NFL Preseason Thread *Predictions/Discussions*

[Deejay]

Not saying Cleveland's D-Line is on the same level of talent as say the NYG's, but solid interior pressure will force a lot of bad throws by opposing QB's. It sure won't prevent their weaker secondary from getting beat from time to time, but it will force a lot of turnovers. Even if their secondary doesn't take advantage of errant throws, Charles Rogers is a beast and is bound to gobble up at least a couple fumbles.

Derek Anderson also might not be as good as last year, but that still doesn't negate the fact that he has two Probowl receivers at his disposal. Plus their O-Line is extremely solid, and he has a 1300 yard bruiser of a RB to help him in play-action.

Edit:
Just because you know what a team is going to do doesn't mean you're going to stop it. Cleveland's O-Line is a severly underrated, meaning teams are rarely getting in Derek Anderson's face. He was sacked 14 times last year compared to Tom Brady's 21 (when NE's O-line is heralded as the best), theres no saying he can't do what he did last year with Edwards/Stallworth/Winslow/Jurevicious. The only thing Anderson has to do is get the ball in their vicinity for them to make a play. Jamal Lewis is also a big playmaker too, so I'm really not worried.

[Akiyama]

I'd like to see Flacco at QB for Baltimore honestly. He could be good if groomed right. I also think you could be 8-8 in the North and win the division, though I'm leaning torward 9-7 being the winning record. I'm not liking the hype on Cleveland. They aren't bad right not, but they were lucky last year in a few instances; one of which being that FG that bounced on the middle upright and went through. I doubt that'll happen again. Derek Anderson will have been studied, so as you said... gameplans will be easier to make against him. Jamal Lewis is getting up there in RB age, so who knows how long he can go or how long he'll last? It'll be a fun division to watch though.

[tyven]

Not saying Cleveland's D-Line is on the same level of talent as say the NYG's, but solid interior pressure will force a lot of bad throws by opposing QB's. It sure won't prevent their weaker secondary from getting beat from time to time, but it will force a lot of turnovers. Even if their secondary doesn't take advantage of errant throws, Charles Rogers is a beast and is bound to gobble up at least a couple fumbles.

Derek Anderson also might not be as good as last year, but that still doesn't negate the fact that he has two Probowl receivers at his disposal. Plus their O-Line is extremely solid, and he has a 1300 yard bruiser of a RB to help him in play-action.

Edit:
Just because you know what a team is going to do doesn't mean you're going to stop it. Cleveland's O-Line is a severly underrated, meaning teams are rarely getting in Derek Anderson's face. He was sacked 14 times last year compared to Tom Brady's 21 (when NE's O-line is heralded as the best), theres no saying he can't do what he did last year with Edwards/Stallworth/Winslow/Jurevicious. The only thing Anderson has to do is get the ball in their vicinity for them to make a play. Jamal Lewis is also a big playmaker too, so I'm really not worried.

charles rogers is no longer in the league. shaun rogers however is capable of being all world except hes fucking lazy. kamerion wimbley on the other hand is probably the most slept on linebacker in the league, easy double digit sack season for him. clevelands secondary is abysmal and only worse now that bodden is gone.

that offense might be pretty stacked but the defense is gonna get shredded all year long, 8 wins @ best, but i agree with a previous poster that 8 wins could take the afc north.

[Plow]

7
You only get to wear one hat this year Deejay! ONE! 7

That's no fair

If it was up to me the super bowl would be the packers the bucks and the cowboys vs the colts the broncos and the titans!

[Byrd]

I think schedule is critical when trying to pick division winners, and especially home field.

Divisional Matchups:

Intraconference:
AFC North-AFC South
AFC East-AFC West
NFC East-NFC West
NFC North-NFC South

Interconference:
AFC East-NFC West
AFC North-NFC East
AFC South-NFC North
AFC West-NFC South

All teams play 6 games against teams from their own division, 4 teams from their interconference division, 4 teams from their intraconference division, and the 2 teams in their conference that finished in the same position in their division that are not in the intraconference division.

Picks:
AFC East: New England (#1 seed)
AFC North: Pittsburgh
AFC South: Jacksonville
AFC West: San Diego
Wildcards: Buffalo, Indianapolis

NFC East: Dallas
NFC North: GB (w/Favre), Minnesota (if no Favre in GB)
NFC South: New Orleans (#1 seed based on easier schedule than Dallas)
NFC West: Seattle
Wildcards: Carolina, NY Giants

Brett Favre will be wearing no jersey at all.

Biggest bust: Derek Anderson
ROY: Jonathan Stewart
MVP: Drew Brees
Best Record: New England
Super Bowl: New England over Dallas

No huge surprises here other than maybe New Orleans, but eight games against the AFC West and NFC North should produce a 6-2 or 7-1 record (Minnesota/GB/SD all come to New Orleans).

Buffalo gets in the playoffs over Tennessee, Cleveland and Denver based on their opponents (AFC West & NFC West should make them 6-2 or better, with Seattle and San Diego coming to Buffalo).

Although a Seahawks fan, I don't see them making the playoffs if they're in another division; they lost more than they gained (again) this offseason. Their division sucks, though, so I think they probably host another game and Holmgren retires on the road against New Orleans or Dallas in a second round (blowout) loss.

[Callisto]

Da Berrs.

Yes, we don't have a real QB. Fuck off, we don't need one.

[Man0warr]

I also want to see how Terry Glenn getting cut affects Dallas.

Won't affect them at all, since he played like 4 snaps last season.

Dallas returns with 20/22 starters, got rid of shitty Jacque Reeves who cost us atleast 2 games by himself, picked up the players they needed to shore up the weak points from last season (Cornerbacks and Punt returns). Added 3 coaches from Superbowl teams, 2 of them former Cowboys dynasty coaches at their same positions.

Only problem for Dallas right now is the receivers after T.O., Crayton cost us the game vs the Giants, dropping 2 TD passes and stopping his route on the last play of the game causing the INT.

On paper, just looking at the players, Cowboys are the strongest team in the NFL. That doesn't really mean shit but hopefully they turn it on at right time like the Giants did last year instead of being amazing just for the first 14 games of the season.

[Akiyama]

And another thing the Cowboys have is the law of averages is with them. They've lost so many first round playoff games, they are bound to win one...right? It's like the Atlanta Braves of the NFL.

[recuperi]

That's what I keep saying about the Chargers but they always disappoint Oh well, I'm still shooting for them again this year. If they can play the entire year like they played the second half of last year they'll have an amazing year. Chargers over ummm we'll say Cowboys in the Super Bowl.

[Akiyama]

Well.. the Chargers made it past the first round last year, so >.>

[Weltall]

I will give Young 2 more years until I call for his head. He hasn't had any WR help, but a handful lack WRs. Montana, Favre, etc etc were crap their first couple of years. Ignoring that is pretty oblivious.

Buffalo making the playoffs is a joke. Two losses to the Pats, split with Miami, and a split with the Jets for starters. They will be lucky to go 8-8 and to get that 8th win in the last week of the season.

[tyven]

i agree that the bills wont make the playoffs but they will definitely do better than 2-4 in their division. for the first time in a long time buffalo actually IMPROVED in the off season.

[recuperi]

was my favorite team back when I was a kid and they were pros at second place

[Akiyama]

I can see the Bills going 8-8 possibly. The had a 4-2 AFC East conference record last year with both losses coming to the Pats. I could see that happening again.

[Byrd]

Buffalo making the playoffs is a joke.

Buffalo's Schedule
vs. Seattle (?)
@ Jax (L)
vs. Oakland (W)
@ STL (W)
@ ARI (?)
vs. SD (L)
@ MIA (W)
vs. NYJ (W)
@ NE (L)
vs. CLE (?)
@ KC (W)
vs. SF (W)
vs. MIA (W)
@ NYJ (?)
@ DEN (?)
vs. NE (L)

I see 7 wins, 4 losses and 5 tossups, where at this point, they would likely be favored in 4. If they win even 3 of those tossups, they'll likely have more wins than TEN, DEN, or CLE, who all play substantially tougher schedules.

[Weltall]

Buffalo's Schedule
vs. Seattle (?)
@ Jax (L)
vs. Oakland (W)
@ STL (W)
@ ARI (?)
vs. SD (L)
@ MIA (W)
vs. NYJ (W)
@ NE (L)
vs. CLE (?)
@ KC (W)
vs. SF (W)
vs. MIA (W)
@ NYJ (?)
@ DEN (?)
vs. NE (L)

I see 7 wins, 4 losses and 5 tossups, where at this point, they would likely be favored in 4. If they win even 3 of those tossups, they'll likely have more wins than TEN, DEN, or CLE, who all play substantially tougher schedules.

You think they will beat a healthy STL on the road? Don't confuse STL for a terrible team just because of all the injuries they had last year. Bulger/Jackson/Bruce/75% of the Oline/Dline. Denver will win, especially if it is for a playoff spot late in the season.

Hell, Buffalo might even fall completely apart at QB that Buffalo is drafting a QB in the 1st round next year. What they have isn't good enough and doesn't have any leadership qualities.

[Tyche]

Vegas has the bills at 7.5

Vegas has the bears at 8. (this is a fucking scary line, it seems so god damned obvious they won't win 8 or more).

[Tyche]

Here's all the lines for o/u win totals

Arizona Cardinals o/u 7.5
Atlanta Falcons o/u 4.5
Baltimore Ravens o/u 6
Buffalo Bills o/u 7.5
Carolina Panthers o/u 7.5
Chicago Bears o/u 8
Cincinnati Bengals o/u 8
Cleveland Browns o/u 8
Dallas Cowboys o/u 10.5
Denver Broncos o/u 7.5
Detroit Lions o/u 6.5
Green Bay Packers o/u 8
Houston Texans o/u 7.5
Indianapolis Colts o/u 11
Jacksonville Jaguars o/u 10
Kansas City Chiefs o/u 6
Miami Dolphins o/u 5.5
Minnesota Vikings o/u 8.5
New England Patriots o/u 12.5
New Orleans Saints o/u 8.5
New York Giants o/u 8.5
New York Jets o/u 7.5
Oakland Raiders o/u 6
Philadelphia Eagles o/u 8.5
Pittsburgh Steelers o/u 9
San Diego Chargers o/u 10.5
San Francisco 49ers o/u 6.5
Seattle Seahawks o/u 8.5
St. Louis rams o/u 6.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers o/u 8
Tennessee Titans o/u 8
Washington Redskins o/u 7.5

[Mertron]

I'll take the Dolphins and the under.

6-10? I dont think so!

[Tyche]

Just go die somewhere with your anti-dolphin hate. Noone wants you here.