2009 NFL Preview

 The NBA playoffs are in full swing. (yawn)  MLB is just under a third of the way through it’s marathon 162 game schedule.  The NHL and it’s Stanley cup playoffs, well… (yawn yawn).  Which means we can either mow the lawn and do all of the summer jobs our wives have heaped upon us, or we can talk football. 

     So without further ado, here are my team by team picks for this year’s NFL season.

AFC EAST

 

New England Patriots

Tom Brady is back.  Bill Bilichek is still there.  Need I say more?  The AFC east is far more competitive than in recent years, so don’t expect 16-0. 

prediction:  11-5

Miami Dolphins

After an amazing turnaround, the Dolphins appear to be on the upswing.  Defences have had a year to adjust to the novel “wildcat” offense, so no one will be caught off guard.  The defense will be stout once more, and there is still plenty of talent on the offensive side.  A repeat of last year’s 11-5 record is a reach.  a wild card spot is not.

prediction:  9-7

Buffalo Bills

All of you Bills fans screaming Super Bowl, get real.  Will the addition of T.O. improve the team?  Probably.  But here’s a fact about him… he no longer has a top tier quarterback throwing to him.  No Tony Romo, no Donovan McNabb.  And as good as he is, Trent Edwards is still Trent Edwards.  With their talent level, they definitely qualify as underachievers.  This year will be no different.

prediction:  7-9

New York Jets

While he may have faded as the season closed, there is no disputing that Brett Favre made this sub par team competitive. The loss of Laverneus Coles leaves the receiving corps depleted.    Rookie QB Mark Sanchez will get plenty of playing time, as the season will, in all likelihood be over by the halfway point.   New coach Rex Ryan should improve the defense, but expect a long year from the jets.

prediction:  4-12

AFC NORTH

Pittsburgh Steelers

They powered through the NFL’s most difficult schedule last year, and walked off with another Super Bowl.  Not many reasons to think they can’t do so again this year.  Easily the team to beat in the AFC this year.

prediction:  13-3

Baltimore Ravens

Who would have thought we would see the day when the Ravens would be feared… by defenses?  Not that they’ve forgotten the defense, rest assured.  It will be interesting to see how year two  of the transition goes.

prediction:  10-6

Cleveland Browns

This will in all likelihood be Brady Quinn’s team this year, and they have added weapons for him to use.  This team should be able to throw the ball on nearly anyone.  The defense was horrible, and will continue to be so.  But they should be exciting to watch.

prediction:  7-9

Cincinnati Bengals

They sucked last year.  and it won’t be any better this year.

prediction:  2-14

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are always in the discussion, and this year is no different.  The vacancy left by Tony Dungy will be felt, but they’ll still be around in January.

prediction:  11-5

Tennessee Titans

They were last years surprise.  A hard working, hard hitting, blue collar team.   13-3 isn’t going to happen again, but the playoffs probably will.

prediction  10-6

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Jacksonville Jaguars

Supposedly in ‘rebuilding’ mode, they will still be competitive.  Tory Holt will widen the offense significantly.

prediction:  9-7

Houston Texans

The defense will be improved,  and the offense will be one of the AFC’s best if Matt Schaub can stay healthy.  A couple of lucky breaks, and this could be the year the Texans crack the playoffs.

prediction:  8-8

AFC West

San Diego Chargers

A weakened AFC West should benefit the Chargers… there should be little resistance to a division crown for L.T. and the Bolts.

prediction:  11-5

Kansas City Chiefs

The addition of Matt Cassell and Bobby Engram makes the Chiefs better, but he will soon find out that Kansas City is not Foxboro.

prediction:  8-8

Oakland Raiders

Al Davis’s bunch will be better, but this team is definitely still a couple of years away.

prediction:  6-10

Denver Broncos

If anyone in Denver thinks Jay Cutler won’t be missed, think again.  For the first time in recent memory, the Broncos will not be a threat.

prediction:  5-11

NFC East

Washington Redskins

The NFC east will arguably be the toughest division in the NFL.  The Redskins appear to have made the best off season additions to date. 

prediction:  11-5

New York Giants

Losing their two top receivers will hurt.  As will a tough Schedule.  Expect the G-men to take a small step back this year.

prediction:  10-6

Philadelphia Eagles

An improved offensive line will do wonders for McNabb.

prediction:  10-6

Dallas Cowboys

This is the year that losing big names in the off-season and not replacing them finally catches up.

prediction:  7-9

NFC North

Green Bay Packers

The post Favre era got off to a rocky start.  The problem, plain and simple, was Aaron Rodgers inability to close games.  He should be better with a year under his belt, as should the young Packers.

prediction:  10-6

Minnesota Vikings

As good as he may have looked over the final four weeks Tarvaris Jackson is still not a playoff quarterback.  The problem is with the Vikings face 8 to 9 men in the box every week he will have to be.  Good luck with that.

prediction:  9-7

Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler may have been the Broncos franchise quarterback. Don’t expect similar results in Chicago.  Minus any receiving corps to speak of there will be no 4000 yard season for Cutler this time around.

prediction: 6-10

Detroit Lions

The Lions went down as the NFL’s 0-16 team last year.  I’d like to say it will get better for Lion’s fans but it won’t.

prediction: 2-14

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Make no mistake Ernest Graham is now a star in this league.  That couple with the ever present Buccaneer’s defense will land Tampa a playoff spot once again.

prediction: 10-6

Carolina Panthers

You hate to say it but the Panthers are getting old.

prediction: 8-8

New Orleans Saints

You would think that having a quarterback who throws for three miles in one season would get it done but for some reason the Saints just can’t put it together, nor will they this year.

prediction: 8-8

Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan and the Falcons were consummate over achievers last year.  Expect them to come back down to earth this time around.

prediction: 6-10

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks

Like Carolina the Seahawks are getting old.  Julius Jones was a disappointment and should improve.

prediction: 9-7

Arizona Cardinals

Watching the Cardinals dream playoff run many of us forgot that they really aren’t that good.  It was simply one of those seasons where the stars aligned.  Lightning will not strike twice.

prediction: 9-7

St. Louis Rams

The greatest show on turf is a distant memory.  With Tory Holt having departed the last remnants of that once mighty team are no more.

prediction: 6-10

San Fransisco 49ers

Mike Singletary the player was a legend.  Mike Singletary the coach just doesn’t have enough weapons…yet.

prediction: 4-12

My Super Bowl pick…Pittsburgh Steelers repeat knocking off the Washington Redskins.  There’s a whole lot of off season between now and then so obviously things will change.  Until then, see you  in September.