AFC EAST:
1.New England-
For anyone who wants to argue with me, this is the best "team" in the NFL. They have proven to everyone every year that they are for real and should be no different this year. Some questions still fly around this team, but there was questions in the past too, and proved they can get through them.
WINS 12 to 13
2.N.Y Jets-
Some people may question the Nugent pick, but i believe it was very smart. If a player on your team ends your chances to go further in the playoffs TWICE, you must replace him. This team proved in 02 and 04 that they can go far in the playoffs, and Chad Pennington has showed how good of a qb he really is, but has shown to get injured a lot.
WINS 9 to 10
3.Buffalo-
I live here, and most people in Buffalo were completely satisfied with this teams finish last year. That is why I think this team can get far, ecause of the 12th man. This team has the best fans around. The only reason I dont see this team going far is because of J.P's first year, but I do see a similar image to Pittsburgh. They have a strong running game and a nasty D. Who knows, could J.P be the next Big Ben. I am guessing not.
WINS 8 to 9
4.Miami-
Ricky Williams retirement was on short notice last year, and the dolphins could not prepare in the draft, so this year was there first rebuilding draft. Brown should help a crappy running game last year, and there D should be as good as every year. I dont see a bad team here, they say defense wins championships, and Miami has a very good one. In a few years, this team will be back, but not in 05.
WINS 5 to 6
AFC NORTH:
1.Pittsburgh-
In my opinion, this is the best divsion in football, after being one of the worst in 03. I pick pittsburgh to win because I think Rothlisberger will mature enough to lead this team again at QB. A QB will always look good with Jerome Bettis, Duce Staley, Hines Ward, and a great defense behind him. Many say the loss of Plax will hurt them, and it probably will, but the amazing D will make up for a average WR.
WINS 12 to 13
2.Baltimore-
Mason, Lewis, Ogden, and an improving Boller is a more than average offense to go along with the best defense in the leauge is a pretty solid team going into 05. Mason is one of the most underated WR's in the leauge and should help a troubled Boller, along with the rookie Clayton. There D is just plain amazing(The baxter loss wont hurt).
WINS 10 to 11
3.Cincinati-
Cincinati is one of the 2 teams that have the most to prove in 05. They came 1 gae away from the divsion in 03, and lost it to.....cleveland. They had a bad start in 04 and were not able to recover. People are starting to actually believe in this team, and they better start talking playoffs soon before its to late. I dont think it will happen though because of the tough AFC NORTH.
WINS 8 to 9
4.Cleveland-
I dont know what to say about Cleveland. They dissappoint there fans every year. Last year they started good with a win with there rival ravens, then went down hill. They did have a good off-season with additions like Dilfer and Droughns and there 1st round pick Edwards, but with this teams history, I wouldent be suprised if they were bust.
WINS 4 to 5
AFC SOUTH:
1.Indianapolis-
Manning, Harrison, Stokely, Wayne, James...........you know the offense, but now to the defense. Everyone knows there weak in that area, but dont know they are 2-3 good defensive players away to a super bowl. If they get those players like the one Mike Doss, some might say a dnasty might start. That is why the 99 Rams were so succsessful, a GREAT offense and a good D. That is what the Colts need.
WINS 12 to 13
2.Jacksonville-
I gave up on Jacksonville last year. Ill admit, i was thinking good things for the Jags last year in the first 3 weeks of the season, but gave up when they were HOME on there biggest game of the year against the Houston Texans and lost 21-0. They need a better fan base to help them out at home, because it shows that they nedd it badly. But hey, I still think this is a great team with a lot of upside.
WINS 8 to 10
3.Houston Teaxans-
A great starting 3 years for this young franchise, and they keep getting better. They are in the harder conference and it will be hard for them to get in the playoffs. I believe this team will lose more games than last year though because of the losses of there 2 top defenders in Aaron Glenn and Jamie Sharper. It will be tough for them to recover though I do like there young CB in Duante Robinson.
WINS 7 to 8
4.Tennessee-
This is the last years Miami Dolphins. They have lost so many people over this off-season and it will be like climbing Mount Everest
to get back into the playoff picture. Pac Man will not get this team into the playoffs. Period. Though he is a good player, They still nedd more help from next years draft. Plus, Mcnair will be injured again by mid October.
WINS 3 to 4
AFC West:
1.Kansas City-
I believe the Chiefs will return to the top of the West again after there D disappointed many last year. The additions of Knight, Hall, Surtain, and Bell WILL improve there D enough to make the playoffs again, and maybe a first round bye. Holmes NEEDS to stay healthy, though anyone will look good behind this offensive line.
WINS 11 to 12
2.San Diego-
This is just a good football team no matter what anyone says. Brees to Gates is just deadly, when also having the great LT in the backfield. There D was proved to be solid in 04 and should remin solid this year. But the thing is EVERYONE is here from last year, with the new defensive draft picks that should improve the team in any hole they had from 04. I expect the same as last yar.
WINS 11 to 12
3.Denver-
This is a good football team also, but I do question there off season. I do not agree with the release of Droughns. I do not agree with drafting Clarette, and I do think Champ Bailey is an amazing CB, but his skills have decreased because of the new 5-yard rule. In a nut shell, Good team/tough conference.
WINS 8 to 9
4.Oakland-
Many say trading for Moss was stupid, but I disagree. Moss is nothing but a machine at WR and should go well with the throw long happy Oakland Raiders organization. I love the addition of LaMont Jordan, because I think he is one of the most underated backs in the league. This team is on there way up and should only take 2 years to get back to the word "contender".
WINS 7
NFC EAST:
1.Philadelphia-
Best team in the NFC. Period. This team is 2 steps ahead of Minnesota, Carolina, Seattle, Atlanta, and every other team in this weak conference. They are solid in almost every posistion and should remain solid. Even without T.O, this team is amazing. Though they are the best, I still dont see them making a trip to Detroit in February this year as you will see in my S.B prediction at the bottom. The playoffs are way different then the regular season.
WINS 13 to 14
2.Dallas-
I loved Dallas's draft. It was the best(but not by far) in my opinion. They were troubled on D in 04, and they adressed it in the draft like they were supposed to. This D will be solid like in 03 and should compete for a wildcard. If they dont make it, I believe it will be because of Bledsoe. Hes not the answer.
WINS 9 to 10
3.N.Y Giants-
This is another team that is improving fast, but are mis fortunate to be in the tough NFC EAST. They have to play Dallas and Philly twice, and that might be a problem. They helped Eli, with Plax this year, and that is the best thing you can do with a young QB. Also, stealing a great LB from a divison rival will really have upside. I do not think this is a year for the playoffs though.
WINS 6 to 7
4.Washington-
I would have put them ahead of N.Y, if I wouldent heve seen them take no offensive help in the first round. What I am saying is I did not agree with there Cambell pick. I think Ramsey is an underated QB that needs more time. There Moss trade was good, meaning I think Moss is better then Coles, but I still see this team at the bottom of the NFC EAST this year.
WINS 5 to 6
NFC NORTH:
1.Minnesota-
Minnesota will dominate this divsion without a thought in my mind in 05. There D has impoved so much that I think they will do just find. There offense will still be top 10 with Cullpepper and the fast Troy Williamson and Nate Burlenson. They have good RB's , and since Moss is gone, they will use them more often to take the pressure off Daunte. I strongly have faith in this team in 05. The bad news is, I thought the same about Seattle last year too.
WINS 12 to 13
2.Chicago-
This is a sleeper team that may suprise many people this year, though wildcard my be a stretch. There D is pretty solid(if people may not have noticed),and there offense is young with a lot of talent. Muhammed is a great addition for a underated/injured Rex Grossman who needs to step up in 05. Also if Grossman feels pressured, Benson will be there. Benson was a GREAT pick in the 05 draft. By the way- Urlacher is not overated and who ever thinks that is just plain retarded.
WINS 8 to 9
3.Green Bay-
Talk about a team going in the wrong direction. Favre is great, and should help his team with many TD's, but hurt them with many INT'S. Favre is not past his time, he is just with an average team now. Thy should have adresses D in the draft, thats all i got to say.
WINS 8 to 9
4.Detroit-
This is another sleeper team to many people, but i dont think that at all. This is a team known for "almost being there" or "being a year away", but ive heard that for 5 years now. Whens it gonna happen. I did not like the Mike Williams pick when you have Rodgers and Williams on your roster at WR. This team will sit out another year. You neeed D to win.
WINS 7 to 8
NFC SOUTH:
1.Carolina-
Atlanta took the NFC SOUTH last year because the real best team was all injuries, and that team is the Carolina Panthers. Its pretty sad when your on your 3rd RB, and your Best WR is out for the year, and still come one game away from the playoffs. Carolina was not a 1 year wonder, just a one year injured. Steve Smith will compete for comeback player of the year.
WINS 10 to 12
2.Atlanta-
This is a good football team that realizes on one mans health. Atlantas record without Vick was not good at all and must keep him healthy to hope for another chance at the Eagles. Hartwell was a great pickup to go along with a already solid Dm in the South. This is definally a solid team.
WINS 10 to 11
3.New Orleans-
A team with great talent, but does not know how to put it together. They have one of the best teams on paper, but dont know how to succeed. Howard might be gone so that is a definate negative. I dont know what to say about the Saints because I dont know what to say about a team that looked very well at the end of the 04 season.
WINS 7 to 9
4.Tampa Bay-
This teams has so many queston marks floating around like if there D will remain solid, and if Gruden will remain a savoir in Tampa Bay. I think they will rise to fame again, but in about 3 years when they get more offensive help from upcoming draft. Carnell Williams will be very good in the near future.
WINS 6 to 7
NFC WEST:
1.Seattle-
Yes. Seattle is the forgotten team in the NFL. Like I said in cincinati post, this is the other team with something to prove. Hasselbeck, Wistrom, Simmons, Trufant, Taylor, and Chad Brown were all injured by Week 4 and beyond last year. This team has brotten so much in this year and I have believed improved this off season with Sharper, Fisher, Herndon, and Dyson at D. Alexander will be back, and do very well with one of the best O-lines in football.
WINS 10 to 11
2.Arizona-
Arizona is not a sleeper team, because I have heard so much hype already from this team this offseason. They had a great draft, with Arrington in my opinion being an immediate impact. They have a solid D and a new offenseintact to make a run at the division. WArner i dont think is the answer, but still the word WILD CARD is floating in Arizona.
WINS 9 to 10
3.St.Louis-
The Rams have improved there D this off season, and have helped keeped Bulger healthy too, which is the key to this team in my opinion. Jackson is a GREAT RB that could carry this offense when the "greatest show on turf" disappears. Martz I think holds this team back, which makes stupid decisions sometimes. I think this team could do better then 8 wins, but may not with Martz at the helm.
WINS 7 to 8
4.San Francisco-
Alex Smith was the right choice in my opinion, but we may not know until 3 4 years in the future. Theres not much to say about this team but that they are in rebuilding mode right now, and are far from what they were. I dont see much from the San Francisco 49ers in 2005.
WINS 3 to 5
AFC:
1.Pittsburgh
2.Indianapolis
3.New England
4.Kansas City
5.San Diego
6.Baltimore
NFC:
1.Philadelphia
2.Minnesota
3.Carolina
4.Seattle
5.Atlanta
6.Arizona
SUPER BOWL XL
Minnesota over Baltimore
Minnesota's D will matture faster than people think, and this team will prove they will not choke late season like in 03 and 04