|
 With the NFL season upon us, it's time to start busting out our individual and unique predictions. The Browns have won more super bowls over the years with my predictions than any other team has won in reality..... so take it for what it's worth.
There are a lot of beginnings in the NFL including the careers of rookies like Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Matt Leinart, AJ Hawk, and Kameiron Wimbley. We have old faces in new places such as T.O. in Dallas, Willie McGinest in Cleveland and LaVar Arrington in New York. We have thrills, spills and non-guaranteed deals. All in all it appears to be another typical, yet exciting season ahead.
So without further adieu, here are my predictions. Take them for what they are worth.
AFC EAST
1. New England (10-6)- While I never count out the Patriots, I find it hard to look at them in the same light as I did a couple years ago. For one, their defense (other than the D-Line) is old, injured, depleted or they are just not really good enough. Does anyone really think Junior Seau or Chad Brown will make a major difference? Not me. They do still have Richard Seymour, Tom Brady and Bill Bellichick, which will be enough to squeeze 10 wins out of the team.
2. Miami (8-8)- While the media appears to have a boner for Daunte Culpepper, I, for one, do not. I think he will have the most disappointing season out of any free agent acquisition. Their defense is highly overrated. They have absolutely no secondary. Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor have to do it by themselves on defense and the offense, well, lets just say I think Chris Chambers is a flash in the pan type of receiver. No backup running back, and Ronnie Brown shouldering the load will be a tough sell for Miami.
3. Buffalo (6-10)- The Buffalo Bills have more potential than people may think. If JP Losman can harness that talent, the Bills may be more competitive than people realize. Getting Takeo Spikes back is major for them. However, in reality, they are at least a season or two away from being able to compete, but with this depleted division, anything is possible.
4. NY Jets (3-13)- Not a team in shambles more than the Jets. What kind of team has a four way battle for a starting job. Kellen Clemons is their best QB, but is way too inexperienced to throw behind that line. Losing Curtis Martin will hurt. Kevan Barlow has taken a step back. Could battle for the #1 overall pick.
AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis (12-4)- They will have a slight affect from losing Edgerrin James, but the Colts are still one of the top 3 potent offenses in the NFL (if not THE top.)Peyton is Peyton. I believe their defense may be slightly overrated. Dwight Freeney, Mike Doss and Bob Sanders are rocks for the D. But the rest could go either direction.
2. Jacksonville (11-5)- One of two wild card teams. The key is the offense. They could rise, they could fall. My prediction is that they contend, but still fall short of the prize. Leftwich is solid. I like their young receivers. And they have an underrated defense.
3. Houston (4-12)- Still a very bad team. Mario Williams may become a great player, but my belief is that they just drafted Sam Bowie, when Michael Jordan was available. Not saying Reggie Bush will lead the Saints to anything anytime soon, but the Texans are confused. David Carr is Tim Couch 2. Their team is too bad to describe in one paragraph, so I will stop.
4. Tennessee (4-12)- Unlike the Texans, they appear to have a slight plan. Vince Young needs a little fine tuning, but that is where Kerry Collins steps in and takes the beating this year. They have some solid players for the now like WR David Givens and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and some good young talent like LenDale White and Young. Hopefully Pacman Jones doesn't melt the locker room.
AFC NORTH
1. Pittsburgh (11-5)- The champs will have difficulty repeating, but are still the class of the division. Bill Cowher is a great head coach and all of the core players outside of Jerome Bettis return. The losses of Randle El and Hope won't mean much. Joey Porter is still a rock in the LB corps. Will have to fight off pesky up and comers.
2. Cleveland (10-6)- One of the leagues most surprising teams takes the other wild card. The dependency is on Charlie Frye, and to contradict a lot of reports, he has looked fine this preseason. Getting Winslow and Edwards back together will offset the loss of Bentley. Their defense is very underrated and will be a top 15 defense at worst. Very bright future may be one season away from deep playoff contention.
3. Cincinnati (9-7)- A good up and coming team hampered by Palmer's recovery and offseason off the field problems. Will have a slow start and it will prevent them from taking 2nd place when they get things on track in the second half of the season. Not as bad as the record will indicate, but a rough start sets them back.
4. Baltimore (4-12)- I refuse to believe the hype with this team. The defense is old. Not only is Ray Lewis not the player he once was, he isn't even close. Chris McAllister is on the decline. The Steve McNair acquisition is nothing more than overrated. He is older, not as mobile and was never fully effective when he had to rely on being a pocket passer. They are winning no more than 6 games and I have them down at 4-12.
AFC WEST
1. Kansas City (11-5)- I understand Denver is the "favorite" but just a year ago we were talking about them being a 5-11 or 6-10 team. Kansas City is this years team to watch in the division. Green shows little signs of slowing and LJ is the man. Tony Gonzalez is still the primary target and is a fierce TE. Herm Edwards will get the defense more motivated and will play better but not spectacular.
2. San Diego (10-6)- Loses tie-breaker to Cleveland for Wild Card. Philip Rivers doesn't do a great job, leaving LT, Antonio Gates and the defense to bail him out. This team has the potential to be the best team in the league because of their weapons and their defense, but Rivers' inexperience prevents the bolts from making the playoffs in consecutive years.
3. Denver (7-9)- One of the leagues more overrated teams. Running back by committee never works and I wouldn't rely on Mike Bell, Tatum Bell or Ron Dayne as the full time starter. Javon Walker does give Jake Plummer another dimension. I honestly cant count on consecutive healthy seasons from Courtney Brown and I have a hard time believing Gerard Warren will work hard every game.
4. Oakland (4-12)- Clueless organization with little direction. I actually liked the Art Shell re-hiring, but that's where it stops. Aaron Brooks lost his swagger years ago. Randy Moss is great. Lamont Jordan is serviceable. The defense blows. Al Davis must be senile.
NFC EAST
1. Dallas (11-5)- The more I doubt TO, the more I am proven wrong. They have all the pieces, and as long as TO plays on game day and doesn't alienate other players, he will be fine. The defense is great, but their is slight room for improvement. Clearly the best team in the division.
2. NY Giants (9-7)- When I look at Eli Manning I see a QB with tons of potential who doesn’t put it all together. Sure he had a good first half of the season, but he looked terrible when it counted last year and while Tiki Barber seemingly keeps on truckin', he is still a 30+ RB. Their defense is good, but they are another example of a team who had a lot of doubt entering last season. Lavar Arrington is a good LB, but the next LT he is far from. The Giants could have 11 or 12 wins, but I say Eli's consistency prevents them from going deep.
3. Washington (7-9)- Once again threw a ton of money at mediocre free agents and aging veterans. Mark Brunell is still the QB, but I think we will see Jason Campbell in at some point this year. Clinton Portis' health remains a question mark and they really don't have a consistent WR option other than Santana Moss.
4. Philadelphia (5-11)- I, for one, will say that this team isn't anything near what it used to be. People are getting all over hyped about McNabb's preseason play while ignoring the other blatant issues they have. Dante Stallworth adds a fraction of what TO brought and that wont be enough. Neither will Brian Westbrook. The defense is so overrated and old it's not even worth discussing.
NFC SOUTH
1. Carolina (13-3)- The best team in the NFC on paper. Should win this division running away and the division is nothing to laugh at. That's telling you how good they are. Keyshawn Johnson adds a needed #2 option behind Steve Smith. Durability is a question for the backfield but I think you'll see DeAngelo Williams ease that pain. Defense is a combination of veterans, players in their prime and young, athletic up-and-coming stars.. all led by Julius Peppers.
2. Tampa Bay (11-5)- Another team very similar to Carolina in almost every aspect. The only thing they lack is the experience but super bowl holdovers like Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber could solve that issue. Cadillac Williams is set to have a big year and look out for Michael Clayton and Chris Sims to hook up a lot this year.
3. Atlanta (8-8)- The defense had an overhaul and will be much much better. But, yet again, the team goes as far as Michael Vick takes them and, yet again, they failed to address the need for a #1 WR. You can't keep relying on a small guy like Warrick Dunn to shoulder the load on offense. Alge Crumpler returns as Vick's favorite target. They have some talent, but not enough to win in this division
4. New Orleans (6-10)- A team with a lot of talent, but still a long way to go. I don't think Brees is the long term answer at QB. He is finding it difficult to overcome the injuries. the defense has some good players like Will Smith, Mike McKenzie and Mark Simoneau. Trading Dante Stallworth may backfire in the long run.
NFC NORTH
1. Chicago (9-7)- An average at best team in a horrible division. Their QB situation is awful. Their best QB is Brian Griese, but does anyone think he has it in him anymore... especially with the lack of sure fire weapons. The defense is what has led them and will continue to lead them. Urlacher is arguably the best MLB in the game. Lance Briggs is in a contract year and is coming off a pro bowl season... so look out there. The offense needs an overhaul for them to truly contend.
2. Detroit (6-10)- Mike Martz will turn this offense into a major force but the defense will be undeniably terrible in return. And Martz will soon discover that these aren't the same guys the Rams have and will need to use patience for them to develop. They could surprise, but I think are a year or two away.
3. Minnesota (4-12)- Well, where do I begin? They have no QB, no proven WR's, a weak defense and a lot of turnover from the last two years. The Koren Robinson situation is the epitome of what has gone wrong with this team for two season. Losing Robinson, along with guys like Moss, Culpepper, Onterrio Smith, Michael Bennett and others have set the team way back. Does anyone trust Brad Johnson at his age in THAT offense? I sure don't.
4. Green Bay (2-14)- Another team that will fight for the right to draft Brady Quinn or Troy Smith... or Ted Ginn.... or Adrian Peterson... you get the point. Lets face it, Brett Favre was done before Tim Couch signed with them a couple of years back and he hasn't gotten the hint yet. I challenge someone to give me a reason why they can compete. Signing Charles Woodson looks good on paper, but can Woodson return to his 2002 form? I doubt it.
NFC WEST
1. Arizona (11-5)- Call me a sucker for the Madden curse, but putting Alexander on the cover and them losing Hutchinson.... eek. But really, the Arizona Cardinals are a lot better than you may think. Their defense doesn't get nearly the credit it deserves and they put up the numbers last year to prove it. Top 10 defense. James was their biggest acquisition since they were in St Louis. And I will say this-- you will see Matt Leinart early, and he will have a ton of success because of the offense he is in and he is slightly more mobile than Warner. This is the most surprising finish I will predict.
2. Seattle (9-7)- Did I say I was a sucker for the Madden curse? Losing Steve Hutchinson is huge for Alexander. Another huge loss for them that you aren’t hearing about is Joe Jurevicius, who caught 10 TD passes and started 12 games. They overpaid for underachiever Nate Burleson. The defense is still solid and that will keep them in the race. Alexander will be the first one to avoid the complete Madden curse as he wills the team into the playoffs, but losing two major offensive components will cost them.
3. St. Louis (6-10)- Well, at least they have a new coach. Stephen Jackson is developing into one of the leagues better runners and their WR's are still there. The addition of Will Witherspoon helps bolster a porous defense. A work in progress that could transition back into a good team in a very short time. For now, they have a down year.
4. San Francisco (3-13)- Does anyone know what really is going on in the bay. Although I do expect Alex Smith to improve and benefit dramatically from Vernon Davis and the growth of Frank Gore, the offense is far from great. Antonio Bryant can produce, but drops every other pass thrown to him. The defense is downright terrible. Drafting Manny Lawson allows them to develop a pass rusher who can contribute right away, so there's your bright spot. With so little light at the end of the tunnel, the 49ers would be LUCKY to win 4 games.
Division Champs in GREEN
Wild Cards in RED
Wild Card Round
AFC
Cleveland 24, Kansas City 14
Jacksonville 31, New England 10
NFC
Seattle 19, Dallas 16
Tampa Bay 31, Chicago 9
Divisonal Playoffs
AFC
Indianapolis 35, Cleveland 10
Jacksonville 27, Pittsburgh 3
NFC
Carolina 17, Seattle 14
Arizona 38, Tampa Bay 20
Championship Games
AFC
Indianapolis 34, Jacksonville 31
NFC
Carolina 27, Arizona 19
SUPER BOWL
Carolina 28, Indianapolis 25
SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS
CAROLINA PANTHERS |
