2010-2011
The new season is almost upon us. Preseason games officially kicked off with the Hall of Fame game that saw the Cowboys defeat the Bengals 16-7. At this point, most teams know who their starters and key contributors are going to be. I did this piece last year and it's easily one of my favorites to write. I wasn't as accurate as I would have liked with some of my picks, but I did manage to get a couple of division champs correct and even correctly guessed the record of the Denver Broncos. My misses were bad, though, including picking Seattle to win the NFC West. Hopefully these picks go better.
8/11/10
8/11/10
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: Last year's NFC West champs have a much different feel this season. Gone are the retired Kurt Warner, and Anquan Boldin, Antrell Rolle, and Karlos Dansby who left through either free agency or trade. All of those players were very good and won't be easy to replace, but the Cardinals knew they would have to replace them all eventually and took some precautions. Matt Leinart takes over for Kurt Warner this season as the offense shifts to more of a ball-control, run-oriented offense (which is why Boldin was traded to the Ravens). He's started several games for the Cardinals the past few years, but he isn't anywhere near the caliber of Kurt Warner and the team will not be as prolific offensively. Still, the team shouldn't regress too much with the loss of several of their starters from last season, and a winning season should be expected from this squad. I'm thinking 10-6 or 9-7 and a second place finish in the NFC West.
San Francisco 49ers: This is the popular pick for NFC West champs and I'm inclined to agree with that sentiment. Head coach Mike Singletary isn't the best x's and o's guy in the league, but he knows how to get the very best out of his players (Vernon Davis is the perfect example). Alex Smith had some great moments at quarterback last season and should do much better in year two under offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye. The biggest weakness on this team last season was the offensive line and the team gets left tackle Joe Staley back from injury in addition to first round picks Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati, both of whom have been named starters for this season. If the team can do what's expected of them there's no reason they can't win at least 11 games and the NFC West.
Seattle Seahawks: I don't think I'll be picking this team to win the NFC West again any time soon. They have a new head coach in Pete Carroll, but I'm not convinced he's an NFL head coach. Despite that, I think the team has done a great job of bringing in young players that will help this team improve, starting with tackle Russell Okung, safety Earl Thomas and wide receiver Golden Tate. I watched Tate last season at Notre Dame and he was electrifying. He has a very underrated set of hands and is dangerous in the open field. In spite of, or maybe because of, the amount of change this team has gone through over the last year, I'm picking them to only win around 6 games. I do think they'll be competitive, though.
St. Louis Rams: This was easily the worst team in the league last year. The offensive line was horrible, the defense had trouble stopping teams, and the passing game was basically non-existent. Add that all up and it equals a first overall pick in the NFL draft, which was used on quarterback Sam Bradford. The team will be better than last season, but the questions are how much better and will the standings reflect that improvement. This is going to be a more competitive team, but they still have several holes on both sides of the ball and a fairly tough schedule. They should play better on Sundays, but the record might not show it. I'm going with a max of 3 wins for this team.
San Francisco 49ers: This is the popular pick for NFC West champs and I'm inclined to agree with that sentiment. Head coach Mike Singletary isn't the best x's and o's guy in the league, but he knows how to get the very best out of his players (Vernon Davis is the perfect example). Alex Smith had some great moments at quarterback last season and should do much better in year two under offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye. The biggest weakness on this team last season was the offensive line and the team gets left tackle Joe Staley back from injury in addition to first round picks Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati, both of whom have been named starters for this season. If the team can do what's expected of them there's no reason they can't win at least 11 games and the NFC West.
Seattle Seahawks: I don't think I'll be picking this team to win the NFC West again any time soon. They have a new head coach in Pete Carroll, but I'm not convinced he's an NFL head coach. Despite that, I think the team has done a great job of bringing in young players that will help this team improve, starting with tackle Russell Okung, safety Earl Thomas and wide receiver Golden Tate. I watched Tate last season at Notre Dame and he was electrifying. He has a very underrated set of hands and is dangerous in the open field. In spite of, or maybe because of, the amount of change this team has gone through over the last year, I'm picking them to only win around 6 games. I do think they'll be competitive, though.
St. Louis Rams: This was easily the worst team in the league last year. The offensive line was horrible, the defense had trouble stopping teams, and the passing game was basically non-existent. Add that all up and it equals a first overall pick in the NFL draft, which was used on quarterback Sam Bradford. The team will be better than last season, but the questions are how much better and will the standings reflect that improvement. This is going to be a more competitive team, but they still have several holes on both sides of the ball and a fairly tough schedule. They should play better on Sundays, but the record might not show it. I'm going with a max of 3 wins for this team.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: Atlanta was a surprise team two seasons ago. Due to the running of Michael Turner and the unexpected production from rookie Matt Ryan, the team went from having the third-worst record in the league to an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance. The team fell off a bit last season due to injuries and the ineffectiveness of Michael Turner to the tune of a 9-7 record. Much of the talent remains and the defensive personnel has improved slightly, but the schedule is going to be fairly difficult this season. However, I think Matt Ryan should make a huge jump in his third year and I think the standings should reflect that. The Falcons should be back around an 11-5 team, but probably won't win the division.
Carolina Panthers: Gone are Julius Peppers and Jake Delhomme. Steve Smith broke his arm in the offseason and won't be available until the season starts. New starting quarterback Matt Moore played extremely well at the end of last season and easily beat out Jimmy Clausen in training camp, but the Panthers' roster is very young and lacks a proven pass-catcher opposite Steve Smith. Running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are the best combination of running backs in the league, but it's hard to justify running the ball when the team is behind on the scoreboard. I like the Panthers, but I just can't see them winning more than 5 games this season. They are building well for the future, though.
New Orleans Saints: The Saints had a magical season last year, culminating with a win over the Colts for the team's first Super Bowl. The offense was borderline unstoppable and the defense made huge plays when it needed to. Because of the uncapped offseason the team really didn't lose or gain much in terms of player personnel. Scott Fujita left for the Browns and Charles Grant was released, but the loss of Fujita isn't huge and the team signed Alex Brown to replace Grant. Taking everything into account, the Saints should have another great year. I'm thinking 12-4 and the best record in the NFC South again.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs played well at times last year with upsets of the Packers and Saints (both NFC playoff teams). The rest of the season wasn't as successful for the team. They went 3-13 in the first year of a youth movement. This is another team that is setting itself up extremely well for the future, but this is going to be another long season in Tampa Bay. Looking at the schedule, I think it's possible for the team to win anywhere from 1 to 4 games. The foundation is being set, but the team is still a year or two away from competing for a playoff spot.
Carolina Panthers: Gone are Julius Peppers and Jake Delhomme. Steve Smith broke his arm in the offseason and won't be available until the season starts. New starting quarterback Matt Moore played extremely well at the end of last season and easily beat out Jimmy Clausen in training camp, but the Panthers' roster is very young and lacks a proven pass-catcher opposite Steve Smith. Running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are the best combination of running backs in the league, but it's hard to justify running the ball when the team is behind on the scoreboard. I like the Panthers, but I just can't see them winning more than 5 games this season. They are building well for the future, though.
New Orleans Saints: The Saints had a magical season last year, culminating with a win over the Colts for the team's first Super Bowl. The offense was borderline unstoppable and the defense made huge plays when it needed to. Because of the uncapped offseason the team really didn't lose or gain much in terms of player personnel. Scott Fujita left for the Browns and Charles Grant was released, but the loss of Fujita isn't huge and the team signed Alex Brown to replace Grant. Taking everything into account, the Saints should have another great year. I'm thinking 12-4 and the best record in the NFC South again.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs played well at times last year with upsets of the Packers and Saints (both NFC playoff teams). The rest of the season wasn't as successful for the team. They went 3-13 in the first year of a youth movement. This is another team that is setting itself up extremely well for the future, but this is going to be another long season in Tampa Bay. Looking at the schedule, I think it's possible for the team to win anywhere from 1 to 4 games. The foundation is being set, but the team is still a year or two away from competing for a playoff spot.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: With the trade for Jay Cutler the Bears become a much more fearsome offensive team. Paired with last year's second round pick, Matt Forte, the Bears have a chance to finally put some points on the scoreboard. Cutler along with veteran free agent Orlando Pace should combine to help the Bears win at least two more games this season, upping their total to at least 11 wins. This is my choice for division champ if at least one of their receivers can step up and have a great year.
Detroit Lions: The Lions were awful last year and while they should be much improved I still don't expect them to be anything special. I wrote about 8 months ago that the team should draft Matthew Stafford if they get the top pick to pair with Calvin Johnson and I believe he was the right pick if he can progress into the player he can be. This team won't go winless and I would not be surprised to see them win 5 or 6 games this season.
Green Bay Packers: The Packers' defense was terrible last season while the offense was extremely potent in Aaron Rodgers' first year as a starter. Solution? Change to a 3-4. Everybody's doing it. With the amount of 'tweener pass rushers available in the draft and free agency teams are finding it easier to assemble 3-4 defenses. The Packers' two first round picks went to solidify their conversion when they drafted BJ Raji and Clay Matthews. This isn't a switch that will be totally seamless and it's difficult to rely so much on rookies, but this is a very talented team and should be competitive. Look for them to up their win total to around 8 or 9 games but this probably isn't going to be a playoff team until year 2 or 3 of the 3-4.
Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings were the North champs last year and seem to have upgraded the quarterback position with Sage Rosenfels and possibly Brett Favre (that's another story entirely, one which I will not touch). The team's only loss on the field will be the Williams' who were suspended the first 4 games of the season for testing positive for a banned substance. This team will always be good as long as Adrian Peterson is the running back and should be borderline explosive with the addition of Percy Harvin as a first round draft pick. The loss of the Williamses is huge, and should cost the Vikings at least two wins out of their first four games. I give them 9 wins this year.
Detroit Lions: The Lions were awful last year and while they should be much improved I still don't expect them to be anything special. I wrote about 8 months ago that the team should draft Matthew Stafford if they get the top pick to pair with Calvin Johnson and I believe he was the right pick if he can progress into the player he can be. This team won't go winless and I would not be surprised to see them win 5 or 6 games this season.
Green Bay Packers: The Packers' defense was terrible last season while the offense was extremely potent in Aaron Rodgers' first year as a starter. Solution? Change to a 3-4. Everybody's doing it. With the amount of 'tweener pass rushers available in the draft and free agency teams are finding it easier to assemble 3-4 defenses. The Packers' two first round picks went to solidify their conversion when they drafted BJ Raji and Clay Matthews. This isn't a switch that will be totally seamless and it's difficult to rely so much on rookies, but this is a very talented team and should be competitive. Look for them to up their win total to around 8 or 9 games but this probably isn't going to be a playoff team until year 2 or 3 of the 3-4.
Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings were the North champs last year and seem to have upgraded the quarterback position with Sage Rosenfels and possibly Brett Favre (that's another story entirely, one which I will not touch). The team's only loss on the field will be the Williams' who were suspended the first 4 games of the season for testing positive for a banned substance. This team will always be good as long as Adrian Peterson is the running back and should be borderline explosive with the addition of Percy Harvin as a first round draft pick. The loss of the Williamses is huge, and should cost the Vikings at least two wins out of their first four games. I give them 9 wins this year.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Dallas missed the playoffs by one game last year but that could be a fluke. I'm not a Cowboys fan and I don't think this current roster has much of a chance of a sustained playoff run. Releasing Terrell Owens was a good move but it remains to be seen if Roy Williams can bounce back from last season. They also released veterans Roy Williams (safety) and Greg Ellis. As long as Tony Romo is the quarterback count the Cowboys out. I think they finish third again this year unless DeMarcus Ware dominates the league.
New York Giants: With the release of Plaxico Burress the Giants created a huge hole on their team. They are hoping rookie receivers Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden can help make up for some of the productivity they lost in releasing their most important offensive player. If that can't happen and none of the other Giants receivers step up it could prove to be a costly mistake come playoff time. Still, this is an extremely talented team and other than the loss of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo this team really didn't lose anyone. This is the team to beat in the East and the Giants should win the division again this year
Philadelphia Eagles: This could be the most improved team in the league. They added Stacy Andrews, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Jason Peters in the offseason and are replacing Eagles legend and leader Brian Dawkins with Sean Jones, who was a good safety for the Browns. Add in an improved Reggie Brown and DeSean Jackson and this is an extremely dangerous Eagles team. I'm picking them to finish a game behind the Giants and to possibly make a Super Bowl run.
Washington Redskins: I have never been impressed with Washington, despite the plethora of talented players they always seem to have on both sides of the ball. It's a team that just can't seem to stay healthy collectively. While I like the acquisitions of Brian Orakpo through the draft and Albert Haynesworth through free agency I think it's too little in the ultra-competitive East. The defense should be strong this year and will be the bread and butter for this team, but it needs Clinton Portis to stay healthy, which he can't do, and it needs last year's second round receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly to make huge strides in their development. Unless those things happen this should be another fourth place finish for the Redskins.
New York Giants: With the release of Plaxico Burress the Giants created a huge hole on their team. They are hoping rookie receivers Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden can help make up for some of the productivity they lost in releasing their most important offensive player. If that can't happen and none of the other Giants receivers step up it could prove to be a costly mistake come playoff time. Still, this is an extremely talented team and other than the loss of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo this team really didn't lose anyone. This is the team to beat in the East and the Giants should win the division again this year
Philadelphia Eagles: This could be the most improved team in the league. They added Stacy Andrews, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Jason Peters in the offseason and are replacing Eagles legend and leader Brian Dawkins with Sean Jones, who was a good safety for the Browns. Add in an improved Reggie Brown and DeSean Jackson and this is an extremely dangerous Eagles team. I'm picking them to finish a game behind the Giants and to possibly make a Super Bowl run.
Washington Redskins: I have never been impressed with Washington, despite the plethora of talented players they always seem to have on both sides of the ball. It's a team that just can't seem to stay healthy collectively. While I like the acquisitions of Brian Orakpo through the draft and Albert Haynesworth through free agency I think it's too little in the ultra-competitive East. The defense should be strong this year and will be the bread and butter for this team, but it needs Clinton Portis to stay healthy, which he can't do, and it needs last year's second round receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly to make huge strides in their development. Unless those things happen this should be another fourth place finish for the Redskins.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: The Broncos last year finished 8-8 and ended up firing Mike Shanahan after the season and replacing him with Josh McDaniels. The team also parted ways with franchise quarterback Jay Cutler after some offseason drama. To top it all off this is another team converting to a 3-4 defense. Even with the picks of Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers in the first round and 3 second round picks this team should not be a contender in the West. I think another 8-8 finish sounds about right for the Broncos.
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs were terrible last season and with Scott Pioli now running the show the team should be able to contend in a few seasons in the West. I really like the pickup of Matt Cassel to run Todd Haley's spread offense and if this team can also successfully convert to a 3-4 defense they should win more games. It will be hard without future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, who was traded, but the Chiefs started a lot of rookies and second year players last year and that kind of experience for such young players could yield fantastic results for this season.
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders are on what seems like their fifteenth head coach this decade but look to try to turn the corner. They have had so many high picks that this team needs to start producing and could. They reached with their draft picks this year but that won't matter much in the short term. The important thing to keep an eye on this season is how JaMarcus Russell develops. The Raiders brought in Samson Satele, Marcus Johnson, and Khalif Barnes for the offensive line and hope to combine them with Roberty Gallery and Mario Henderson to give Russell time to use his big arm to throw passes down the field. If Russell can make the strides he's expected to the Raiders could win 8 or 9 games. That's a big if.
San Diego Chargers: Did the Chargers lose any contributors from their team? Last year's AFC West champs should repeat in a weak division. Phillip Rivers has another year of experience and the Chargers proved to be more than capable on offense last year. The main reason the team only won 8 games was because of injuries to Shawne Merriman, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Cromartie. With all three back healthy and with first round pick Larry English this team has its eyes set on the Super Bowl. They should win at least 12 games and I would be surprised if they lost more than one game against their AFC West foes.
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs were terrible last season and with Scott Pioli now running the show the team should be able to contend in a few seasons in the West. I really like the pickup of Matt Cassel to run Todd Haley's spread offense and if this team can also successfully convert to a 3-4 defense they should win more games. It will be hard without future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, who was traded, but the Chiefs started a lot of rookies and second year players last year and that kind of experience for such young players could yield fantastic results for this season.
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders are on what seems like their fifteenth head coach this decade but look to try to turn the corner. They have had so many high picks that this team needs to start producing and could. They reached with their draft picks this year but that won't matter much in the short term. The important thing to keep an eye on this season is how JaMarcus Russell develops. The Raiders brought in Samson Satele, Marcus Johnson, and Khalif Barnes for the offensive line and hope to combine them with Roberty Gallery and Mario Henderson to give Russell time to use his big arm to throw passes down the field. If Russell can make the strides he's expected to the Raiders could win 8 or 9 games. That's a big if.
San Diego Chargers: Did the Chargers lose any contributors from their team? Last year's AFC West champs should repeat in a weak division. Phillip Rivers has another year of experience and the Chargers proved to be more than capable on offense last year. The main reason the team only won 8 games was because of injuries to Shawne Merriman, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Cromartie. With all three back healthy and with first round pick Larry English this team has its eyes set on the Super Bowl. They should win at least 12 games and I would be surprised if they lost more than one game against their AFC West foes.
AFC South
Houston Texans: The Houston Texans finished 8-8 two years in a row and added some nice pieces through the draft and free agency. They traded backup Sage Rosenfels for a 4th round pick and signed Antonio Smith, Dan Orlovsky and Rex Grossman in free agency and were also able to pick up defensive players Brian Cushing and Connor Barwin with their first two picks in the draft. Add that to a very good offense and potential Defensive Player of the Year Mario Williams and this could be a surprisingly good team this year. I won't pick them to win the division but I think they could earn a playoff berth this season as a wild card team.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts could be in trouble this season. They have a new head coach, new offensive coordinator, new offensive line coach, and they have to replace one of the greatest receivers of all time in Marvin Harrison. They do still have the best quarterback in the league in Peyton Manning and with basically the same team as last season but with the addition of Donald Brown at running back in case Joseph Addai can't be either healthy or productive the team should be in a good position to try to reclaim the division. I'll put my money on them. Don't forget that the Colts would have won the South last year had Manning been healthy all season.
Jacksonville Jaguars: This could have been the most disappointing team in the league last season. They lost a good chunk of their offensive line last season to injury and never seemed to be able to replicate the kind of smash mouth team they had been the season before. So they went out this offseason and signed Tra Thomas in free agency and spent their first two picks in the draft on offensive linemen. Paired with the signing of Torry Holt to replace Matt Jones and Reggie Williams and the team should get back to where they were two years ago. I'm guessing 10-6 and a shot at the playoffs.
Tennessee Titans: The Titans won the South last season because of their defense led by All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth who then left in free agency for record-breaking money. Sure, there was tampering involved, but he's gone and it leaves a huge void in the middle of that defense. Other than him the team didn't really lose anybody and they finally drafted a receiver in the first round in Kenny Britt, who should improve the passing game in a season or two. The player in the Titans' draft I'm keeping an eye on is Sen'Derrick Marks from Auburn, who was drafted to replace Haynesworth. If the Titans can keep him playing hard then they might have a gem. Still, I think it's a stretch to think they can win the division two years in a row with a loss as big as Haynesworth and no significant improvements on offense. I have them going 11-5 and tying for second.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts could be in trouble this season. They have a new head coach, new offensive coordinator, new offensive line coach, and they have to replace one of the greatest receivers of all time in Marvin Harrison. They do still have the best quarterback in the league in Peyton Manning and with basically the same team as last season but with the addition of Donald Brown at running back in case Joseph Addai can't be either healthy or productive the team should be in a good position to try to reclaim the division. I'll put my money on them. Don't forget that the Colts would have won the South last year had Manning been healthy all season.
Jacksonville Jaguars: This could have been the most disappointing team in the league last season. They lost a good chunk of their offensive line last season to injury and never seemed to be able to replicate the kind of smash mouth team they had been the season before. So they went out this offseason and signed Tra Thomas in free agency and spent their first two picks in the draft on offensive linemen. Paired with the signing of Torry Holt to replace Matt Jones and Reggie Williams and the team should get back to where they were two years ago. I'm guessing 10-6 and a shot at the playoffs.
Tennessee Titans: The Titans won the South last season because of their defense led by All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth who then left in free agency for record-breaking money. Sure, there was tampering involved, but he's gone and it leaves a huge void in the middle of that defense. Other than him the team didn't really lose anybody and they finally drafted a receiver in the first round in Kenny Britt, who should improve the passing game in a season or two. The player in the Titans' draft I'm keeping an eye on is Sen'Derrick Marks from Auburn, who was drafted to replace Haynesworth. If the Titans can keep him playing hard then they might have a gem. Still, I think it's a stretch to think they can win the division two years in a row with a loss as big as Haynesworth and no significant improvements on offense. I have them going 11-5 and tying for second.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: This team surprised a lot of people by getting as far as it did with a rookie quarterback in Joe Flacco. Now it will have to do that again in what would be a rebuilding year for most teams. They cut their longtime star cornerback Chris McCalister, saw Jason Brown and Bart Scott leave in free agency, had their starting offensive tackles retire, and lost their defensive coordinator. Still the Ravens are expecting to be better than last year's 11-5 team. While I don't think they'll be better, I don't think they will regress either. They didn't lose Ray Lewis and they do such a good job of drafting that they should be able to fill every hole. I'm really looking forward to seeing Michael Oher in the lineup, as I think he was as big of a steal as there was in the first round.
Cincinatti Bengals: The Bengals were dreadful last season, but the record doesn't reflect the talent level on this team. It was simply one of those seasons where nothing went right. Franchise quarterback Carson Palmer missed most of the season with an elbow injury and that seemed to doom the team. One good thing that happened was the team seemed to find a running game with the addition of Cedric Benson, who had some great games. They also let TJ Houshmandzadeh leave in free agency but he should be replaced with a combination of Laveranues Coles and their two second round receivers from last season's draft. The team also addressed a lot of needs through the draft and had arguably the best draft in the league, getting Andre Smith, Rey Maualuga, Michael Johnson, and Chase Coffman in the first 3 rounds. With a healthy Palmer this team should compete in a year or two but will probably finish around 7-9 this season.
Cleveland Browns: This team has seemingly no chance this season. They have a good offensive line and new coach Eric Mangini will have a tough time deciding who the quarterback will be. I think it should be Brady Quinn, but Anderson might fit Mangini's style of play a bit more. Either way this team won't have a very good offense but could be decent on defense. I'm thinking 6-10 and a high draft pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Here is my division winner, the defending champs. Their only losses are easily replaceable and have been on the roster learning the playbook, waiting for a chance to play. This team should actually be better next season, since they will be healthy again and Ben Roethlisberger took a huge leap in his development in the playoffs and especially the Super Bowl. I think they win at least 12 games and should face the Patriots in the playoffs to decide who goes to the Super Bowl this year.
Cincinatti Bengals: The Bengals were dreadful last season, but the record doesn't reflect the talent level on this team. It was simply one of those seasons where nothing went right. Franchise quarterback Carson Palmer missed most of the season with an elbow injury and that seemed to doom the team. One good thing that happened was the team seemed to find a running game with the addition of Cedric Benson, who had some great games. They also let TJ Houshmandzadeh leave in free agency but he should be replaced with a combination of Laveranues Coles and their two second round receivers from last season's draft. The team also addressed a lot of needs through the draft and had arguably the best draft in the league, getting Andre Smith, Rey Maualuga, Michael Johnson, and Chase Coffman in the first 3 rounds. With a healthy Palmer this team should compete in a year or two but will probably finish around 7-9 this season.
Cleveland Browns: This team has seemingly no chance this season. They have a good offensive line and new coach Eric Mangini will have a tough time deciding who the quarterback will be. I think it should be Brady Quinn, but Anderson might fit Mangini's style of play a bit more. Either way this team won't have a very good offense but could be decent on defense. I'm thinking 6-10 and a high draft pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Here is my division winner, the defending champs. Their only losses are easily replaceable and have been on the roster learning the playbook, waiting for a chance to play. This team should actually be better next season, since they will be healthy again and Ben Roethlisberger took a huge leap in his development in the playoffs and especially the Super Bowl. I think they win at least 12 games and should face the Patriots in the playoffs to decide who goes to the Super Bowl this year.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: The Bills went 7-9 last season and I'm predicting the same this year. While they were able to add Terrell Owens and first round pick Aaron Maybin, I don't the team has enough talent on it to compete, especially with the loss of Jason Peters. His loss will create a shuffling of the entire line in an effort to replace him and paired with the loss of Marshawn Lynch for the first 3 games this team is going to have a rough start. Enough with the criticism. I like what they're doing on defense. I liked Maybin last year at Penn State and I think he has what it takes to star at the pro level. I also really like the addition of Owens and what it could mean to that offense if he can avoid the drama that has plagued him throughout his career. I just don't think this team can compete yet and Owens is aging and only got a one year deal.
Miami Dolphins: This is a hard team to project. They somehow went 11-5 last season and while I don't think they can get 11 wins again it wouldn't surprise me because they got better this offseason. Parcells teams usually turn into contendors within a few seasons and this is going to be year #2. Chad Henne could be ready to start this season and they beefed up their defense with Vontae Davis in the first round and the return of Jason Taylor. Pat White could also be deadly in the Wildcat offense and I think he's the most important player on this team this year. If he can become the force he has the potential to be then this team could be for real. If not I think they fall short.
New England Patriots: I'm going to say it now. I think this team goes 19-0. The only thing that prevented them last season was Tom Brady's knee injury. With him back and even more weapons around him I don't think this team can lose. The only problem with this team would be if Tom Brady either doesn't come back completely healthy or if he comes back rusty. I don't think the injury will bother him much and he should look forward to coming back and likely winning another championship.
New York Jets: I like what the Jets did this offseason. They upgraded head coaches, getting Rex Ryan to run the show. Then they traded to be able to draft Mark Sanchez, who could be the best quarterback in this draft class. While they likely won't win anything important this season, this team is set up for huge things in the future. If Sanchez and Shonn Greene develop according to expectations and Ryan can get the defense playing at the level he's used to then the Patriots will have even more competition in the very strong AFC East. If I were a Jets fan I would be really happy with the direction my team is headed in. I'm even predicting 11-5 for the Jets this season.
Miami Dolphins: This is a hard team to project. They somehow went 11-5 last season and while I don't think they can get 11 wins again it wouldn't surprise me because they got better this offseason. Parcells teams usually turn into contendors within a few seasons and this is going to be year #2. Chad Henne could be ready to start this season and they beefed up their defense with Vontae Davis in the first round and the return of Jason Taylor. Pat White could also be deadly in the Wildcat offense and I think he's the most important player on this team this year. If he can become the force he has the potential to be then this team could be for real. If not I think they fall short.
New England Patriots: I'm going to say it now. I think this team goes 19-0. The only thing that prevented them last season was Tom Brady's knee injury. With him back and even more weapons around him I don't think this team can lose. The only problem with this team would be if Tom Brady either doesn't come back completely healthy or if he comes back rusty. I don't think the injury will bother him much and he should look forward to coming back and likely winning another championship.
New York Jets: I like what the Jets did this offseason. They upgraded head coaches, getting Rex Ryan to run the show. Then they traded to be able to draft Mark Sanchez, who could be the best quarterback in this draft class. While they likely won't win anything important this season, this team is set up for huge things in the future. If Sanchez and Shonn Greene develop according to expectations and Ryan can get the defense playing at the level he's used to then the Patriots will have even more competition in the very strong AFC East. If I were a Jets fan I would be really happy with the direction my team is headed in. I'm even predicting 11-5 for the Jets this season.
