So, you're drinking the Brown Kool-Aid? I doubt that they'll surpass .500

 

It wouldn't surprise me if .500 won the AFC North. That division got shafted with the scheduling...seriously, why did they have to play the two toughest divisions in the NFL (AFC South and NFC East). And, to boot, Pittsburgh got the two best teams in the league outside of those divisions in San Diego and New England. If the Steelers win the North and make the playoffs, they will definitely earn it.

 

But, in a division where all the teams have questions and they all have tough schedules, I think two games against New England and San Diego while the other teams have much easier games is big.

Surprised nobody commented on my 0-16 pick for the Falcons.

 

I know that is unlikely they'll actually go winless, but seriously, looking at the schedule, if they don't knock off Detroit or KC at home in weeks 1 and 3, I can justify picking them in any other game. So, I figured why not pick a team to go winless...:lol:

AFC East

1. New England Patriots

2. New York Jets

3. Buffalo Bills

4. Miami Dolphins

 

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

2. Cleveland Browns

3. Cincinnati Bengals

4. Baltimore Ravens

 

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

3. Tennessee Titans

4. Houston Texans

 

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers

2. Denver Broncos

3. Oakland Raiders

4. Kansas City Chiefs

 

 

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys

2. New York Giants

3. Philadelphia Eagles

4. Washington Redskins

 

NFC North

1. Minnesota Vikings

2. Green Bay Packers

3. Chicago Bears

4. Detroit Lions

 

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

3. Carolina Panthers

4. Atlanta Falcons

 

NFC West

1. Arizona Cardinals

2. Seattle Seahawks

3. St. Louis Rams

4. San Francisco 49ers

AFC East

1) New England

2) Buffalo*

3) New York

4) Miami

 

AFC North

1) Pittsburgh

2) Cincinnati

3) Cleveland

4) Baltimore

 

AFC South

1) Jacksonville

2) Indianapolis*

3) Tennessee

4) Houston

 

AFC West

1) San Diego

2) Kansas City

3) Denver

4) Oakland

 

NFC East

1) Dallas

2) Washington*

3) Philadelphia*

4) New York

 

NFC North

1) Minnesota

2) Green Bay

3) Chicago

4) Detroit

 

NFC South

1) New Orleans

2) Tampa Bay

3) Carolina

4) Atlanta

 

NFC West

1) Seattle

2) Arizona

3) St. Louis

4) San Francisco

 

Playoffs:

 

Jacksonville over Buffalo

Indianapolis over Pittsburgh

New Orleans over Philadelphia

Seattle over Washington

 

New England over Indianapolis

San Diego over Jacksonville

Minnesota over New Orleans

Dallas over Seattle

 

New England over San Diego

Dallas over Minnesota

 

SUPER BOWL

New England over Dallas

I really don't see a team with a suspect QB and a new coaching staff coming in and finishing 2nd in one of the, if not the best division in football.

I really don't see a team with a suspect QB and a new coaching staff coming in and finishing 2nd in one of the, if not the best division in football.

 

Well that's because you're assuming Campbell won't be that great, where as I happen to think he's going to be one of the best in the NFC this season...

Well that's because you're assuming Campbell won't be that great, where as I happen to think he's going to be one of the best in the NFC this season...

 

I'm assuming that based on the fact that he wasn't that great last year.

 

Donovan McNabb and Eli have proven they can do it in the NFL and they have better coaching staffs (IMO). So if you are basing it on QB alone, the Giants and Eagles are by far better IMO. I think the Skins finish dead last in the East.

I'm assuming that based on the fact that he wasn't that great last year.

 

Donovan McNabb and Eli have proven they can do it in the NFL and they have better coaching staffs (IMO). So if you are basing it on QB alone, the Giants and Eagles are by far better IMO. I think the Skins finish dead last in the East.

 

I think that they have a better RB than the Giants, a better D, and I expect Campbell to put up very similar numbers to Eli. As far as Philly, I just don't know if they can stay healthy enough.

I think that they have a better RB than the Giants, a better D, and I expect Campbell to put up very similar numbers to Eli. As far as Philly, I just don't know if they can stay healthy enough.

 

They have better RB's based on what?

 

The Giants were 5th in the NFL in rushing last year with 2,148 yards rushing . Jacobs played in only 10 or 11 games and had over 1,000 yards.

 

Portis played in 16 games and had only 1,200 yards rushing. The Redskins were 12th in the NFL in rushing last year with 1,871.

 

If there is one thing the Giants were consistent at last year it was running the ball.

 

Also, the Giants D was 7th last year, Skins were 8th in yardage. The Giants led the league in sacks with 53 and the Skins were 16th with 33. Take away Strahan's 9 sacks and the G-Men still had 11 more sacks than the Skins.

 

The Giants D also had more interceptions and defensive TD's than the Redskins.

 

And btw, the Eagles were 10th in total D and 9th in sacks with 37 (6 spots ahead of Washington). They were also

I think that they have a better RB than the Giants, a better D, and I expect Campbell to put up very similar numbers to Eli. As far as Philly, I just don't know if they can stay healthy enough.

 

The Redskins have the better running back in Portis, but the G-Men might have the deepest running back core in the league and to say the Skins have a better D than the giants is just silly, did you watch the Super Bowl?

The Redskins have the better running back in Portis, but the G-Men might have the deepest running back core in the league and to say the Skins have a better D than the giants is just silly, did you watch the Super Bowl?

 

I agree that Portis is probably better than Jacobs right now. But I also agree that the Giants are VERY deep at running back.

 

Danny Ware looked great tonight as well and just adds even more depth to their loaded running back position. They have Jacobs, Ward, Bradshaw, Ware and Droughns. Droughns and Ware may be fighting for a roster spot.

I agree that Portis is probably better than Jacobs right now. But I also agree that the Giants are VERY deep at running back.

 

Danny Ware looked great tonight as well and just adds even more depth to their loaded running back position. They have Jacobs, Ward, Bradshaw, Ware and Droughns. Droughns and Ware may be fighting for a roster spot.

 

Ladell Betts is no slouch. I'd take Portis and Betts over the Giants backfield. However, contrary to popular belief, there is more to a running game than running backs. The Giants ground game overall was better and probably will be again this year. (Plus, if Brandon Jacobs could stay healthy for 16 games, I'm not sure Portis would be better than him.)

 

The Redskins obviously have talent, but there were too many questions for me to pick them anywhere but last in the NFC East. Yes, they made the playoffs with an impressive run at the end. But, they did it with Todd Collins, not Jason Campbell. It's questionable how much production they'll get from their draft this year because WR's are iffy as rookies. I also don't think their defense will be as good as last year. Gregg Williams is one of the best coordinators in the league. He's gone and they'll have to learn a new defense.

 

I don't like the Redskins in 2008.

Ladell Betts is no slouch. I'd take Portis and Betts over the Giants backfield. However, contrary to popular belief, there is more to a running game than running backs. The Giants ground game overall was better and probably will be again this year. (Plus, if Brandon Jacobs could stay healthy for 16 games, I'm not sure Portis would be better than him.)

 

The Redskins obviously have talent, but there were too many questions for me to pick them anywhere but last in the NFC East. Yes, they made the playoffs with an impressive run at the end. But, they did it with Todd Collins, not Jason Campbell. It's questionable how much production they'll get from their draft this year because WR's are iffy as rookies. I also don't think their defense will be as good as last year. Gregg Williams is one of the best coordinators in the league. He's gone and they'll have to learn a new defense.

 

I don't like the Redskins in 2008.

 

Betts isn't a slouch, but neither is Ahmad Bradshaw or Derrick Ward. Ward was having a fine season last year before breaking his leg. He probably would have had over 1,000 yards as well.

I don't think San Diego's schedule is that bad...their two toughest games, NE and Indy are at home. The toughest road games, Pitt, New Orleans and Tampa are teams that are not nearly as talented as the Chargers. I like the way San Diego finished last season under Norv Turner. I think they're the most talented team in the NFL and 2008 is their time.

 

I like the way you think.

San Diego has the deepest defensive team in football. They have 3rd string outside linebackers (Jyles Tucker) who might start on most NFL teams. They have arguably the two top cover corners (Jammer and Cromartie) in football, plus really good depth. Their linebacking corps, with Merriman, Wilhelm, Cooper, and Phillips, and some strong reserves, is young, energetic, and talented. The defensive line is very good, with Jamal Williams and Castillo, and because they are prone to injury, they have high quality reserves in Binghom and Cesaire, who have been with them several years.

 

They have one of the consistently top special teams in football, with Kaeding and Scifres kicking, a great return game with Sproles, et. al., and a Pro Bowl special teamer in Kassim Osgood.

 

The knock on the Chargers has always been offensive consistency. They are not very deep on the OL, but they have good players in Marcus McNeil, Goff, Dielman, and Hardwick when he gets healthy. They have signed some quality veterans as reserves. LT is one of the best players in NFL history carrying and catching the ball. Gates when he is healthy is the best TE in football. San Diego used to not have a good receiving corps; but the signing of Chris Chambers mid-season and the emergence of Vincent Jackson down the stretch gave them 2 weapons to throw to. San Diego was a passing team down the stretch last year. They have a lot of skill reserves like Sproles, Leegedu Nanee, Buster Davis et. al. who provide a lot of good time.

 

Phillip Rivers is not Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. But hate him though you might, what he did in leading his team at NE in the AFC title game last year was awe-inspiring. He has the command and his respect of his team, and that is important. He has the chance from going from a good player to a great player this season.

 

This team is composed of just pure "players" like Jacob Hester and Eric Weddle. It is a team playing for a new stadium and potentially a new city next year, an added motivation. Management has done an excellent job keeping players happy by signing them for long-term contracts. They have made no bones that they expect, because of the talent level, to lose people to free agency in the next two years, with their blessing. They have signed who they can, but a few guys are playing to impress for future contracts.

 

There are no headcases. No holdouts. With the exception of Stephen Cooper getting suspended for 4 games for substance abuse, no distractions. He owned up to it and they moved on. The coaching staff has been there a full year and an offseason.

 

I think the chemistry is there. With about 6 injured starters last year in the title game, they were within a TD of New England to start the 4th quarter on NE's turf. I think SD has gone up and NE down since then, and the Chargers, I believe have the most talent, man for man, in the NFL this year.