Early AFC predictions

C

Cooley Cadets

Banned
[FONT=&quot]AFC East[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=NENew England Patriots[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
Brady is back, and the addition of Fred Taylor, Shawn Springs and others add nice depth. They are sitting pretty nice since I would imagine Miami takes a small step back from their surprise season last year. The Jets have some nice talent but as they transition to Sanchez at the helm this season, it will probably put them out of serious contention. Buffalo, I expect to contend with the Pat’s and it would not surprise if the loser within the division becomes the wild card. [FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=BUFBuffalo Bills[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
Edwards will establish himself as an NFL caliber QB with Lee Evans and Terrell Owens on the field despite the loss of Peters. If the RB’s survive the Lynch suspension they should be contending for a wildcard spot[FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=MIAMiami Dolphins[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The Dolphins may finish better than 3rd this year but I expect a slip in their overall production. The D is in a period of transition despite the return of JT to younger players. This may cost them some early games but will pay benefits as the season progresses. On O they need Pennington to prove last year was not a fluke and that he can remain healthy.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=NYJNew York Jets[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Sanchez will likely be called upon in his rookie season and as a result will suffer some growing pains despite the D play as an offset keeping them in many of the games during this period.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]AFC North[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=BALBaltimore Ravens[/FONT][FONT=&quot] (11-5, second in AFC North, lost in AFC Championship)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]With no upgrade in targets, Joe Flacco may have a sophomore slump. The defense will continue to dominate most teams it faces but will show weaknesses as it replaces key personnel lost during the off-season. Still a playoff caliber team (div champ or wild card) and the RBBC will work as long as the passing game remains consistent – meaning this cannot be the year Mason shows his age.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=PITPittsburgh Steelers (12-4, first in AFC North, won Super Bowl XLIII)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Super Bowl champions drafted O and D line help but having no glaring weakness did not necessarily grab an immediate starter. Baltimore, already close, did the same but with Oher has an immediate upgrade. Both of these teams lost some key players on D opening the window for a split with at least Cincy or Cleveland this year. Ward is back but there is likely to be some decline in his production and the other WRs have not shown they can step up yet. They will compete and contend but even winning their division is not a given. Can definitely see Pit and Bal contend for the division with the loser becoming a wildcard.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=CINCincinnati Bengals[/FONT][FONT=&quot] (4-11-1, third in AFC North)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Palmer will lead a mini-revival making the offense produce better than last year but not enough to overtake the frontrunners. The Chad may also make a bit of a reappearance but his best is behind him already. Look for an improved D as the season progresses as the rookies develop.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=CLECleveland Browns[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Even if a quarterback controversy is averted there has been to much change for there not to be an impact. Winslow is gone, Edwards may or may not be by the time the season starts, Stallworth is at best distracted by off-field issues. Rookie Wr’s could be called upon early and often.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]AFC South[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=TENTennessee Titans[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Look what they did with a QB controversy. Collins will not be spectacular but will continue to get the job done. Washington and Britt are not going to make the passing game a juggernaut but should provide a viable threat to offset the Johnson/White machine. If the D survives the loss of Haynesworth’s production they should be able to repeat as division champs.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=HOUHouston Texans[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The Texans have been the hot sleeper pick for the past few years. They continue to obtain quality players and this is the year they make the jump and at seasons end be in the middle of the push for snaring a wildcard birth. The D continues to improve but if Slaton and Walter establish themselves as more than 1 year wonders they should be able to nudge Indy out of the picture for at least 1 year.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=INDIndianapolis Colts[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The coaching turnover, the loss of Marvin and transitioning to their next starting RB will impact the team more than many are anticipating. Look for Manning to resemble his early years more than the superstar we have grown used to during this period as he attempts to push himself harder. If Ten. does not drop back to earth this season Hou. has quietly been building and should reap a playoff appearance as a result this year. Indy is the team likely to suffer as a result and find itself on the outside of the playoff bubble.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=JACJacksonville Jaguars[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In another division they could compete for a playoff berth but the addition of Holt is not enough to make the receiving game a serious threat. If the ground game continues and the D can hold the Jag’s may win more close games than they lose but that is the ceiling for this season.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]AFC West[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=SDSan Diego Chargers[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This is a team that once again is on the verge of moving past its recent history of disappointments and make serious inroad to a league championship. Expect LT to be spelled enough to keep him fresh through the playoffs, Rivers to quietly continue to impress and the D to remain solid.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=DENDenver Broncos[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]This hardly looks like the same team from last year but with such changes come the early season where they are still struggling to put it all together. The loss of Cutler will hurt the WR’s production slightly, Moreno should eventually establish himself as the primary back and the D will struggle but also make improvements over the course of the season. The team remains in 2nd but not likely a wild card candidate and may be passed by Oak and KC if the transition to McD’s reign as coach continues to be ugly[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=KCKansas City Chiefs[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]All the teams’ ills have not been fixed but a start has been made and improvement will be noticeable. The draft focused on retooling their D so don’t expect the signing of Cassel to suddenly turn the O around. If LJ returns to form the addition of Engram may help balance the offense despite the loss of Gonzo.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=OAKOakland Raiders[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Big questions marks surround Russell and the success of Hey-Bey will play a large role on if this franchise avoids starting over from scratch. The running game should be impressive even if it ends in RBBC but until there is more everywhere else the team will continue to struggle.[/FONT]
 
WesDawg

WesDawg

'Burghapologist
Homer alert.

Pittsburgh won 12 games last year vs. the preseason #1 rated schedule and lost a few rotational role players in the offseason. They now have the 5th easiest preseason schedule entering 2009.
Baltimore has a tougher non-divisional slate and lost their longtime D-Coordinator, plus all-pro LB Bart Scott. The only thing they really did to help their young QB is bring in an unnecessary 2nd receiving TE in L.J. Smith. I agree they'll be in the wildcard chase, but there's no way they take the North.

I really like the ballsy Houston over Indy analysis. The more I think about it, the more I'm sipping the Texans Kool-Aid. That division will be a dogfight between the Colts, Titans and Texans. Maybe only 2 games seperating the 3 teams.
 
ExperiencedRookie

ExperiencedRookie

Well-Known Member
Nice post Cooley.

Now beware. Somewhere in the next 24 hours DearbornDolphins will be on here telling you how vastly you're underrating Miami.

Prepare for battle.
 
WesDawg

WesDawg

'Burghapologist
That's "Dearborn Dolfan", and the only thing he dislikes less than underestimating his team is people who misspell his name!

You better prepare for battle, pal! LOL
 
ExperiencedRookie

ExperiencedRookie

Well-Known Member
WesDawg said:
That's "Dearborn Dolfan", and the only thing he dislikes less than underestimating his team is people who misspell his name!

You better prepare for battle, pal! LOL
Click to expand...

LOL.

It's all good. His anger over seeing his team being put 3rd in the AFC East will completely distracted him from any of these other posts.
 
R

Runnik's Hambones

Active Member
Damn good write up. Interesting to see predictions to teams since that's what most of us do all freaking offseason.

And yeah, duck when Dearborn arrives!
 
DearbornDolfan

DearbornDolfan

Active Member
Oddly enough, I'm not going to eviscerate Cooley. I do wonder where and why he expects an offensive drop-off, although I have suspicions. I don't think JT returning hurts the team or the younger players, in fact what really hurt the Fins last year was that in nickel situations the opposing line was able to eliminate Porter as a threat, but that can no longer happen with JT on the opposite side. But at any rate, Cooley got as close as any non-Dolfan can in sniffing out team dynamics.

However, I do take exception to Buffalo being catapulted to 2nd in the AFC East. This is the same team that, even with Peters as their LT, completely fell apart after seemingly being the best team in the NFL for six weeks. While I don't expect another meltdown, I can't help but think Buffalo's days as an erratic team aren't over.
 
C

Cooley Cadets

Banned
DearbornDolfan said:
I do wonder where and why he expects an offensive drop-off, although I have suspicions.
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I think the Dolphins were one of the feel good stories last year where they overachieved as a unit. Being a fan going back to the ultimate field general, Bob Griese, I loved seeing it and wish them the best of luck repeating that magic. I am just not willing to predict they can pull it off 2 years in a row.

DearbornDolfan said:
I don't think JT returning hurts the team or the younger players, in fact what really hurt the Fins last year was that in nickel situations the opposing line was able to eliminate Porter as a threat, but that can no longer happen with JT on the opposite side.
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JT's return does not hurt the team and provides a veteran example of what is expected from a Miami D. I merely believe the team is beginning to transition from the aging veterans who unfortunately are not the same players they were in their prime to the newer versions of themselves (we can hope). Growing pains not a collapse is what I am predicting.

DearbornDolfan said:
However, I do take exception to Buffalo being catapulted to 2nd in the AFC East. This is the same team that, even with Peters as their LT, completely fell apart after seemingly being the best team in the NFL for six weeks. While I don't expect another meltdown, I can't help but think Buffalo's days as an erratic team aren't over.
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I think they have addressed some needs so they are closer to being that "best team in the NFL" than they are to the team that then proceeded to fall on their collective face masks. They lost Peters but did get some OL help. I have never drafted TO but he and Evans make a nice couple at the wide out positions. If Jackson can live up to the recent hype he has been receiving and Lynch can come back and be a factor The O could be impressive. There also seems to me that a nice blend of vet/young upcoming D players will make this a team to watch from both sides of the line.

The bar for Buffalo may have been set to high. If Edwards does not establish himself, the RB position becomes muddled or Nelson does not prove to be the TE I am hoping he will be then the erratic performances of yester-year will make another appearance - if that happens even the Jets with a rookie QB could finish ahead of them. This is an early prediction and I try to avoid that type of doom and gloom.
 
Cerberus

Cerberus

In Dog We Trust
Well written. Only a couple of things come to mind. I disagree with Buffalo in second. Jets/Bills will fight for last place, w/bills probably winning it. TO is too much of a distraction. Unless he keeps his mouth shut and just catches the damn ball like he is payed to do, the Bills will falter again. Miami will a good team this year also. Its what Parcells does.

And it would be nice for a change if the Raiders could finish above the cellar door.
 
C

Cooley Cadets

Banned
Cerberus said:
Well written. Only a couple of things come to mind. I disagree with Buffalo in second. Jets/Bills will fight for last place, w/bills probably winning it. TO is too much of a distraction. Unless he keeps his mouth shut and just catches the damn ball like he is payed to do, the Bills will falter again. Miami will a good team this year also. Its what Parcells does.

And it would be nice for a change if the Raiders could finish above the cellar door.
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Thanks.

I think TO becomes a concern more after his 1st year on a new job which is why I think this is Buffalo's window of opportunity.

Oakland will get there but it has to get organized from the top down. Not bashing on Al but he can't work his magic like he was once able to and I think there is a sense of almost desperation on his part to bring the team back up 1 last time before he goes causing him to appear more inconsistent than usual the last few years.
 
Cerberus

Cerberus

In Dog We Trust
Cooley Cadets said:
Thanks.

I think TO becomes a concern more after his 1st year on a new job which is why I think this is Buffalo's window of opportunity.

Oakland will get there but it has to get organized from the top down. Not bashing on Al but he can't work his magic like he was once able to and I think there is a sense of almost desperation on his part to bring the team back up 1 last time before he goes causing him to appear more inconsistent than usual the last few years.
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For Buffalos sake , sure hope your right. I just can't put that much faith in TO and him not starting some kind of commotion among the team. And i am just going by what i have seen from him in the past. The Bills could be a team to reckon with but we'll see. It could be a dogfight in the division for 2nd.

Oakland was good for so long , it just sucks to see them be so bad for the amount of time they have been. And each year they don't seem to be improving. They're like at a stand still.
 
deuce4321

deuce4321

Driller
I know i am in the minority here but I really dont see why the Jets cant win the AFC East. They greatly have improved their defense and although we lost Coles this off-season I think there are enough young guys, stucky, clowney, smith, etc., to help supplement the run first offense. I think Favre actually hurt the Jets at the end of the season. After they beat the undefeated Titans Favre threw a bunch of game costing ints and didnt really make too many gave winning throws. If Sanchez does not pan out I dont think they will have a problem letting Keller start the way Pennington was brought back into the offense after Keller struggled early in his career. I just dont see why they are slated to do so much worse then last year when they only improved in the offseason.
 
bodey24

bodey24

Staff member
deuce4321 said:
I know i am in the minority here but I really dont see why the Jets cant win the AFC East. They greatly have improved their defense and although we lost Coles this off-season I think there are enough young guys, stucky, clowney, smith, etc., to help supplement the run first offense. I think Favre actually hurt the Jets at the end of the season. After they beat the undefeated Titans Favre threw a bunch of game costing ints and didnt really make too many gave winning throws. If Sanchez does not pan out I dont think they will have a problem letting Keller start the way Pennington was brought back into the offense after Keller struggled early in his career. I just dont see why they are slated to do so much worse then last year when they only improved in the offseason.
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I don't see the Jets winning the division because they are in the same division as the Patriots. Another reason I don't see them winning the division or making the playoffs is looking over their non-divisional games it looks pretty tough.

@ Houston
Home against Tennessee
@New Orleans
Home against Jacksonville
Home against Carolina
@Tampa
Home against Atlanta
@ Indy

I see the Jets being around or under .500 in the division and losing a majority of these games which would keep them out of the division and wild card race.
 
C

Cooley Cadets

Banned
deuce4321 said:
I know i am in the minority here but I really dont see why the Jets cant win the AFC East. They greatly have improved their defense and although we lost Coles this off-season I think there are enough young guys, stucky, clowney, smith, etc., to help supplement the run first offense. I think Favre actually hurt the Jets at the end of the season. After they beat the undefeated Titans Favre threw a bunch of game costing ints and didnt really make too many gave winning throws. If Sanchez does not pan out I dont think they will have a problem letting Keller start the way Pennington was brought back into the offense after Keller struggled early in his career. I just dont see why they are slated to do so much worse then last year when they only improved in the offseason.
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I think the other teams have helped themselves more. At least in the short-term. Sanchez and Greene panning out as longterm starters could change that but not this year. Here are 5 reasons that come to mind.

1. D got a few nice additions and should improve but not going with the "greatly" yet

2. Not sold on any of the WRs you mention

3. Favre hurt the team at the end of the season (when he was injured) but was a big reason they had success early

4. Sanchez will not have a Matt Ryan like season

5. Keller is not the alternative starting QB you want if you are planning on contending

6. Not really an issue in my eyes BUuttt - I'm waiting to see how they use their 3 headed RBBC (I almost went 4 headed just because I'm still pulling for Woodhead but figured the #'s were against me and someone might try to make me change my pick as a result :) before I gauge the success of their run first philosophy. (Is it a philosophy if you don't really have a choice?)
 
Cerberus

Cerberus

In Dog We Trust
bodey24 said:
I don't see the Jets winning the division because they are in the same division as the Patriots. Another reason I don't see them winning the division or making the playoffs is looking over their non-divisional games it looks pretty tough.

@ Houston
Home against Tennessee
@New Orleans
Home against Jacksonville
Home against Carolina
@Tampa
Home against Atlanta
@ Indy

I see the Jets being around or under .500 in the division and losing a majority of these games which would keep them out of the division and wild card race.
Click to expand...


That is a tough schedule. Except the Jax game, just not much faith in them this up coming year after last years antics and off season issues. Thier OL should be better but the O is lacking any scoring threats.
 
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