With the NFL season fast approaching thought would open a thread and start talking about who you think might be the team to look out for this year.

I like the look of the Cardinals this season. Thought that they might do well last year but nothing happened. The signing of James at RB could really help make the offence open even more and give the Cards the ability to control the clock. Moving into a new indoor stadium can only help.

I also like the look of the Lions only because of the hiring of Martz for the offence. If Harrington had stayed at the Lions would have been interesting to see him develop under Martz. Of course, being a Cowboys fan hoping they will perform well but with the signing of TO just hoping that they get through the season without TO stuffing everything up. The Saints might also be one to look out for. Returning home and having Brees and Bush on offence can only help. As long as their D performs they could be a surprise.

As for the AFC like the look of the Texans. They were terrible last year but they have been building a decent team since they started and now is the best time to rise. If they don't they will be in serious trouble. The Raiders could be a real dark horse with the return of Shell at head coach.

As for the usual contenders, I see the Eagles returning to the top with the absence of that pain in the butt TO. Will be interesting to see whether the Seahawks fall the way of so many previous Superbowl losers and follow up a Superbowl appearance with a losing record and missing the playoffs.

In the AFC I like the Patriots, Dolphins, Steelers, Bengals (only with a healthy Palmer behind centre), Colts, and Broncos. The Chiefs will go close as they have enough talent to make the playoffs and a coach then can take them there.

As for the NFC - Eagles, Cowboys (as long as TO shuts up and sticks to catching the ball), Panthers, Cardinals (James at RB could really push them into the playoffs), Seahawks and Bears.

The Buccs might be able to squeeze into the equation if the Seahawks fall from grace like so many Superbowl losers before them.

Of course I am no expert but someone has to start the argument.

Will go even further and tip a Superbowl between the Panthers and the Colts.

I don't think that the Eagles will do squat this year without TO. Their receiving core is pedestrian and they will not make the playoffs.
The Cardinals should be better than last year.  Their offensive line is weak though and will not help Edergin James to 1500 yards. My tip is for him to struggle to make 800-1000. Will they make the playoffs? Not until they upgrade their O-Line.
The Bears still have a fearsome defense and their offense can only get better.  If they find a way to throw the ball then they will be a lock on their division.
The Colts will still be a force this year. Rookie RB Addai will slot in very nicely thank you very much and the passing game will remain as their biggest threat.
The Chief's O-line is ageing and may be past its prime. Larry Johnson will probably not repeat what he did last year.
The Seahawks are still a force and will outmuscle the Bucs for the Division title.
The Bills, Jets, Dolphins and Pats are all struggling and only the Pats will make the playoffs here.
Dallas will be better until TO self destructs taking the hopes of fans down the toilet for another year.

Superbowl Prediction - Bears & Colts

I'm probably biased here, but I like the look of the Dolphins this year. If Culpepper can stay fit and reproduce his earlier form, our Offence could be quite spectacular and the Defence still looks pretty solid. I'm expecting the play-offs at the very least! (hopefully that statement's not going to look too ridiculous at the end of the season! )

Colts seem to be the AFC favourite with Sam & Tom, but they're already starting to remind me of the 80s Dolphins and I think there is a question-mark over Manning's big-game temperament (although say the same about Marino and I'll punch you in the face!  ). Losing James will hurt their running game (although Addai sounds like he'll do alright) and allow opposing defences to key even more on Manning.

My knowledge of the NFL is far from in-depth so I'm just going to predict my favourite AFC team to face my favourite NFC team in a Dolphins-Lions Superbowl (well, at least there's more chance of that happening than in recent years if nothing else!)

while I would love the Lions to get to the superbowl, it just ain't gonna happen.  i think we have one 1 playoff game in something like 57 years!!

The Bears wont get to the Superbowl either! That honour will go to the Panthers & the Colts.

I completely agree tom, the eagles WRs are pedestrian, but with the except of a year with TO they have been pedestrian ever since Chris Carter left in like 1989, and yet we went to 4 straight NFC championships. To compete the Eagles need the defence to play well this year and for the share it around approach on offence to take the pressure off any one target as has been for the last 5 years, LJ Smith might have a breakout year, Reid might give Westbrook 25 carries a game instead of 25 catches a game and WR Brown might do ok, (but don't expect much).
I dont' expect much at this stage but it certainly isnt' a stretch to see them compete and make the playoffs.
IIRC there are a few veteran WRs on the market, don't be surprised if Banner signs one up for 12 months as a stop gap, especially as Pinkston is injured at the moment.

I have to say that my pick would be the Panthers.  Veteran team, outstanding defense (partic up the middle).  Solid gameplanning and approach with enough game-breakers (e.g. Steve Smith) to mix in some big plays.

Other than that, I fancy the Bengals and Ravens to do well in the AFC.  A slight changing of the guard in the AFC as the Pats seem to be in slight decline and the Colts won't be as good without Edgerrin.  I'm hearing a lot of good things about Addai but I think a lot of that is spin.  Look for a missed pass block (James big strength) and Manning to get an injury.  At that point, the Colts are nothing.  Even with him, I can't see them being as dominant this year.  Harrison another year older, no Edgerrin and I think a number of teams copying the approach of the Chargers and Steelers last year to surprise and frustrate them.

Another team who might sneak up on people is the Redskins.  I'm trying to think of other teams but nobody else comes to mind amidst the mediocrity (or parity if you want to call it that!).

Kind rgds, Ian

Quote :

Look for a missed pass block (James big strength) and Manning to get an injury.  At that point, the Colts are nothing.  Even with him, I can't see them being as dominant this year.

Every team in the AFC would love for this to happen. I have also heard a lot of good things about Addai but will wait until I see him play. The reason I picked the Colts to make the Superbowl wasn't solely on the offence. I believe the Defence will finally take the leap into a top Defence this year. The Colts have slowly been rebuilding the D with Dungy and this might be the year that it comes together. Last year wasn't too bad and the addition of Simon to the D Line was great for them. Continued progress on D could make it a special year for the Colts.

I also like the Redskins and was going to put them in and leave Dallas out but addition of TO MIGHT get the Cowboys back into the playoffs, or it could set the Cowboys back a few years when he throws a tantrum again and alienates the team.

Love what Gibbs has done with the Redskins and they are going in the right direction. Interesting to see how Snyder gets involved and stuffs it all up.

Ravens could be a dark horse if McNair plays well and Lewis remembers how to run hard. With that defence and a quality QB and RB they could be the surprise packet in the AFC for certain.

Who said the Bears ain't going to do much this season?  They are playing awesome football and are looking good at 5-0.
The Colts are still a force but have slipped a little from the last few years.

Both teams should comfortably make the playoffs.

I said they wont get to the Superbowl, but then I am a Lions fans, so would always play down thier chances.  I still think they might have a job getting there, but they are going the right way about it at the moment.

For all we know, the Bears QB (his name escapes me at the moment), could choke in the playoffs like Manning!!

Well - I'm sticking with a Dolphins-Lions Superbowl!
The Bears with an Offence are just scary, but it's early days yet. I remember the Colts looked awesome last season, but then I think it was the Chargers roughed them up late on and they never looked the same after that as other teams seemed to wise up to how to defend against them (although losing that air of invincibility was probably at least as much of a factor). And who would've picked the Steelers at this stage last season?!

Difficult to disagree with the Bears making the play-offs though - there just doesn't seem to be enough competition in that division for anyone to capitalise even if they do slip up. Not sure about the Colts though - I know winning when you're not playing well is quite often considered a good sign, but struggling against the Titans has to be bad, doesn't it?! And it's not the first time they've looked less than convincing this season. With Jacksonville looking capable of mounting a decent challenge, I reckon the Colts making the play-offs could be far from comfortable!

Thanks Sam and John for reminding me. Who would have picked a Bears/Colts Superbowl? Yours truely on the 8th of August no less!

"Superbowl Prediction - Bears & Colts"

Now for the AY prediction- umm I have no idea!

should heva put some money on it. may have raked in a bit of extra cash for that pick.

Quote :

Alex wrote : To compete the Eagles need the defence to play well this year and for the share it around approach on offence to take the pressure off any one target as has been for the last 5 years, LJ Smith might have a breakout year, Reid might give Westbrook 25 carries a game instead of 25 catches a game

Well I was right there, except it was Morningwig who made the decision as OC.

Quote :

and WR Brown might do ok,

he did

Quote :

it certainly isnt' a stretch to see them compete and make the playoffs.

Indeed, we won the div

Quote :

IIRC there are a few veteran WRs on the market, don't be surprised if Banner signs one up for 12 months as a stop gap, especially as Pinkston is injured at the moment.

we did that too.

Quote :

TOM RICHARDS wrote : Thanks Sam and John for reminding me. Who would have picked a Bears/Colts Superbowl? Yours truely on the 8th of August no less! "Superbowl Prediction - Bears & Colts"

Wow! I'd forgotten that you originally predicted this before the season began - nice call! As Sam says, you should have put some money on it! I'd imagine the odds would've been fairly decent. Looking at the rest of your predictions, they were pretty spot-on as well, bar the Eagles and Buccs (probably didn't help that they're not actually in the same division as the 'Hawks! ). Let me know your predictions for next year so I can clean up at the bookies!
 

--Last edited by Jon G on 2007-01-25 21:55:28 --