Last year the New England Patriots won the SuperBowl the second they got home field advantage. The reason for this is because the only team that can beat New Enlgand is entirely incapable of competing with them outdoors. As good as the Eagles were, and are, they had and have no chance against New England. The Colts seem to be the only team on par with the Champs, but have some serious psychological hurdles if they plan to be playing in Detroit this February. Which brings us to the questions of will the Pats repeat? Is it finally Peyton's year? Is it finally Donovan's year. All that and more in the I,Cody NFL Preview.
AFC East
1. The New England Patriots- I pick them to win this division only because I believe that they are capable of going 12-4 or 11-5, and as good as the Jets and Bills are I don't see either of them going better than 10-6.
Record EST. 11-5
2. Buffalo Bills- I am in love with the Bills' defense and have been since they gave the Pats a 34-0 Whoopin' on opening day 2003. Though they could potentialy have some quarterBack issues I like Mcgahee and I believe J.P. Losthman, the kid from Tulane, has shown flashes of greatness.
Record EST. 10-6 Wild Card
3. New York Jets- Though they lost very little, I don't expect the Jets to improve on or even duplicate last year. The reason is that without Lamont Jordan behind Curtis Martin, they will be forced to burden the old back even more, and this could be his last year. Chad Pennington could be a good QB on a great team, with a dominating defense, and though the Jets are a solid team with an above average defense They are not great or dominant. He doesn't make enough big plays to propell the Jets to the top of a strong division.
Record EST. 8-8 No Playoffs
4. The Miami Dolphins- Despite a Dominant Defense and an improved running game, it all comes down to the signal caller and as a long as Feely, Ferrot, Feidler, or what ever bad QB they put undercenter is distributing the ball, they will finish last.
Record EST. 6-10 No Playoffs
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens- As hard as it is to put anyone ahead of the Steelers, it is impossible to overlook the talent the Ravens have. The only questions on the defense are the suspect line and the losses of OLB Peter Boulware and ILB Edgeriton Hartwell. As good as the defense is, Jamal Lewis can't win games all by himself. Kyle Boller is out of excuses now with a All-Pro Reciever and a healthy Todd Heap. It's time for Boller to Grow up.
Record EST. 13-3 (1st Round Bye)
2. Pittsburg Steelers- Despite Rothlesburger being a year older and a year wiser I don't think that he will improve over last year because, as much as I like him, I feel he played over his head last year, and with Staley Sore and Bettis hurt, he will be relied on more.
Record EST. 10-6 Playoffs
3. Cincinatti Bengals- This is the year of Carson, he has all the tools, and then some, to be an excellent player in this league for years to come. Look for Chad Johnson and Carson Plamer to hook up for a lot of big plays this year, and with an emerging T.J. Houshemendez, Johnson will be doubled less often than ever before.
Record EST. 9-7 No Playoffs
4. Cleveland Browns- EEk! This team is as bad as any team other than the 49ers. With Kellen Winslow out for the season they have 0 offensive weapons. Though Rueben Droughns was good last year for Denver, it was behind a great line, and we'll see how good he really is.
Record EST. 3-13 No Playoffs
AFC South
1. Indianapollis Colts- Peyton, Marvin, Reggie, Brandon, and Edgerrin. Need I Say more. In a Mediocre division they have a chance at homefield advantage wich would be big trouble for New England. They might not be as explosive as Oakland, but the offense is as good as any in the league, and have a much better defense than people think.
Record EST. 13-3 Playoffs (1st Round Bye/Homefield)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars- Defense, Defense, Defense. Fred Taylor Looks about done, so Byron Leftwitch will be thrown to the wolves. Their Run D is silly good, but they are in a pass happy division, so they may give up a few more points in their division games. A guy to look out for Matt Jones, out of Arkansas, who I believe is the rookie of the year.
Record EST. 9-7 No Playoffs
3. Houston Texans- I Like their offense, but if they want to be a contender, they will need Dunta Robinson to be a legite shutdown corner in only his second season. Carr has been a solid NFL starter for a couple of years now, and with the emergence of Andre Johnson, he could have his best season yet. A young team with a good upside, but not there yet.
Record EST. 7-9 No Playoffs
4. Tennesse Titans- As long as Mcnair is there they will compete, but now Mcnair has to find a new favorite taeget with Mason in Baltimore. Drew Bennet is good, but has never had to deal with the No.1 Corner. Still a solid defense, but not anywhere near good enough to compensate for a bad defense.
AFC West
1. Oakland Raiders- They will outscore anyone, except maybe the Colts. Collins will be better and is a lock for 4,000 Yards and 30 TD. Moss is the most talented player in the league and it aint close. Compared to Moss even Terrel Owens is childs play. Moss will explode in Oakland Where if he chooses to moon the crowd, the owner will come do it with him. Charles Woodson is capable of shutting down even the best recievers, but is inconsistent. A guy to watch is Nmamdi Asomough the young, first round pick from Cal in 2002. At, 6'2" he is one the most physical corners ever. Robert Gallery will make the Pro-Bowl and begin a great career.
Record EST. 10-6
2.Denver Broncos- A good not great defense that will be heavily burdened by Plummer, who has difficulty getting the ball to the right team. Bailey is good, but teams often have two receivers who can torch you if you're not careful, and the Broncos lack a second and third Corner.
Record EST. 8-8 No Playoffs
3.Kansas City Chiefs- Improved from last year, but I don't think their offense is as good as Oakland or Indi and there defense is still bad. I like Patrick Surtain, but someone else has to cover the other recievers, and they don't get a great pass rush. I Like them to duplicate what they did last year.
Record EST. 7-9 No Playoffs
4. San Diego Chargers- Yes, I did pick the Chargers to finish last in a division that they dominated last year. The reason for this is becuase I believe Drew Breese was on contract steroids, meaning that he played really well, because his contract was up. I don't see Drew having a season anywhere near as good as last year. Ladanian Tomlinson is the best Back in the NFL, but he was two years ago, when the Chargers went 4-12. A solid defense that will have to play over there heads unless my prediction abpout Drew Breese is wrong.
Record EST. 6-10 No Playoffs
NFC East
1. Philedalphia Eagles- A real no brainer unless Mcnabb gets hurt. This team should win the NFC unless T.O. decides he is unhappy and wages war with the front office again. Kearse is a talented and versatile player that allows Defensive Cooridinater Joe Johnson to get even more pressure in the blitz happy 4-6. Secondary that is capable of locking down dominate offenses. As long as the two corners repeat their 2004 seasons, the defense should be among the leagues best.
Record EST. 13-3 (1st Round Bye/Homefeild)
2. Dallas Cowboys- The defensive aquisitions that this team has made should give them the eastern division's best defense and make up for what their offense may lack. The offense should be in the middle of the pack which could make the Cowboys a solid team, which would have been more than enough in last years soft NFC, but not this year.
Record EST. 8-8 No Playoffs
3.Washington Redskins- The leagues best defense last year was not enough to give Joe Gibbs a happy homecoming, but if Ramsey is healthy and effective, they could be good. However I don't trust Patrick Ramsey and would have a tough time believing in a team with QB issues. If Sean Taylor gets it all together this year, he could be a big time playmaker, but he can't score points for the skins which is why they are near the division's bottom.
Record EST. 7-9 No Playoffs
4. New York Giants- The Eli Manning era is now in the Meadowlands, but even with the aquisition of Plaxico Buress, I'm not sold on their offense. Tiki Barber had a great season last year, but he is aging and I'm not sure he can carry the load again. Keep an eye on Strong Safety Sean Williams, who is one of their few impact players they have on defense.
NFC North
1. Green Bay- Farve. As long as he and Ahmand Green are in the backfeild they will make a bad defense work and be a good team.
Record EST. 10-6
2. Detroit Lions- As long as Joey Harrington is healthy, they can be a dangerous team. First round talent at just about every position on offense, and Mike Williams might be as good as Roy Williams. Boss Bailey and Dre' Bly are the only two plamakers not on the D-line, but they should overcome that.
Record EST. 9-7 Playoffs
3. Vikings- A trendy pick with an improved defense, but Daunte Cullpepper has been average at best without Randy Moss. People forget that when Moss got hurt Daunte was rolling toward Marino's Record, and through more INT's than TD with Moss gone. Top ten defense, but with no running game the attention will be all on Cullpepper and Nate Burleson.
Record EST. 8-8 No Playoffs
4. Chicago Bears- Da Bears. A good defense, but Kyle Orton has to prove to me that he is the next coming of Tom Brady, and Cedric Benson's 34 day holdout could have him out of shape until week 5 or so.
Record EST. 5-11
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons- It is really a toss up between the top two teams, but I like thier ability to beat the no.2 team in the division. People say what ever they want about Mike Vick and his inability to be an effective pocket passer, but he wins games and thats what counts. A defense that can force turnovers, like that is always dangerous, but when that is combined with a good offense that presents a serious problem. They run the ball and controll the clock with is why I think they will win the NFC South.
Record EST. 12-4 Playoffs(Win Division)(1st Round Bye)
2. Carolina Panthers- The Most Talented Defensive line in football makes up for a secondary with some holes. The Corners are not exploited because they constently
apply pressure the QB. Kerry Kolbert is a very good receiver who will help to fill the void left by Mousin Mouhamed. Steve Smith is pure speed and should allow the league's deepest backfeild to run all over oppositions. I pick them not to win the Division only becuase the Falcons have a better chance of winning in Carolina than the Panthers have of winning Atlanta.
Record EST. 12-4 Wild Card
3. New Orleans Saints- With their city underwater, the new Orleans Saints have much more on there mind than football, but they still have a very talented core of offensive skill players. This team could be good if Aarron Brooks could be consistent and the defense surprises everyone.
Record EST. 6-10 No Playoffs
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Carnell Williams is a good back, but may not be well adjusted to the league just yet. Carnell was the speed back and picked up big gains in the open field against tired defenses. A defense that is capable of shutting down just about anyone will need to be in rare form to pick up the slack left by the offense.
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals- Best young group of recievers in the league finally have someone who can get them the ball. Kurt Warner brings veteran leadership and superbowl experience to an offense that has lacked just that for so long. Antrelle Rolle may just be better suited to play safety, but for now he is playing corner where his physicality could be a problem for wideouts. Adrienne Wilson is a beast back in the secondary who is an explosive, but inconsistent talent. Darnell Docket is an emerging force at DT with speed and athleticism in the pass rush. Berstrand Berry is in an elite group of pass rushers. He is the best player on that defense, but will need a few more productive seasons before he can be counted on to carry a defense.
Record EST. 9-7
2. St. Louis Rams- No longer the greatest show on turf, but still one of the leagues best offenses. Bulger is more turnover prone than you would like at the QB Spot, but part of that is Mike Martz' insistence on throwing the ball 50 times a game. A fast defense that can be effective in a dome, but can be exposed outdoors. Even in a bad division I don't think they can return to the playoffs.
Record EST. 8-8 No Playoffs
3. Seatle Seahawks- Talented, but flawed. If they can overcome mental issues, they could run away with the division, but Shaun Alexander and Company will be watching the playoffs from home.
Record EST. 8-8 No Playoffs
4. San Fransisco 49ers- Adding a decent left takle to a 2-14 team is hardly enough. Peterson and Carter are healthy and Barlow is a good back in a bad system. New coach Mike Nolan seems confident, but owner John York will never pay now-young-cheap players who will emerge as stars, so the team will never get to where they want to be with York at the helm.
Record EST. 3-13 No Playoffs
League Leaders
Passing
Yards:
1. Manning-4,500
2. Green-4,000
3. Farve-3,800
TD's:
1. Manning-45
2. Mcnabb-35
3. Green- 33
Rushing
Yards:
1. Lewis-1,800
2. Tomlinson-1,700
3. Portis-1,650
TD's:
1. Holmes-25
2. Tomlinson-22
3. Alexander-20
Recieving
Receptions:
1. Harrison-110
2. Ward-100
3. Gonzalez-95
Yards:
1. Moss-1,800
2. C.Johnson-1,500
3. Harrison-1,400
TD's:
1. Moss-18
2. Harrison-15
3. Gates- 12
Defensive
Tackles:
1. Lewis-150
2. Al Wilson-135
3. Urlacher-130
Sacks:
1. Peppers-15
2. Berry-13 1/2
3. Kearse-13
Int's:
1. Reed-8
2. Taylor-7
3. Dawkins-7
Team Rankings
Defensive
Yards:
1. Baltimore
2. Washington
3. Bills
Scoring:
1. New England
2. Pittsburg
3. Baltimore
Turnovers:
1. Buffalo
2. Philedalphia
3. Atlanta
Offensive
Yards:
1. Indianapollis
2. Oakland
3. Philedalphia
Scoring:
1. Indianapollis
2. Oakland
3. Kansas City
Playoff Tree
AFC
Wild Card
Buffalo
New England- New England
Pittsburg- Oakland
Oakland
Division
Oakland
Indianapollis- Indinapollis
New England- New England
Baltimore
Championship
New England- New England
Indianapollis
NFC
Wild Card
Detroit- Detroit
Green Bay
Carolina- Carolina
Arizona
Division
Detroit- Philedalphia
Philedalphia
Carolina- Carolina
Atlanta
Championship
Carolina- Carolina
Philedalphia
Superbowl
Carolina
New England
Superbowl Champs
New England Patriots
Note: If the Raiders lose on opening night in New England I stand by my seletction for superbowl champs, however if the Raiders win I will make another post before Sunday to Give another Playoff branch.
