Can you believe this is my fourth Preseason Preview? Last year I went with a simple power ranking, for this year I'll be returning to my old ways of breaking down each division.
Here we go! I feel like the AFC is easier to predict so we'll start there:
AFC East (Dolphins, Jets, Patriots, Bills)
Lots of shifting in the AFC East: No more Favre in NY, T.O. to the Bills, The Patriots have said good bye to their offensive coordinator and their back up QB. What does it all mean? Nothing and I'll tell you why: Brady's back. End of story. If the Patriots could win 11 games under Cassel, imagine how many they could have won under Brady. Buffalo is in too much disrepair for one piece to solve their problems. The Jets are re-rebuilding. Patriots walk with this division.
winner: Patriots
AFC West (Raiders, Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs)
With a new offensive minded head coach, Denver should have been the easy pick but they traded Cutler. Not only does that drop them out of first to Rivers and San Diego, but it may even drop them out of the Wild Card race as well. The Chiefs acquisition of New England's phenom Matt Cassel could have catapulted them over the Broncos, but Matt may be hurt. Here's a prediction I know is correct: Raiders finish in last place.
winner: Chargers
AFC North (Bengals, Ravens, Browns, Steelers)
Yawn, wake me at playoff time. I think my local high school team could finish in second place in this division. The Bengals lost T.J. The Browns still don't know who their QB will be, and the Ravens may have a great D but they need an O. Pittsburgh gets a free pass to the post season.
winner: Steelers
AFC South (Texans, Jaguars, Colts, Titans)
This is the year. For as long as many can remember the Jaguars have been constructing a team to overcome the mighty Colts. Jacksonville's off season moves coupled with the loss of some major key players for Indianapolis (not the least of which being a head coach and wide receiver) is an equation for a coup of sorts. Tennessee will also make a good showing but will finish in their typical third place.
winner: Jaguars
AFC Wild Card Teams: Colts & Titans
And now on to the NFC
NFC East (Giants, Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins)
What an interesting predicament we have in the NFC East. It's rare that a team has a back-up QB who is better than the starter. It's even more rare when it occurs on two teams in the same division. If the Giants realize they are one of those teams they can walk away with this division. If the leave Eli at the helm, it's not so clear cut. The Eagles have Vick backing up a man who doesn't want to be there playing for fans who want to see him leave. If that isn't a recipe for failure, I'm not sure what is. Dallas found addition by subtraction by getting rid of the problem child T.O. And though the Redskins try to compete, even in their overpaying for "talent," they still remain at the bottom of the pack. Even if they keep Eli, I think the Giants can squeeze past the 'Boys.
winner: Giants
NFC West (Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks, St. Louis)
Here is another easy street to the post season. Arizona is basically the same team they were last year. Except that they have another year under their belts playing, and winning, together. The only team who will give them a run for their money is Seattle with their signing of T.J. Let's remember, though, that when you take an adequate WR (like Branch or T.J.) and combine them with a better than average QB (like Brady or Palmer) they look really good. We saw what happened with Branch when he was paired with Hasselbeck. Expect much of the same from T.J. The Rams and 49ers will fight to the death to see who comes in last. Rams win that battle.
winner: Cardinals
NFC North (Vikings, Bears, Lions, Packers)
This may be my favorite division in which I don't have a vested interest. This group of former perennial powerhouses has turned into a gaggle of lovable losers. Not any more. With their stellar running game and the addition of their arch nemesis, the Vikings have set themselves apart from the rest. With the addition of Cutler, the Bears will find a way to win more than expected and steal second place from the Packers. The Lions will manage to win two games this year.
winner: Vikings
NFC South (Panthers, Falcons, Saints, Buccaneers)
We go from my favorite division with no vested interest to a division that I occasionally forget even exists. I'm tempted to say "who cares" to who wins this division but it is the last one. Carolina wins as Jake Delhomme continues to throw air balls to his receivers who will average the fewest Yards After the Catch in the league. The Falcons do their best to take the division, but fall just a few wins short.
winner: Panthers
NFC Wild Card Teams: Cowboys & Falcons
And here's how the playoffs would play out:
AFC:
BYE: Patriots & Steelers
Wild Card Weekend: JAX defeats INDY and SD beats TN
Divisional Round: NE sends SD home and it's JAX over PITT
Conference Championship: NE ends JAX's season
NFC:
BYE: Vikings & Carolina
Wild Card Weekend: DAL exacts revenge on NYG and AZ sends ATL packing.
Divisional Round: MN hands DAL another divisional L and CAR beats AZ
Conference Championship: MN over CAR
Super Bowl:
Patriots vs Vikings
Brady shows why he's the best in the game as he lifts the Patriots over Favre and the Vikings. Favre retires yet again only to come back and play for 1 more season.
