Surprise teams in '09?

I can't remember Chicago's record, but w/Cutler they will be interesting to watch. Cutler to Hester might be deadly. Hester is becoming a decent wr.

Broncos! Now that they have got a more balanced attack - they will be the surprise, simply because the media is crucifying Pat Bowlen and McDaniels. They won't be as high flying, but in their division, all they need is to be consistent. Oakland and KC also have a good shot at being the shock, but Denver will end up being the AFCW division winner.

(this was for you freddy :) )

NFC: Schwartz-led Lions (roar!)
AFC: a reconstituted KC

I would have said the Skins and the Jets but they would not be surprising enough

The funny thing is, I think there are only 11 teams that would consitute a "surprise" if they were still playing in January:

Jets
Bills
Bengals
Browns
Chiefs
Broncos
Raiders
Bucs
Lions
Rams
49ers

I mean, that leaves 21 legitimate contenders for 12 spots. It's probable that one of the teams above could sneak in, probably by virtue of winning a weak division (Lions?), but aren't all the other teams expecting to make a run this year.

I think, nationally speaking, the team that is probably the most underrated based on the indicators that suggest winning is likely the Redskins. So perhaps you could say that we ARE the surprise team. But if you've been paying attention at all this offseason, it's going to be hard to get surprised.

I change my pick to the Lions, on the possibility that the Bears, Vikings, and Packers could all suck this year.

Bucs have the same opportunity, as the Saints figure to be good, but on the off chance that Williams misses badly with that defense (i.e. lacks the personnel), the Bucs are going to be right there at the end of the year to clean up.

So there, I've picked half the league.

Bears
Texans
Saints

I think the Seahawks bounce back and grab a bye in the first round.

I think, much to everyone's surprise, the Titans and Broncos will finish last in their respective divisions

Denver bombing wouldn't surprise me, in fact if they win more than 6 that would be the real surprise.

It's difficult to pick one; I have quite few in my mind such as Saints and Texans.. If Gregg could do same thing with Saints' defense like he did with ours then Saints would have no excuse but to go all the way to SB.. Texans Houstons appears to have everything finally falling in right places, but it all depends on Schuab's durability.. If Schuab is able to play through out the season then Texans should have good season..

Once again, Saints and Texans wouldn't be much of surprise teams since we are expecting them to..

I think Jets might be the surprise team..