Team with big expectations most likely to implode in '10?

I think the Broncos losing Elway could hurt more

Nah, that Portis kid should pick up where Terrell Davis left off. A decade from now, he and Shanahan will still be running over defenses together.

The Cowboys aren't really deserving of the hype, but what else is new? I do think they are going to beat a lot of pessimistic projections for their battered OL, winning some close games against weaker teams to reach 9 or 10 wins, but that doesn't sound like a team ticketed for the super bowl.

As bright as I think the future is for McCarthy's Packers, people are WAY overboard on the Aaron Rodgers love these days. Not only is he being mentioned as one of the top five QBs in the game today (a bit premature, but not that outlandish), but some are talking about him as an all time great. A mediocre record for the Packers and another season w/o a playoff victory will help keep his rise in context.

The Texans and 49ers are getting a lot of love for teams that haven't been good in the last seven years. If you're looking to bet against hype, gambling against teams that don't ever win is a good place to start. The Raiders also fall into this category, but there's more substance there than in either Houston or San Francisco. They just don't know how to use it. I don't think they will, but if they ever figure it out...they could actually be a force in the AFC playoffs. Until that day, it's probably the status quo for them.

I'm not sure what T.O. did to make everyone forget how unlikely the Bengals were to return to the playoffs in THAT division, but it was quite the slight of hand.

And finally, I agree with everyone on the Jets. This year's team is a lot like last year's team, which means 7-9 wins. This year's AFC is not like last years, where that many wins somehow resulted in a playoff berth (well, at least for non-AFC West teams).

Minnesota Minnesota and Minnesota with Dallas not too far behind.

I think the Broncos losing Elway could hurt more

I was thinking the same thing. LMAO :laughing2

Yeah Leinart looked shakey and DA looked like, well DA. But it's still early. Leinart seems like he just needs to get some confidence going.

I wonder just how much confidence the Cardinals organization have ever really had in Leinart. I thought when Bulger became expendable they would have made a play for him. In the event Leinart falters completely, I thought Bulger would have been a good fit there. They need a qb that can consistently get the ball to their playmakers.

Once they get John Skelton into their starting lineup, Cards will be just fine :)

I thought the Cards would be good enough with Leinart being a game manager, and Beanie Wells' career taking off to compete for the division title. After seeing Leinart (and Anderson) on Monday night I'm less confidentOL is bad, Leinart and Anderson are both bad. Cards will be a middle of the road team. I'm buying SF to win the division. Cards are lucky they're in the NFC West. They'd be sub-.500 in any other division.

And if they struggle early and are 2-6 or so at mid-season I'd put Skelton in.

Yeah Cards are going to be average this season atbest. Biggest disappointment is going to be the Vikings. Favre won't last a month I bet, plus look at the WR corp now. AP had a nice year last season, but not like his hot rookie year. If Favre has nobody to throw to the defenses can just load up in the box for the run. Dallas seems to lose a lineman a week so far in the preseason. I think Romo is going down also.

I would love nothing more than to watch the Cowpukes go up like Atlanta in Sherman's March to the Sea.

I also think the Vikes are vulnerable.

I'm going with Cowboys...way-way-way hyped up and overrated. I will not be shocked if they finish 8-8. Teams like the Cowboys have no business talking Super Bowl...no business.

I don't get the hype around Dallas to be all world, but I think they'll make the playoffs, so I dont know if that means they "implode"...

I'd go with the Vikings though.