Three months after the Giants did the unthinkable, the NFL scene is slightly different. A 6 year 57 million dollar contract from the Eagles has helped Asante Samuel forget about his dropped interception in the final two minutes of the Super Bowl, Brett Favre may or may not be playing next year, and Michael Turner will take himself and all of his hype to Atlanta to be part of a Falcons re-building project. Fresh off a title in the 2007 NFL Predictions Contest, I'll take a look at Top 6 teams in each conference if the season started today. Oh yes, things will change, things will most definitely change with the draft along with potential trades and other developments in Training Camp, but let's dive right into things and see where the teams stand right now.
AFC
1. New England Patriots- The loss of Asante Samuel hurts as the secondary is now just as big of a question mark as the aging linebacking corps, but the Pats still have Randy Moss along with the best coach and the best quarterback in the NFL. That combination will always have them hovering around the top of the AFC.
2. Indianapolis Colts- After a dissappointing playoff loss to the Chragers in which Billy Volek led a comeback drive against their defense, the Colts did little in free agency; however, a healthy Dwight Freeney and a healthy Marvin Harrison could result in another big playoff run for Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Fresh off a seven year contract extension, Quarterback David Garrard and the underrated Jaguars should challenge the Colts for AFC South supremacy. The Jags were a lot of people's darkhorse pick in the playoffs last year and now have something they lacked last season- Potential playmakers at the wide receiver position in Troy Williamson and Jerry Porter.
4. San Diego Chargers- Some might suggest I have a team as talented as the Chargers a little low, but it will be interesting to see how Philip Rivers responds to offseason knee surgery at the start of the season. With the emergence of Vincent Jackson to complement LT and Antonio Gates, the Chargrs can be Super Bowl contenders if Rivers plays well and Norv Turner mangaes to not screw things up too much.
5. Cleveland Browns- No this is not a misprint- The Cleveland Browns are a good football team. With the additions of Donte Stallworth, Shaun Rogers, and Corey Williams, the Browns are the favorites over the Steelers in the AFC North. Brady Quinn may be waiting in the wings, but he'll have to sit and watch as Derek Anderson leads the Browns deep into the playoffs.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers- The Titans and Bills came to mind here, but I'm going to say that even with the loss of Alan Faneca, the Steelers should still be good as a few different coaching decisions would have resulted in a playoff win versus the Jaguars last season.
NFC
1. Dallas Cowboys- The Cowboys should once again be near the Top of the NFC. An aging wide receiving corps and a suspect secondary will be question marks, but the real questions is whether Tony Romo who seems to transform into Tim Couch at 11:59 p.m. on November 30 can deliever late in the season.
2. Green Bay Packers- Only in the NFC can a team with a first year starter at Quarterback possibly be the second best team in the conference. To say Aaron Rodgers has big shoes to fill might be the understatement of the century, but he'll have a good supporting cast in Ryan Grant, Donald Driver, and Greg Jennings to help him out.
3. Philadelphia Eagles- I'll take some heat for this, but the fact is that the Eagles lost 6 games by 8 points or less last year and improved in the offseason with the additions of Asante Samuel and Chirs Clemons. The team still lacks the playmaker it desperately needs at the wide receiver position, but with a healthy Donovan McNabb, the Eagles could soar in 2008.
4. New York Giants- Maybe a little low for a Super Bowl champion, but the Giants lost three defensive startes in free agency. Tom Coughlin has his new contract extension and things seemd all well and good in Giants Land, but turmoil could flare up if the team gets off to a slow start.
5. Seattle Seahawks- For years people have predicted someone to overtake the Seahawks in the NFC West, and it never happens. Expect another division title for Seattle as Matt Hasselbeck and Mike Holgrem try for one last run at glory before Holmgren calls it quits.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- My sleeper team in 2007- The Bucs should once again hold off the Saints and win the NFC South. An rejuvenated defense along with winners at the coach and Quarterback position in Jon Gruden and Jeff Garcia should result in the Bucs once again making noise in 2008.
That't a wrap for now. Feel free to comment, and in the next addition we'll discuss the rule changes, the NFL draft, and why the Bengals need to trade Chad Johnson before it's too late.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Da Crew's Top 6 In Each Conference
Posted by Anonymous at 1:47 PM
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5 comments:
I feel like the New Orleans Saints should be in there. They were one of the hottest teams down the stretch and that was without some key players.
They still have one of the most explosive offenses in the league and that should be enough.
Minnesota is another team that could surprise you this season. Adrian Peterson, assuming he doesn't get injured, will be enough to combat the QB concerns. If they work on their pass defense, they'll be dangerous.
If Asante is lost, why are the Pats still number one?
If the Eagles have him, shouldn't they be a little higher?
Although, you make some good points.
Jdbsa05: 6 Words- Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Bill Belicheck. While the gap has lessened between them and the rest of the conference, that is why they are still number one.
I really thought about putting the Saints in there, but I still have a lot of questions about their defense.
Anyone else think Reggie Bush could be a huge bust.
I got ripped after perfectly predicting their 8-8 record at the beginning of last year, so why should 2008 be any different?
There is no way the birds should be #3. I would take a healthy AJ Feely over a healthy McNabb any day of the week. So they have Asante Samuel, Brian Westbrook and Trent Cole. 19 more starters should be able to do the trick...
Okay, not that I want this to become a McNabb discussion nor do I mean to insult you, but the only word I can use to classify your comment is: Ridiculous. McNabb is a five time Pro-Bowler. Turn to the game versus the Seahawks last year and that will disprove your comment.
Perhaps I do have the Eagles a little high, but in a jumbled and medicore NFC, I can definitley make a case for it.
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