Before I give you my predictions for division winners, I want to take a second to delve into the biggest dilemma I have been faced with in quite some time. Anyone who knows me personally knows that I have worshipped Donovan McNabb ever since he graced the Carrier Dome carpet with his presence in 1996. When McNabb was drafted, I subsequently became a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Now, I am being forced to root for the Washington Redskins. Seriously? The Redskins?
Let me be clear (as Barack would say) - I don't want to do it. I really don't wanna be (in the words of my old friend Tony Gleba) a "stupid bandwagon fan." I have spent the last 10 years rooting AGAINST the 'Skins. Now I'm expected to root FOR them?
Still, Donovan has been #1 on my list of personal sports heros since I was a just a little tike. I used to throw pump-and-go routes to invisible versions of Marvin Harrison, Kevin Johnson, and Quinton Spotwood in my backyard for hours on end. I guess what I'm saying is that I have no choice - I must support the Redskins and hope that they have a great season...for Donovan's sake.
Alright, moving on to my division by division breakdown starting with the AFC...
AFC EAST
1. New York Jets - this will be a close divisional race, but I see the Jets coming out on top. The experience they gained by advancing to the AFC Championship last season will be invaluable, and the growth of both Mark Sanchez and Shonn Green with elevate the offense. Oh yeah, and they added Santonio Holmes and LaDanian Tomlinson. Their offensive and defensive lines are stacked, and the only big question is how much damage will Darelle Revis do to the team by holding out. My answer: not enough to prevent the Jets from winning the East.
2. Miami Dolphins - the addition of Brandon Marshall makes this team 87% better than last year. Don't ask me where I got that 87%, but you can't deny that their offense will be better. If they can bring an elevated level of physicality on defense, they could snatch a wild card spot.
3. New England Patriots - name one starter for the Patriots secondary. Go ahead, name one. If you're like me, you are still trying to come up with a name. Add to that questions on the offensive line, along with questions about the health of Wes Welker, and you can't fault me for putting the Pats behind the Jets and Dolphins.
4. Buffalo Bills - my advice: forfeit every game this season, and hope that Jake Locker cements himself as the #1 pick in next years draft.
AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis Colts - the reason for me picking the Colts to win the division comes down to four syllables, two words, one name: Peyton Manning.
2. Houston Texans - I really think the Texans will make the playoffs as a wild card team this
year. They've steadily improved over the past couple of seasons, and I believe they are ready to take the next step. The biggest question for the Texans is the running game - can Steve Slaton (or whoever else) take enough pressure off of Matt Schaub and keep the offense balanced?
3. Tennessee Titans - Chris Johnson is the best running back in the league, and Vince Young is a proven winner. When it came down to it, I had to ask myself "do you think the Titans will be better than the Texans?" The answer: "AHHHH I don't know. Vince knows how to win. But the losses of Albert Haynesworth two years ago and Keith Bullock this year make me cringe. Gotta believe that the Texans>Titans."
4. Jacksonville Jaguars - my advice to the football fans in Jacksonville: Support your team, buy tickets, do what you gotta do...because L.A. is calling.
AFC NORTH
1. Cincinnati Bengals - yes, that is correct, I am buying into the hype surrounding the Bengals. Carson Palmer now has a ton a weapons at his disposal, and you can't overlook Cedric Benson running the ball. The defense will make enough plays for the Bengals to win the division.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers - the Steelers are coming into this season flying under the radar - and they wouldn't have it any other way. A healthy Troy Polamalu will make a world of difference on defense. If the offense can survive the absence of Big Ben for four weeks, the Steelers will be right in the thick of the wild card chase.
3. Baltimore Ravens - I'm picking the Ravens to finish third in the division based on three
things: injures, injuries, and age. Ed Reed will miss at least the first six weeks of the season. Sergio Kindle, the Ravens top draft pick, is out with a fractured skull. Ray Lewis isn't getting any younger. The offense will be good, but I can't convince myself that they will finish ahead of the Steelers or Bengals....(I really think I could be dead wrong about this pick..)
4. Cleveland Browns - it's a new season, which means the Browns can look forward to finishing last in a stacked division once again. Colt McCoy could be the savior the team has been looking for, however.
AFC WEST
1. Kansas City Chiefs - really? I'm really picking the Chiefs to win the west? Wow. Even I am shocked. Well, think about this: Charlie Weis is now calling plays for the Chiefs. Matt Cassel learned Weis's offense when he was in New England. Thomas Jones gives depth to the running game. Jamaal Charles is an explosive weapon whenever he is on the field. Dexter McCluster is a big play rookie that can have an impact. Eric Berry is probably the most NFL ready rookie right now....Alright, out of all of that hodgepodge, I hope you realize that everything surrounding the Chiefs is positive, not negative, leading me to believe that they will shock the world this year.
2. Oakland Raiders - ridding yourself of a disease as contagious as Jamarcus Russell is like starting your life all over again. The Raiders have all the pieces in place to be good this year...not great, but good, which is a HUGE (que the Billy Fuccillo voice) improvement over last season.
3. Denver Broncos - injuries and the loss of Brandon Marshall have convinced me that the Broncos will finish no higher than third. Timothy Tebow will be fun to watch, but I really can't see the Broncos overly impressing this season.
4. San Diego Chargers - think about everything that has happened in their offseason. LT leaves. Three key players hold out. Phillip Rivers and Antonio Gates stir the waters surrounding LT's departure. Sure, they drafted Ryan Matthews, but can he immediately replace a legend? We're
gonna find out soon.
NFC EAST
1. Dallas Cowboys - this pick really grinds my gears. Personally, I am not a Cowboys fan. Never have been, never will be. Maybe if McNabb goes there I will be...wait, what the heck am I saying?? Regardless, the Cowboys are stacked on paper, which is why I have to put them and their highly annoying/overweight/purely unlikeable head coach in first place.
2. Washington Redskins - McNabb makes them a lot better. Mike Shanahan knows how to win. Clinton Portis can run the ball. Sure, Shanahan's defenses have historically been sub-par, but picking the 'Skins as a wild card team? You can't argue with that.
3. Philadelphia Eagles - the Eagles will be good, but the losses of McNabb and Westbrook will leave the team searching for new on-field leadership. Is Kevin Kolb ready to give that? We'll see, but the uncertainty surrounding player turnover leaves me skeptical.
4. New York Giants - no one is talking about the Giants heading into this season. No one is saying "I think the Giants can go all the way." Maybe thats a good thing. But the other three teams in this division have vastly improved (with the exception of the Eagles - the jury is still out on them). So where does that leave the G-Men? At the bottom for now.
NFC SOUTH
1. New Orleans Saints - this team will be a force again this season. Drew Brees will have them ready to play and ready to make a run at a repeat.
2. Atlanta Falcons - if the defense can hold up, Matty Ice and Michael Turner will make the Falcons a legit wild card contender.
3. Carolina Panthers - if Matt Moore can make plays from the QB position, then the running game can take them places. But for right now, there's no way I can see the Panthers finishing ahead of the Falcons or Saints.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - headed in the right direction with Josh Freeman under center, but they still need more pieces to fall in place around him before they become a contender.
NFC NORTH
1. Green Bay Packers - this is a team poised to explode. Aaron Rodgers is on of the best QB's in the league, and the shortcomings of the offensive line limited what Rodgers could do a season ago. Rookie Bryan Bulaga will help the O-line, and if everyone else can stay healthy, look for Rodgers to have a monster season. The defense was legit last season, and I have no reason to believe that will change heading into this year.
2. Minnesota Vikings - forget the QB spot - I really could care less who is under center for the purple and gold this year. Bottom line: the Vikings have a really, really good team. The reason I am picking them the finish behind the Packers is the questions surrounding Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice. If they are anything other than 100%, the Vikings will be limited in their passing attack.
3. Chicago Bears - heres the deal: some guys are winners, and some guys are not. It's a proven fact of life. Jay Cutler? He's not a winner. Which is why I can't see the Bears being good this year.
4. Detroit Lions - the Lions are definitely headed in the right direction. Look for them to win 5 or 6 games this season.
NFC WEST
1. San Francisco 49ers - the biggest question for the 49ers is at QB. Can Alex Smith make enough plays for them to win? All he really has to do is not screw up. Just guide the ship to a 12-4 season. The 49ers have enough pieces in place to make serious waves this year.
2. Arizona Cardinals - the losses of Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin really hurt. But Matt Leinart isn't terrible, which is why I think the Cardinals will be in the thick of things come weeks 16 and 17. Bottom line: the Cardinals have taken a step back, which the 49ers continue to improve.
3. Seattle Seahawks - much like everyone else, I'm not sold on Pete Carroll being a legit NFL head coach. Seattle has some decent players, but I can't put a whole lot of stock in a team being led by someone who inflicts as much doubt as Carroll.
4. St. Louis Rams - Sam Bradford is the real deal. BOOM, I said it. Watch out for this team in 2014.
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