Every year in the NFL there are a couple of teams that shock some people. I'm going to attempt to pick who those teams will be this season and why. But first let me loosely define what a sleeper team is. A team that no one (except the players, coaches, and five biggest fans of that team) thinks can go to the Super Bowl.
In the AFC I will pick the Houston Texans. The biggest problem for them is the division they play in. They automatically have six games against playoff teams because they're in the same division as the Colts, Jags, and Titans. Last year they struggled in those games going 1-5. But out of the division they were 7-3, making them an average 8-8 on the season.
Another main problem was keeping guys like Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub healthy. Schaub and Johnson only played together four times, but when they did the Texans were 3-1.Both should start the season 100% for the Texans.
Protecting the QB has always been an issue in Houston but they have made efforts this offseason to improve their line. They traded for Chris Meyer, a guard who started all 16 games in Denver last season and an upgrade from what Houston had at guard last season. They also spent their first pick in the draft on Duane Brown a tackle from Virginia Tech. He can play both right and left tackle and should see significant playing time early on.
MY PREDICTION- 10-6, 3rd in AFC South, 6th seed in AFC, lose in the first round of the playoffs
In the NFC I have a feeling that the Rams can shock a few people. Like the Texans they struggled staying healthy and protecting the quarterback last season. But unlike the Texans they should benefit from a relatively easy schedule (outside from a few games).
The offensive line was terrible for the Rams last season. Mainly because Orlando Pace played in only one game. He should be healthy and ready to go by Week 1.
Injuries really hurt the team, especially quarteback Marc Bulger. He played in 12 games and in those games was not himself mainly due to cracked ribs. Steven Jackson missed 4 games and wasn't quite as productive in the games he did play due to a poor offensive line. With those guys healthy and don't forget about Tory Holt, the offense should be more then fine.
On defensive they should be in the middle of the pack(more towards the bottom), but if their offense returns to form then they could win a few games by outscoring their opponets. And then have done a couple of things to improve on defense. Like draft Chris Long with the first selection in the draft. His impact won't be known until the season starts but if he puts up around 8-10 sacks that definatley won't hurt the defense.
MY PREDICTION- 9-7, 2nd in NFC West, 6th seed in NFC, lose in the second round of the playoffs
Everyone said I was on crack for picking the Eagles to win the Super Bowl in an earlier post, but I'm going to stick to that. I'm now going to do some more predictions.
MVP- Brian Westbrook...2,200 yards from scrimmage
Defensive Player of the Year- Mario Williams... 15 sacks
Defensive Rookie of the Year- Chris Long... 10 sacks
Offensive Rookie of the Year- Darren McFadden... 1,300 rushing yards
Best Players at skill positions
QB
1st. Tom Brady... who cares I hate him
2nd. Donovan McNabb... 28 passing TDs and 6 rushing
3rd. Peyton Manning... 30ish passing TDs
RB
1st. Brian Westbrook... already told you
2nd. LT... 20 total TDs
3rd. Steven Jackson... 2,000 yards from scrimmage
WR
1st. Braylon Edwards... around 15 TDs
2nd. Randy Moss... he admits he's ####... just kidding... that would be funny though
I know that the draft has taken place yet but I'm going to predict each division winner and wild card team, plus the championship games and Super Bowl.
NFC
East- Philadelphia Eagles(12-4)- When Donovan McNabb is healthy the Eagles can compete for a Super Bowl. The last time he was... they did.
North- Green Bay Packers(11-5)- I don't care that Brett is gone because Aaron Rodgers is GOOD.
South- New Orleans Saints(11-5)- They had a let down last year after being one game from the Super Bowl... it won't happen again.
West-Seattle Seahawks(10-6)- How many straight times have they won this?
Wild Card- Cowboys(11-5) and Giants(10-6)
Close but no cigar- Redskins, Buccaneers, Rams
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP- Eagles vs Saints
AFC
East- Patriots(13-3)- No explanation needed.
North- Cleveland Browns(11-5)- First surprise as the Browns take down the Steelers. I like their offseason additions.
South- Jacksonville Jaguars(12-4)- The toughest division in football lands in the hands of the team with the best run game in the NFL. They win some crazy tiebreaker over the also 12-4 Colts.
West- San Diego Chargers(12-4)- The rest of the division is trash and the Chargers aren't. That Simple.
Wild Card- Colts(12-4) and Steelers(10-6)
Close but no cigar- Texans, Titans, Broncos
AFC Championship- Jaguars vs Chargers
SUPER BOWL
Eagles vs Chargers
Winner- Eagles
Super Bowl MVP- Donovan McNabb
This pick might be slightly biased but nothing else in this is.
I was born in Florida and went to college at UF. I used to live in Boston and Philly. I now reside in Houston, TX.
FAVORITE TEAMS
MLB- Boston Red Sox
NCAA- Florida Gators, Sam Houston State Bearkats
NFL-Philadelp hia Eagles
NBA-Philadelp hia 76ers
NHL- Philadelphia Flyers
web counters