2006 NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS

NFC EAST

W

L

T

COMMENTS

11

5

0

Just not enough improvement on OL. Bledsoe will always make the bad throw at the worst time, and TO is already a distraction. Defense and coaching will be able to carry the team to the playoffs, but that’s it.

10

6

0

Giants still have solid offense, but Burress must step up in the big games and find a way to get open. A lot depends on Tiki Barber continuing to elude father time and Eli Manning taking the next step. Defense needed more help than they got in the off-season. LB Lavar Arrington is overrated and secondary is weak.

9

7

0

Solid defense, some good receivers, but QB Mark Brunell can only deteriorate and Jason Campbell probably isn’t ready yet. Still, they’ll be in a tight scrap for a playoff spot.

7

9

0

A weak running game, no receivers and an overrated QB translate to another rough season in Philly. Defense is way overrated. They can’t stop the run.

NFC NORTH

W

L

T

10

6

0

Will not collapse like other recent Bears teams that had a good year, but neither will they dominate. Solid team that will win a lot at home.

8

8

0

Just too many questions to be a serious contender. Losing Randy Moss, Daunte Culpepper and adding untested Brad Childress creates a mismatched group that won’t really work. Koren Robinson is a cancer. After losing 1^st round pick Chad Greenway because he was playing special teams in an exhibition game, Childress is looking like a potential buffoon.

7

9

0

Lions have a chance to be good but Jon Kitna is not the answer at QB and Kevin Jones not the answer at RB. Will long regret passing on Matt Lienart for Ernie "Ouch my head" Sims. Martz will add flair but mediocrity is the order of the day. At least they’ll play hard for a change.

3

13

0

Abysmal. This isn’t a football team; it’s a chapter of the Brett Favre appreciation society. Lord Favre should have stepped aside and let Aaron Rogers take over. Instead, Packer faithful will have to sit through a bunch more four interception games while Ahman Green fails to hit the few open holes that are made by the OL.

NFC SOUTH

W

L

T

11

5

0

Most overrated team in the NFL. Good, not great. Adding Me-shawn and DeAngelo Williams will help consistency. Defense is good but LB’s are weak. Solid playoff team.

10

6

0

Solid offense and defense. Age on defense could catch up to them. QB Chris Simms has a chance to be very good, but Gruden hasn’t handled him well. Tough schedule makes Wild Card the best hope. Division seems out of reach.

7

9

0

Decent talent, but may start 0-3 with brutal schedule. Michael Vick has yet to prove he can pass a team to a win. Maybe Ron Mexico can step in for him.

6

10

0

Adding Brees and Bush bodes well for the future, but had a number of losses on defense that wasn’t very good to begin with. Safety’s are a problem. New head coach Sean Payton has been unimpressive so far.

NFC WEST

W

L

T

12

4

0

Last years best team is stronger than ever, with Julian Petersen added to an up and coming defense. 1st round pick Kelly Jennings has the makings of a star, and DL will be better with additions of Russell Davis and rookie Daryl Tapp. Biggest problems are replacing OG Steve Hutchinson and WR Joe Jurevicious, but Seahawks have lots of candidates for both spots. Only the refs can keep this team from the Super Bowl if they stay healthy.

9

7

0

Lots of improvements here, but OL is still too weak to be serious contender. Will be in it until final week though. Denny Green is too good a coach to keep losing.

7

9

0

Just too many holes to contend. With out Martz’ mad scientist routine on offense, team will be easier to defend.

5

11

0

Better, but they still stink. Alex Smith must show progress early or season will be over quickly.

2006 AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

AFC EAST

W

L

T

11

5

0

Pats look pretty solid all around, but receivers are an issue. Running game should be much stronger than last year with Maroney and Dillon sharing duties. Can Junior Seau fill-in for Bruski, or is he done, like Chad Brown last year? Ben Watson looks set to have a big year at TE.

10

6

0

Daunte Culpepper is either fantastic or horrible. The Nicktator will try to smooth out the Bell curve on his performances. Will throw deep to Chris Chambers a lot. Rebuilding secondary will have some issues, and some key players on defense are aging. Still, a good bet for a Wild Card.

6

10

0

Will issues at QB continue? JP Losman seems to be emerging. Still can’t stop the run. Losing Eric Moulds will hurt. Still rebuilding.

4

12

0

Not any better than last year. Pennigton is nothing special even when healthy. OL is getting better. Calling Curtis Martin a hall of famer is a joke. He’s a good back with above average durability, nothing more. He’s done.

AFC NORTH

W

L

T

11

5

0

It all depends on Carson Palmer. Multiple arrests could be a distraction, but this team still has more talent than any team in the division.

10

6

0

Ravens will move up thanks to McNair. Defense is still excellent. Expect running game to rebound.

8

8

0

Losing Randle-El will mean BS gadget plays won’t work anymore. Santurdio Holmes is no replacement. Secondary is weak. Will have major cap problems after paying off the refs in Super Bowl XL. Won’t make playoffs.

6

10

0

Charlie Fry at QB? 6-10.

AFC SOUTH

W

L

T

13

3

0

Won’t miss Edge as much as most people think. Defense took an offseason hit, but is still pretty good. Will choke in postseason again. With Dungy as head coach and Manning as QB, will anybody be surprised?

9

7

0

Fat Albert fades as the Jags come back to Earth. Excellent defensive line will carry team to the last weekend of the season.

7

9

0

Vince Young will surprise at some point with how good he is. Will Jeff Fisher be around to profit from his emergence?

5

11

0

Better, but still really bad.

AFC WEST

W

L

T

12

4

0

How long before Jake the mistake is usurped by Jay Cutler? One more year. Will have tough fight for AFC West title with Chargers.

10

6

0

Rivers will cost them a game or two, but be pretty good by seasons end. Solid all-around team.

8

8

0

Just too old to contend seriously. Teams will really stack it against Larry Johnson.

4

12

0

Other teams in division are really glad to have Faiders on schedule. Count Chocula needs to step aside before this team has a prayer of being good.