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Rob Viking -> RE: Predictions for Next Week (and maybe beyond) (8/16/2011 11:23:20 AM)
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NFC
East
Eagles 12-4
Cowboys 9-7
Giants 8-8
Skins 4-12
The Eagles have aa nice schedule which should help. Their LBs can be had but their deep DLine should make things easy for that group, can Vick stay healthy? Dallas will be better, but I wonder how the defense will do without Phillips, they dropped mightily last season it wasn't so much their offense or the loss of Romo. Giants will start strong but they have tough sked down the stretch, plus losing Steve Smith, Boss, O'Hara and Seubert will have an immediate effect. Skins are a clueless franchise, though I think Grossman will surprise some, he's a better QB than most give him credit for, but they still lack weapons.
North
Pack 11-5
Bears 9-7
Vikes 7-9
Lions 6-10
The best division in the NFL, every team will have improved though I see the Bears dropping off a bit and the Pack staying the same. The Packers return the same team and for a SB champs they have a fairly easy sked. We'll see if Cutler can improve, the OLine should be better and the defense is always strong, not sure why they want to put turf @Soldier field, it's a big advantage for them. The Lions will be competitive but do they know how to win games? I can see them being much like the Texans have the past couple of seasons. There's enough Vikes talk to go around on these boards but I see a very tough sked giving us this 7-9, whereas if we had the 2009 sked we would be 10-6 or so.
South
Saints 13-3
Bucs 10-6
Falcons 9-7
Panthers 3-13
Love what the Saints did in the offseason, there D is going to be very strong. Not totally buying replacing Bush with Sproles, Sproles isn't as dynamic and Bush also dictated punt coverage. Josh Freeman will be an MVP candidate, they're not spectacular but the Bucs were really gelling as a team especially offensively. The Falcons will come back to earth a bit, their 14-2 last season could've have easily been as low as 9-7, plus teams will be gunning for them this season.
West
49ers 9-7
Rams 8-8
Cards 7-9
Seahwaks 5-11
Think the 49ers will prove why they were the favorites to win the West last season. Less pressure and better coaching they will fly under the radar and claim the NFC Worst. Alex Smith has some weapons Gore, Braylon, Crabtree and Davis plus a decent OLine. Rams are getting better but I can see Bradford slumping a bit in his 2nd year where teams have tape on him plus he lacks WRs, though I do see him being great next season. Cards are better but they have alot of holes, Tavaris won't make it past Week 5 the way he hangs on to the ball. Wouldn;t be surprised if this division gives other teams problems.
AFC
East
Pats 12-4
Jets 11-5
Phins 7-9
Bills 3-13
Pats still on top Ochocinco > Branch and the TEs are growing, defense is better as well. Sanchez should improve, he knows how to win and I expect him to have some 300+yd games and 3+TD games. Phins will be tough very good coaching staff but not sold on Henne, their defense will be strong and could supplant the Jets. Bills will be picking in the top 5 again, curious to see how Stevie Johnson, Spiller and Merriman do.
North
Steelers 12-4
Ravens 10-6
Browns 8-8
Bengals 3-13
Ravens will get the upper hand on Pitt with a meeting in Baltimore in Week 1. Decided to change this as I don't think the Steelers will relinquish their division crown. They'll be better than last year as I see them being more effective on the ground. Plus the Ravens OLine troubles are worrisome. Steelers will be good again, OLine is always a question, they dropped 2 mediocre players in Adams and Starks but continuity is a question. Browns can be a surprise this season, weak schedule might propel them to 10-6 and Ithink they will be the darlings of the NHL until week 12 where they finish 4 out of the last 5 agsint the Steelers and Ravens. Cincy is actually a good place for Dalton he has QB friendly targets in Green, Shiply and Gresham (great NCAA receiving core), OLine a question.
South
Colts 11-5
Texans 9-7
Titans 7-9
Jags 5-11
The Colts shouldn't have the injuries they had last season. The division is quite poor and I don't think the Texans can win the games necessary to over taking them. As for the Texans I expect much of the same until they prove they can win tough games on the road and until Schaub can back his stats up with wins. Titans will be decent, their defense is ok and they still have CJ along with more stability at QB, this team was looking good until they imploded down the stretch. Del Rio may finally get wacked at seasons end, when will we see Gabbert?
West
Chargers 13-3
Chiefs 7-9
Raiders 5-11
Broncos 4-12
The Chargers will be practicing plenty of special teams in camp, Jackson back for the season along with Floyd, they had plenty of injuries but I expect this offense to be great. Defense was one of the best as well last season though I see them as more middle of the pack. Chiefs don't have the cake scedule they had last season with a stretch in late November (@NE, vs Pitt, @Chi, @NYJ, vs GB). Raiders got worse giving up on Cable and losing Gallery, Al Davis needs to get a grip by loosening his grip on this team. Broncos will be interesting, still think McDaniel was a good coach, sure he was a prick att times but he made Orton look great at times and I think he would've helped Tebow alot.
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