NFC Preview 2011

NFC East
Philadelphia 11

Philly is coached by Andy Reid A-.  With the FA acquisition of Nnamdi Asomugha A, their defense got a nice upgrade.  Draft spotlight none. Qb is Michael Vick, opponents started to figure him out near the end of the year, but you can’t really teach speed.  He’s a good QB A-.  Rushing attack led by LeSean McCoy B- Defense is likely going to be nasty, A-. I’d ignore the O/U.  start 6-3 and finish 5-2  so 11-5.

Dallas Cowboys 10

Draft spotlight none QB – Tony Romo.  Romo's arm is good and his mobility is a bit underrated B+.  Rushing game led by  Felix Jones B- Defense is generally solid B.  O/U is probably over.  I couldn’t really decide between Dallas making the playoffs and the Giants, but I guess I’ll give the nod to Dallas (sorry N.Y.)  7-2 finish 4-3 so 11-5.  (but Philly wins the tiebreaker)

New York Giants 10

New York has had a few late season collapses lately, but not this year…  This year they’ll just start out poorly and finish well.  Jk, kind of..   Qb – Eli Manning maybe slightly overrated by some and the opposite by others, I think he’s barely worse than a pro-bowl QB, B-.  Rushing attack –   Ahmad Bradshaw  B-.   Defense is a B+.  O/U idk.  They start out 6-4 and finish 4-2 so 10-6.

Washington Redskins 6

 They ‘lost’ Donovan Mccnab, to Minnesota.  And Washington will trust either Rex Grossman or John Beck to lead them to the playoffs.  And guarantees by Grossman aside, I don’t see it happening.  QB likely led by Grossman C+.  Rushing attack led by Ryan Torain C+  Defense if fair B-.  I’d take the U. I have them starting 3-6 and finishing 1-6 therefore 4-12.  I could see them reaching 7-9 or possibly 8-8, but I don’t see them exceeding .500, much less the playoffs.

NFC North 

Green Bay  11

The strange thing about Green Bay is that last year they (obviously) won the SB.  Why is that strange, you ask…  Well the Packers were (relatively speaking) devastated last year with injuries, so generally, since things tend to even out, you would think that this year they would have fewer injuries.  If that would occur, then a 13-3 or 14-2 record would be a possibility for the Packers. 

 Aaron Rodgers is a very good QB A-, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t know if he is a top 5 Qb yet.  Running attack is led by Brandon Jackson   B- Defense is slightly underrated, imho they are a top 5 D  I’d give them a A-.   I have them starting the season 7-5 and finishing 4-0 for a record of 11-5.

 Minnesota  8

Brett Favre has retired.  Sorry, had to throw in a Favre mention, lol.  Donovan Mcnabb was picked up from Washington B-.  I think he has a couple of good years left.  Draft acquisitions Christian Ponder, he’s an interesting QB, right now imho he’s a C-, but I think if you give him time he could be a B.  Rushing attack led by Brett Favre... Sorry just threw that in to see if you were paying attention.  Actually AP or Adrian Peterson is their Rb, he has been a fantasy beast over the years A+.

Their WRs are led by Percy Harvin, who is a great weapon, but not necessarily a very tall receiver…  anyways, since I brought them up, the WRs get a C+.  The Defense is solid, B-.  6-4 then 4-2 to finish 10-6.

Chicago 9

Coached by Lovie Smith.    Qb Jay Cutler…. First off to those who think he’s soft, let’s see you get a knee injury and play through it.  Now that we’ve got the ‘toughness’ question aside…. I actually don’t think he’s even as good as his back-up Caleb Hanie B-.  However Cutler has to live with a bad O-line, so I’ll give him a C+. 

Running attack led by  Matt Forte B- Wide receiving core is slightly pathetic (no offense) D+.  Defense is solid when Brian Urlacher is healthy B+.  I’d take the under.  I like Coach Smith, but I don’t know if he can make it past this season.  6-4 then, 2-4, the bears finish 8-8.

Detroit Lions 7

Interesting to see the number so high.. The front office has done a great job of building through the draft.  Draft acquisitions Mikel Leshoure B+ who was injured and will be out all season. If Matthew Stafford remains healthy.., (and he is not ‘injury prone’ he has just had to work with a bad OL) then the Lions can be more than competitive this year and actually win a fair number of games.  Stafford B-.

Rushing attack Jahvid Best and company C+ The Defensive line might be the best in the NFL and is ‘anchored’ by Ndamukong Suh who is nasty. The D get’s a B. I’d stay away from the O/U line.  If things go right, the Lions could be an amazing turn around story and finish 9-7 or 10-6.  But they’ll probably lose a couple of players and finish 8-8.

NFC South

Atlanta 11

The NFC South has not had the same division winner for quite a few years, but I’ll predict it ends this year.  Draft acquisitions  J. Rodgers B-  QB, Matt Ryan is a great young QB, though with the weapons at WR and the OL he has, you or I could maybe complete 40% of our passes.  But seriously he’s good, A-.  A solid running back in Michael Turner B- Great WRs and TE they picked up Julio Jones A- (for an extremely heavy draft cost) to add to Tony Gonzalez and company B+  D is fair B-.  I’d stay away from the O/U or take the U.  Atlanta 8-2 then 4-2 and finish 12-4.

New Orleans 11

They have Drew Brees, need I say more?

Okay I suppose I will.. They lost Reggie Bush, while sure he’s an extremely high-priced Rb commodity he’s a very good, fast player Qb Brees A-.  Rushing attack led by Chris Ivory C+ Defense is a B.  6-4 then 5-1 and finishes 11-5.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers  9

Raheem Morris B+ is their coach. Starting QB is Josh Freeman, and backup Josh Johnson are both very good.  Freeman had a ‘breakout’ year last year and led TB to an 11-5 record. Freeman B+ Rushing Attack led by Legarrette Blount had a good year last year (which I expected) B+ D is a B+.  O/U I guess I'll take the under.  I should almost definitely think higher of the Bucs, but Idk.  While the Bucs lack ‘star power’, TB is full of young B- players who if they gel could make the playoffs this year.  However..  (Sorry Tampa fans) 4-4,  2-6 to finish 6-10

Carolina Panthers 5

This will basically be a new era for the Panthers, new HC and new QB.  Draft spotlight K. Pilares B+ QB Cam Newton (much hyped, esp. since he’s the last high paid #1 pick, though side-note I think getting paid 2 mil a year is a lot too.  Newton is often compared to Tebow (and since Tebow is my favorite player I don't entirely mind the comparison) and somewhat fairly, but I think that Newton is going to stay in the pocket more than Tebow stays in the pocket.  I would compare Newton instead to Aaron Rodgers.  Newton C+ right now, but within 5 years he should be a B or B+.  Rushing attack is led by Jonathon Stewart C. D is poor yet underrated C+.  2-6, then 3-5, to finish 5-11.

NFC West

St. Louis Rams  7½

The Rams looked impressive in their preseason win over the Colts, albeit the Colts didn't have Manning, since he was injured.  I liked their draft acquisition of Greg Salas and Austin Pettis, both, imho, should have decent rookie years.  I really like Sam Bradford and I don't expect much of a sophomore slump. I'd give their passing attack a  B+.

The Rams' running game is quite solid with Steven Jackson A-. And their defense is so-so, C-, they probably played above their level last year, but hopefully for Rams fans they can exceed expectation this year as well.  The Rams have a very tough schedule for the first 8 weeks, but after that (if you don't count @ Pittsburgh) then their toughest game is... what... @Seattle?  I would stay away from the over under.  I have St. Louis starting the season only 2-6, but ending on a 5-3 winning streak to finish the season  7-9.    I predict them to win the division.... though I do hope they get to .500.  

Seattle Seahawks 7½

Draft acquisitions of O-line so I can’t tell you much about them..  Sorry.  They ‘lost’ Matt Hasselbeck to ‘FA’ (namely Tennessee), the Seahawks wanted to go in another direction.  Which is somewhat understandable considering Hasselbeck is 35. They acquired Tavaras Jackson and WR Sidney Rice from MN.  Qb D+ 

Their running game is led by Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett. B-  If you’ve watched any NFL at all, then I’m guessing you have seen the run by Marshawn Lynch against the Saints in the playoffs, and if you haven’t, then check it out on YouTube.  Nasty run.

Defense is a C-  I have them starting the season 2-6 and finishing 4-4, meaning a 6-10 record.  I could see them winning 7, but it’s fairly hard to get to 8 wins, I definitely would  take the under.

Arizona Cardinals 6½

Since losing Kurt Warner the QB situation has been dreadful in AZ.  (why am I bringing Warner up you ask?  'cause I'm a fan.)  They traded for Kevin Kolb C+, and drafted Peterson, over the offseason.

I don't think Kolb will be as good as most people think, but I think he'll put up good passing 'yards' (not necessarily TD's..) though I wouldn't be too surprised to see my expectations exceeded. They have Chris Wells (an OSU alumni) [I'm a fan of OSU] to carry their running game, I'd rate it a B-.  And their D is slightly underrated, but at the same time fairly bad, D+.

I kind of expect the Cards to have another bad season, sorry Cards fans. It was hard not to give the Cards more wins considering they have Kolb at Qb, and their schedule..  I think their schedule is (probably) the easiest in NFL, if you take out Pitt, @Balt, and @Philly then their toughest game is... vs Dallas?  So they have an outrageously easy schedule, but that's what you get for playing in the NFC West (and yes I tried to ignore that when other people criticized it when Warner was QB).  Anyways though, I have the Cardinals starting 2-7 and finishing on a 4-4 run. An overall record of 5-11 for the AZ Cards.

San Francisco 49ers 7½

The 49ers lost to the Saints in their first preseason game 24-3.  Jim Harbaugh is their head coach, since the 49ers fired Mike Singletary last year.  I was against the firing then and I'm still (slightly) against it..  They lost Troy Smith...\ cut him.  I thought he was their best QB last year, plus he has mobility, which is a huge advantage onsidering the offensive line they have. Draft acquisitions, Kaepernick and Hunter.  I expect both to be good, but they'll probably receive limited playing time this year.

Passing attack is led by Alex Smith he gets a D, if the 49ers wanted to cut a Smith they probably should have cut Alex.  Though no offense meant at him, he has had to suffer through many different Qb coaches and head coaches in his career. I normally don't mention O-lines, but this one, imho, is fairly bad. D-

Rushing attack is led by Frank Gore (and possibly Hunter), Gore has been a fantasy monster over the years and is probably a top 5 running back  A.  The Defense is thought (by others) to be good, but I think it's fairly porous, but it was improved slightly through the draft C-.  I have them starting the season 2-6 and finishing on a 2-6 run, for a 4-12 record.  I would consider it a relative lock that they will finish under 7½ wins.

There are a couple of reasons for optimism for the 49ers. I'm not an expert, so maybe they'll actually finish 12-4, but I doubt it.  Seriously though, the 49ers are a young team, and if they finish 4-12 then it's quite possible that they will get the first draft pick, likely meaning Andrew Luck.  I'm not sure if the front office is intentionally tanking the season or not, but I expect SF to be one of the bottom 5 teams this year.   I have the 49ers finishing tied for the fewest wins in the NFL.  

Thanks for reading.

AFC Preview 2011

Hello, I am writing this blog to record my predictions, provide some letter grades to players and hopefully a little bit of insight, and if anyone would end up (for some reason) reading it and liking it, then that would be cool.  Feel free to comment and subscribe.

I originally wrote this in preseason week 2, but by now it's the end of preseason...  So sorry if things are slightly messed up.  I am going to be predicting the Over/Under, O/U, for each NFL team, and give a little insight into how good I think a team's players are.  Thanks for reading.

The NFL

AFC East
New England 11
With Tony Dungy A and Jeff Fisher A- out of the league, imho they have the best coach in the NFL, Bill Belichick A.  Draft picks Ryan Mallet C- and ceiling of B QB – Albert Haynesworth F+..  wait that’s not their QB?  Oh yeah, that one guy… what’s his name?  Tom Brady  A, arguably the best QB in the game, (though I would not make the argument, since I am not a fan.)

Rushing attack led by BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead B- Defense A-.  Last year the Patriots were nasty, losing only to the Ryan brothers..  (Cleveland, and the N.Y. Jets twice.)  O/U pass. So sorry, but I am not predicting much out of the ordinary for NE.  A start of 7-2,  a finish of 5-2, and an overall record of 12-4.

Miami 8

Notable draft pick, Darren Thomas B+ Didn’t trade for Orton, but instead settled for Chad Henne.  QB, Henne is not a pro-bowl type QB, however he is not as bad as most people think and last year finished 15 in yards.... not that yards matter a ton, but he's not completely horrible, Henne C. Rushing attack is led by Reggie Bush, extremely versatile but not exactly a 20 carries a game guy B-   Defense B-  I don't think they have a lot of hope for the playoffs. O/U under starts 3-6,   finishes 5-2, 8-8.

New York Jets  9

Here I finally go off the beaten path a little, I expect the Jets to fall back to earth slightly.  Draft picks Greg McElroy  Coached by Rex Ryan D+.  QB – Mark Sanchez, I’m not high on Sanchez at all..  D+ currently with a ceiling of B-.  Rushing attack led by Shonn Greene B+   Defense is thought by others to be a top 3 D, but this year I think they’re closer to a top 10 Defense,  B+.  O/U Under definitely.  5-4, 3-5, 7-9.

Buffalo Bills 6

Improving young team, solid coach. B-..  Draft acquisitions  no notables... sorry  QB – Ryan Fitzpatrick B.  Rushing attack C-.  Defense B-.  O/U under.  Buffalo could be a .500 team if the breaks fall their way this year… But I don’t really expect them to,  2-7, 2-4, 4-11.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens 11

Draft pick spotlight - Tyrod Taylor  C- ceiling of B+   Coached by Jim Harbaugh  B-  QB – Joe Flacco, who is pretty much the definition of ‘game manager’, a solid but not spectacular B.  Rushing attack led by Ray Rice B+ Defense is probably the best in the NFL A. O/U maybe under.  They're good enough to make the AFC championship, but not much more.  5-2, then 6-3, 11-5 overall.

Pittsburgh Steelers 11

Played in the Super Bowl last year, and if Roethlisberger had played all year, then they probably would have won it.  Draft pick spotlight none  QB – Roethlisberger B-. Rushing attack led by Rashard Mendenhall B+  Defense A-.  6-3 then 4-3, 10-6.  I have them making the playoffs with the second wild card.

Cleveland Browns 6

First off I’m probably too high on Cleveland.   QB is Colt McCoy C+ ceiling of a B+ or maybe an A-.  Rushing attack led by (Madden cover) Peyton Hillis A-.  Defense B+.  O/U Idk/pass.  3-6 and finish 4-3, 7-9 overall.

Cincinnati Bengals 6

Carson Palmer is a holdout right now, so these predictions are based on Andy Dalton being their QB.  Draft acquisitions   Dalton who I will get to..  This should be another rebuilding year for the Bengals.  This is just my opinion mind you… But I don’t understand what they’re (referring to Cincinnati's GM and the front office of Cincinnati) doing in Cincinnati, they keep getting players who don’t exactly have a clean record, (Also I find it weird that they drafted Andy Dalton, who went to TChristanU, unless they’re trying to change their image.) but if they were really trying to change, then they would just trade Palmer...(btw Palmer’s a good guy I’m just saying that the player [in this case] should get what he wants… [to be traded])

Okay enough of that (Cincy used to be my favorite team, but due to their horrible moves... I moved on to the Cards, due to Warner and now the Broncos, due to Tebow.), QB- Andy Dalton C- ceiling of B+.  Rushing attack led by Cedric Benson B- WRs are young and improving B-. Defense C-.   O/U, Under.  2-7, 3-4, to finish 5-11.

AFC South

Sorry, this is a bit of a slanted division…  I expect it to be an extremely close division.  And I wouldn’t be surprised by anyone making the playoffs, except for Tennessee, sorry Hasselbeck and Titans fans.

Jacksonville 8

I like the Jags since David Garrard is such a decent guy.  Coached by Jack Del Rio B.  Draft picks  Blaine Gabbert, who is now the ‘QB of the future’ so if Garrard struggles, the front office will feel a lot of pressure to see Gabbert..  (If Flordia fans actually complain….) Quick rant… I understand the weather is generally great there and all (though somewhat warm) but seriously, why can’t fans in Florida just go to Marlins or Heat games??  Anyways, Garrard B+, and Gabbert C+ with a ceiling of A-.

Rushing attack led by  Maurice Jones-Drew  A-  Their best receiver might be a TE…. whose name is Marcedes Lewis.. WR C+  Defense is somewhat poor, C-.  O/U I’d say Over but I’m biased.  The Jags start 4-4 and finish 6-2,    10-6 and win the division.

Indianapolis Colts  11

I think the Colts are a great, classy, Christian organization.  Draft spotlight none.  'Experts' are always waiting for (and predicting) the Colts not to make the playoffs.  And since I’m totally an expert.. I predict this is the year they finish 4-12..  Jk.  No, seriously though, while I don’t have them winning the division, I do have them in the playoffs.  Coached by  Jim Caldwell  B+   Back-up Qb’s are relatively awful… (since I wrote this, they have picked up Kerry Collins C-)  QB is who else.. Peyton Manning. The only way the Colts could finish 4-12 is if Manning was seriously injured, which considering he’s started 208 (and change) games in a row, is not very likely (though it is still possible).

I do not often mention TE’s, (especially back-up TE’s) but they have a great back-up named Jacob Tamme.  Rushing attack led by Donald Brown and Joseph Addai carry the load C+ Defense is okay B.  Idk O/U   The Colts start 7-2, then 3-4 to finish 10-6. 

  

Houston Texans 9

Draft spotlight none..  They are a team that is perpetually predicted to make the playoffs (by the 'experts').  This year I would have them in the playoffs, if I didn’t like the Jags.  Coached (still) by Gary Kubiak C+  QB is Matt Schaub great numbers on a mediocre team B+.  RB is  Arian Foster breakout year last year B+   WR Andre Johnson A, the rest of the WR’s B-.  Defense is poor, but I think upgraded this year B-.  start 4-4 and finish 6-4  10-6.  As you have probably noticed it is a three way tie in the division so the Texans could easily make the playoffs. 

Tennessee  7

Draft acquisitions - they picked Jake Locker B- with a ceiling of an A.  Coached no longer by Jeff Fisher A-  they at least hired another good coach, Mike Munchak B+ QB – they decided to pick up Hasselbeck to try and remain competitive,  B+. RB is of course Chris Johnson, assuming he gets paid and starts the season (He was and he should), then he could again be a top 3 RB, A+.  Defense C.  O/U under.  If they were in the AFC West or NFC West, they’d practically be a lock to make the playoffs, but they’re in the tough AFC South so..  3-4 then 4-5  to finish 7-9.

AFC West 
Denver Broncos 6

First off Tebow, Tebow.  Draft Acquisitions  Von Miller B+ Coached by John Fox C+..  Despite asking Miami if they wanted Orton, for only a 2^nd round pick.,  Miami passed. (bad decision by Miami, if you ask me)   So the Broncos were left with a bit of a QB controversy, and had to decide to go with the fan favorite or (for now) the better QB.  So instead of playing for the future, it looks like Orton will be the starting QB on September 11. 

As you probably can tell I am a Tebow fan.  So I politely disagree with the decision.  However, Orton is a perpetually underrated QB and is a solid B+.  While I don’t normally give back-ups rankings,  Tebow gets one, B- with a ceiling of an A. 

Rushing attack led by Knowshon Moreno    Defense is pathetic but was upgraded with the draft  C+.  O/U Idk. I could give you two separate predictions, one with Tebow at QB and one with Orton..  But I’ll just join them together, 4-4 to start then 4-4 to finish 8-8.  The AFC West was biased, by me, to get Denver into the playoffs, so they’ll probably finish lower but I am biased so I’m not sure.

San Diego Chargers 9

If I wouldn’t have picked Denver due to Tebow, I definitely would have picked SD to win the division. Draft spotlight none. Coached by Norv Turner B-  Qb- Phillip Rivers is another perpetually underrated QB due mostly to his playoff failures, (except against the Colts), but he’s almost always a pro-bowler level QB A-.  Rushing attack led by Mike Tolbert and Ryan Matthews C+  Defense is extremely good, A.  O/U I have no idea.  As I have said I am biased, so I have San Diego starting 5-4 and finishing 3-4, 8-8.  And oddly enough the Chargers lose the tiebreaker to Denver. (Sorry Charger's fans)

Oakland Raiders 8

The Raiders could be this year's surprise team..  Last year the Raiders beat up on the division going 6-0, though they were 2-8 the rest of their games.  QB - Jamarcus 'Campbell'...  Sorry ,sorry... no it's actually Jason Campbell B+   Rushing-  Darren McFadden B+ Defense B+. Despite the good ratings  I’d take the U.  I have the Raiders competing for the division early, 4-4, but falling apart late 2-6, 6-10 overall.

Kansas City Chiefs 7

Coached by Todd Haley. Draft spotlight none     I don’t know if KC will be able to put up even 20 ppg.  No offense to Matt Cassel, but he isn’t that great. (not that he’s under a good system for good QB numbers, though..)  QB – Matt Cassel C-.  #1 rushing attack last year, led by Jamaal Charles and I think their running game will take a step back this year, (finish in the 20’s) still gets a B though (since I could be wrong..). Defense is average C+.  Definitively Under, the Chiefs are competitive early 4-5, but they finish 1-6,  5-11.