The last 3 Super Bowls [Rams, Ravens, & Patriots] have been won by teams the were longshots in the pre-season. Will it happen again this season?
Probably not. The Rams still have the best QB in the league Kurt Warner, and the best player in the league, Marshall Faulk. The defense should improve from last year.
The biggest question mark is at Right Tackle, which the Rams have “given” the starting to John St Clair, who has never played a single down in the NFL at the RT position.
Injuries are always the great equalizer, but look for the Rams to convincingly defeat whomever shows up from the AFC, probably Pittsburgh.
Wow I hope Cowher can keep Pittsburgh motivated this year. Last year, it was “us against the world” because no one would give the Steelers players any respect. Now everyone and their brother is listing them as the favorites in the AFC.
I am kinda worried about our salary cap situation in 4 years, but I guess you have to take your shot when you can.
Look for Randel El to make one big play every game, whether its a long kick return or a run/reception from scrimmage.
Problem that I see with the Rams is Warner’s chronic thumb problem. Everytime he gets hit on that hand, he has trouble passing deep. Once teams recognize it, they’ll key on Faulk.
I predict my Titans, with a healthy Eddie, will win the new AFC South.
AFC: How can I not be pulling for the Steelers here? Opening game they will plow through the defending Superbowl champs, and then they have Oakland week 2. From then on out…smooth sailing. If they win those two games, there is no stopping them. How did they get such a cake schedule? Not complaining, mind you… I expect nothing less than the AFC championship game again, and hopefully more.
Teams to watch in the AFC: The Browns (depending on William Green’s impact), Raiders (duh), and I gotta agree with diku, the Titans may make some noise this year.
NFC: Pretty much the same top teams form last year, but I do think the Bears may drop off somewhat.
Is a WAG face it, did you see a second string QB on the patirot to lead them to the superbowl?
Just taking guesses here.
Heck let me throw the bengals in the mix. Maybe this year they wil have a QB, they have a young tough defense, a maturing WR corp and a RB who would be a star on any other team.
Manning is a QB who excels indoors…Brady plays outdoors all season and played at Michigan in college.
My doubts about Manning are not because of his talent(which is good), but about the fact that will most likely be playing in cold, perhaps snowy weather in the playoffs, and the fact that he has always choked in big games.
well, IIRC Bradys performance level dropped in the last few games of the regular season. He did not do poorly, yet he was less effective. With their Def Coordinator is a wizard.
Yet, many young QBs have a break out season then slump for a year or two.
Jake Plummer: Led the Cards to a winning season and got them their first playoof win in many many moons.
Charle Batch: was an Up and coming His first year as starting QB.
Stewart: Had a great first season, then slumped for a bit, He has matured now and should hold steady.
Manning has tremendous work ethic, and is a top tier QB. His problem last year was playing from behind so often, with Dungy working on the defense, they should be mid-ranged in the rankings.
I suspect, his “choking” in the big games is overrated. His level of play in the cold might not be Farvian but, is not that poor either.
The season starts soon enough and we shall see how things turn out.
First, Osip, I disagree with the Bengals “maturing WR corp”. They have a couple of good young WRs (Johnson and the other guy, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, whose name I can’t even spell, much less pronounce), but they also picked up Michael Westbrook, who is nicknamed “the Cancer Man” in our Fantasy League, because whoever owns him loses. They also have Peter Warrick, who in my opinion has no heart. I remember watching him at FSU and he would always step out of bounds to avoid a potential hit instead of turning upfield for a few more yards. He has done nothing of note since leaving Free Shoes U.
Second, is anybody else obsessed as I am to stay up late last night watching the 'Skins and 49ers. It was interesting to see how well Wuerffel got into a rhythm. Final score was very Florida vs most other teams in the SEC, but this was a very meaningless preseason game and against SF’s subs. It’ll be interesting to see how this works out once it gets real. And I imagine that the Florida Redskins, who had lots of guys looking good at receiver BTW, will need to pare down on their QBs. Sage Rosenfels started and went 10-20 with about 150 yards plus 2 TDs. Wuerffel had a much better completion percentage and yards (269 IIRC) and 3 TDs. Matthews will start against Carolina next week and they’ve finally agreed to terms with Patrick Ramsey, who is allegedly the QB of the future. So somebody is going to get cut or sent to NFL Europe or something.
Well, I am still up in the air about Warrick, He might come around still.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh is actually doing very well. and lets not forget Ron Dugans whom is coming up thru the ranks.
Chad Johnson is pretty good as well.
They of course are not as well liked or ranked as some WRs out there because they have no one to throw them the damn ball.
A wr is only as good as the QB throwing the rock.
Westbrook cannot be any worse than the departed Scott. He also has something to prove now. With his contract the way it is a few good years and he is out making bing bank, he will tone it down I believe for the benifit of the “oh mighty Pocketbook” if not for the team.
Vikings should be quite competitive if Culpepper bounces back from the sophomore slump.
I almost think they would be better served to unload Moss, it can’t be good when your playmaker, who should be a team leader, admits that he takes plays off if he doesnt think he will get the ball. If I was a Viking RB the next time a DB on Moss’ side of the field tackled me as I broke through the line I would crack ole Randy upside the head.
I expect nothing less than the AFC championship game again, and hopefully more.
