NFL NUGGETS : Hits, misses of predicting the NFL
Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008
When making my NFL preseason predictions, it’s always hit or miss. A lot of times, I miss more than I hit. Anyway, here’s some truths and lies from my 2007 preseason division previews. Enjoy.
NFC East The truth: “ With Terry Glenn, Terrell Owens, and Jason Witten to throw to, and Julius Jones and Marion Barber to hand off to, [QB Tony ] Romo should have plenty of help moving the ball this season. ” Dallas fielded the league’s third-ranked offense (365. 7 ypg ) in 2007. The lie: “ Some have more faith in the Giants than I do, but I think their fussin ’ and feudin ’ ways are going to catch up with them big time this year. ” I actually picked the Giants to finish last in the NFC East. I’m just stupid. NFC West The truth: “ I’m not picking the Arizona Cardinals again to make the playoffs. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me eight times... I’m an idiot. ” And the Cards didn’t make the playoffs again. At 8-8, they did get close. The lie: “ Now 49 ers fans are glad they didn’t give up on [QB Alex ] Smith. ” OK, now fans can give up on Alex Smith. He’s not... great.
NFC North The truth: “[Adrian ] Peterson has the body and skill to become an elite back in the NFL. The question is will he stay healthy enough to help the Vikings in a late-season push ?” The rookie from Oklahoma showed that he’s one of the most explosive runners to come along in a while. Peterson did get banged up down the stretch as the Vikings made a late playoff push. The lie: “ Defense and special teams will again carry Chicago to the division crown this season. ” Chicago’s defense fell to a woeful 28 th (354. 7 yapg ) in 2007. The Bears finished last in the division and didn’t make the playoffs.
NFC South The truth: “ I can’t imagine any scenario where I’d rather have Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski or Luke McCown in the game over [QB Jeff ] Garcia. He’s head-and-shoulders better than any of those ham-and-eggers. ” Garcia had the seventhbest passer rating in the league while leading the Bucs to the NFC South title. The lie: “ I like the Saints to pass, catch, run and kick their way to the Super Bowl this season. ” They couldn’t even pass, catch, run and kick their way into the playoffs.
AFC East The truth: “ Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s going to be any stopping the Patriots this year. All the other teams can hope for is some kind of Randy Moss team-deflating meltdown. And I don’t see that happening. ” Not much needs to be said here. New England is simply the best. Jerks. The lie: “ Adam Sandleresque J. P. Losman took a big step in the right direction for the Bills last season, and he’s unquestionably the man under center now. ” And now he’s unquestionably the man who wants to be traded. AFC West The truth: “ The San Diego Chargers will win the AFC West going away. ” After a slow start, talentrich Chargers waltzed away with the division crown at 11-5. Denver (7-9 ), Oakland (4-12 ) and Kansas City (4-12 ) didn’t get close. The lie: “ Finally, Herm Edwards came to his senses and announced that Damon Huard would be the Chiefs ’ starter going into the season. ” Huard was ineffective for the first half of the season, and didn’t play much during the Chiefs’ nine-game losing streak to end the season. AFC North The truth: “ The main question in Cincinnati remains the Bengals ’ defense. ” Yep, the Bengals were 27 th in the NFL in yards allowed, submarining their 10 thranked offense. The lie: “ The Browns may be headed in the right direction, but it probably won’t show up this season. ” Cleveland was one of the league’s surprise teams, finishing 9-7 and barely missing the playoffs.
AFC South The truth: “ There was little difference between the Colts and Patriots last season. While New England got better in the offseason, Indy stood pat at best. ” The Colts got booted from the playoffs in their first outing, while New England is playing for the championship and a perfect season. The lie: “ Vince Young won’t need the Madden Curse to keep him out of the playoffs this year. ” With no playmakers at receiver, the Titans looked cursed at times this season. It still couldn’t keep Young from rallying his team into the final AFC wild-card spot. By the way, it’s absolute genius that Tennessee’s brass got rid of every decent receiver they had, then fired offensive coordinator Norm Chow when Young didn’t progress this year. Front office guys can be so... smart. Joe West is the assistant sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.
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