NFL Preview

I heard a rumor that the NFL is starting tonight, Thursday night, September 7th. The reason it is a rumor is I have no television still in Blacksburg and have seen the internet for about ten minutes since last week, sans my college football posting on Monday night. By the way, I’m glad Florida St rallied; my ACC pick is still alive. Anyway, my point in telling you this is that Pittsburgh and Miami are kicking off the NFL season as I type this and I have no clue what is going on. This blog entry will be completed on the ole Carolina IBM ThinkPad from 2001 that cost around $3,000. Yes, that’s $3,000 American dollars. It will then be transferred via a USB Memory Key to my work computer at some point on Friday and posted. Basically, I’m grouchy as I preview the NFL, because I should be watching it. Therefore, expect some horrible predictions. Daggum.

Also, most years, I preview the NFL by examining schedules, timing of games, transactions, etc. This year? I’m just putting down what I think about each team and that’s it. No rocket science going on over here.

Now, are you ready for some football? Here’s the preview:

Who’s Good: Denver, Indy, Pittsburgh, New England, probably Cincinnati, Carolina, the NFC East sans Philly, Tampa Bay maybe, and I guess Seattle.

Who’s Bad: Houston, NY Jets, Buffalo, Tennessee, Oakland, San Fran, the NFC North, the NFC West

Who has Potential: Baltimore (I say that every year. Sigh), Atlanta, Miami, Cleveland.

Last year, I was pushing Chicago before the season started. I told my buddy Gramps that Da Bears could be 9-7 good. They weren’t; they were better (I also had Baltimore in the AFC Championship. Nice). I don’t have a feeling on anyone this season like that. Cleveland strikes me as the type of team that could evolve into a “Run, run, run, punt, play defense, improve field position, kick field goal, win by 3 points” team. The whole “Charlie Frye is our QB” thing bothers me, but he can’t be worse than what they’ve had before. Plus, I have Reuben Droughns in the Phi Alpha Gamma Fantasy Football League, so he’s due for a breakout season. Or a broken-in-half season.

As for winning the Super Bowl, most “experts” have favored Indianapolis, Carolina, Seattle, Pittsburgh, and a few New England. I picked the Pats three straight years, keeping with Ric Flair’s “To be the man, whooo, ya gotta beat the man” motto. New England was beaten by Denver last season, opening up the door for the Steelers. Now, picking a winner is tougher for me. There is no favorite in my eyes, so I’m going to do something stupid. I’m picking…the Denver Broncos. Reasons:
Jake Plummer strikes me as the type of QB who chokes year after year, is constantly criticized by the media and fans, underachieves, and then, all of a sudden, wins a Super Bowl. I’ve never thought that until now. Jim Plunkett, the old Oakland Raiders QB, was similar. He was a talented college quarterback, bounced around a bit in the NFL, then had one great season leading the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory over crying Dick Vermeil and the Philadelphia Eagles. Like a complete crackhead, I’m going against everything I know about Plummer already, and saying he does a 180. This is your year Jake Plummer.
The Broncs defense is very, very good. Their linebackers may be the fastest unit in the NFL, led by DJ Williams. If the defensive line continues to be solid (after all coming over from Cleveland), I could see a top-5 D in Denver.
Javon Walker is poised to either have a great comeback season or be a bust. Denver winning the Super Bowl indicates the former.
There are, of course, plenty of reasons why Denver will not win the Super Bowl. Jake Plummer, the lack of a star running back, and Mike Shannahan’s habit of over-complicating things are three. However, I’ve decided to go kind of nuts here and throw out the Broncos as my pick. Yes, they did make the AFC Championship last season, but no one really thought they were that good. Also, keep in mind that both Jake Plummer and Javon Walker ended up on the Hokie Thugs Fantasy Football team. Instant doom. Denver will probably end up 5-11 now. My picks, completely making up projected records for each team:

AFC

East
New England 10-6
Miami 9-7
Buffalo 5-11
NY Jets 3-13

North
Pittsburgh 11-5
Cleveland 9-7
Cincinnati 9-7
Baltimore 7-9

South
Indianapolis 12-4
Jacksonville 9-7
Tennessee 4-12
Houston 4-12

West
Denver 11-5
San Diego 10-6
Kansas City 7-9
Oakland 6-10


NFC

East
Washington 10-6
Dallas 9-7
NY Giants 9-7
Philadelphia 7-9

North
Chicago 10-6
Green Bay 7-9
Minnesota 7-9
Detroit 6-10

South
Carolina 12-4
Tampa Bay 10-6
Atlanta 8-8
New Orleans 5-11

West
Seattle 10-6
Arizona 8-8
St Louis 8-8
San Francisco 4-12

Playoffs

Wild Card Weekend
Pittsburgh over Cleveland
New England over San Diego
Dallas over Chicago
Seattle over Tampa Bay

Divisional Playoffs
Denver over Pittsburgh
Indianapolis over New England
Carolina over Dallas
Washington over Seattle

Championship Games
Denver over Indianapolis
Carolina over Washington

Super Bowl XXXXI
Denver 31 Carolina 21

I know I’m going to catch some serious heat for putting the home team in the Super Bowl, then having them lose. And, of course, I generally (always) refuse to pick “my team” to win anything, being so pessimistic. That being said…

I’m concerned with a few areas for the Panthers this year. Linebacker is a major concern because when Dan Morgan gets his yearly concussion and is out for three games, we will have three new starters at LB. Major problem. The depth is good on the defensive front four, but I am still concerned about our free safety position. The Panthers’ pass coverage is typically as good as its rush; translation being if they are not pressuring the QB, the secondary becomes increasingly vulnerable.

Offensively, Steve Smith’s current hamstring problem is ominous for his year. Let’s face it: he’s just not going to have another 1,400 yd season. But, if he has a 1,100-1,200 yard season and Keyshawn/Colbert/Carter have another 1,200-1,400 yards between them, then we’re doing just fine. I’ve gone on record twice as being skeptical of drafting DeAngelo Williams, but it would be nice for his “home run” potential to pay off this season. It’s funny: three years ago, DeShaun Foster was our “home run” back while Stephen Davis logged all the tough yards. That makes me a little uncomfortable with Foster being the sole feature back.

Finally, the Panthers will need some good old fashioned luck. Injuries are a problem for all teams, but the Panthers had them occur at the worst possible time last season (i.e. during the playoffs). Staying healthy throughout would sure be nice for once. Let’s knock on wood the Jake Delhomme does not suffer a major injury of any sort, as Chris Weinke looks much better in a ballcap that covers his bald noggin on the sideline than he does quarterbacking the Panthers. Most Carolina fans would agree that this team has the most talent and potential of any team in the franchise’s existence, so let’s hope it culminates in a Super Bowl Championship.

But if the Broncos beat the Panthers in the Super Bowl, I’ll either become the next Miss Cleo or run for my life.

Stand and cheer for the Panthers…