Alright, football is back!!! Yes!! All is right with the world. So, the NFL season starts in 2 weeks and I'm so giddy about it. We're approaching Week 3 in the preseason and see starters played for a prolonged perod, maybe all of the first half of the game. But, I feel it's so most important that I discuss the regular season which is getting closer every day. Now, I will try to predict how teams will finish from first to last. PRAY FOR ME...
THE AFC NORTH
PREVIEW: Alright, this division is truly a two-team match. The other teams in the division is rebuilding with absolute emphasis of the word.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers are not losing the division. These speedy receivers in Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown will add another dimension to their offense we haven't seen since the Steelers of the 70s with John Stallworth and Lynn Swann. They still, in my eyes, have the best fron 7 in the entire league. But I get nervous with them in pass coverage for their secondary because Troy Polamalu is average in pass covewrage and their corners are sure tacklers but bad ball skills. but their front 7 is so major that it will not be a hindrance. 12-4 for those in the black and yellow jerseys...
2. Baltimore Ravens: I think QB Joe Flacco will take great strides this years with the opening up of the offensive playbook. Now, they lost their defensive coordinator Greg Mattison to the University of Michigan so it a slight setback of their schemes. But the veteran leadership on defense of Ray lewis will keep this team focused throughtout the season. They will be a wilcard team once again at 11-5...
3. Cleveland Browns: I love all the moves that Team President Mike Holmgren. I believe that they will make the division interesting with their competitiveness but it won't be enough. They need more better players and that's why they will be 6-10...
4. Cincinnati Bengals: This team stinks. I don't know what else to say. They lost their starting quarterback, the star wide receiver, and their best defender. Their cupboard is really bare. They will end up the #1 pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. Their record will be 2-14 if they're lucky...
THE AFC SOUTH
PREVIEW: The division has been completely dominated by the Colts. However, the coxswain of the Colts, Peyton Manning, is recovering from neck surgery in the offseason. So, will this be the year that the Houston Texans take that grown step into being a serious force in the division? Will David Garrard be able to keep a death grip on the starting quaterback job? But the million-dollar question is: Will Titans RB Chris Johnson get a new deal and end his holdout?
1.Houston Texans:I believe that this is the year that the Texans put it all together. They finally address the defense in the draft and the new defensive coordinator in Wade Phillips. Also, they got the one of the best free agent signings that people are not talking about in Jonathan Joseph. And the offense is still as major as ever if Arian Foster is not ready for the start of the season. I see them going 11-5...
2.Tennessee Titans:I do believe the Titans will play Chris Johnson and he will get a new contract and be there for the start of the season. But they do not have enough offense to keep up with Houston. In my brown eyes, they are going 9-7...
3.Indianapolis Colts:I don't think Peyton Manning will be ready for the regular season. So, they will lose more games this year than what they have lost in the last 3 years. because their defense isn't as good as it was during their Super Bowl runm. They are going 7-9...
4.Jacksonville Jaguars:
THE AFC EAST
PREVIEW: The New England Patriots have made some subtle moves in the offseason. But, I do not think these moves that they made will keep them atop the division. This will be the year that the Jets will win the the division. The Dolphins and the Bills will not be a major dceiding factor.
1.New York Jets: I believe, no I guarantee (Rex Ryan will love that) that the Jets will win the division. They couldn't get Nnamdi but they kept CB Antonio Cromartie who is no slouch. The signing of Plaxico will give Mark Sanchez a nice safety blanket as a receiver. Their defense is still quite stellar to me. They are going 11-5...
2.New England Patriots:The Patriots have this the division 8 of the last 10 years.But they will not win this year. For the moves that they made with the pick ups of WR Chad Ochocinco and DL Albert Haynesworth, they release the team sack leader in LB Tully Banta-Cain. So, how will ntheygenerate a pass rush without blitzing? I am not concern about their offense because i rally like their young tight ends. But when they won the 3 Super Bowls, their defense carried them and Tom Brady didn't lose the game. Now in 2011, their offense has to be perfect and that won't be enough. The Pats' record will be 10-6
3.Miami Dolphins: This teamis a real enigma. Last year, they went 1-7 at home and 6-2 on the road. But I love the drafting the other Poncey twin and RB Daniel Thomas and the acquistion of RB Reggie Bush. I believe the offense will be more potent but Cameron Wake needs more sidekicks on defense. I do love their cornerback tandem but that's not enough. So, in the end, they will be 8-8...
4.Buffalo Bills:They are rebuilding on their offense, defense, and special teams. But I do like their QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and WR Steve Johnson. The defense is a work in progress so their record will be 3-13...
THE AFC WEST
PREVIEW:
1.San Diego Chargers: I know last year their special teams was their undoing but I think they will not have the same mistakes this year. If RB Ryan Mathews stays healthy this season, I think they will have the most exciting offfense in the AFC. I think they will have a better record in the division and the best record in the league. 14-2 record for the Bolts...
2.Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs surprised everyone last year wining the division. But they might not be a wild card this season. I love the pickups of WR Steve Breaston and their draft is potential heavy. So, they will 9-7...
3.Oakland Raiders: The Raiders are without Pro Bowl Nnamdi Asomugha and that's hurts their defense as a whole especially since San Diego's QB Phillip Rivers threw for 4,000 yards with people whose names I can not remember right now. I think RB Darren McFadden will have a really good year contigient on his health. So, they will be 8-8 again.
4.Denver Broncos:
THE NFC NORTH
PREVIEW: This division will be so interesting to watch with all the grat quarterbacks in it. They have the opportunity to have 2 teams in the postseason.
1. Green Bay Packers: I think the Pack are better this year than the team that won the Super Bowl. Their offense cupboard is over-flowing with TE JerMichael FInley healthy and rookie WR Randall Cobb. I know defensive backs coach Ray Hoton is no longer there but they will not miss a beat on defense. I see this team being the #1 seed in the NFC with a 12-4 record...
2.Detroit Lions: This is NOT the same Lions we have been used to seeing for the past 10 years. If QB Matthew Stafford stays healthy this whole season, this offense can be the second best in the division with stud receiver Calvin Johnson and speedy back Jahvid Best. In my opinion, this is the best fron 4 in the league, so if the back 7 shows consistently, this could be top 10 defense. I know a lot analysts is surping the Kool-aid and rightfully so. If everything falls right in place, they could 10-6 competing for a wild card spot...
3.Chicago Bears: I love MLB Brian Urlachler and their defense. I do not like their offensive line. They let go Pro Bowl C Olin Kreutz to New Orleans and it hurt them in the end. QB Jay Cutler is going to get killed again because GM Jerry Angelo is so cheap and will not spend for recievers od offensive linemen. I know they won the division last year, but it's not happening this year. 7-9 will be their record...
4. Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings have the best running back (Adrian Peterson) and a great defense but it won't be enough. I don't know if QB Donovan McNabb can turn back to 2003 and make magic happen since their best receiver in sidney Rice is a Seahawk. So, they will be 6-10...
THE NFC SOUTH: THIS IS THE TOUGHEST DIVISION IN FOOTBALL!!! I think the NFC South division games are going to be the most exciting games to watch this season. This division could have 3 teams in the playoffs in the postseason. And the tradition of no back-to-back division winners will continue.
1.New Orleans Saints: This is most complete team in the division. They are sound on offense with QB Drew Brees running the show, stout on defense with MLB Jonathan Vilma relaying on the calls, and RB Darren Sproles gives them a added puch on special teams that they haven't have since RB Reggie Bush's rookie season. I know the division is tough, but they will end up 12-4 as the #2 seed...
2.Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons made a super splashy move in the draft trading up from 27 to 6 and giving away 5 draft picks for WR Julio Jones. But the offseason move I like was the signing of DE Ray Edwards on the over side of DE John Abraham. But their secondary is still a major issue with Drew Brees and Josh Freeman in the division. But I still like them to be in the playoffs with a 11-5 record...
3.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Last year the Bucs were 10-6 and a wild card contender. But that 10-6 was deceptive because they only beat one team with a record over .500. the have a great young nucleus on offense with QB Josh Freeman, WR Mike Williams, and RB LeGarrette Blount. The D is playing some old schhol "Buc Ball" with stud CB Aqib Talib. I don't see being 10-6 again but they will be a good looking team at 8-8...
4. Carolina Panthers: Well, the Panthers will look good at moments this season with that great offensive line and stud RBs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. The front office make some great moves in the offseason in signing TEs Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen to assist the quarterback maturation process for rookie QB Cam Newton. They will be better than they wee last year with a 5-11 record...
THE NFC EAST
PREVIEW: This was once considered the toughest division on the NFL and it's gonna be a dog fight to come out of top. I see the division winner being the only team making to the playoffs.
1.Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles were the offseason champions with the signings of CB Nnamdi Asomugha, DE Jason Babin, RB Ronnie Brown, QB Vince Young, and WR Steve Smith. I think the Eagles got the better end of the trade Kevin Kolb-Dominique Rogers Cromartie trade giving them one of the best corner grouping since the 1960s Lions with Asante Samuel, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Dominique Rogers-Cromartie in Eagle unis. But I think the offense will be fine but it will take awhile for the defense to find their sea legs. 11-5 for the Eagles...
2.Dallas Cowboys: The Wade Phillips era is a thing of the past and Jason Garrett is changing everything and I like what he's doing. But I think they are 1 maybe 2 years away from being seriously major. I love the new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan but he needs more toys to play with besides OLB DeMarcus Ware and CB Mike Jenkins. The Rob Ryan defense places a lot of pressure on the secondary that the are not ready for. Plus, this offensive line is extra young and QB Tony Romo night have to be running for his life to get the ball to WRs Dez Bryant and Miles Austin. 9-7 will be their record...
3.New York Giants: Okay, this team shows great flashes in September and October and tank in November and December except when they won the Super Bowl. But I do believe that history will repeat itself since WR Steve Smith is now a Eagle and DE Osi Umenyiora wants to be traded. While they have the feelgood story of the league with LB Mark Herzlich on their team, it won't be enough to be keep head coach Tom Coughlin seat cool. 8-8 record for the G-Men
4.Washington Redskins: This is the first year in a long time when the Redskins kept their draft picks and didn't spend like crazy. Head coach and offensive coordinator likes their QBs in Rex Grossman and John Beck, but I'm not sold. 6-10 will be their record...
THE NFC WEST
PREVIEW: This division will up for grabs. Every team in the division has a huge fatal flaw. The divion winner will be the only team in the postseason. Watch...
1.St. Louis Rams: This is the least flawed team of the division. I think QB Sam Bradford is best quarterback in the division. Their offense is the best in the divsion. So, they will be 9-7 in the playoffs.
2.Arizona Cardinals: So, the Cards traded away CB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie for QB Kevin Kolb thinking he is the missing piece in their quest back to the postseason. But, that won't be enough regardless on how fantastical WR Larry Fitzgerald is. Their defense needs a lot of major assistance even though they drafted the best corner in the draft in Patrick Peterson. So, they will be much improved at 8-8...
3.San Fancisco 49ers: The 49ers have a new coach and great running back. So, they won't be great but they won't be horrible. I'm not sure if Jim Harbaugh can properly rehabilitate QB Alex Smith into a better quarterback. The signing of WR Braylon Edwards could be feast of famine if he shows up and not just his uniform. But I believe that the niners will compete in every game and not be plagued with the mental errors of last season. So, they will be 6-10...
4.Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks getting rid off Matt Hasselbeck was probably one of the worst decisions of the offseason. Their defense is not stellar. While QB Tavaris Jackson and WR Sidney Rice are reunited with offensive coordinator Darryl Bevel, this will not not be good. Last year, they overachieved with winning the division and the shocker win in the playoffs over the New Orleans Saints, they will come back to earth this season. 5-11 will be their end result...
