It's time... Pick divisions, sleepers, surprises, and busts

[WEST is GOD]

Post your NFL predictions here.

Lay out all the divisions and how you think every team will fair. List sleepers, and busts. You can even do sleeper players and bust players if you want, or breakout players. Generally I'm just looking for teams though.

NFC East:
Eagles
Giants
Cowboys
taterskins

Breakdown:
Eagles obviously still easily the best team in this division. Tiki Barber is a good back and Jacobs will be a good change of pace back for the Giants. Their defense is average, but their offense has potential to be good as long as Eli plays well. I think the Cowboys' defense is overrated. A lot of people are just automatically granting them with this label is being a great defense, and it's based on 2 rookies. Julius Jones is a 2nd year player and everyone is automatically assuming he is a 1,400 yard rusher already. The Cowboys of all teams have to prove it to me first. I won't give them credit for anything unless it is absolutely 100% necessary. Bledsoe sucks too. The taterskins are just terrible. The Coles trade was a horrible trade for them. Coles to me is a lot better than Santana Moss. Also they have no QB, and Portis isn't a good fit in their system. Their defense is really the only thing going for them, but their offense is too brutal.

AFC East:
Pats
Jets
Bills
Dolphins

Breakdown:
The Pats are kings until someone dethrones them. Despite losing their coordinators, I think they motivate themselves into thinking people are doubting them. I really like the Jets as well. They have Coles back who was great with Pennington. They signed Blaylock who I like a lot as a 2nd RB. Curtis Martin is always productive, and they have a real good defense and solid coaching staff. The Ty Law signing will help as well and Vilma will only get better. Their defense did a great job in the playoffs and I look for it to only improve. The Bills are a team on the rise, but not quite ready. I love Mcgahee, and Lee Evans. Moulds is always good and they have a very good defense and special teams. The question about them is Losman. He seems a little erratic, but if he can ever get under control the Bills could be as good as any team in the AFC. I think the Pats, Jets, and Bills will battle this until the end. The Dolphins stink. It will take Saban a few years to get that program under control, but their RB situation is great with Ricky back, and drafting Ronnie. Chambers is a very underrated WR who I like a ton, but I'm not a big fan of Booker or Boston. It doesn't matter anyway, because they don't have a QB to get them the ball. When Gus is your starter you are in trouble.

NFC North:
Vikings
Packers
Bears
Lions

Breakdown:
Vikings are very overrated. Losing Moss to me is a huge loss. I'm not sure if Burleson can be a #1 in this league. Also their other receivers are solid, but nothing special. Their RB situation is a bad one IMO. Not a big fan of Bennett, and the rest of their backs like Williams and Moore are just ok. They aren't going to wow you. Their defense is improved in paper, but they have to show it to me first. They didn't add any superstars or anything. They added solid players, but not enough to boost the defense into the good category yet. The Packers are still loaded offensively, despite losing some offensive lineman. Great WR situation and RB situation. They have it all on offense pretty much. Their defense is one of the worst in the league though and that will kill them. I think the Bears could be a sleeper, especially now with Orton. He shows poise, and confidence. He's a guy a team could rally around, and they made some nice additions on offense. Their defense is ok, I think it'll be enough to keep them in 3rd and battle with the Packers for 2nd... at least for a while. The Lions don't impress me at all. They have plenty of weapons, but no one to get the ball to them. I'm not a big Harrington fan, and they have a bad offensive line. Also their defense has way too many holes. Way too overrated.

AFC North:
Steelers
Ravens
Bengals
Browns

Breakdown:
I changed my opinion on the Steelers. I still think they can win this average division. Bettis and Duce will get healthy and they have pretty decent WRs. I really like Randle El and his quickness, and Ward of course will produce. Their defense is still good, and Roethlisberger may hit that Sophmore slump, but he won't have to do all that much. The Ravens have a great defense as usual, but until Boller is out, that offense will never click. He is just awful. The Bengals have a real nice offense, but their defense is a question. I'm not a huge Palmer fan, but he could be a nice QB in this league, and Chad Johnson is great. The Browns are simply a team that is building. They have a real nice receiving corps with Edwards, Bryant and Northcutt. I like Suggs, and Green is ok, but Dilfer isn't very good, and until Frye develops and this team gets other pieces, it won't make much noise.

NFC South:
Falcons
Panthers
Saints
Bucs

Breakdown:
Very good division. The Eagles' two toughest challenges both reside here. I stil have the Falcons at the top of the division. The Panthers have trouble beating the Falcons with Vick, and while the Panthers might be the better team overall, I think the Falcons beat the Panthers twice and finish ahead in the division at the end. Who is a tougher opponent for the Eagles? Probably the Panthers with that monster defensive line, but I think the Falcons win the division. The Panthers do look very good though. Deep at WR, deep at RB, Delhomme is a nice QB, and they have a very good defense. Love the defensive line, but their secondary can be thrown on. The Saints are always the most inconsistent team every year. With this horrible hurricane tragedy, who knows how the Saints will fair. I actually think it might give them a bit of a spark, for a team who seems to never play motivated. Their defense needs work, and Brooks is inconsistent, but their offense could be very good. As for the Bucs... they aren't very good IMO. Not very good offensively or defensively, but their offense is on the rise. I love Cadillac Williams, and Clayton, but their QBs suck, and their offensive line is average. Gruden has a lot to prove.

AFC South:
Colts
Jags
Texans
Titans

Breakdown:
Colts win this rather easily. Their defense will be a little better with Simon and additions through the draft, and their offense is always great, but the big question is can they win out of the dome in the playoffs? We'll find out. I moved the Jags above the Texans in my predictions. The Jags have a solid defense, and Matt Jones looks like he could be a player. Jimmy Smith is still the man down there, and Wilford looks good as well. Also Taylor and Greg Jones are 2 nice backs. The Texans are going to be ok. Their defense isn't very good IMO, and their offense is still missing something. I can't quite put my finger on it though. I love Andre Johnson, and Davis is a nice back. As for the Titans... I think they are better than last year, with Mcnair back. They have a decent receiving corps with Calico, and Bennett, but their RBs are just ok. Never a huge Travis Henry fan, and Brown is ok. Their defense lost Rolle, and they lost Mason on offense. Not a very good team, but not as bad as people think. Could win 6 or 7 games.

NFC West:
Rams
Cardinals
Seahawks
Niners

Breakdown:
I think the Rams have this division for one more year. Their defense is pretty poor, but their offense is still good. Bulger isn't the greatest QB in the world, but I think Jackson recharges that offense. Holt, Bruce, and Curtis is a heck of a receiving corps, and with Jackson and Faulk at RB, and some other nice pieces, I think it's enough to win the division. The Cards are almost there, but not quite there yet. I still think Warner sucks, but with nice weapons around him he'll do the best he can. I don't think it's enough quite yet. Their defense has a chance to be pretty good. Rolle will help and they have a good pass rusher in Berry. The Seahawks don't impress me. I don't like their defense, and their offense is pretty good, but their receivers don't impress me. Jackson is good, but drops balls, but Alexander is great obviously. Hasselbeck is someone who I'm not a very big fan of. Now for the Niners... well not much explanation needed. They are terrible.

AFC West:
Chargers
Chiefs
Raiders
Broncos

Breakdown:
Very interesting division. It could be tight between all 4 teams. I still think the Chargers prove they are the best team, but the Chiefs will be close behind. Always a good home team, and still a very good offensive line with very good RBs. Their receivers are average, but with great protection they can get open. The defense has a lot of additions, but will it be enough? Don't think so yet. The Raiders added Moss, and Jordan, which will help a ton, but their defense is still bad. They could have the best receiving corps in football this year, but I am not a Collins fan at all. The Broncos just don't impress me. Not a big fan of their defense or offense. Rod Smith is wearing down, Lelie is underachieving, and they don't have one go-to RB. Not a Plummer fan either. Too out of control at times.

Lastly on to the players...

Surprise players:
Cadillac Williams - I think he may be the best rookie. Big fan of him, and Gruden love him or hate him is good working the offense.
Lee Evans - I think he may lead Buffalo in receiving this year. I love his speed.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Good topic -- I'll put mine up later. Kinda early for predictions because injuries are sure to take a toll, but if they do I'll revise them accordingly.

[MadMarchHare]

What the hell:

NFC East:
   Eagles Seed 1
   Cowboys (again, Birds win division by >5 games)
   Giants
   taterskins
NFC North:
   Vikings Seed 2
   Bears WC2
   Lions
   Packers (coash is an ass, Favre is done)
NFC South:
   Panthers Seed 3
   Falcons  WC1
   Saints
   Bucs
NFC West:
   Cardinals Seed 4
   Rams
   Seahawks
   49ers
AFC East:
   Jets Seed 4
   Patriots WC1
   Bills
   Dolphins
AFC North:
   Steelers Seed 3
   Bengals WC2
   Ravens
   Browns
AFC South:
   Colts Seed 1
   Texans
   Jags
   Titans
AFC West:
   Chargers Seed 2
   Broncos
   Raiders
   Chiefs

[QB Eagles]

I think the Dolphins could crawl out of the abyss this year, but they have one hell of a division to try and do it in.

[Phanatic]

I'll play...

NFC East
Eagles – No doubt
Cowboys – Their defense will struggle a little early, then gel towards the end of the season I think. They still have no offense though.
taterskins – They'll stink oh yeah.
Giants – I'm just not getting a good feeling from the Gints this year

AFC East
Pats – They could slip this year.
Jets – That punter they took in the draft will have a huge impact. HUGE!!
Bills – I'm not sold on their offense yet.
Dolphins – Ricky's back?

NFC North
Minnesota – Addition by subtraction in Moss? Attitude wise anyway.
Detroit – Brian Lion will be unbearable, but they should improve on offense with all those receivers.
Green Bay – This team is a wreck. I'm not feeling it at all from them or Favre.
Chicago – Maybe this is the year they climb out of the basement. Hard to say at this point.

AFC North
Pittsburgh – Coach Cower will beat them with his chin if they don't win.
Baltimore – It will be interesting to see if Buddy's defense will have a big impact.
Cincinnati – Do these teams from Ohio ever get better?
Cleveland -  Not this year

NFC South
Carolina – Their baaack.
Atlanta – Ron Mexico and company will have a tough time with Carolina this year I think. Plus all the media attention about STDs will be fun to watch.
New Orleans – They always threaten to be good anyway.
Tampa Bay – Their stadium is a wreck and so are they. But their fans are really cool on talk like a pirate day. Arrrrrggg!

AFC South
Indianapolis – Yeah Manning's good enough to be pissed of in Cozumel during next year's super bowl again.
Jacksonville
Houston
Tennessee – I think ¼ of the team is in jail or something

NFC West (Tough Division to call)
Seattle – Mediocre enough to win this division.
St. Louis – The rams are mediocre enough to compete with Seattle for this division. If only Martz would lay off the crack rock.
Arizona – They will be improved, but I don't think Warner is the answer in Arizona, just like NY.
San Francisco – They stink, but the coach looks good in that Reebok 3 piece suit.

AFC West
San Diego – Young talented team that is kind of scary right now.
Kansas City – I think they will break out this year. I'm not sure if they've added enough defense, but they have the offense.
Oakland – Older players with bad attitudes. They'll probably be better then this, but this is a tough division.
Denver – Jake the Snake Plummer isn't the answer. Neither is Chump.


My Sleepers
KC – Dick will cry his team straight eventually.
Detroit – I think they will surprise some teams this year.
Carolina – I think they'll get back to the way they were two years ago.
Eagles – Hodge is always surprised when the birds do well anyway.

My Busts

Denver – They still have that mile high stadium home game advantage to look forward too.
Green Bay – Their defense is going to be really really bad and Favre should know when to fold them.

[RomeyRome]

NFC East:
Eagles 1 seed
Cowboys
taterskins
Giants

AFC East:
Pats 3 seed
Jets
Bills
Dolphins

NFC North:
Vikings 3 seed
Packers
Lions
Bears

AFC North:
Ravens  2 seed
Steelers WC 1
Bengals
Browns

NFC South:
Panthers 2 seed
Falcons WC 1
Saints
Bucs

AFC South:
Colts  1 seed
Texans
Jags
Titans

NFC West:
Cardinals  4 seed
Seahawks WC 2
Rams
Niners

AFC West:
Chiefs  4 seed
Chargers  WC 2
Raiders
Broncos

Sleepers: 
Panthers (ok they aren't really a sleeper, but will come back VERY strong this season compared to last)
Cardinals
NFC east teams other than Eagles will come stronger than recent past, but still have a ways to go to become playoff contenders IMO.

Busts: 
Of all the hype around the rise of the Lions, Bengals, and Cardinals, I think only the Cards will make the playoffs.
Jets

[Yeti]

NFC East:
Eagles
taterskins
Giant
Cowboys Suck

AFC East:
Pats
Jets
Bills
Dolphins

NFC North:

Lions
Bears
Vikings
Packers

Thats right.

AFC North:
Steelers
Ravens
Bengals
Browns

NFC South:
Panthers
Falcons
Bucs
Saints

AFC South:
Titans
Colts
Jags
Texans



NFC West:
Rams
Seahawks
Cardinals
Niners



AFC West:
Raiders
Broncos
Chiefs
Chargers



My sleeper teams:

Lions
Raiders

My bust teams:
Vikings
Chargers

Surprise players:
Reggie Brown

Bust Players:
Dante Culpepper

[mikey418]

NFC East:
Eagles
Cowboys
Giants
taterskins(Retire Joe)

AFC East:
Pats
Jets
Bills
Dolphins

NFC North:
Vikings
Bears
Lions
Packers

AFC North:
Steelers
Ravens
Bengals
Browns

NFC South:
Panthers
Saints
Falcons
Bucs

AFC South:
Colts
Jags
Texans
Titans

NFC West:
Cardinals
Seahawks
Rams
Niners

AFC West:
Chargers
Raiders
Chiefs
Broncos

My sleeper teams:
- Chicago
- Detriot
- Miami

My bust teams:
- Packers
- Falcons

Lastly on to the players...

Surprise players:
Reggie Williams - It's his time to shine in Jax with the pick of Matt Jones - and I think he responds.
AJ Feeley - A better offensive line and running game will drastically help.

Bust Players:
Derrick Mason - Boller sucks
Brett Farve - weak defense and offensive line will have Farve wishing he didn't return.

[MadMarchHare]

Except that AJ is of Saban's shtein list.  He won't be starting.

[WEST is GOD]

No one else wants their predictions out there? TCs are starting. If big names get hurt in camp you can always adjust your picks accordingly.

[PhillyandBCEagles]

NFC East: Eagles (1), Cowboys (6), taterskins, Giants
NFC North: Vikings (2), Lions, Packers, Bears
NFC South: Panthers (3), Falcons (5), Saints, Bucs
NFC West: Cardinals (4), Rams, Seahawks, 49ers

AFC East: Bills (1), Pats (5), Dolphins, Jets
AFC North: Steelers (2), Ravens, Bengals, Browns
AFC South: Colts (3), Texans, Jaguars, Titans
AFC West: Chargers (4), Chiefs (6), Broncos, Raiders


It's 3 am.  I'll do sleepers and busts tomorrow.

[rjs246]

NFC East: Eagles (1), Cowboys, taterskins, Giants
NFC North: Vikings (3), Lions (6), Packers, Bears
NFC South: Panthers (2), Saints (5), Falcons, Bucs
NFC West: Cardinals (4), Rams, Seahawks, 49ers

AFC East: Pats (2), Jets, Bills, Dolphins
AFC North: Ravens (3), Bengals (6), Pittsburgh, Browns
AFC South: Colts (1), Texans, Jaguars, Titans
AFC West: Chargers (4), Broncos (5), Chiefs, Raiders

[mussa]

really people, the cardinals...winning the conference?? over seattle or the rams? 

[Tomahawk]

really people, the cardinals...winning the conference?? over seattle or the rams? 

Didn't both the Rams and Seahawks finish 8-8? Both those teams are horribly coached suckjobs (moreso STL).

[mussa]

oh and dennis green is a grid iron genius himself.