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I am being really unbiased here. It pains me to do this to Philly.
Please forgive me, Chuck Bednarik.
AFC EAST
1. New England Patriots (13-3) - Return of Brady, an improved LB corps with Jarrod Mayo being faster than Bruschi, only concern is the defensive backfield but Belichick always seems to get the most of out nothing.
2. Miami Dolphins (10-6) - Unique wildcat offence, smart QB, great defence led by Porter and Taylor.
3. New York Jets (8-8) - Rookie QB keeps them from playoffs, but they have a nice team with great RBs
4. Buffalo Bills (5-11) - Just don't see any reason why they're any better this year ... and - gasp - their O-Line may be worse this year. Mediocre QB.
AFC NORTH
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3) - Always the class of this division. Can't see anything that will change that this year, save for anything Roethlisberger-related.
2. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) - Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. WRs and average RBs hold this team back from true greatness. Still not convinced Flacco is a great one yet.
3. Cleveland Browns (5-11) - Wasn't it this time last year that this team was a contender? Seems like 10 years ago.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (3-13) - Carson Palmer would have to be at the top of his game for this team to even win six games.
AFC SOUTH
1. Tennessee Titans (12-4) - They're absolutely solid everywhere and I expect Vince Young to make a surprise appearance this year. I still think he has what it takes to be special.
2. Indianapolis Colts (11-5) - Always at or near the top of the AFC, but I worry about the effect of all the off-season changes and their drop-off at WR.
3. Houston Texans (10-6) - I wouldn't be surprised if they win the division, but Schaub's injury-prone career leaves a lot of questions.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10) - They'll miss Fred Taylor and their WRs suck. I do expect Garrard to rebound though. But it won't be enough in this brutally tough division.
AFC WEST
1. San Diego Chargers (13-3) - This is like the U. of Florida playing in a Division 3 conference.
2. Denver Broncos (7-9) - Orton will be ok, but this team is undergoing way too many changes to be serious.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) - Desperately need Larry Johnson to be the old Larry Johnson. Sadly, that won't happen.
4. Oakland Raiders (2-14) - The NFL should take this franchise away from Al Davis. Jamarcus Russell is fat, inaccurate and doesn't work hard in the filmroom. Other than that, he's fine.
WILDCARD:
San Diego over Indianapolis
Tennessee over Baltimore
DIVISION:
New England over Tennessee
Pittsburgh over San Diego
CONFERENCE:
New England over Pittsburgh
NFC EAST
1. New York Giants (11-5) - Strong everywhere but receiver. My guess is they'll overcome that. This team has great coaching, awesome O and D-lines and a great RB tandem.
2. Dallas Cowboys (10-6) - Desperately need Roy Williams to be the Roy Williams at the U. of Texas. Demarcus Ware will be a beast trying to get that new contract. Their backfield of Barber, Jones and Choice give them the edge over Philly.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) - Simply can't overcome the loss of Jim Johnson, Brian Dawkins and Stewart Bradley. Too much intelligence removed from the D. And the O-Line will need about half a season to adjust to each other - way too long in this division. Brian Westbrook's injury history suggests 2-3 games missed and I'm not sure what Michael Vick will do to the offence's chemistry.
4. Washington Redskins (6-10) - A decent team in the wrong division. I actually like Jason Campbell, but they've successfully destroyed his confidence.
NFC NORTH
1. Green Bay Packers (12-4) - Have nice balance on both sides of the ball and that new D will shine
2. Chicago Bears (9-7) - Picking up Jay Cutler was a great, great move, but their receivers are an absolute nightmare and while Matt Forte is a good back, he's not a franchise back. Brian Urlacher on the downside of his career.
3. Minnesota Vikings (8-8) - Will lose the Williams boys for four games eventually this season, dooming their alleged Super Bowl run. Brett Favre simply can't get it done at 40.
4. Detroit Lions (3-13) - Should keep Matthew Stafford on the bench all season, but obviously can't for marketing reasons. They will improve, but how can't they?
NFC SOUTH
1. Carolina Panthers (11-5) - Coach John Fox always has this steady team in contention. Their two-headed backfield is outstanding and Steve Smith provides the playaction threat. Julius Peppers will rebound.
2. Atlanta Falcons (9-7) - A good offence will be sunk by a bad defence. Matt Ryan was not a fluke, but even Ryan can't overcome a crap D. These guys will no longer sneak up on anyone. Everyone will respect them as a solid team.
3. New Orleans (8-8) - They could win as many as 12 if Reggie Bush digs his head out of his ass. Sadly for Saints' fans, I don't see that happening.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) - They never should have fired Jon Gruden. Possibly the dumbest decision ever.
NFC WEST
1. Seattle Seahawks (11-5) - If they stay healthy, they will rebound. Big question mark is that awful run game. Aaron Curry will be a beast on day one.
2. Arizona Cardinals (10-6) - Their D is stinky and Anquan Boldin is upset. This team was a fluke last year. Yes, give them credit for a great playoff run, but they were an average team before it and an average team this year. They only get 10 wins based on playing in a division with SF and St. Louis.
3. San Francisco 49ers (6-10) - Simply don't have the offensive tools to compete. If this was 1940, they'd still finish 8-8. Shame, because I like Mike Singletary and Frank Gore deserves better.
4. St. Louis Rams (4-12) - Steve Spagnuolo will give them life, but his 48 Madden speed rating won't help them.
WILDCARD:
Dallas over Seattle
Carolina over Arizona
DIVISION:
Green Bay over Dallas
N.Y. Giants over Carolina
CONFERENCE
N.Y. Giants over Green Bay
SUPER BOWL
New England 34 N.Y. Giants 20
I hope I'm fucking wrong about the Eagles.
Please forgive me, Chuck Bednarik.
AFC EAST
1. New England Patriots (13-3) - Return of Brady, an improved LB corps with Jarrod Mayo being faster than Bruschi, only concern is the defensive backfield but Belichick always seems to get the most of out nothing.
2. Miami Dolphins (10-6) - Unique wildcat offence, smart QB, great defence led by Porter and Taylor.
3. New York Jets (8-8) - Rookie QB keeps them from playoffs, but they have a nice team with great RBs
4. Buffalo Bills (5-11) - Just don't see any reason why they're any better this year ... and - gasp - their O-Line may be worse this year. Mediocre QB.
AFC NORTH
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3) - Always the class of this division. Can't see anything that will change that this year, save for anything Roethlisberger-related.
2. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) - Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. WRs and average RBs hold this team back from true greatness. Still not convinced Flacco is a great one yet.
3. Cleveland Browns (5-11) - Wasn't it this time last year that this team was a contender? Seems like 10 years ago.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (3-13) - Carson Palmer would have to be at the top of his game for this team to even win six games.
AFC SOUTH
1. Tennessee Titans (12-4) - They're absolutely solid everywhere and I expect Vince Young to make a surprise appearance this year. I still think he has what it takes to be special.
2. Indianapolis Colts (11-5) - Always at or near the top of the AFC, but I worry about the effect of all the off-season changes and their drop-off at WR.
3. Houston Texans (10-6) - I wouldn't be surprised if they win the division, but Schaub's injury-prone career leaves a lot of questions.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10) - They'll miss Fred Taylor and their WRs suck. I do expect Garrard to rebound though. But it won't be enough in this brutally tough division.
AFC WEST
1. San Diego Chargers (13-3) - This is like the U. of Florida playing in a Division 3 conference.
2. Denver Broncos (7-9) - Orton will be ok, but this team is undergoing way too many changes to be serious.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) - Desperately need Larry Johnson to be the old Larry Johnson. Sadly, that won't happen.
4. Oakland Raiders (2-14) - The NFL should take this franchise away from Al Davis. Jamarcus Russell is fat, inaccurate and doesn't work hard in the filmroom. Other than that, he's fine.
WILDCARD:
San Diego over Indianapolis
Tennessee over Baltimore
DIVISION:
New England over Tennessee
Pittsburgh over San Diego
CONFERENCE:
New England over Pittsburgh
NFC EAST
1. New York Giants (11-5) - Strong everywhere but receiver. My guess is they'll overcome that. This team has great coaching, awesome O and D-lines and a great RB tandem.
2. Dallas Cowboys (10-6) - Desperately need Roy Williams to be the Roy Williams at the U. of Texas. Demarcus Ware will be a beast trying to get that new contract. Their backfield of Barber, Jones and Choice give them the edge over Philly.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) - Simply can't overcome the loss of Jim Johnson, Brian Dawkins and Stewart Bradley. Too much intelligence removed from the D. And the O-Line will need about half a season to adjust to each other - way too long in this division. Brian Westbrook's injury history suggests 2-3 games missed and I'm not sure what Michael Vick will do to the offence's chemistry.
4. Washington Redskins (6-10) - A decent team in the wrong division. I actually like Jason Campbell, but they've successfully destroyed his confidence.
NFC NORTH
1. Green Bay Packers (12-4) - Have nice balance on both sides of the ball and that new D will shine
2. Chicago Bears (9-7) - Picking up Jay Cutler was a great, great move, but their receivers are an absolute nightmare and while Matt Forte is a good back, he's not a franchise back. Brian Urlacher on the downside of his career.
3. Minnesota Vikings (8-8) - Will lose the Williams boys for four games eventually this season, dooming their alleged Super Bowl run. Brett Favre simply can't get it done at 40.
4. Detroit Lions (3-13) - Should keep Matthew Stafford on the bench all season, but obviously can't for marketing reasons. They will improve, but how can't they?
NFC SOUTH
1. Carolina Panthers (11-5) - Coach John Fox always has this steady team in contention. Their two-headed backfield is outstanding and Steve Smith provides the playaction threat. Julius Peppers will rebound.
2. Atlanta Falcons (9-7) - A good offence will be sunk by a bad defence. Matt Ryan was not a fluke, but even Ryan can't overcome a crap D. These guys will no longer sneak up on anyone. Everyone will respect them as a solid team.
3. New Orleans (8-8) - They could win as many as 12 if Reggie Bush digs his head out of his ass. Sadly for Saints' fans, I don't see that happening.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) - They never should have fired Jon Gruden. Possibly the dumbest decision ever.
NFC WEST
1. Seattle Seahawks (11-5) - If they stay healthy, they will rebound. Big question mark is that awful run game. Aaron Curry will be a beast on day one.
2. Arizona Cardinals (10-6) - Their D is stinky and Anquan Boldin is upset. This team was a fluke last year. Yes, give them credit for a great playoff run, but they were an average team before it and an average team this year. They only get 10 wins based on playing in a division with SF and St. Louis.
3. San Francisco 49ers (6-10) - Simply don't have the offensive tools to compete. If this was 1940, they'd still finish 8-8. Shame, because I like Mike Singletary and Frank Gore deserves better.
4. St. Louis Rams (4-12) - Steve Spagnuolo will give them life, but his 48 Madden speed rating won't help them.
WILDCARD:
Dallas over Seattle
Carolina over Arizona
DIVISION:
Green Bay over Dallas
N.Y. Giants over Carolina
CONFERENCE
N.Y. Giants over Green Bay
SUPER BOWL
New England 34 N.Y. Giants 20
I hope I'm fucking wrong about the Eagles.
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