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