Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

It's football season, and though I think it's crap that the Super Bowl champions have to open their season on the road tonight, I'm nonetheless excited. With that, here's a full rundown of my thoughts on the upcoming season, division by division, playoff teams in bold:

AFC East
New England Patriots - Normally they run away with the division. This year, I think they walk away with it. They are vulnerable like never before, but I just don't see any other team in this division stepping up to challenge.
Miami Dolphins - They'll be okay. They have some up-and-coming pieces, but ultimately, I think they just aren't ready.
Buffalo Bills - I love my Bills. I love the new coach. I love CJ Spiller. I think I love EJ Manuel. I love everything they've done from the end of last season until now...but they will not be good this year. The defense is seriously lacking, and I think this year's group of rookie QBs proves that the success of last year's group was a fluke.
New York Jets - They will suck and I will laugh and laugh and laugh.

AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals - I'm not usually one to pick against the Super Bowl champs at least winning their division the next season, but I think the Bengals are going to be good. It all rides on Andy Dalton to take a developmental step forward, but if he does, this could be one of the league's best teams.
Baltimore Ravens - Earning a Wild Card birth, the Ravens won't be as hurt by all their departures as everyone thinks. Ray Rice is still there and combined with Bernard Pierce they have a nice backfield. Joe Flacco isn't an all-time great, but has proven he has what it takes to win.
Cleveland Browns - I'm banking on Brandon Wheedon taking a step forward this year, now that it seems he has some decent receiving talent, and combined with Trent Richardson, their offense should be at least competent, which it hasn't been since Derek Anderson had that one good season like 10 years ago. The defense is always solid, and if Baltimore DOES struggle with all their losses, this could be a surprise playoff team.
Pittsburgh Steelers - The once smash-mouth Steelers have no running backs, a terrible offensive line, and an aging defense that seems to get more and more injury prone. Big Ben keeps them competitive, but this is just not a good football team right now.

AFC South
Houston Texans - I think the only thing not to like about this team right now is how little they've changed...that means all signs point to an 11 to 12 win season, followed by a mediocre playoff run. They will be one of the league's best regular season teams, but I'm not sure they have what it takes to step to the next level and become Super Bowl contenders. I think Gary Kubiak holds them back with his overly conservative coaching.
Indianapolis Colts - One of my "surprise" picks. This team will NOT make the playoffs this year. Last year's team somehow won 12 games, despite having an overall negative point differential for the season. This year, they will be a better team, but win fewer games, if that makes sense. I can't see them winning as many last-second miracles as last year.
Tennessee Titans - They are better than the Jaguars, but what does that mean? Chris Johnson will have a bounce back year, but without a quarterback, this team is left floundering
Jacksonville Jaguars - Two words: Blaine Gabbert. If not for him, this could be a competitive team. I like MJD to have a good year, and they have two good receivers...but Blaine Gabbert SUCKS.

AFC West
Denver Broncos - A trendy pick, but I just don't see anyone in the AFC challenging them. They are too stacked with talent on offense, and though missing Von Miller will hurt early in the season, seasons are made at the end, not the beginning.
Kansas City Chiefs - Alex Smith is no Peyton Manning, but he may look like it in comparison to Matt Cassell. I think this team steps up to the plate and, on virtue of getting to beat up two bad teams in San Diego and Oakland, gets enough wins to be Wild Card #2.
San Diego Chargers - This team is in shambles, and fans have Norv Turner to thank. They might be a little less of a clusterf**** without him, but they just aren't going to pull themselves out of their tailspin. They've lost too much talent and Philip Rivers is a headcase.
Oakland Raiders - The Raiders are heading into the season with TWO punters on their roster. Is there really anything else we need to say about them?

NFC East
New York Giants - This was the toughest division to pick, but ultimately, I think they bounce back with a healthy WR-corps. Either that, or fans will be calling for Coughlin's head again, which means they'll win a Super Bowl next season.
Washington Redskins - RGIII, more like RG-bustedknee. Not my best material, but this team lives and dies by Griffin's leg, and I think it's a dead year.
Dallas Cowboys - Jerry Jones will continue to hold this team back. Jason Garrett is not an NFL head coach. Tony Romo will suffer the wrath as a result.
Philadelphia Eagles - I'll never pick the dog killer. That said, I am curious to see how the new offense will play, but I think Vick will get hurt (as usual) and that will be that.

NFC North
Green Bay Packers - Is it possible to dislike this team? I love me some Aaron Rodgers, and they MIGHT actually have a running attack this year. Go Pack, Go.
Chicago Bears - This is more of a pick to satisfy the past 20 years of NFL history, which states that there will be some new blood in the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings - Adrian Peterson can carry this team far, but Christian Ponders noodle-arm will hold them back from truly competing.
Detroit Lions - I like a lot about the Lions...but I hate their head coach. He's probably the worst in football, and the team will continue to have disciplinary problems and lose games because of it as long as he is the coach.

NFC South
New Orleans Saints - This team is ready and raring to run up the score on every opponent they face. Good sportsmanship went out the window when Sean Payton got that full year suspension. He and Drew Brees are going to make the NFL pay by embarrassing people week after week by racking up 60 points.
Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan will take this team far. He took a step forward last year and proved that this is a potential Super Bowl team.
Carolina Panthers - If I wanted to get whacky, I'd pick this team to make the playoffs. But I'm a realist, and I know that their only hope is if Cam Newton EXPLODES. I think he'll have a good year, but I don't see them competing in this division.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - I just don't like this team. I think Doug Martin slumps back, Josh Freeman just isn't a good QB, and I don't see anything that makes me think they'll win more than 6 or 7 games.

NFC West
Seattle Seahawks - Marshawn Lynch will carry this team far, and Russell Wilson will add the little oomph they need to win a few games from decent quarterback play. This looks like the old Chicago Bears teams that would win on virtue of their defense...and you know what they say about defense and championships...
San Francisco 49ers - A victim of the "new blood in the playoffs" rule I set out for myself. I also think a victim of injury, and frankly, middling quarterback play.
St. Louis Rams - I want to like this team...but I can't. I hope they hold onto Jeff Fisher, because I think he's a good coach, but they've lost a lot of talent and not replaced it with much, and I think it's another disappointing season.
Arizona Cardinals - meh. Not much to talk about here. One of the lesser NFL teams is in for another lesser season. Ho-hum.

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
Denver defeats Houston
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
New Orleans defeats Seattle
SUPER BOWL:
Denver defeats New Orleans.


I am ready for some football.

Week 1 Suicide Pick:
Indianapolis Colts.

Just noticed my boldings don't look that bold...so playoff picks are:
New England
Cincinnati
Baltimore
Houston
Denver
Kansas City

New York Giants
Green Bay
Chicago
New Orleans
Atlanta
Seattle

new to the playoffs this year, I had: KC, NYG, CHI, and NO. Missing from last year: Indianapolis, Minnesota, Washington, San Francisco.

As a lifelong 49ers fan I'm chomping at the bit for the season to get started especially after last seasons heartbreaking superbowl. The quest for SIX is still on, so long as the tem stays healthy!

I pretty much agree with everything you're predicting, though I'm unsure if the Broncos can take it all the way

Did I miss something in the offseason? I thought Tampa were decent last year. How'd they end up near the bottom of your barrel?

As a Bengals fan I think this is the year we win a(singular) playoff game. If we play the Texans again in the first round I am going to be pissed

Another agonizing loss for Bills fans. And we're in last place even sooner than I thought we'd be. Lol

What an AWESOME win for EJ Manuel and the Bills. Amazing drive with under two minutes no timwouts and 80 yards to go. Hopefully EJ keeps this momentum going. I like this kid.

So, two glorious weeks of NFL Football are in the books and here's how I see things thus far: These are power rankings based on who I would/would not want to play RIGHT NOW, not long-term peaks into who will be the best at the year's end.

1.) Denver Broncos - can there be any argument against them? They've dominated thus far.
2.) Seattle Seahawks - a road win to start the season and a victory against a San Fran team that was thought to be one of the league's best is impressive, even if I personally don't buy the San Fran hype.
3.) New Orleans Saints - They've beaten a solid Atlanta team and won a road game in bad weather. I feel strong in my Broncos-Saints Super Bowl prediction.
4.) Houston Texans - Granted it's two teams that the Texans probably never should have trailed, but two come-from-behind victories makes me think that just maybe this team is figuring out how to win games that it doesn't necessarily dominate.
5.) Green Bay Packers - Aaron Rodgers put on an absolute clinic this weekend. The defense is still problematic, but with Rodgers on their side, this team will still win a ton of football games. If they ever decide to start playing D, they could be unstoppable. My opinion of them is so high because they got screwed by officiating in week 1. If the officials properly enforced the off-setting penalties, who knows how that game vs. San Fran plays out?
6.) Chicago Bears - Jay Cutler loves him some Brandon Marshall, but he's starting to spread the ball around just a little bit more and the Bears are benefiting as a result. This team has offensive talent in spades.
7.) Kansas City Chiefs - It's rather humdrum, but they are finding ways to win. They'll be a tough team to beat because they are careful with the football, play good defense, and can grind the clock when needed.
8.) New England Patriots - It pains me to put them this high, but how can I not? They are winning without some of their best players. If they get anybody back healthy by next week, they'll probably win again, and within 2 or 3 weeks, when they are close to full-strength again, who will stop them if nobody can when they are hurt?
9.) San Francisco 49ers - That was a shellacking on Sunday Night. They also received some assistance from the referees week 1. Still, that's two very good teams in Green Bay and Seattle, so I won't hold them back too much.
10.) Atlanta Falcons - They are riddled with injuries right now, and losing Jackson hurts since their backups are all pretty bad, but their running game was never going to be their strong suit anyway.
11.) Cincinnati Bengals - A close week one loss to a good Bears team keeps them from perfection. Let's hope the only reason they didn't give Pittsburgh an absolute drubbing is due to division rivalries always being played closer than regular games. Pittsburgh is bad, I thought Cincy would dominate last night. Dalton lacks some chemistry with his WR/TE-corps.
12.) Miami Dolphins - Call me a skeptic, but I'm not buying the 2-0 start. Cleveland and Indy are both bad football teams.
13.) Baltimore Ravens - Cleveland is just what the stumbling defending Super Bowl champs needed to try to get back on track. Let's hope Ray Rice's injury isn't serious or they are in trouble.
14.) Dallas Cowboys - Arrowhead is a tough place to play, so we'll give 'em a pass for the loss, for now...but this team needs to get more consistent and more balanced.
15.) Buffalo Bills - Maybe this is me being a homer, but they kept it close against New England, and that was a great victory on Sunday. The defense looks vastly improved and we may have seen the birth of a QB with EJ Manuel's drive at the end. (At any rate, this team is roughly on the same level as then next 4 teams on my list).
16.) Arizona Cardinals - Nice win on Sunday. They need to get healthy, and they could turn some heads.
17.) St. Louis Rams - They are improved, but they need to step it up more if they want people to really take them seriously. The defense is a concern, having given up over 50 pts across two games.
18.) San Diego Chargers - Maybe this team isn't quite as bad as I thought they would be. They played the Texans tight and just beat Philly in their home-opener. The jury is still out here.
19.) Philadelphia Eagles - Speaking of juries still being out, I have no idea what to make of this team. One week they look monstrous on the road on Monday Night Football, the next week in their home-opener they lose to the Chargers.
20.) Carolina Panthers - The best of the winless. They have come up just short against a good team and then on the road. They may well be better than Arizona, St. Louis, San Diego and Philly, but when I have no idea where to rank teams, I'll default to going by record.
21.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - A stupid penalty cost them a week one victory and a stupid coaching decision cost them in week 2. You either have to punt or go for it at the end of that game. Even if they make the FG, they are still giving Brees the ball back with too much time...
22.) Indianapolis Colts - Color me unimpressed. They beat Oakland because SOMEBODY had to win that game, but their defense is deplorable, their running game has taken a huge hit with Ballard done for the year and though TY Hilton finally had a good day, he disappeared in the second half. This team was a pretender last year and they will be exposed as this season unfolds.
23.) Tennessee Titans - They gave Houston all they could handle and came up short. Beating Pittsburgh is not impressive anymore.
24.) Washington Redskins - They need to get better starts to their games. The defense is a concern.
25.) Detroit Lions - This is the worst coached team in football. They will continue to lose games they ought to win until they dump Schawrtz.
26.) Pittsburgh Steelers - Did you ever think you'd see them so low? They pretty much stink though. That defense is too old, and their running game is non-existent.
27.) New York Jets - They have a win, and Geno Smith is definitely better/more exciting than Sanchez, but they stink.
28.) New York Giants - This team has problems. I'd have thought a Tom Coughlin coached team would hold onto the football better.
29.) Oakland Raiders - I'll give 'em this: they are nowhere near as bad as I thought they'd be.
30.) Minnesota Vikings - Hold Adrian Peterson to under 150 yards and 3 TDs and you've got yourself a win against noodle-armed Christian Ponder.
31.) Cleveland Browns - Ray Rice gets knocked out of the game, Anquan Boldin isn't on the team anymore, Dennis Pitta is hurt, and Joe Flacco doesn't even show up to the stadium until after kickoff due to his wife giving birth and this team STILL can't pull off more than a kinda close loss to the Ravens. They suck.
32.) Jacksonville Jaguars - If I did college rankings, they'd probably be 42.

Pittsburgh: 0-2

As I said in another forum. My Cowboys have some work to do. Especially the offense. Dwayne Harris needs to be the teams #3 WR until that rookie Williams gets up to speed. As for my Patriots, I still love them. And those WRs needs to learn. FAST. But, I will be shocked if the Broncos don't make it to this years Super Bowl. So many weapons at Peytons disposal.

Lightning delays exist in every sport.

On the 49ers, I am just not sold. They got an assist from officials in week one, and got demolished week 2. Will they beat up on st louis and arizona and detroit and minnesota? Yeah, but I'm very curious to see them against teams like Chicago and Houston

I think the Rams are improved this year, but I think they lack the running game to be able to play better ball control and run out the clock. That'll get them in trouble.