NFL Predictions, Part I
Over the next four days, Nate and I will be making a series of predictions for the upcoming NFL season. This is not a preview. There is already lots of in-depth coverage available to fans on the upcoming year, and Nate and I are lazy, so we stuck to short and sweet predictions. It's easier to provide content and discuss actual specifics in the comments, so that is what we'll be aiming for (and looking at some of our predictions, I already have plenty to say). Today we will set the table with some preliminary questions and answers. Tuesday we will have our division predictions. Wednesday we will predict award winners and league leaders. And on Thursday, we will make our predictions for the playoffs, including the Superbowl.
Who were the 5 biggest off-season acquisitions in the AFC?
Andy: Daunte Culpepper (Dolphins), Javon Walker (Broncos), Adam Vinatieri (Colts), Willie McGinest (Browns), Kevin Mawae (Titans)
Nate: Daunte Culpepper (Dolphins), Ty Law (Chiefs), Adam Vinatieri (Colts), Steve McNair (Titans), Jeb Putzier (Texans)
Which 3 teams are on the rise in the AFC?
Andy: Tennessee Titans, Houstan Texans, Miami Dolphins
Nate: Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs
Which 3 teams are on the decline in the AFC?
Andy: San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs
Nate: New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans
Which 3 players are going to have breakout seasons in the AFC?
Andy: Joseph Addai (Colts), Ronnie Brown (Dolphins), Chris Chambers (Dolphins)
Nate: Joseph Addai (Colts), Matt Jones (Jaguars), Derrick Johnson (Chiefs)
Who were the 5 biggest off-season acquisitions in the NFC?
Andy: Edgerrin James (Cardinals), Maake Kemoeatu (Panthers), Terrell Owens (Cowboys), Drew Brees (Saints), Donté Stallworth (Eagles)
Nate: Terrell Owens (Cowboys), Edgerrin James (Cardinals), Drew Brees (Saints), Nate Burleson (Seahawks), Donté Stallworth (Eagles)
Which 3 teams are on the rise in the NFC?
Andy: Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals
Nate: Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals
Which 3 teams are on the decline in the NFC?
Andy: Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons
Nate: Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons
Which 3 players are going to have breakout seasons in the NFC?
Andy: Reggie Bush (Saints), AJ Hawk (Packers), Roy Williams (Lions)
Nate: Nate Burleson (Seahawks), Matt Leinart (Cardinals), Reggie Bush (Saints)
Which player were you the most happy about getting in your fantasy draft?
Andy: Larry Johnson (1st Round)
Nate: Matt Hasselbeck (3rd Round)
Which team will first have one of its players arrested for a major felony?
Andy: Cincinnati Bengals
Nate: Cincinnati Bengals
Who will start a regular season game first, Vince Young or Matt Leinart?
Andy: Matt Leinart
Nate: Matt Leinart
Which head coach will be fired first?
Andy: Dick Jauron (Bills)
Nate: Jeff Fisher (Titans)
Who will be on the cover of Madden 2008?
Andy: Reggie Bush
Nate: Larry Johnson
posted by andy grabia @ 3:09 PM
2 long time listeners, first time callers
2 Comments:
I'll get the ball rolling on the specifics. Initial thoughts:
1) Some of these questions are hard to quantify. In particular, what qualifies as a "team on the decline" or "breakout season?" You can see each in a multitude of ways. That being said, I don't understand Nate's choice for Tennessee as a "team on the decline". They drafted Vince Young and LenDale White, have solid players in Billy Volek, Drew Bennett, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Pacman Jones, and Chris Brown, picked up David Givens, Kevin Mawae, Chris Hope and Kerry Collins in the offseason, and have excellent coaching in Jeff Fisher and Norm Chow. How can a team that has made those improvements, and who were 4-12 last season, be on the decline?
2) I'm worried that my top two choices for "teams on the decline" are the Patriots and the Chiefs, and yet my top two choices in my fanatsy draft were Larry Johnson and Tom Brady. God I hope I'm wrong.
3) I want to qualify my "team with the first felon" prediction by saying that if Marcus Vick on the Dolphin's practice roster counts, I'm going with Miami as my pick.
4) Even Ray Childress won't be able to stop the bleeding in Minnesota.
How can a team that has made those improvements, and who were 4-12 last season, be on the decline?
I just think that they are still in a building phase. I don't think they will start to rise dramatically this season, but the future does bode well for them. I guess I was looking at the rise or fall to occur in this season. They may make it to 5-6 wins this season, but are still on the decline until their young talent starts to develop (if they ever develop).
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