilding year.
4.       San Francisco 49ers- Perfect example of a talented first overall pick who was thrown into the fire too quickly, Smith, like David Carr before him, can’t be “that guy” and the 49ers will struggle this season and draft a QB to take over the load next season, maybe another big lefty who can run? Just don’t let him wear number 8.

NFC South:

1.       Carolina Panthers-Delhomme is healthy, Mushin opens up the field for Smith, the combination of Deangelo Williams and Jonathon Stewart will be a dynamic rush duo that will catapult this well-coached team into the post-season.
2.       New Orleans-Might have had the best off-season of any team in the NFL. Shockey, Vilma, Morgan, and Bush coming back. Offense has too many threats, defense has become more talented and aggressive, this team will be going to the playoffs but won’t have enough to push past the recovering Panthers.
3.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Once again, who is the QB? Even when that gets figured out you can’t expect Galloway to repeat on his great season at his age, Cadillac needs to get healthy, too many holes in the defense, Gruden’s best coaching days may be behind him. They’ll end up somewhere in the middle of the pack but need to patch up some holes before another playoff push.
4.       Atlanta Falcons-Explanation needed? Rookie QB, young team, lost best DB, no dominant receivers, no more Crumpler, the list goes on. Good year to see what Ryan can do, rebuild, figure out what young players can help in the future and focus on the draft.

AFC East:

1.       New England Patriots-This depends on Brady’s healthy, if he’s healthy they win at least 13 games, if not, they lose at least 9. Otherwise come on, they were perfect last year and brought back all the big weapons, enough said.
2.       New York Jets-Another big question team. Favre from last year, they win 10 games or more. Favre from 06-07, they lose 10 games or more. Very different look this year, loads of talent and fixed some holes in the off-season, if nothing else the team is headed in the right direction.
3.       Buffalo Bills-Questions at QB, very talented receivers but not much else. Defense needs to improve if they want to compete in this division, passing game as well.
4.       Miami Dolphins-Let’s just say you don’t jump from 1-15 to a playoff spot. Especially with a QB who can’t throw over 20 yards and losing your two marquee defensive players, but if Ricky plays well who knows? Then again, he is Ricky. Easy Phins phans, Pracells will have them up and running in a couple years, just look what he did for the Cowboys.

AFC North:

1.       Pittsburgh Steelers-Big Ben will rebound, and if Holmes and Parker produce the way they’re capable of this offense could be the third strongest in the AFC. The all-stars on D need to play that way, strong offensive draft class should balance the offense and the Steelers should, as usual, have a bag full of tricks throughout the season.
2.       Cincinnati Bengals-Palmer is healthy again, Perry and Irons can prove to be a 1-2 punch in the backfield, stacked receivers, look for Ocho-Cinco to have a strong rebound year despite injury concerns. If character issues don’t surface this team could be good again.
3.       Cleveland Browns-While it is tempting to believe that this team is for real, they don’t have a strong running back (you may argue but Jamal Lewis is not sufficient), Edwards and Winslow are the only real targets and Derek Anderson will have to prove last year wasn’t a fluke. The defense is strong but vulnerable at the same time, and I don’t believe Cribbs will run out of his cleats again this season.
4.       Baltimore Ravens-Much as I would love to see this defense shine again, unless they can get more pressure on the quarterback they leave their aging defensive backs vulnerable in man-to-man coverage. Flacco and Smith as a QB tandem, no defining receiver. Core of team is solid, but wait for Flacco to mature before this team peaks.

AFC West:

1.       San Diego-They have L.T.
2.       Oakland Raiders-SURPRISE!!! Russel will show this season why he was picked first overall, Fargas and McFadden will be a supreme duo and give Russel even more options in the passing game. The addition of Deangelo Hall significantly strengthens the defens, Walker and Griffith bring veteran leadership and they own the two best legs in football in Janikowski and Lechler.
3.       Denver Broncos-Shanahan can rush anyone and Jay Cutler is a star, but too much controversy surrounds the team, defensive back last year, receiver this year, they may not have enough weapons (including kicker) to cement a playoff spot.
4.       Kansas City Chiefs-Despite the brilliant draft these players will need a couple years to develop, and the core much be solidified. Is Brody Croyle really the franchise QB? We’ll find out this year, but my guess is not likely.

AFC South:

1.       Indianapolis Colts-If Peyton is healthy, Harrison comes back strong, Wayne and Addai are stars and Gonzalez is set to make his name. Sanders’ health secures the defense and keeps this team in contention for a superbowl.
2.       Jacksonville Jaguars-Gerrard is as accurate as anyone and most importantly doesn’t give up the ball, Taylor and Jones-Drew are the best duo rushing tandem, need to get more out of their receivers but the defense is solid. Stacked team, with progress in the passing game could challenge for the division.
3.       Houston Texans-If Shaub stays healthy and Mario Williams has another good year, they have the weapons to win 7-8 games. They are still one or two drafts away from emerging as a power in the AFC.
4.       Tennessee Titans-It’s all about Vince Young. He will either carry or sink the team, and this year I believe will be a struggle. The offense is loaded with weapons but Young has to find a way to distribute the ball to them. Defense is solid but not great, frontline is immovable but defensive backfield could cost them in an airborne divsision.

So there you have it. The divisions in their wholes. You want the wild cards? Wait a couple months, but if you look closely you can figure that out for yourself. Peace be with football.