The NFL Season Preview

ROMER BAUTISTA STAFF

A new NFL season has dawned on us yet again. We were last left with the image of Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers hoisting the Lombardi trophy above their heads in the middle of Ford Field. Much has happened since then, and all 32 teams are set to make a run towards the Super Bowl. Here is my take on how each team will do, broken down by division.

AFC East
Projected standings
1. New England Patriots (11-5)
2. Miami Dolphins (10-6)
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12)
4. New York Jets (4-12)

For the past three years, this division has been dominated by the Patriots. They lost a lot of key players, most notably Adam Vinatieri and Willie McGinist, but the skill and poise of Tom Brady and the mind of Bill Bellichik should keep them atop the division. If they falter, look for the Dolphins to challenge for the division crown. Hopes are high in Miami after the team signed quarterback Daunte Culpepper in the off-season. Murky quarterback situations in Buffalo and New York should have both teams battling one another to stay out of the division basement.

AFC North
Projected standings
1. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
3. Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
4. Cleveland Browns (5-11)

The Super Bowl-champion Steelers are going be hard-pressed to come out of the AFC North as division champions. They defence is still one of the best in the leagues, but their offence will struggle with the loss of Jerome Bettis (to retirement) and Atwaan Randle El (to free agency). The Ben- gals, however, should have no problems on offence whatsoever. They will have a healthy Carson Palmer throwing touchdown passes to the always entertaining Chad Johnson. The Ravens, with new quarterback Steve McNair, and the Browns (under the tutelage of second-year head coach Romeo Crenell) should be improved from last year, but this division will ultimately come down to a two-dog race.

AFC West
Projected standings
1. Denver Broncos (11-5)
2. San Diego Chargers (9-7)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (8-8)
4. Oakland Raiders (4-12)

Last year, the Broncos were a bit of a surprise, as the often-erratic Jake Plummer led them to a division title, and a conference title bid. They will have a difficult time matching last year’s results, but should have enough talent on both sides of the ball to once again claim the division crown. Two of the league’s premier running backs will be trying their best to make sure that doesn’t happen, as the Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chiefs’ Larry Johnson will be racking up the touchdowns, and giving opposing run defences fits all year. As for the Raiders, their outlook can be summed up with one name: Aaron Brooks.

AFC South
Projected standings
1. Indianapolis Colts (12-4)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)
3. Houston Texans (5-11)
4. Tennessee Titans (4-12)

The loss of Edgerrin James is huge for the Colts, who come into the season without a clear starting running back. However, their offence is still loaded with weapons, most notably all-pro quarterback Peyton Manning. The Jaguars may start pushing the Colts for the division, but just don’t have enough pieces offensively, and will ultimately fall short. The Titans were the youngest team in the league last year, and are still in a rebuilding stage. They traded away their long-time franchise quarterback Steve McNair to the Ravens, and drafted their quarterback of the future, Vince Young. Perennial cellar- dwellers continue to grow with David Carr as their quarterback, but they will regret not taking Reggie Bush with the first overall draft pick.

NFC East
Projected standings
1. New York Giants (10-6)
2. Dallas Cowboys (10-6)
3. Washington Redskins (9-7)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (6-10)

From top to bottom, this is a powerhouse division: all four teams have a good chance of winning. The Terrell Owens saga has left Philadelphia, but has landed in Dallas. If Owens behaves, and I believe he will, Dallas will be a force to reckon with. New York and Washington, both playoff teams last year, have made significant improvements during the off-season. New York added a big play-maker on defence, LaVar Arrington, and Washington added a big play-maker on offence, Antwaan Randel El. The Eagles are now distraction-free, but they will find themselves lacking a legitimate threat for Donovan McNabb to throw to.

NFC North
Projected standings
1. Chicago Bears (11-5)
2. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
3. Green Bay Packers (6-10)
4. Detroit Lions (5-11)

Not only are the Bears bringing back last year’s number one-ranked defence, but they are the only team in the NFC North that is bringing back their head coach from last year. Green Bay, Minnesota, and Detroit will all be sporting rookie bench bosses when the season starts, all of whom are looking to turn around their struggling franchises. In Green Bay, the Packers have done a horrible job of surrounding the incomparable Brett Favre with talent, in what may be his final year in the league. Both the Vikings and Lions have good talent on paper, but never seem to be able to have it translate into on field success. If either team can get their act together, they could challenge for a wildcard birth.

NFC West
Projected standings
1. Seattle Seahawks (11-5)
2. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
3. St. Louis Rams (7-9)
4. San Francisco 49ers (3-13)
The Seahawks rolled to the best record in the NFC last year, and with the leagues rushing leader, Shaun Alexander, still on board there is no reason to believe they won’t match last years results. The Cardinals added a star running back of their own, Edgerrin James. Their potent offence should be better and they should contend for a wildcard birth. The Rams still have big time play-makers in Tory Holt and Marc Bulger, but lack the supporting cast to make a legitimate run at the playoffs. The 49ers are still years away from contention, but Vernon Davis has the potential to be rookie of the year, and he gives Alex Smith a go-to receiver.

NFC South
Projected standings
1. Carolina Panthers (11-5)
2. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
4. New Orleans Saints (7-9)

The Panthers could very well be the best team in the NFL and are a popular pick to win the Super Bowl. They have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, including the league’s best receiver, Steve Smith, and the league’s best defensive end, Julius Peppers. If Michael Vick can stay healthy the Falcons will contend for a playoff spot. The Buccaneers will once again field a terrific defence. If Chris Simms continues to progress, the Buccaneers are definitely a threat to take the division title. The Saints return to New Orleans this year, after Hurricane Katrina displaced the team all of last year. They are also returning with a new franchise quarterback, Drew Brees, and new franchise running back, Reggie Bush.





Volume 94 Issue 4	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	September 06, 2006

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly The NFL Season Preview ROMER BAUTISTA STAFF A new NFL season has dawned on us yet again. We were last left with the image of Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers hoisting the Lombardi trophy above their heads in the middle of Ford Field. Much has happened since then, and all 32 teams are set to make a run towards the Super Bowl. Here is my take on how each team will do, broken down by division. AFC East Projected standings 1. New England Patriots (11-5) 2. Miami Dolphins (10-6) 3. Buffalo Bills (4-12) 4. New York Jets (4-12) For the past three years, this division has been dominated by the Patriots. They lost a lot of key players, most notably Adam Vinatieri and Willie McGinist, but the skill and poise of Tom Brady and the mind of Bill Bellichik should keep them atop the division. If they falter, look for the Dolphins to challenge for the division crown. Hopes are high in Miami after the team signed quarterback Daunte Culpepper in the off-season. Murky quarterback situations in Buffalo and New York should have both teams battling one another to stay out of the division basement. AFC North Projected standings 1. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5) 2. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) 3. Baltimore Ravens (8-8) 4. Cleveland Browns (5-11) The Super Bowl-champion Steelers are going be hard-pressed to come out of the AFC North as division champions. They defence is still one of the best in the leagues, but their offence will struggle with the loss of Jerome Bettis (to retirement) and Atwaan Randle El (to free agency). The Ben- gals, however, should have no problems on offence whatsoever. They will have a healthy Carson Palmer throwing touchdown passes to the always entertaining Chad Johnson. The Ravens, with new quarterback Steve McNair, and the Browns (under the tutelage of second-year head coach Romeo Crenell) should be improved from last year, but this division will ultimately come down to a two-dog race. AFC West Projected standings 1. Denver Broncos (11-5) 2. San Diego Chargers (9-7) 3. Kansas City Chiefs (8-8) 4. Oakland Raiders (4-12) Last year, the Broncos were a bit of a surprise, as the often-erratic Jake Plummer led them to a division title, and a conference title bid. They will have a difficult time matching last year’s results, but should have enough talent on both sides of the ball to once again claim the division crown. Two of the league’s premier running backs will be trying their best to make sure that doesn’t happen, as the Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chiefs’ Larry Johnson will be racking up the touchdowns, and giving opposing run defences fits all year. As for the Raiders, their outlook can be summed up with one name: Aaron Brooks. AFC South Projected standings 1. Indianapolis Colts (12-4) 2. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6) 3. Houston Texans (5-11) 4. Tennessee Titans (4-12) The loss of Edgerrin James is huge for the Colts, who come into the season without a clear starting running back. However, their offence is still loaded with weapons, most notably all-pro quarterback Peyton Manning. The Jaguars may start pushing the Colts for the division, but just don’t have enough pieces offensively, and will ultimately fall short. The Titans were the youngest team in the league last year, and are still in a rebuilding stage. They traded away their long-time franchise quarterback Steve McNair to the Ravens, and drafted their quarterback of the future, Vince Young. Perennial cellar- dwellers continue to grow with David Carr as their quarterback, but they will regret not taking Reggie Bush with the first overall draft pick. NFC East Projected standings 1. New York Giants (10-6) 2. Dallas Cowboys (10-6) 3. Washington Redskins (9-7) 4. Philadelphia Eagles (6-10) From top to bottom, this is a powerhouse division: all four teams have a good chance of winning. The Terrell Owens saga has left Philadelphia, but has landed in Dallas. If Owens behaves, and I believe he will, Dallas will be a force to reckon with. New York and Washington, both playoff teams last year, have made significant improvements during the off-season. New York added a big play-maker on defence, LaVar Arrington, and Washington added a big play-maker on offence, Antwaan Randel El. The Eagles are now distraction-free, but they will find themselves lacking a legitimate threat for Donovan McNabb to throw to. NFC North Projected standings 1. Chicago Bears (11-5) 2. Minnesota Vikings (7-9) 3. Green Bay Packers (6-10) 4. Detroit Lions (5-11) Not only are the Bears bringing back last year’s number one-ranked defence, but they are the only team in the NFC North that is bringing back their head coach from last year. Green Bay, Minnesota, and Detroit will all be sporting rookie bench bosses when the season starts, all of whom are looking to turn around their struggling franchises. In Green Bay, the Packers have done a horrible job of surrounding the incomparable Brett Favre with talent, in what may be his final year in the league. Both the Vikings and Lions have good talent on paper, but never seem to be able to have it translate into on field success. If either team can get their act together, they could challenge for a wildcard birth. NFC West Projected standings 1. Seattle Seahawks (11-5) 2. Arizona Cardinals (10-6) 3. St. Louis Rams (7-9) 4. San Francisco 49ers (3-13) The Seahawks rolled to the best record in the NFC last year, and with the leagues rushing leader, Shaun Alexander, still on board there is no reason to believe they won’t match last years results. The Cardinals added a star running back of their own, Edgerrin James. Their potent offence should be better and they should contend for a wildcard birth. The Rams still have big time play-makers in Tory Holt and Marc Bulger, but lack the supporting cast to make a legitimate run at the playoffs. The 49ers are still years away from contention, but Vernon Davis has the potential to be rookie of the year, and he gives Alex Smith a go-to receiver. NFC South Projected standings 1. Carolina Panthers (11-5) 2. Atlanta Falcons (10-6) 3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) 4. New Orleans Saints (7-9) The Panthers could very well be the best team in the NFL and are a popular pick to win the Super Bowl. They have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, including the league’s best receiver, Steve Smith, and the league’s best defensive end, Julius Peppers. If Michael Vick can stay healthy the Falcons will contend for a playoff spot. The Buccaneers will once again field a terrific defence. If Chris Simms continues to progress, the Buccaneers are definitely a threat to take the division title. The Saints return to New Orleans this year, after Hurricane Katrina displaced the team all of last year. They are also returning with a new franchise quarterback, Drew Brees, and new franchise running back, Reggie Bush.


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