Finally the dog days of summer are almost behind us and while everyone likes the sun, fall is where the sports world comes alive anew as its slumbered during the dog days of July. As such here begins my futile attempt at NFL previewing. Last year a number of teams surprisingly missed the playoffs. So of those that missed out on the NFC turkeyshoot - who has the best shot at making it to the playoffs this year. Remember all predictions should be used for gambling with Colonel's money only.
1. Chicago - Last year Da Bears barely missed the playoffs. This year with a potentially weakened Vikings (Williams maybe suspended for Steriods) plus Jay Cutler there should be improvements to get them over the hump. An aging defense and missing WRs give me some pause.
2. Dallas - The team is talented and it should have less destractions without Pacman Jones and TO. Is it addition by subtraction? Can Wade Phillips keep the team focused? More importantly is playing the NFC West mean the team gets a few more easy wins?
3. Green Bay - Here's my first team that I have up in shock town. The NFC North is wide open and Aaron Rodgers will a full year starting should be better. The question is the transition from the 4-3 to the 3-4 D. Usual it takes a few years to get it right but I keep repeating NFC North.
4. New Orleans - It's almost a dead horse at this point but New Orleans will become a Super Bowl contender (let alone playoff lock) if they can field a decent/average defense. I doubt it will happen. I am willing to say that they should have stable and healthy RBs - which might be enough to squeek into the playoffs.
5. Seattle - Hasselbeck, Hasselbeck, Hasselbeck. A healthy QB in crappiest division in football certainly means a chance and I'm expecting a Super Bowl loser curse on Arizona. Who else would you bet on in the NFC West to take Arizona's place?
6. Washington - Washington is a hard team to pin down as they are constantly bringing in prized free agents but those free agents rarely perform as expected. IF Alfred Haynesworth plays like the player he was in Tennessee Washington has a great defense and just needs Jason Campbell to avoid turning over the ball. It's possible just not sure how likely.
7. Tampa Bay - Tampa for those that forget finished last year 9-7. I'm still not sure how. Smoke? Mirrors? Mind Control? Nonetheless three man QB competitions (Luke McNown, Josh Freeman, Byron Leftwhich) means that in reality nobody on the team is decent.
8. Not a chance - San Fran, St. Louis, Detroit
Let the debate flow on teams that didn't make the playoffs last year in the NFC and their chances this year....
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