AFC East
1. New England (14-2)
2. N.Y. Jets (8-8)
3. Buffalo (7-9)
4. Miami (4-12)
New England Patriots: Sure, it's ridiculously crazy to predict that a team is going to win 14 games in the regular season, but please consider:
They were a second half mini-meltdown in the AFC Championship away from going to the Super Bowl for a fourth time in six years (and probably winning) with no receivers. THEN, they added arguably the best defensive free agent in linebacker Adalius Thomas and one of the more sought after offensive free agents in Randy Moss, who I suspect will magically re-emerge now that he's not on a crappy team anymore. For good measure, the Pats also added deep threat Donte' Stallworth and underrated receiver Wes Welker.
They still have best-dressed man in the world/quarterback (pictured, left) Tom Brady, who's actually going to be entering the prime of his career and is a better quarterback than you think. I mean, I know you already think he's good because he's won so much, but he's a REALLY good passer.
They have the best coach in all of football, and there are whispers that he might be nearing the end of his run with the Pats. You just know he's going to want to win it all.
Their veterans on defense (Teddy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, oft-injured Richard Seymour) are still at least another year away from being washed up.
Finally, as a U.S. American, how can you not root for the Patriots? (Yes, I realize it's forced, but how could I NOT work in some Ms. Teen South Carolina everywhere, like such as).
I mean why wouldn't this team go all the way and win the championship? They're used to being the team everyone wants to beat. The worst I can come up with is that I suppose they feel bad about letting kicker Adam Vinatieri go and...well, that's it.
N.Y. Jets: Ah, I wish I could give Jets fans (myself included) a bit more hope, but I just don't see them making it to the playoffs this year.
Sure they added Thomas Jones (pictured, right), who will instantly update what was a truly pathetic running game last year.
They still have the brightest young coach in the league in "Sopranos" guest star Eric Mangini. He's so good that having him will give the Jets at least three or four victories just from Mangini outsmarting and outgameplanning (that's a word, right?) his opponent.
His talent is especially apparent on defense, where the Jets often employ the "Times Square" defense where none of their guys line up and it looks like they're just wandering around. (I know that would completely screw me up).
Unfortunately, I'm still a little underwhelmed by Chad Pennington. I mean, he's a nice, solid quarterback and a terrific leader, but, with all the injuries he's gone through it doesn't seem like he's the franchise guy. He still has a weak an arm as ever and he has second year QB Kellen Clemens playing well and gaining ground.
Mostly though, I don't think the Jets will be back in the playoffs because they will be underestimated by no one and they don't have as ridiculously easy a schedule as they did last year.
Buffalo Bills: This team finished strong last year, making everyone optimistic about their prospects for this year.
The most drastic improvement, to me at least, was the play of J.P. Losman (pictured, left), who I considered to be the worst starting QB in all the NFL. He obviously heard how I felt about him and decided to have a solid season with 19TDs and 14 INTs.
For this team to succeed, though, he's going to have to be a little better than that, and he has a great, underrated target in wide receiver Lee Evans to help him accomplish that. The departure of running back Willis McGahee won't hurt as much as most people think because I believe rookie Marshawn Lynch will step in and play very well.
The defense, as usual, is solid, but unfortunately, Buffalo is still the same thing they have been every since their run of four straight Super Bowl appearances and losses — painfully middle of the row. They're not awful enough to be embarrassingly bad, but they're not good enough to get in the playoffs, or make any noise if they do.
Still, they're a good young team, that's fun to watch and competes in every game. If this team played in a sexier city than Buffalo, there'd be a little more excitement, but as it is, they'll probably just be "there" this year without making a huge impact.
Miami Dolphins: I'm surprised that more people don't think the Miami Dolphins are going to be terrible this year.
Sure, they signed Trent "One Concussion Away from the End of his Career" Green in the offseason. Unfortunately, they signed him to play behind an offensive line that couldn't really protect three different quarterbacks last year, two of which are done. To them, Green was a better option than drafting Brady Quinn, who they passed on in this year's draft, even though they clearly needed a QB. So, for two consecutive offseasons they've passed on Drew Brees and Brady Quinn.
At least if Green gets hurt they have, Cleo Lemon (pictured, right...apparently such a person DOES exist)?! To me that just doesn't sound like a real guy. It sounds like a game the computer makes up after you've played a couple of seasons on Madden and the game starts adding fake guys.
Running back Ronnie Brown will be pretty good, but the lack of weapons in the passing game will hurt him and he won't be able to reach his full potential. On a related story, if anyone sees wideout Chris Chambers, tell him he's due in Miami this year.
Their defense, led by defensive player of the year Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas, will still help carry the team, but they're a year older. As opposed to every other defense in the league, who only aged six months since last year (seriously, what does the sports phrase, "they're a year older" mean?!)
Oh well, at least no one foolishly has the Dolphins going to the Super Bowl this year, so fans won't be quite as disappointed.
No comments:
Post a Comment