Nothing like waiting until the last minute, but that's my style. Sorry it's been awhile but my laptop is on the way out. Should have had a new one by now but Best Buy sucks. Anyways, the old thing has been through a lot, from a water spill, being dropped a few times, and just the endless hours of being left on for no reason. So I figure let's go all out on this post, for the laptop.
With the NFL season just hours away, how about my thoughts on the league this year. I've made up different groups that each team is in, and will separate the Contenders from the Painful to Watch. But if my last two years of fantasy football and weekly predictions have any reading on my football knowledge, I don't know squat. Lets see how I do this year...
The Contenders
No this isn't the cast of that boxing show that nobody watched; these are the elite teams that will compete to play in Miami come January. The trophy is up for grabs this year, as no clear cut favorite has been crowned yet. So in no particular order, here are the teams to watch:
New England Patriots
Of course they go first, they're my favorite team. The Patriots will be all right as long as Bill Belichick is on the sideline, and Tom Brady is taking the snaps. These two know how to win. Mix that with the fact they could have a revamped running game, this could be a very scary offense. With both Cory Dillon and rookie Laurence Maroney brining different running styles, they can change up on defenses when they want. That way Cory gets his rest, and Laurence will get the experience. This will be fun to watch.
Ben Watson will also be a lot of fun to watch. He is primed for a break out year. Deion Branch is nowhere in sight, and Chad Jackson hasn't practice at all this preseason. Watson is going the Brady's new go to guy. He is a beast size wise, but extremely fast for a big guy. He is basically a wide receiver in a tight ends body.
The Pats also have a pretty easy schedule in the last month, taking on both the Lions and Texans at home. Miami and Jacksonville are tough road opponents, but the Patriots will at least split those two. Finishing up at the Titans on the road should be an easy enough task.
Of course there are worries, like the fact there isn't a number one receiver. Linebackers are also an issue, with Tedy Bruschi banged up and an older version of Junior Seau. But who knows what this team can do. The secondary isn't scary at all, but then again they did beat Donovan McNabb and TO with a patchwork secondary a few years ago. Sorry, I'm rambling.
Prediction: 12-4, AFC East Champs
Pittsburgh Steelers
They are the defending champs. The team knows how to win, and has great chemistry. The defense is one of the NFL's elite, and the offense is a powerful force with Heinz Ward out there. But there are big questions on Big Ben's heath, and now that Willie Parker isn't fighting for a job, can he still put up the numbers. Overall, a good team and could threaten to repeat.
Prediction: 12-4 AFC North Champs
Cincinnati Bengals
If Carson Palmer is back to where he was last year, the team will do fine. Chad Johnson is the premier wide out this year, and Rudi Johnson is a rising star at back. He did rush for over 1452 yards last year. The defense won't keep any opposing teams up at night, but it will get them to the playoffs. Of course there are major questions, like Palmer's health and the fact they are all getting arrested. The fact that Chad Johnson can't make a spectacle out of his touchdowns drops their entertainment value. But does that do anything?
Prediction: 11-5 AFC Wild Card
Indianapolis Colts
Losing Edgerin James will hurt the team, but the Colts still have the best offense in the league. Peyton Manning will find anyone that is open, and at least one of his moving targets can shake a defender. So much emphasis is on the offense that the defense is overlooked. It's an above average defense that can step it up when needed. Not to mention the fact this team is hungry for a championship. What happened last year was embarrassing. Not to mention the fact they added the best clutch kicker in the history of football, to make sure this like the Mike Vanderjagt miss don't happen again. Adam Vinatieri will pad his stats plenty while kicking indoors for at least half of his games. Pats fans will miss you Adam. Better stop before I get teared up...
Prediction 12-4 AFC South Champs
Carolina Panthers
The best team in the NFC. They are going to eat up the mediocrity like a fat kid on cake. They have an extremely easy schedule and could go on to win 14 games. Of all their home games, only two are against a playoff team (Steelers and Giants). The defense is tops in the NFL, and the offense is solid also. Steve Smith's health is a concern, but Keyshawn could get back in the spotlight and thrive.
Prediction: 14-2 NFC South Champs
Seattle Seahawks
Last year's runner ups have the easiest schedule in the NFL, with only four playoff teams on their menu. The defense is great, and the offense improved with the addition of Nate Burleson. Shaun Alexander will take over games if he needs to. Mike Holmgren is a little overrated as a coach, but he can still win games. They'll at least get to the NFC Championship, and maybe even the Super Bowl again.
Prediction: 10-6 NFC West Champs
Almost There
These teams haven't quite made the jump to be favorites to make the playoffs yet, but are very close. They'll have good records, and either clinch a wild card or have something to look forward to next season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
This is a good young team, and one of my upcoming favorites. Byron Leftwich is a tough kid, and has pretty good team around him. His receivers aren't anything special, and chances are good that Fred Taylor will get hurt again. Greg Jones should be ready to step in at back if and when Taylor goes down. The team has an unbelievable defensive line, and Mike Peterson is an NFL Elite. Good things will happen to this team this season, and many seasons to come. Prediction: 12-4 AFC Wild Card
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins finally have a good quarterback in Daunte Culpepper that can get the ball to Chris Chambers and Randy McMichael. Ronnie Brown is one of the young running backs to watch, and should rush for over 1000 yards this season. Of course there are concerns about Culpepper's health, and the fact the defense is getting old. Playing the Patriots twice doesn't help, but they should be able to take the game at home. Chances are they won't be playing at home for the Super Bowl this year, but a team to look out for. Tough to tell if they'll make the playoffs this year since the AFC is looking tough.
Prediction: 10-6, Second in AFC East
New York Giants
The NFC East is a tough division to gauge because all the teams are in the middle of good and bad. The Giants are probably the closest to good, and could easily take the wide-open division. However they are still a young team, and do make young mistakes. Eli Manning is another year older, but isn't up to the top tier in quarterbacks. He'll get a chance to show his stuff against brother Peyton in his opener. Lavar Arrington is a good addition to the defense. They are only a year away from being a top team in the NFC.
Prediction: 9-7 NFC East Champs
Dallas Cowboys
Drew Bledsoe, Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Mike Vanderjagt, and that's just the characters on offense. Bill Parcells is the brain behind these rascals, and if everyone gets a long he has a chance to claim the NFC East. But does anyone really thing TO will go a whole season without mouthing off. My prediction for the first TO shouting at Bledsoe episode is week five. The tough schedule won't help either.
Prediction: 9-7 NFC Wild Card
Chicago Bears
Da Bears are in the weakest division in football, and playing the Lions, Vikings and Packers twice each could mean six wins right off the bat. Although there are questions on offense at quarterback and receiving, the defense is one of the best. Brian Urlacher is a scary player, and is a leader on the field. A solid young team that will make the playoffs, but may not get passed the first round.
Prediction: 10-6 NFC North Champs
Decent Teams
These teams are just blah. Not going to make the playoffs, and play mediocre all year. Each of them has one thing to watch that is exciting, and one story that could tear them apart. They don't deserve a whole paragraph.
Chiefs: Will be fun to watch because of Larry Johnson, he could break Alexander's record of 28 touchdowns in a season. Herm Edwards and his inability to work the clock could lose them games. But then again it is fun to watch also.
Eagles: Decent because they have a good defense and Donovan McNabb. The fact they have to play the Giants and Dolphins twice could cost them.
Vikings: They're lucky to play the Lions and Packers twice. The distractions from last years miserable season are gone, but there isn't enough talent on the team.
Falcons: They have Michael Vick, but then again Michael Vick hasn't done anything great yet. Still waiting...
Saints: Reggie Bush. Reggie Bush. Reggie Bush. But the Chargers let Drew Brees and his injured shoulder go and gave the starting job to Phillip Rivers, a guy that has no experience at all. Who knows if he is healthy of not?
Rams: Stephen Jackson is another rising running back. Their defense is terrible though. Not much else to say about the team.
On The Way Up
These teams are making their way to becoming contenders. Lots of things need to fall into place for them to make the playoffs this year, but they will have their shot in the future.
Cleveland Browns: Brought in some solid vets in Willie McGinest and Joe Jurevicios. Lets see if Kellen Winslow can be a soldier and finally play a season.
Tennessee Titans: Can Vince Young play well enough in his rookie season to win? The whole team is pretty young, and the schedule doesn't help. They play the Giants, Colts, Jaguars and Pats. That's going to hurt.
San Diego Chargers: LaDainian Tomlinson can be the best back in the NFL. It's up to Phillip Rivers to take charge of this offense. Defense is on the rise with linebacker Shawn Merriman, and the guy with the best name in sports: Corner back Quentin Jammer. What a great name.
Arizona Cardinals: Easy schedule, but still won't make playoffs. But the future looks good with Matt Leinart throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Add Edgerin James to the mix, and a rising defense, this is the team to watch over the next few years.
Painful to Watch
Buffalo could be the worst team in the NFL this season, but they'll get a fight from The 49ers and Packers. At least the 49ers will get Adrian Peterson if they suck enough.
Who Knows
These teams are enigmas. The Jets could be good, but betting who knows if Chad Pennington can stay healthy or if any of their running backs can be good. At least they have a coach that can manage the clock.
The Ravens and Texans are tough calls also. The Ravens can be good if Steve McNair can have a good season, and if Jamal Lewis can put his prison memories behind him. The defense will be solid as usual, but playing the Steelers and Bengals twice really hurts. The Texans have the same problem, with the Colts and Jaguars. They are a young team trying to learn to win, but their division really hurts them.
As for the Broncos, they are only on the Who Knows list because Jake Plummer is their quarterback. They will go as far as he can take them, and who knows when he will collapse. Not to mention I'm still bitter from the playoff game against the Pats. I won't go into detail, because I don't want to cry twice on one post...
The remaining teams (Raiders, Redskins, and Lions) are all who knows too, but I really don't care enough about them to go into it. Teams that don't suck enough to trash on but aren't good enough to praise anything.
As for playoff predictions...
AFC Championship: Pats over Colts (never gets old)
NFC Championship: Panthers over Seahawks
Super Bowl: Pats over Panthers
Yeah kind of a homer pick, but who can doubt the Patriots? Until they don't make the playoffs, they will always be a threat.
The extra thoughts will come tomorrow, too late to make any more sense and my laptop sucks.