Sunday, September 07, 2003
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED -- PREDICT AGAIN
I intended to post my 2003 NawFuL season predictions on Thursday, but was prevented by technical difficulties. Namely, as my finished typing my many paragraphs of commentary and attempted to post, I discovered that Blogger had logged me off and I lost everything. Lets try it again.
Note: Playoff teams in CAPS!
NFC WEST - Still a two team race!
1) ST. LOUIS (11-5) - They're still the class of the division when healthy. I picked them last year, and it was the only division winner I got wrong.
2) SAN FRANCISCO (10-6) - Coaching is the great unknown. In terms of players, this is largely the same team that suffered an end of the year colllapse last year, and seemingly couldn't beat teams with winning records.
3) Seattle (7-9) - Same old Seahawks.
4) Arizona (4-12) - Need a lot more than a new QB.
NFC NORTH - Green Bay and the also rans.
1) GREEN BAY (10-6) - On top as long as they have Bret Favre.
2) Minnesota (8-8) - They've got the offensive talent and momentum from last year.
3) Chicago (7-9) - Will return to Soldier Field bring a return to the playoffs??? NO!!!
4) Detroit (5-11) - Mooch can't rebuild the Lions in one year.
NFC SOUTH - Arguably the best division in the league.
1) NEW ORLEANS (10-6) - They were ever so close last year.
2) TAMPA BAY (9-7) - Like Baltimore before them, a one hit wonder.
3) Atlanta (8-8) - Would have picked them first, but not without Vick.
4) Carolina (7-9) - Improving, but do they have a QB?
NFC EAST - No team to challenge Philly
1) PHILADELPHIA (12-4) - May be the class of the league.
2) Washington (8-8) - Still putting the pieces together.
3) N.Y. Giants (7-9) - Let's see... losing record, Superbowl, losing record, playoffs... The Giants take this season off.
4) Dallas (3-13) - Still falling to pieces.
AFC WEST - The young and the ancient
1) SAN DIEGO (11-5) - They're young, have good coaching, and hopefully won't collapse like last year.
2) KANSAS CITY (10-6) - Similar to San Diego, but they didn't do well enough last year to have a collapse.
3) Denver (8-8) - Is Plummer really the answer???
4) Oakland (7-9) - Last years division standings turned upside down. Age tends to creep up suddenly (the 49ers of the late 90's are my prime example). The Raiders looked REALLY OLD during the Superbowl and preseason, so I am expecting the same type of year this year as the Rams did last year.
AFC NORTH - The changing of the guard
1) CLEVELAND (10-6) - Looked good last year, now they've settled on a QB.
2) Pittsburgh (8-8) - With Kordell gone, they no longer have a safety valve.
3) Baltimore (6-10) - Starting rookie Kyle Boller at QB. That usually doesn't bode well.
4) Cincinnati (2-14) - Three certainties in life: death, taxes, and the Bengals in the cellar.
AFC SOUTH - The winner is... the team that isn't from the South!
1) INDIANAPOLIS (11-5) - Defense should improve in Dungy's second year.
2) TENNESSEE (10-6) - Last year may have been their best chance.
3) Jacksonville (8-8) - Will new coach make a difference?
4) Houston (5-11) - Already the best team in Texas.
AFC EAST - The battle of the mediocre
1) NEW ENGLAND (10-6) - Defensive upgrades will make a difference.
2) Miami (9-7) - Ready for their annual December collapse.
3) Buffalo (9-7) - They're on the right track.
4) N. Y. Jets (6-10) - Injury to Pennington makes all the difference.
PLAYOFF TEAMS
NFC - St. Louis, Green Bay, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa Bay
AFC - San Diego, Cleveland, Indianapolis, New England, Kansas City, Tennessee
SUPERBOWL MATCHUP: Philadelphia vs. Kansas City
WINNER: PHILADELPHIA
Junior Bro 11:56:00 AM
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