AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Outlook: The defense loses some key members from ’08, but it still remains one of the top units in the league. Joe Flacco, no longer a rookie, will likely be asked to win games this year instead of to not lose them… That is, provided he ever escapes from Mother’s…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMOsy0j0plA
Outlook: The defense loses some key members from ’08, but it still remains one of the top units in the league. Joe Flacco, no longer a rookie, will likely be asked to win games this year instead of to not lose them… That is, provided he ever escapes from Mother’s…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMOsy0j0plA
Player to Watch: Ray Lewis. How could it not be? Living in Baltimore, you learn quickly that it’s important to know where Ray is both on and off the field at all times.
Prediction: 10-6
Cincinnati Bengals
Outlook: Carson Palmer is back and the defense has improved, but will it be enough to reach that oh-so-elusive winning record?
Player to Watch: The man who did this…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAd4tY6IVhg&feature=related
Prediction: 7-9
Cleveland Browns
Outlook: What’s that old adage? “If you have two quarterbacks you really have none” or something? Well, I’m pretty sure it applies here. Also, they go from one Belichick protégé to another… because they always seem to work out well in their first head coaching gigs.
Player to Watch: Braylon Edwards. Had a horrible ’08 with more drops than Vida in a fantasy baseball league. Look for the talented receiver to bounce back in ’09.
Prediction: 5-11
Pittsburgh Steelers
Outlook: The defending champs didn’t have many holes to fill in the offseason, but apparently Ben Roethlisberger did. http://www.theledger.com/article/20090721/NEWS/907215037/1002
Player to Watch: Rashard Mendenhall. Last year, the man talks trash about the Ravens in a text, and then the next week has his season ended by an injury from the Ravens. Let’s see who he texts about this year.
Prediction: 10-6
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Outlook: Rookie of the year Matt Ryan got a new target in Tony Gonzalez over the offseason. Gonzalez, an already solid receiving corps, and a juggernaut of a running game should provide Ryan with a cavalcade of weapons and keep the offense one of the best in the league.
Player to Watch: “Michael Turner. Plain and simple.” (‘Player to watch’ expert analysis courtesy of Brian Donohue)
Prediction: 11-5
Carolina Panthers
Outlook: Their successful season came to a screeching halt against the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs. If Steve Smith can avoid trouble, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathon Stewart be the one-two punch they were last year, the game will be easier for Jake Delhomme, and that could translate into a playoff run.
Player to Watch: Jake Delhome. Will we get the QB who led his team to the #2 seed in the NFC and a 12-4 record, or the one who had 5 interceptions in the playoffs?
Prediction: 10-6
New Orleans Saints
Outlook: The offense is a given, but the team needs its D to step up to be able to make a serious run. My guess is that it doesn’t and their season ends pretty soon after the new year.
Player to Watch: Drew Brees. Missed Dan Marino’s single season passing record by 16 yards last year, and honestly there’s really no reason why he won’t be able to take another shot at it again this year.
Prediction: 10-6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Outlook: Somehow managed to land a pretty rough schedule, despite finishing third in the division last year. But with that and all the questions in too many significant areas, that would be a tremendous accomplishment this year.
Player to Watch: Antonio Bryant. Comes off of a big season last year, so it’ll be interesting to see what the veteran receiver can do this year with Byron Leftwich at the helm.
Prediction: 4-12
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Outlook: Everybody’s sleeper team for quite some time now (basically every year of their existence). Could this be the year? Well, it would help if they could get 16 games from their starting QB which the franchise hasn’t had since the days of David Carr.
Player to Watch: Steve Slaton. People are expecting big things from the 2nd year starter. The Texans’ playoff chances could depend on them.
Prediction: 8-8
Indianapolis Colts
Outlook: We get something we haven’t gotten in awhile from Indy: big change. It comes in a new head coach and a new offensive coordinator, as well as the departure of Marvin Harrison. In good news, they still have Peyton Manning on their team.
Player to Watch: He didn’t make the team, but you should still always keep tabs on him… he does have a ring, you know…http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=6094
Prediction: 9-7
Jacksonville Jaguars
Outlook: Jack Del Rio has to be on the hot seat. Look at that, the previous sentence had 10 words with 4 letters or less. That’s far more interesting then the Jaguars.
Player to Watch: Maurice Jones-Drew. Nothing’s better than an MJD on a Sunday. Well, m
aybe an MGD.Prediction: 9-7
Tennessee Titans
Outlook: It’ll be a tough year for the Titans following the passing of Steve McNair, but it’s possible that the emotions could fuel them to a successful run.
Outlook: It’ll be a tough year for the Titans following the passing of Steve McNair, but it’s possible that the emotions could fuel them to a successful run.
Player to Watch: Vince Young. If you get tired of watching Young (and it’ll probably only take you 25 minutes) you can watch the other QB, which is a 40 year old journeyman… So, have fun with that.
Prediction: 9-7
NEXT UP: NFC WEST, AFC WEST
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