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AFC East |
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AFC West |
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AFC South |
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| NFC North |
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NFC East |
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NFC West |
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NFC South |
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Thoughts And Observations |
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Prediction Time
Finally, all we have to do is bear it through one more week of preseason, and we're there. There's just something about fall that is wonderful. Yes, football makes it that way, and it is more than just the pro game. But fall is just so much more. The weather is the best of the year. The leaves and trees turn over, and the aura of the world give us a warm feeling. The holiday season quickly approaches. Oh, yes, and there is wonderful football.
Football...glorious football. Lots of it. High school, college and the NFL. From Thursday to Monday there seems to always be a game on, and it usually is in my house. My wife is very understanding of that. Not much else, but...just kidding, honey. She rarely reads my stuff anymore anyway.
So here we go. The final two weeks of the fake stuff, and on with fanciful thoughts of championships for the local, state and professional teams, plus the real hopes for many of us, taking out our friends on the fantasy gridiron.
I've been completing drafts, and with the conclusion of my big league draft that started me on all this, there is that feeling that I'm ready for kickoff. Ready to totally indulge myself. Ready to win titles and watch titles be won. But before I start all of that watching, waiting and anticipating, I thought now was a good time to take a final look around before I go weekly, and offer my prognotication of the season.
The Predictions
THE TEAMS (in order of predicted finish)
AFC NORTH
Any of these teams could step up behind the Steelers and make the playoffs. Even two could get in, but it's doubtful.
STEELERS - The have enough talent to stay on top this year. The running game could drop way off, but they play smart.
BROWNS - They have a lot of ingredients in place now, but they have a lot of competition for the division crown. They will be good.
RAVENS - They are the league's youngest team now, and have a lot to learn and prove. They have some talent, but will struggle.
BENGALS - They are the darkhorse. If they get some solid QB play, they could surprise a lot of people. The playoffs are possible.
AFC EAST
I wanted to place the Jets at the top, but couldn't bring myself to do it. It should be a tight three-way race.
PATRIOTS - Everyone is gunning for them, and it will be tough to match last season, but it's hard to place anyone over them.
JETS - Herm Edwards can coach, and as long as injuries don't hit heavily, they will have an explosive offense.
DOLPHINS - Everyone knows I don't buy the "Ricky Williams is savior" idea. I think they have holes, and still need to beat the Jets.
BILLS - This team will improve, but it's a tough division, and there are still questions with the defense.
AFC WEST
I don't think you can count anyone out in this division. All teams have serious questions, but could put it together.
BRONCOS - They have the league's best coach, and solid weapons all around. They need to avoid injuries this year.
CHARGERS - Marty Schottenheimer will have them playing well, and he knows the competition here like the back of his hand.
CHIEFS - If the offense picks up where it left off last year, they will be around for every game. They still have a ways to go, though.
RAIDERS - I just cannot help but think the wheels will come off. The age will catch up to them, but not as much as the loss of Gruden.
AFC SOUTH
This could be a two team race. There are just too many question marks surrounding the Jags and Texans.
TITANS - If Steve McNair and Eddie George stay healthy, this team could be playing late into January and beyond.
COLTS - If the defense can step up a few notches, this team could really make some noise. They could even challenge the Titans.
JAGUARS - The questions abound everywhere, but if Fred Taylor can stay healthy, and Jimmy Smith returns, they will win some.
TEXANS - You just cannot place an expansion team any higher, even though they may be the best one ever. Early struggles.
NFC NORTH
The Packers should be in a position to take control here. There could be a surprise, but you have to look at all the variables right now.
PACKERS - They have the ingredients to win this, whereas all the others are facing too many questions. It's just a solid team.
BEARS - Playing in a new home stadium outside Chicago, and competing when everyone now knows you can play will be tough.
VIKINGS - They could surprise, but the offense has line questions, and the entire defense is always a question here. Hard to tell.
LIONS - Marty Morningwheg needs to check his ego at the door after last year. Starting McMahon over Harrington is stupid.
NFC EAST
Almost anything could happen here. All these teams have potential on both sides, and could rise or fall by season's end.
EAGLES - They appear to be the class of the division, but they can be beat, and stuggle at times with all three of the others.
REDSKINS - If Spurrier's offense is halfway decent, they can make a lot of things happen. I just believe they will hold their own.
GIANTS - They got hurt with the salary cap, but the offense could be back in gear. The defense has a little to prove now.
COWBOYS - They have the defense, but I still have to question the quarterback situation. It should be okay, but...
NFC WEST
The bottom two have a ways to go, talent wise, to catch up with the Rams and 49ers. The 49ers are still catching up to the Rams.
RAMS - Still powerful on offense, and the defense will be even better. Blowing the Super Bowl should motivate them.
49ers - They could steal their home game against the Rams, but overall they will not make the jump yet. They'll be awful good.
SEAHAWKS - Holmgren will put up a fight if his offense comes together, but the team will not be able to get past either.
CARDINALS - They will open things up, but don't have the talent on defense, and that's not an area you can afford in this bunch.
NFC SOUTH
I'm calling my surprise over here. I think this is a better group than it looks on paper, but the class teams are the two on top.
SAINTS - The Saints have some serious guns on offense, and the defense could be much better than once believed.
BUCCANEERS - Everyone expects the Bucs to take that final step, but I can sense a hitch or two along the way. Still good.
FALCONS - They will be exciting to watch at times, but not quite good enough to make that step towards the playoffs.
PANTHERS - They can't be as bad as last year, can they? I don't think so, but they will not make any major steps yet.
OFFENSIVE MVP
Kurt Warner/Marshall Faulk, STL
They own the last three years. With a better thumb, Warner could outperform last season, and Faulk is...well, Faulk.
DEFENSIVE MVP
Warren Sapp, TB
He's lighter and ultra-motivated. Now if he would just shut up.
AFC SURPRISE TEAM
San Diego Chargers
Marty Schottenheimer hasn't been to a Super Bowl, but he can coach and always takes lesser talent higher.
NFC SURPRISE TEAM
New Orleans Saints
Many expected a dropoff after some roster purging, but they should really surprise people.
AFC PLAYOFFS
Steelers, Patriots, Broncos, Titans, Colts and Jets
I like the Steelers and Titans for the Championship, but the Jets are my surprise special.
NFC PLAYOFFS
Packers, Eagles, Rams, Saints, 49ers and Bucs
It's hard to predict anyone besides the Rams coming out, but the Saints could be a good final match-up.
SUPER BOWL
Steelers versus Rams
This is what should have happened last season, but the Patriots stepped in the way of both. This would be a nice match-up, although I think the Rams will have too much determination. If the Steelers have even a slight dropoff in the running game, but still make it here, the Rams should overwhelm them with the defense alone. It could be lower scoring based on the Steelers defense, but in the end of this one, the Rams will be so focused that they will not only want to assure they don't blow it, but that they have a place in history.
CHAMPIONS
St. Louis Rams
This team could convert to a power-running game and still win the same amount of games. They are just very complete, and should lift their level of play much more in the postseason versus last season.
A look around...
The Gents
I wanted to make mention this week that I had the opportunity to meet with two other respected individuals in fantasy football business. Not that I am respected, but that's another story.
I drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma and met Terry Cannon and Kevin Kidd for dinner and Monday Night football. Great time had by all. TC is a member of FanEx Football and Keck has Fantasy Specs. Aside from these two guys substance abuse problems, they really know their stuff, and I recommend their sites heavily. I brought a Skill Positions tee shirt for each of them, but they didn't give me anything. In fact, one left our table for awhile and when I got back to my car, all the gas was siphoned out of it. Then, they disappeared right before we were brought our tab. I think they had a good time with me, though.
By the way, I'm obviously joking about the substance abuse comment. I don't think they have one. I actually have forgotten much of the evening when I received a blow to the back of my head, and my money taken.
Moving on...
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THINGS I KNOW OR WONDER:
People can quit worrying about what they have seen of the Rams and Eagles offenses. They will be fine.
Jamal Anderson will be a Patriot in mostly name only.
Antonio Freeman's signing just spelled fantasy doom for everyone but James Thrash.
The Chiefs should have dealt Tony Gonzalez a long time ago. It's not like he fits the offense.
The Eagles will have a running game until Donovan McNabb goes down with an injury.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
Gus Frerotte will be one of three starting quarterbacks for the Bengals this season.
Clinton Portis will be the Broncos main mazzain. Forget the competition talk.
The Panthers will start slow, but will look like a different team when DeShaun Foster returns.
Herman Moore is done. Whether he admits it or not. He's done, even if he signs with a team.
Another Morningwheg will start showing up around the Lions complex. Many will assume that it is Marty's brother, but eventually everyone will realize that the person is a side effect from Marty's ego. It will eventually explode leaving many careers injured in its wake.
Mike owns and publishes SkillPositions.Com, along with a big, expensive, and talented staff. Don't use this work without permission in writing. Mike has been known as the world's only living heart donor. He also thinks morals are paintings on walls, and scruples are money in Russia.
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