Early W/L offseason predictions (any team)...

Just looking around i think there are at least three early, somewhat non-obvious calls that can already be made about next season:

1. Carolina returns in a big way. delhomme is back, the OL is beefier now, new RB, and a HUGE change in strength of schedule makes their life much easier. It's all dependent on delhomme staying healthy though, but if so, they should go 11-5 (+/- 1). The bucs likely take the hit at their expense and land just outside the playoffs.

2. The Rams will be better, but not as much as you might think. Yes, it'd be impossible for them to lose 80% of their O line again, and the defense actually was a bit better last year, but strength of schedule isn't really any better for them this year, with them playing the pats and the entire NFC east early... 8-8 (+/- 1) and outside the playoffs.

3. Oakland will be vastly improved - though more by accident than the work of Al Davis. Even though he put in 300$mill worth of contracts this offseason, most of it was wasteful. That said, they had a laughable schedule (.395 until december) compared to last year and better (but overpaid) talent. 8-8 (+/- 1) and outside the playoffs.


I'm less committed but willing to venture that the bills probably make the playoffs (10-6 +/- 1) and find a quick way out.


I generally don't like giving skins predictions, and with JC, zorn, a bunch of rookies that might or might not show up immediately, and a WCO, it's a real gamble to predict.


as far as FF goes, delhomme, smith, and stewart all are poised for big years, and could be overlooked in some drafts. The rams keys players are probably overvalued a bit, and walker (raiders) is only worth looking at later on (injury and a rookie qb w/ a questionable OL).

Just looking around i think there are at least three early, somewhat non-obvious calls that can already be made about next season:

1. Carolina returns in a big way. delhomme is back, the OL is beefier now, new RB, and a HUGE change in strength of schedule makes their life much easier. It's all dependent on delhomme staying healthy though, but if so, they should go 11-5 (+/- 1). The bucs likely take the hit at their expense and land just outside the playoffs.

2. The Rams will be better, but not as much as you might think. Yes, it'd be impossible for them to lose 80% of their O line again, and the defense actually was a bit better last year, but strength of schedule isn't really any better for them this year, with them playing the pats and the entire NFC east early... 8-8 (+/- 1) and outside the playoffs.

3. Oakland will be vastly improved - though more by accident than the work of Al Davis. Even though he put in 300$mill worth of contracts this offseason, most of it was wasteful. That said, they had a laughable schedule (.395 until december) compared to last year and better (but overpaid) talent. 8-8 (+/- 1) and outside the playoffs.


I'm less committed but willing to venture that the bills probably make the playoffs (10-6 +/- 1) and find a quick way out.


I generally don't like giving skins predictions, and with JC, zorn, a bunch of rookies that might or might not show up immediately, and a WCO, it's a real gamble to predict.


as far as FF goes, delhomme, smith, and stewart all are poised for big years, and could be overlooked in some drafts. The rams keys players are probably overvalued a bit, and walker (raiders) is only worth looking at later on (injury and a rookie qb w/ a questionable OL).

I agree with much of what you said here, except for Buffalo. Granted they are an improved team, and may see 10-6 or 9-7 next season. But as for the playoffs, they are in the AFC East and New England is the hands down favorite to win that division. So Buffalo will have to shoot for the wild-card.

And the AFC South is just as tough a division as the NFC East so I look for Jacksonville to get one of those WC slots (simply because Indy should win the division). Then it might be between Buffalo, Tennessee and (believe it or not) the JETS that get the last WC. Jets made some very nice moves this offseason and could be a sleeper in the conference.

I don't get the hype that Eagles fans have for their team. I was on their board a few days ago and the majority of them seem convinced they have an elite defense that is going to carry them to the NFCC (at least) this year. They are also banking on LJ Smith being healthy to fix their red zone offense problems. The only issue I see that could keep the Eagles from being an elite team is the fact that they don't have any true #1 wideout. I know that if the Eagles got a true #1 wideout they would be an elite team on offense but that didn't happen this offseason and I don't see their current group of wideouts as able to fill the void.

I don't get the hype that Eagles fans have for their team. I was on their board a few days ago and the majority of them seem convinced they have an elite defense that is going to carry them to the NFCC (at least) this year. They are also banking on LJ Smith being healthy to fix their red zone offense problems. The only issue I see that could keep the Eagles from being an elite team is the fact that they don't have any true #1 wideout. I know that if the Eagles got a true #1 wideout they would be an elite team on offense but that didn't happen this offseason and I don't see their current group of wideouts as able to fill the void.

If I were an eagles fan I would be pretty psyched for this year. They have a lot of signs for a good year; they finished strong, McNabb is healthy & has a chip on his shoulder, the D is always solid & they picked up Samuel.

Talent wise there not up there w/the best, but their overall roster is always pretty deep & they draft well. Their coaching staff is one of the best in the league IMO.

True they lack a real game changer at wr, and if Westbrook goes down they might look like a different team, but they've always managed to move the ball well w/mediocre to poor wr's.

Overall, I definitely have more of a feel for Philly at this point than I do for our skins. the reasons are obvious, new coach & O for us, age at some positions, JC's development. I think it's a safer bet at this point to say philly will go 10-6 or so & make the playoffs & the Skins won't.

btw, I hate the iggles!

I agree with much of what you said here, except for Buffalo. Granted they are an improved team, and may see 10-6 or 9-7 next season. But as for the playoffs, they are in the AFC East and New England is the hands down favorite to win that division. So Buffalo will have to shoot for the wild-card.

And the AFC South is just as tough a division as the NFC East so I look for Jacksonville to get one of those WC slots (simply because Indy should win the division). Then it might be between Buffalo, Tennessee and (believe it or not) the JETS that get the last WC. Jets made some very nice moves this offseason and could be a sleeper in the conference.

Actually, I think this could be a big year for the Jags. I expect them to take the south from Indy & get to the afc championship.

one team that will be interesting to watch is the Pats. If they thought the spygate thing was a distraction last year, wait till kickoff of 08. There's even more incentive for other teams to bring their a game.

I agree with you on Carolina and the Rams, but Oakland I'm not to sure I agree with you there..............I just have to see them play good before I can start singing their praises; just because they've been crappy for a long time now.

And to add something to your list..............I don't see New England being a dominate team this year. They are in perhaps the worst division I've ever seen, so they will win alot of games. They will be in the play offs. But they won't be blowing out opponents like they were last year. Not only, will their opponents be looking out for their camera guys, but the defensive coaches can now communicate with their Captain. And Bellichek pissed off just about every team in the league last year. I mean, going for it on Fourth down with a three score lead INSTEAD OF KICKING A FIELD GOAL!!! Doing things like that is going to make teams play extra hard against them.

Also, I can see the Cardinals winning their division this year. I know its a stretch, but they have good recievers and with Grimm working with that O-line.............................they're running game is going to be vastly improved this year. They will at the very least compete for their division title.

Ohh and Dallas is just going to suck this year! Their secondary is a joke! I mean, did you hear that Roy Williams went back to his college number just so he could cover a little better! They better hope Newman doesn't get hurt. If he does "the sky is going to be raining footballs"! And their offense is okay.............but Romo is still a rookie in my mind. In his second year, he looses a snap, recovers it, and then lofts it up there high in the middle of the field!?!??! Only a rookie can have an excuse for doing something that dumb. And on the last play of a half, during a hail marry, he takes a sack? If there is anytime you should throw a ball up there that is the time! At least give your recievers a chance! I could go on and on. But, I'll wait until Dallas week before I do so.

And to add something to your list..............I don't see New England being a dominate team this year. They are in perhaps the worst division I've ever seen, so they will win alot of games.

Ohh and Dallas is just going to suck this year! Their secondary is a joke! I mean, did you hear that Roy Williams went back to his college number just so he could cover a little better! They better hope Newman doesn't get hurt. If he does "the sky is going to be raining footballs"! And their offense is okay.............but Romo is still a rookie in my mind. In his second year, he looses a snap, recovers it, and then lofts it up there high in the middle of the field!?!??! Only a rookie can have an excuse for doing something that dumb. And on the last play of a half, during a hail marry, he takes a sack? If there is anytime you should throw a ball up there that is the time! At least give your recievers a chance! I could go on and on. But, I'll wait until Dallas week before I do so.

yeah i dont know why "experts" when singing the praise of the pats dont hedge their comments by stating that the pats are by far in the weakest division. but as a fan would you trade being in a highly respected and competitive NFC east which breeds heated rivalries for a weak divsion? i wouldnt . .

on the cowboys i love what im hearing about them . . greg ellis not practicing, roy williams being sensitive and causing conflict, you know its bad when you hear on espn "of all things pacman is trying to be the peacekeeper . . . " they are imploding as we speak and it is freakin june!! TO might need to do something TO-like just to snatch back all this attention other cowboys are getting. i love it.

ps - i was thinking about starting a "cowboys locker room a ticking time bomb" thread to collect all the articles detailing their problems so far so when can just add to it when more s*it pops up but im not a thread starter kind of guy.

go skins!!

Dallas 0-16


Sure it probably won't happen, but you can bet I and any other real Redskins fan will be rooting for them to lose 16 times. :)

If Pennington starts the whole season, the Jets get a lot better: 8-9 wins. They should be improved defensively, and the Passing game always is above average with Chad in there.

The Browns are a 5-6 win team. Their offensive backfield play may not have been a complete mirage -- but that schedule is difficult on them, and their offensive talent at Quarterback and Runningback is clearly inferior to both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Don't forget that they were the 30th ranked D last year and are counting on two veteran D Linemen to switch schemes and fill holes in the same offseason. Oh yeah, their top TWO corners last year -- one was traded to Detroit and one just got a season ending knee injury.

The Bengals are a 9-10 win team with that offense, but with the toughness of that division's schedule, that could take the AFC North, assuming they don't get swept by Pittsburgh. Their defense is likely to rebound from horrible to merely bad, and could improve past that depending on how the young corners develop.

Not sure if it's a surprise, but the Texans should be good for 9-10 wins.

The Cardinals figure to be a 10-11 win team. Leinart should stay healthy this year, and even if he doesn't, Kurt Warner can still handle his spot. That defense projects to be top notch, behind super safety Adrian Wilson (who missed most of last year's 8-8 effort) and franchise player Karlos Dansby. They've also done a great job building the defensive line there, which is both strong and deep.

The Rams should rebound nicely to 7-8 wins, and if Marc Bulger stays healthy, he should be pro bowl bound again.

I think the Bears will win 11 games and take the NFC North. There's no reason to think the defense can't be every bit as good as it was in 05-and-06, and they replaced two giant gaping holes on their offensive line, which should give the whole offense a fighting chance. It should be their best offense of the decade--which really isn't saying that much.