NFL Preview

Well, it’s finally here!  The NFL kicks off tonight as the Titans square off against the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers.  Should be a good, old fashioned defensive battle but I see the Steelers coming away with a close victory.

Now onto my look at how this season will play out.

AFC East

1. New England Patriots- 13-3

The Pats are back at full strength this season and their offense will revert to its 2007 form.  The defense will struggle a bit with the loss of familiar faces (Seymour, Vrabel, Bruschi, Harrison) but the Pats are the best in the league when knowing their players have lost a few steps.

2. Buffalo Bills- 8-8

The Bills don’t finish 7-9 for the first time in three years! Unfortunately they finish only one game better and Dick Jauron gets canned (finally).  The T.O. experiment goes so-so but the rest of the team isn’t that good.

3. New York Jets- 7-9

Rex Ryan has been talking a big game and the defense will keep them in games but the offense isn’t there yet.  Mark Sanchez will go through some growing pains but also flash greatness at times.

4. Miami Dolphins- 6-10

The Cinderella story of last season comes back to earth this season.  Chad Pennington has not been healthy for two straight years in his career and I don’t see that streak ending this season.  The options behind him aren’t too exciting and the talent level on the rest of the roster isn’t there.

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers- 12-4

The defending champs know they can’t slack off like they did after their last championship and are in much better shape this time around.  The running game is also bound to improve with  healthy Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall.

2. Baltimore Ravens- 11-5

I expect Joe Flacco to take a big leap this season and his improved play will balance out the team which lost some defensive players in the off season.  But like the Pats the Ravens are great at replacing veterans and they still have Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

The defending champs won’t totally slack off like they did after their last championship but I forecast a slight decline.   Their offensive line still remains a big a question mark

3. Cincinnati Bengals- 7-9

With Carson healthy I see a comeback season for Ochocinco as the Benglas improve a little.  Their defense is improving but their offensive line and running game still are weak spots.

4. Cleveland Browns- 5-11

It doesn’t who will be starting for the Browns at quarterback this season no matter how hard Eric Mangini tries to hide it.  The team simply isn’t that good.  Mangini won’t be making too many friends in Cleveland this season.

AFC South

1. Tennessee Titans- 11-5

The running game is still strong and Chris Johnson will only get better in his second season.  The loss of Albert Haynesworth will sting a bit but they have to talent to overcome his absence.  As long as Kerry Collins doesn’t implode the Titans should be in good shape.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars- 9-7

My surprise pick in the AFC.  The Jaguars are only one season removed form an 11-5 record and were devastated by injuries last year.  With a healthy offensive line and some help from rookies Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton I see the Jaguars sneaking into the playoffs as the sixth seed.

3. Indianapolis Colts- 8-8

The Colts have been a model of consistency in the NFL but their reign finally comes to an end.  The loss of Tony Dungy will hurt more than people think and the defensive was never that good to begin with.

4. Houston Texans- 5-11

The Texans are always a common preseason sleeper pick and this year is no different.  But they under achieved every year they have been in the league and Matt Schaub can’t manage to stay healthy.  Well there’s always next year.

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers- 10-6

With a healthy defense that includes Shawne Merriman the Chargers should have no problem winning the division.

2. Oakland Raiders- 7-9

Some team has to come in second in this division.  But seriously the Raiders have a solid defense and the addition of Richard Seymour only helps.  Also JaMarcus Russell showed signs of being a good quarterback at the end of last season too.

3. Kansas City Chiefs- 6-10

I think Todd Haley can turn this team into a winner but it’s going to take more than one season.  The team is too young and doesn’t have the talent yet but they have a solid base at I like Matt Cassel at quarterback.

4. Denver Broncos- 3-13

Simply said the Broncos are a mess right now.  They traded away the franchisee quarterback and arguably their next best player was recently suspended and wants a trade.  Not to mention their defense s horrific and they did basically nothing to improve it despite switching to a 3-4 defense.

NFC East

1. New York Giants- 12-4

I love the Giants defense and they posses the best pass rush in the league.  Their o-line is one of the best in the business and they have three backs capable of running the football.  If one receiver steps up this team could be scary good.

2. Philadelphia Eagles- 9-7

I’m not in love with the Michael Vick signing and I don’t think Donovan McNabb is either despite what he has said publicly.  Their offense was fine without him and I think it will mess up the flow of the offense.

3. Dallas Cowboys- 7-9

I liked getting rid of T.O. but the team will definitely miss his production.  Roy Williams has never stayed healthy or had a 1,000 yard season in his career.  Wade Phillips will finally be canned much to the delight of Cowboys fans and be replaced with either Shanahan or Cowher.

4. Washington Redksins- 5-11

I think the Redskins are a decent team but the division is brutal.  I don’t think their big spending in the off season will pay off and they don’t have the offensive weapons to compete with other teams.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers- 12-4

The Packers offense was great last season but the defense held them back.  They switched schemes and acquired some personnel to help run it.  With an improved defense and the emerging Aaron Rogers at quarterback I think the Packers will be a top team this season.

2. Chicago Bears- 11-5

This team went 9-7 last season with Kyle Orton at the helm.  Now they have a Pro Bowl quarterback who passed for over 4,000 yards last season running the offense.  They also improved their o-line and they still have a pretty damn good defense with Brian Urlacher and Tommy Harris.

3. Minnesota Vikings- 9-7

The Vikings are a trendy Super Bowl pick with Brett Favre but I don’t see it happening.  The man will be 40 years old and got hurt last season.  I don’t see him holding up for a 16 game season.

4. Detroit Lions- 5-11

Anything would be an improvement for the Lions and five wins wouldn’t be terrible.  I like what Jim Schwartz has done since he has taken over and I like the decision to start Stafford over Culpepper.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints- 11-5

The Saints defense improved last season and they bolstered their secondary in the draft and free agency to improve it even more.  Everybody knows about their prolific offense and they have a legitimate running back in Pierre Thomas now and Reggie Bush, while not a great runner, is a great weapon.

2. Atlanta Falcons- 10-6

I think the Falcons weren’t a fluke and they have another good year this season.  Matt Ryan avoids the sophomore slump and Tony Gonzalez adds another weapon to the offense.  Their shaky defense will hold them back though.

3. Carolina Panthers- 7-9

The Panther have been hit hard with injuries to their defensive line already and will struggle to defend the run.  Also Jake Delhomme is getting up their in age and isn’t so durable and if he goes down so will the Panthers.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- 3-13

I don’t like the hire of the young, inexperienced Raheem Morris.  He isn’t off to a good start as he has already fired the offensive coordinator whom he hired.  The Bucs are clearly in rebuilding mode.

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers- 9-7

My surprise pick of the NFC.  The 49ers played well under Mike Singletary at the end of last season I like the way he commands the team.  Also Shaun Hill, who owns a 7-3 career record, will open the season as the starter.

2. Arizona Cardinals- 7-9

The Cards are the latest team to suffer from the Super Bowl loser curse.  They were only 9-7 last season and Kurt Warner is the farthest thing from durable as they come.

3. Seattle Seahawks- 7-9

The Seahawks were devastated by injuries last season and while I forecast a slight improvement I don’t think they are a playoff team.  Walter Jones isn’t 100% and their running game leaves a lot to be desired.

4. St. Louis Rams- 4-12

I like the Steve Spagnuolo hire but he needs more time.  They need a new quarterback and their defense has tons of holes.  Steven Jackson is a great back but he has to stay healthy for this team to have any chance.