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NFC Predictions
NFC EAST:
The
NFC will be strong in 2006. In fact, despite my predictions,
any one of these teams could finish the season on top
of the East.
I like the Eagles most because they are basically the
same team that went to the Super Bowl two years ago.
They don’t have TO now; they didn’t need TO
to win the NFC in ‘04. Donovan and Brian Westbrook
have looked good early.
The Cowboys should get into the playoffs, and if they
do, the addition of Owens was the answer to Parcells’
playoff questions. Dallas’ defense isn’t as
stout as it needs to be. But offensive talent will keep
them in every game.
The Washington Redskins went out and attempted to buy
themselves a championship squad. It hasn’t worked
for them yet; I don’t know why this season will
be any different. I like the Redskins’ defensive
unit, but Washington isn’t as well rounded as the
rest of the East.
Many people will say that there is no way the Giants
will finish last in this division, after winning it
last season. It happened to the Eagles last year, and
it won’t surprise me one bit if it happens again
this season. I don’t think the Giants got much
better defensively, and Eli Manning is too inconsistent
to own the East two years in a row. Tiki Barber is one
of the leagues’ best offensive players, but I don’t
see the Giants outplaying the Eastern powers.
Overall, this is the strongest division in the NFC,
and quite possibly all of football. The Eagles will
surprise while the rest of the East will fight for a
wild card spot.
NFC SOUTH:
While
the NFC South will give the East a run for the NFC’s
strongest division, I can’t see the Saints winning
more than 6 games, which weakens the South’s resume.
The Panthers are the best team in the NFC. I’m
not as high on the addition of Keyshawn “The Mouth”
as the rest of the football world seems to be, but I’m
sure he’ll help the Panthers cause. The biggest
off-season move the Panthers made was when they named
De'shaun Foster their #1 back. Foster gives the Panthers
an explosive runner they didn’t have when Stephen
Davis was the starter last year. Health will be key
for the Panthers, but if they hold together defensively,
and keep Steve Smith on the field, they get 12 victories
easy.
The Buccaneers could be scary. If Chris Simms can take
the next step, Tampa will walk into the playoffs. Cadillac
Williams runs with speed and a power you don’t
often see in runners his size. His growth since his
rookie season should help him carry the load in Tampa.
The Bucs defense is solid, but with age becoming an
issue, injuries could uproot Gruden’s chance at
a title.
The word on the teleprompter is that Mike Vick has improved
his accuracy and touch. If this fib is finally true,
expect the Falcons to battle the Panthers for the top
spot. If his passing problems continue, the Falcons
will be less than mediocre. An improved defense could
take the Falcons to the playoffs, but only if Atlanta
can score touchdowns.
New Orleans won’t be the pushover they were much
of last season, but I don’t see a winning record
either. This division is too tough, and there are too
many good teams to expect much winning out of NO this
season. Drew Brees will help, and Reggie Bush will be
a handful of highlights each week, but defensive struggles
will hurt the team all season long. Next year should
be better for the Saints.
Atlanta and Tampa will take a run at the toast of the
South, but Carolina should find more consistency this
season, which will push them into a first round bye,
and a possible Super Bowl bid.
NFC NORTH:
This Division isn’t as bad as it was last year,
but the Lions and Packers haven’t gotten better.
Don’t be fooled, the Bears are the class of the
North.
Chicago has the defensive power to halt each of their
division foes. Offensively, Chicago should be much better
this season behind either Rex Grossman or Brian Griese.
Expect Brian to grab the top spot. He’s too talented,
and Rex is too inexperienced. The Bears defense will
carry them, but they’ll have more competition this
time around.
Minnesota got better in nearly every faucet of the game.
But I don’t think Brad Johnson and two inexperienced
backups can win week after week. A better offensive
line and one of the league’s most underrated defenses
could make for a playoff push.
Detroit hasn’t gotten better. Their coaching staff
has changed, but the same lazy players remain on the
roster. One bad egg can spoil my breakfast. That’s
what I always say. When some roster cleansing takes
place, get back to me.
The Packers? Green Bay? Come on. This isn’t the
year for the Pack. If Brett Favre needed anything, he
needed an improved offensive line. He didn’t need
more starters to hit free agency. A lack of additions
won’t aid Favre’s return, as he’ll struggle
to find enough time to launch his missiles. Last in
the North for the Pack.
Chicago is the only team in the North with a chance
to make noise in the postseason. But, if Minnesota can
get creative offensively, they could push the Bears
now.
NFC WEST:
The
Hawks remain at the top of the West, but the margin
will be much smaller this time around. The Cards and
Rams will pose a fight, while the 49ers will be tougher
in ’06.
The Hawks will make another push for the Super Bowl.
Many will highlight the loss of OG Steve Hutchinson,
but the Hawks got better this off-season. Nate Burleson
is perfect for Seattle’s West Coast passing game,
and Julian Peterson (when healthy) is as dynamic as
any young linebacker in the game. Better competition
will push Seattle.
The Cardinals finally got the runner, Edge, they’ve
been trying to get since…. Forever. On paper, Dennis
Green’s squad looks like playoff material, but
football is played on the field. Warner is often injured,
and rookie QB, Matt Leinart, remains unsigned. Injuries
could limit Arizona’s ceiling.
The Rams should be more disciplined with Mike Martz
out of the picture. Steven Jackson will get the chance
to carry the load, while Mark Bulger should get better
protection in a more balanced offensive attack. If St.
Louis can stay injury free, and take advantage of a
talented receiver corps, a playoff spot isn’t out
of the question.
The 49ers won’t make the playoffs. They won’t
finish at or above .500. There will be no playoff push
from San Francisco. However, the 49ers are improving.
Every game will be a battle. Every game their youngsters
will improve, and by seasons’ end the Niners will
be a 4-quarter battle for every team in this division.
Look for Frank Gore to rush for over 1,000 yards, while
Alex Smith morphs into an NFL quarterback.
I can’t see the Hawks stumbling a season after
losing the Super Bowl. This group is too good to fail.
The West will be stronger this year.
AFC Predictions
AFC EAST:
In
the AFC’s weakest division, a new team will claim
the top spot. The Patriot Dynasty that has been the
class of the NFL over the last 6 years has dissolved
into a watered down version a championship team.
By losing key players to free agency, the Patriots have
made room for the Dolphins to swim to the top. Miami’s
off-season acquisition of Daunte Culpepper will pay
immediate dividends. Pep’s ability to fire the
ball around while making plays with his feet will be
exactly what Nick Saban ordered. Coach of the year?
The Patriots won’t be the powerhouse of years’
past, but they won’t disappear either. They still
have studs on both sides of the ball. And if Corey Dillon
can run like he did in 2004, the Dolphins could get
a fight from New England. Oh, and they still have a
guy named Tom Brady. He’s all right.
The Buffalo Bills won’t get better until they commit
to a quarterback. Seeing as though they’d really
have to play above their talent level to make the playoffs,
the smart decision would be J.P. Losman. Younger is
better. One of the leagues’ most underrated defenses
will keep Buffalo close, but touchdowns are too important
to expect much from the offensively challenged Bills.
The New York Jets should end the season with the #1
pick in next year’s draft. That is of course, unless
Chad Pennington can find his own form, Curtis Martin
can return to be effective, and Laveraneus Coles plays
like the talented wideout he was 3 years ago. Those
three ifs, matched with inspired play from rookie 1st
round picks D’Brick Ferguson and Nick Mangold,
could get the Jets 7 wins. That’s the ceiling in
New York, a ceiling in which even small people will
bump their heads. How low can they go? That’s a
better question.
The Dolphins and Patriots will battle for the free playoff
spot from the East. A wild card probably won’t
come from this division.
AFC
NORTH:
The
AFC North reminds me of the NFC South. There are three
teams that could take North title, but my favorite to
do the deed is Cincinnati.
The Bengals’ playoff hopes lie in the health of
their signal caller, Carson Palmer. If Palmer can start
from day one, I have to take the Bad Boy Bengals to
take the North Division. If Palmer doesn’t play
until Week 4, the hole may be too deep for Cincinnati
to climb out of. This team is too talented, when healthy,
for me to pick anyone else. If Marvin Lewis can keep
his players out of jail, they should head back to the
playoffs.
The Baltimore Ravens have a whole new identity with
Steve McNair leading their offense. A playoff identity?
I think so. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are a coin flip for
the games’ most explosive defender title. Mark
Clayton and Derrick Mason are solid WR threats. Jamal
Lewis was once a 2,000-yard rusher, and he’s still
just 26. Todd Heap is vastly underrated. Look out for
the hop in Baltimore’s step.
The Steelers may be the World Champs, but I don’t
see a repeat performance in their future. Too many teams
improved, while the Steelers lost key players from their
playoff run. Big Ben is ready to prove naysayers wrong,
but without a power back, can Pittsburgh fight off the
new and improved Ravens?
Cleveland has youth all around, but right now, that’s
the problem. Charlie Frye is not ready to lead a playoff
contender, and key addition LeCharles Bentley is out
for the year, not leading a powerful offensive line.
When Braylon Edwards returns from injury, Frye’s
youth is a thing of the past, and Kellen Winslow has
a full season under his belt, the Browns will be solid.
Right now, they’re last in the AFC North.
AFC
SOUTH:
This
is my craziest prediction thus far. But wouldn’t
it be fitting that the Colts lose Edge, and their strangle
hold on the AFC South? And the Jags finally take the
top spot the year Jimmy Smith retires. Crazy.
Jacksonville did what they needed to do most and got
better in the secondary; Brian Williams will help the
Jaguars blossom. For the first time in a long time,
the Jaguars have depth offensively. Young WR’s
Wilford, Williams, and Jones can make big plays, while
the depth of Fred Taylor, Greg Jones, and Maurice Drew
can fight through injuries. Defensively, Jacksonville
will be stout… Enough to take the top spot from
Indy? Yeah, I think so.
Like I said, the Colts won’t dominate this division
like they have the last few years. The Colt workhorse,
Edge, has moved to sandy pastures, and now Indy will
rely on Manning more than ever before. I don’t
think the regular season will go as smoothly for Indy,
but look out for a tested Colts team come playoff time.
The Texans will crawl out of the cellar this season.
They won’t be a contender in the AFC, but there
is no doubt in my mind that Houston will triple their
win total from a year ago. Help on the offensive and
defensive line, where games are won and lost, should
get the Texans back on the right track. Eric Moulds
is a brilliant addition for a young group of receivers.
If Dom Davis can stay healthy year ‘round, 8-8
isn’t beyond belief.
The Titans will struggle to win ball games all year
long. Losing Steve McNair almost assured another season
picking early in the draft. Defensively, the Titans
are young and athletic, but they’ll give up too
many big plays for an offense that is too young. I like
the direction the Titans are moving, but 2006 isn’t
the year for Tennessee.
AFC
WEST:
If
the Raiders can play up to the level of their talent,
this could be the toughest division in the AFC. KC,
Denver, and San Diego all have the push to make a run
at the post season.
Kansas City is my early favorite, just based on the
immediate difference Herman Edwards will bring to the
team’s personality. The loss of Roaf will be tough
to overcome, but if Kyle Turley can get back to his
old form after two years off, the Chiefs will be okay.
Plus, there’s a chance Roaf comes back for one
more season. Most importantly for KC, the addition of
Ty Law should really improve KC’s defense.
The Broncos were the best team in this division last
season, losing in the AFC Championship to end the season.
The Broncos made a few key moves that could return them
to the playoffs, the biggest acquisition being Javon
Walker. If Walker can give Plummer another sure handed
weapon, expect big things from Denver.
It’s hard to place a team with big time playmakers
on both sides of the ball 3rd in their own division,
but I don’t know what else to do. Phillip Rivers
is starting for the first time in his career, and even
if he’s destined to be the next Carson Palmer,
even Carson didn’t make the playoffs in his first
season. With LT, Antonio Gates, and Shawne Merriman
guaranteed to be on highlight reels every weekend, anything
is possible for the young Chargers.
Oakland needs to show me more before I go out on a cracked
limb and pick them to finish with more than 3 wins.
As talented as they are, I haven’t seen much that
promises otherwise. It’s all about a “want”
to succeed, and I just don’t think they have it.
I sure hope Randy Moss has a big fantasy year though.
This is a three-team race with Larry Johnson doing his
thing to lead the way.
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