As I begin my countdown to the beginning of the NFL season (5 hours away as I begin this blog), I'm interested in just more than the 40 cent wings I'm going to devour at Striker's to kick off the season. I'll be interested to see how many of these so called "predictions" I've read/heard end up being accurate. So after getting through all my NFL previews and watching preseason games/talk shows/etc, I have come up with four things that I heard or read that has me scratching my head.
This is the Cardinals' year: It was their year in 2006 when they bought Edgerrin James and drafted Matt Leinart; they went 5-11 again. It was their year in '07 when a new coaching staff swept in; they won two meaningless games late to get to 8-8. This year? Well, they already have benched Leinart in favor of aging Kurt Warner. How bout this year...shut up and play!
The Steelers will hold off the up and coming Browns: Pittsburgh was #1 in total defense last season, but it was also the defense that gave up close to 30 points per game as the Steelers went 1-5 down the stretch including two home losses to the Jags. They did not sign a single first-rate defensive free agent and went mostly offense in the draft. Not to mention the O-Line which gave up about 500 sacks last year only got worse instead of better in the off-season (So long future Hall of Famer Alan Faneca). Mix in a brutal schedule and I'm not sure how they can get 10 wins. I know I'm gonna get killed for this living 45 minutes from Pittsburgh, but hey, just speaking my mind (Which I was "hired" to do, right?).
Tarvaris Jackson can't take the Vikings deep into the playoffs: In Minnesota's 5-2 finish last season, the second-year QB completed over 65% of his passes (Yes..true..I looked it up!). I guarantee you, if he's a 65% passer this year, the Vikings will win at least one playoff game. If he does that AND makes few mistakes...well... the possibilities are endless.
Asante Samuel is worth the money the Eagles spent on him: He's probably in the top 10 when talking about corners in the league, but he was incredibly inconsistent last year and in my opinion cost the Patriots the Super Bowl with his terrible coverage of David Tyree in the 4th quarter. How silly is it that the Eagles are paying him $11 million MORE than Brian Westbrook?
So, there you have it. Oh..wait..you want a Super Bowl pick? Okay...how bout....
Division Winners: Patriots, Browns, Colts, Chargers, Cowboys, Vikings, Buccaneers, Seahawks
Wild Card Teams: Jaguars, Titans, Eagles, Giants
AFC Championship: Patriots over Jaguars
NFC Championship: Cowboys over Vikings
Super Bowl: Patriots: 30
Cowboys: 27
Check back w/ me in January kiddies!!
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1 comment:
First off, the ?Browns? ahead of the Steelers. That will not happen. They may split the series or finish a close 2nd. I will give you that. The division hasn't changed. Let's say the browns are the same team on the field as they are ono the offseason paper. Inferior team.
The Titans? The titans will not have a better record than the Steelers. Wild card my butt.
If the Steelers win 10 games this year it is more than an incredible season in my book.
Your Steeler D comment about last year. . .
No Aaron Smith no Troy Pouloulouloumumololulo. . .
And you are right; the Steelers offensive line was terrible last year. With our offensive moves we now we have the abilty to keep the ball for a few more series per game keeping the D off of the field.
My points in a nutshell:
More offense.
Healthy D.
A better center.
Healthy Willie parker. (leading rusher in NFL through december last year.)
32 TD Ben.
The tough schedule is the only curve ball I am seeing. I think the team otherwise is stronger.
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