Here we go, the weekend we’ve been waiting for since Tom
Brady’s hail mary pass fell incomplete and the clock struck zero in Super Bowl
XLVI. Before we take a look at my picks for this week, here is a brief look at
how I see the standings this season. You will notice two themes probably. A
“changing of the guard” in the NFC, while “more of the same” in the AFC.
AFC
East
1. Patriots (12-4)
The Patriots have improved their defense a little (which
wasn’t that hard to do), and while they have an easy schedule as usual, it’s
really only easy in the middle weeks. The beginning and end are pretty tough,
though ending with Jacksonville and Miami is a nice Christmas present.
2. Bills (8-8)
The Bills begin and end the year with the Jets. So Sanchez
gets to face the Bills when Ryan Fitzpatrick is good for the first few weeks,
and Tebow gets to face him when Fitzpatrick is back to his normal awful self.
Score another one for God!
3. Jets (7-9)
I don’t think the Jets will be as bad as a lot of people are
predicting. The offense has potential to improve with Tony Sparano, and the
defense is still going to be stout. I do like how most of their four (four!)
primetime games are in the latter half of the season…it’s as if the NFL expects
the Jets to be a different team later in the year or
something!
4. Dolphins (7-9)
I can’t find the link anymore, but about 40 minutes into
episode one of Hard Knocks, Chad Johnson says “I’m gonna get arrested” and
everyone laughs. Go back and watch it.
North
1. Ravens (11-5)
A very rough schedule, but they should be able to come out
on top in the division for a second straight year. However, could very well
start the year 1-2 or even 0-3, and now since I live in Baltimore I will get to
hear the panic on a daily basis on the way to work. Great.
2. Steelers (10-6)*
Offensive line woes were the problem last season, and they
seem to have addressed them in the offseason/draft. I still think the Steelers
are one of the top 4 teams in the AFC.
3. Bengals (8-8)
The only playoff team I don’t have returning in the AFC this
season, but they should get out to a fast start before their bye week. November
and December are brutal however.
4. Browns (4-12)
The Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback was once traded
for this
man.
South
1. Texans (11-5)
I love their formula to win football games. So balanced on
offense, so good on defense. The problem
is, something along the lines goes wrong during the season (usually an injury
to AJ or Schaub) and their whole formula goes out the window. They have the
best strategy for winning football games, the problem is they can’t adapt. That
said, I have them as my Super Bowl team in the AFC.
2. Titans (8-8)
I think Jake Locker is going to be good someday, so I was
happy to see him win the job in the preseason. I also have Chris Johnson in two
of my fantasy leagues (not sure how) so hopefully
that works out for me.
3. Colts (6-10)
Thanks for Peyton.
4. Jaguars (6-10)
I think the offense should improve from last year, but not
enough to make a dent in the division. The defense has always been strong, and
I’m hoping Jack Del Rio brings that effect over to the Broncos. (Oh sorry, was
that two in a row where I spoke as a Bronco fanboy? Sorry, won’t happen again.)
West
1. Broncos (10-6)
We got Peyton Effing Manning! I worry he will be as good as he was, but even
if it’s just 90% that should be an upgrade. Hell, 50% would have been in
upgrade. I’m just hoping a. he stays healthy and b. he “knows how to win” as
much as the previous QB.
2. Chiefs (9-7)*
The dark horse of the division. The Chiefs scare me. They had a ton of injuries last year, that
most people forget how good they were in 2010.
Also, yes I picked two teams out of the AFC west to make the playoffs.
This division is as good as it’s been in awhile.
3. Chargers (9-7)
Objectively: #FireNorv.
As a Broncos fan: #FourMoreYears!
4. Raiders (7-9)
I’m just thinking how badly Jason Campbell got screwed when
he got injured and they brought in Carson Palmer, who was supposedly better
according to the experts (or at least the people in charge of the Raiders) but
is not. And now he’s backing up Jay
Cutler. And a quick google search tells me that I’m
not the only one who thinks so.
NFC
East
1. Eagles (11-5)
The Dream Team/Dynasty was starting to look very strong in
the last four games of the season, and I think a lot of people are forgetting
how good they have the potential to be.
2. Giants (9-7)
I have to admit, I did not see them losing on Wednesday and
I know this isn’t really fair, but I had them right on the border as a wild
card team and I think that could be enough to not make it. But who knows, 9-7 sometimes wins divisions,
amirite?
3. Cowboys (9-7)
The Cowboys’ opening game victory has them one
step closer to glory.
4. Redskins (7-9)
Everyone’s hoping RGIII is the next Cam Newton, and he
probably has to be to warrant giving away all those picks for him. That being
said, Griffin is going to be a problem for the Ware’s, JPP’s, Tuck’s and Cole’s
of the division.
North
1. Packers (12-4)
The Packers probably don’t care where they are in the
playoffs just as long as they are in, seeing as they won a Super Bowl as the 6
seed, and went one and done last year losing just one game all season. That being said, over more debate than
probably needed, I took them first in the division, mostly because I trust
Rodgers more than Stafford to stay healthy.
2. Lions (11-5)*
I think this team is going to be good for awhile, but they
really need to get better defensively. The Packers/Patriots’ defenses aren’t
good either, but they can still make plays and create turnovers. In order for
the Lions to steal the division (which I think they can do) they need to assert
themselves on defense.
3. Bears (8-8)
Cutler and Marshall back together again! Yay!
4. Vikings (5-11)
Did you know Adrian Peterson was born in Palestine?!? Well,
Palestine, Texas, but still..thought any Jewish NFL fans would still like to
hear.
South
1. Panthers (11-5)
Their defense was garbage last year, and gave away games making
their record look worse than it should have been. This year I expect them to
have better luck, and improve defensively. Oh, and get ready for Cam year 2.
2. Saints (9-7)
I cannot see how losing your coach for a year, then having
two different interim coaches during the year can be good for Drew Brees and
the Saints offense. If they come
anywhere close to putting up numbers from last year, I will be impressed.
3. Falcons (9-7)
I have them missing the playoffs, which is unfortunate
because I wanted another video from this guy.
4. Buccaneers (7-9)
Should steal a few games from the other three teams in the
division and probably will be one of the main reasons that only one team comes
out of the division this year.
West
1. Seahawks (10-6)
Love what they did in the offseason and getting Russell
Wilson in the draft. If Marshawn Lynch
can keep up his resurgent 2011, I feel pretty good about the Seahawks winning
the west.
2. 49ers (10-6)*
I didn’t have them making the playoffs before Wednesday, but
because I’m a great writer and didn’t get my preview out before the season
actually started, I’m adjusting the standings accordingly.
3. Rams (5-11)
I’m not sure (and don’t feel like looking it up, but I think
I may have picked them to win the division last year. Yikes.
4. Cardinals (4-12)
They did not look good at all this preseason. I feel bad for
Larry Fitzgerald to be stuck in this mess, as Skelton and Kolb are just awful.
They should probably just see if they can find any hidden
talents. (Link possibly NSFW, came across it as I was writing and figured I’d
share it.)
Oh I guess you want playoff picks, huh?
NFC Championship game: Packers over Eagles
AFC Championship game: Texans over Ravens
Super Bowl Champions: Texans
Week One picks:
Colts +10.5
Eagles -8.5
Lions -8.5
Patriots -6.5
Chiefs +0.5 (and to win)
Vikings -1.5
Saints -9.5
Bills +3.5
Texans -7.5
Packers -6.5
Seahawks +1.5 (and to win)
Panthers -2.5
Broncos -1.5
Ravens -6.5
Raiders +1.5 (and to win)
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