AFC East AFC North AFC South AFC West 1. Jets 1. Bengals 1. Jaguars 1. Chargers 2. Patriots 2. Steelers 2. Colts 2. Chiefs 3. Bills 3. Browns 3. Texans 3. Raiders 4. Dolphins 4. Ravens 4. Titans 4. Broncos
NFC East NFC North NFC South NFC West 1. Eagles 1. Vikings 1. Saints 1. Seahawks 2. Cowboys 2. Bears 2. Falcons 2. Cardinals 3. Giants 3. Lions 3. Panthers 3. Rams 4. Redskins 4. Packers 4. Buccaneers 4. 49ers
AFC East I came to the conclusion Jets over Patriots because the Jets have way more cap room and not alot of needs. The Patriots have only 1 or 2 needs, but Im not sure they can cover either because they are in salary cap trouble. So I think Jets over Pats in the Regular season. Playoffs may be a different story........ The Bills are going to be awful. But they are alot better than the Dolphins. If Miami gets Cedric Benson they may send Buffalo to the cellar though.
AFC North The Bengals and Steelers both have little cap room. But the Steelers free agents will affect them much greater than the Bengals will. These teams are deadlocked in my mind. But I think Cincy wins it by the narrowest of margins. Brian Billick is awful. He wont address Baltimore's need at quarterback or wide reciever which will lead to a terrible season. I was looking at the Browns roster and they are actually quite talented. Kelly Holcomb is going to show great strides they have Kellen Winslow, and if they draft a running back that will be a good offense and Romeo Crenell will coach up the defense. I woulnt be surprised if Cleveland finishes with a sub .500 record.
AFC South Another tight race. I dont know what I was thinking putting the Texans up there, Walt is right they are going to be worse this season. It is now a Colts v.s Jags race. As much as I think the Colts are a super bowl caliber team, defense beats offense. So Jags probably beat the Colts. Texans and Titans are a non factor.
AFC West Chargers franchised Drew Brees. They will run away with this division. Chiefs will finish about the same, Raiders will be the same if not worse, and Broncos have no cap room and alot of needs they will be awful.
NFC East This is a 3 horse race. Eagles have tons of cap space after a super bowl appearance, but they lost which might depress them, although they have rose from the ashes of a disappointing ending before so they have a great shot at winning the division, Cowboys have gotten a reliable quarterback and have tons of cap room and 2 first round picks so we have a great shot at winning the division, and the Giants have Eli Manning, and after they release some players will have an okay cap position to fulfill their needs. Tough race. But I think Giants have more needs than they do cap space, and we are a little too old, and I think the Eagles will overcome the Super Bowl loser curse. So I say Eagles win the East.
NFC North Vikings have made a fanstastic trade and have a ridiculous amount of cap space. I made the argument about the owner thing, but it looks like that guy isnt going to get the Vikings so I think McCombs will still be the owner. So I am now convinced that the Vikings win the North easily. Bears are a very good team with the addition of Muhsin Muhammed, but the Vikings will be an unstoppable team next season. Bears will be in the mix for a playoff berth, but I dont think they are as good as the teams from the East. Lions are also a good team, but wont really be contending as long as Joey Harrington is at the helm. Packers have lost everything. I still think Favre is retiring, they will be depressed and they have no cap room and alot of needs. Packers will be awful.
NFC South I think everyone has already heard my argument 3,000 times. Saints win.
NFC West This is the toughest division to call because it is so bad. But Seattle won it last year and has resigned their key free agents, so I guess they'll win it again.
PLAYOFFS
Byes- Jaguars, Jets, Vikings, Saints
WILDCARD ROUND
Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks: 21-13 Dallas New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles: 38-14 Philadelphia Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers: 30-28 San Diego New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals: 21-3 New England
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings: 27-13 Minnesota Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints: 34-31 (OT) Philadelphia San Diego Chargers at New York Jets: 27-24 (OT) New York Jets New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars: 17-13 New England
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings: 45-38 Minnesota New England Patriots at New York Jets: 27-24 (OT) New England
SUPER BOWL XL
Minnesota Vikings v.s New England Patriots: 27-3 New England
I don't think the Bengals can win the AFC North with that defense. If they are able to fix it, they can, but I don't think they can pass the Steelers right now.
The Patriots may appear to be in poor cap position, but they cut Ty Law, and they will restructre the contracts of others like Troy Brown.
But Tom Brady is trying to get MORE money not less. That will hurt them. Plus the Jets have a much easier schedule. Jets win the division, but when they play in the playoffs. New England will win.
The Boston Globe reported today that the Patriots have agreed on a new contract with Brady. It's going to be cap friendly and he will be paid much less than Peyton Manning. I already started a column about this.
A MUCH easier schedule? I don't think so. Their schedule only differs by two games: the Patriots will play the Steelers and Colts; the Jets will play the Ravens and Jaguars. Considering the Jags may be superior to the Colts in 2005, the schedule seems pretty balanced between the two.
The Jets, much like the Saints, historically have been a better team on the road. Plus, I don't think the Patriots have a problem playing on the road, unless the game is in Miami.
And Pittsburgh. And New York will probably beat them at least once this year. That is Miami, Pittsburgh, New York. 13-3 That is what I predicted and I think that New York will beat 14-2 which I believe would make New England the greatest wildcard of all time.
New York, 14-2 with an injured quarterback who may not be ready for the pre-season? New York, 14-2 who just lost Jason Ferguson, a key piece on their defense? No chance. The Jets will lose at Buffalo, twice to New England, at least one team in the AFC West, Jacksonville, and one of the teams in the NFC South. 10-6... sounds about right.
