| Most of the divisions in the NFL this year | | | | and never recover. The players brought in to |
| seem fairly straight forward, at least at the | | | | fix the disastrous pass defense - R.W. |
| top. There's little doubt, for example, that | | | | McQuarters and Sam Madison - show their age |
| Seattle will win the NFC West, Indy will top | | | | and don't plug the holes which desperately |
| the AFC South, or Denver and San Diego will | | | | need to be plugged. Manning doesn't advance |
| scrap for the AFC West crown. It gets much | | | | significantly from last season, perhaps not |
| more complicated, however, when you look at | | | | fully recovered by a disastrous end to last |
| the NFC East. It doesn't take much digging to | | | | season. Arrington hasn't significantly |
| find an 'expert' that will make an argument | | | | contributed to a team for at least two |
| that each of the four teams is destined to | | | | seasons, and it's more than possible that he |
| win it all. With all the different opinions | | | | may not be able to. Tiki Barber shows his age |
| it can be hard to figure out what will | | | | and can't maintain the offensive pace that |
| happen. I don't have firm answers, but I can | | | | was crucial to last year's success. The team |
| look at best and worst-case scenarios for | | | | only wins six or seven games.My guess - |
| each team in the division.Part of the problem | | | | Manning is solid, but not substantially |
| is that all of the teams have definite | | | | better than last year. Barber shows some age |
| strengths, and they all have problems that | | | | and his production tails off to merely mortal |
| make you pause. The odds are no help, either. | | | | levels. The defensive secondary will be |
| The Cowboys are the current betting favorite | | | | better, but still far from elite. The Giants |
| to win it all at 8/5, but the gap between | | | | win nine games and make a strong claim for a |
| them and the fourth choice, the Redskins (11 | | | | wild card spot.Philadelphia Eagles (5/2)Best |
| 4), is tiny. Compare that to the NFC West, | | | | case - Last year is just a mulligan and the |
| where the Seahawks are 1/4 and the 49ers are | | | | team moves on and returns to earlier glory |
| 20/1 (and far from a bargain at that).Dallas | | | | days. The offensive line is improved, the |
| Cowboys (8/5)Best case - Drew Bledsoe stays | | | | defense is deep if not overwhelming and they |
| healthy and flourishes with all the offensive | | | | start the season healthy. If they can stay |
| tools around him. Terrell Owens shows why he | | | | that way, they will already be way ahead of |
| is worth all of the trouble. The ridiculously | | | | last season. The defense was terrible last |
| talented young defense grows into itself and | | | | year, but draft picks and free agents should |
| dominates. Smart defensive moves, like | | | | reverse that trend. Before last year the team |
| shifting Greg Ellis from an undersized and | | | | had won at least 11 in five straight seasons. |
| overmatched defensive end to a strong side | | | | They could do the same thing again.Worst case |
| linebacker, will pay dividends. Twelve or 13 | | | | - The injury bug is still in the system. The |
| wins isn't out of the question. Home field | | | | schedule could be too much for the team - |
| would be a huge advantage for this team in | | | | besides the divisional rivals they play |
| the playoffs.Worst case - Owens explodes. The | | | | Carolina, Indy and Tampa Bay. The offense is |
| team is very vulnerable without him. Terry | | | | better but still not good enough. They only |
| Glenn is a much better fit as a second choice | | | | end up with seven wins.My guess - Owens is |
| than the primary receiver, and no one else on | | | | gone, but they didn't really replace him. |
| the roster is ready to step into the No. 2 | | | | Without a primary target it could be a long |
| spot. Running back could be another issue. | | | | year for McNabb. The Eagles would be a decent |
| Julius Jones and Marion Barber are both | | | | team in most conferences, but I don't see how |
| reasonably talented, but neither have so far | | | | they compete in this one. A record of 8-8 |
| shown that teams need to be scared of them | | | | would be a success and the playoffs are out |
| like they do a true premier back. DeMarcus | | | | of the question in my mind.Washington |
| Ware is being relied upon to be a foundation | | | | Redskins (11/4)Best case - Al Saunders joins |
| of the 3-4 offense for years to come, but he | | | | Joe Gibbs' staff after five seasons in Kansas |
| slumped a bit midseason last year before | | | | City. He turned the Chiefs into an offensive |
| picking it up again at the end. Tony Romo | | | | powerhouse, and made superstars out of both |
| looked great in the preseason, but he has no | | | | Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson. Clinton |
| regular season experience, and the game is | | | | Portis has the tools to become even better |
| different when teams actually care. A Bledsoe | | | | under Saunders. The receiving corps is much |
| injury would definitely set the team back. | | | | better with the additions of Antwaan Randle |
| Back as far as six or seven total wins.My | | | | El and Brandon Lloyd, and TE Chris Cooley |
| guess - I think Parcells will keep it | | | | continues to improve. The pass rush is |
| together so he can go out on a high note. | | | | acceptable and the defensive secondary is |
| Owens will be fine this season, just like he | | | | very good. The team could win 10 games and |
| was in his first year in Philly. I think they | | | | make the playoffs as a wild card.Worst case - |
| win 11 games and take the division.New York | | | | Mark Brunell struggles like he did at the end |
| Giants (9/4)Best Case - Eli Manning keeps | | | | of last season, and no one else is ready to |
| progressing, while his main weapon, Tiki | | | | take his place. The Saunders offense performs |
| Barber, contributes like he did last year and | | | | more like it did in preseason (no points by |
| Jeremy Shockey gets his head together and | | | | the first team offense) than it did in Kansas |
| steps up his game. The addition of several | | | | City. Portis doesn't bounce back from his |
| defensive players, highlighted by big name LB | | | | preseason shoulder injury as fast as anyone |
| LaVarr Arrington, fixes the problems the team | | | | hoped. The team struggles to 6 wins.My guess |
| had. The D-line is still the sack machine it | | | | - I don't get a good feeling from the 'Skins. |
| has been for a few years now. The team wins | | | | Too many questions, especially at QB. I |
| 11 or 12 games.Worst case - They fall behind | | | | expect seven or eight wins and a new coach |
| with a tough start to the season | | | | next season. |
| (Indianapolis, at Philadelphia, at Seattle) | | | | |