NFL Division Outlook
James's Division Outlook
Baseball
NFL Football
Basketball
(updated 7/13)
This is how I see the division and playoff races rounding out next season. These rankings will of course change by the time the season rolls around. I'll update these standings after any major trades, signings, injuries, etc. that happen (and the draft of course). Check back often to see any changes that occur.
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NFC East
1. New York Giants (10-6)
Eli Manning is a great player. He'll continue to improve, and the supporting cast is there as well. The defense is solid. So why do the Giants only scrape up 10 wins? The Offensive line. They need improvements and they don't seem to want to admit it.
Key Weaknesses: That O-line. It'll kill the team this year. If the G-men don't make it deep into the playoffs, this will be the only reason why.
2. Dallas Cowboys (10-6)
The team has a ton of talent. For some reason I just don't see them pulling off the games they need to. T.O. will definately hurt their locker room and as a result, they'll only win 10 games.
Key Weaknesses: None on the field, but T.O.'s mouth off the field is a major weakness.
3. Washington Redskins (9-7)
Dan Snyder just doesn't seem to get it. He throws more and more money at this team and it never seems to work. So how does he solve the problem? Throw more money at the problems the next year. The team will be good, but not good enough to make the playoffs.
Key Weaknesses: Quarterback. Mark Brunell is good, but is he really good enough to win a Super Bowl? I don't think so.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)
This team proved last year that they need T.O. to be a factor anywhere. Without that great wide reciever, Donavan McNabb is no longer able to carry a team.
Key Weaknesses: Age. The players on the team are getting old. They need some youth to be infused into the offense and defense before this team can compete again.
NFC North
Chicago Bears (11-5)
The Bears are easily the best team in the NFC. The defense is incredible but I dont know that the offense can score enough points to go all the way.
Key Weaknesses: Wide reciever and tight end. Whoever it is playing quarterback next year needs some weapons to throw to. Yes, Mushin Mohammad is a great player, but teams can shut him down if there isn't anyone else respectable on the field.
2. Minnesotta Vikings (9-7)
The Vikings will be good, but is Brad Johnson the answer? Who is he going to throw to? This offense is not the juggernaut it once was.
Key Weaknesses: Wide reciever. Brad Johnson proved last year he can be decent enough as quarterback, but how good is he going to be if there isn't anyone to throw the ball to?
3. Detroit Lions (6-10)
The offense will be great under Mike Martz, but this Lions team just doesn't seem to want to win. What makes you think that the hype will be lived up to this year? I seem to recall a lot of hype last year, and where did that get them?
Key Weaknesses: The secondary. They desperately need ball hawks and playmakers in the secondary. Hell, I'm sure Detroit fans would settle for someone who won't get burned by everybody in the league.
4. Green Bay Packers (4-12)
As much as they say they can move on and Favre's inability to decide isn't hurting the team, it is. He's using valuable salary cap space and they're in limbo waiting to find out if they should rebuild or try to win now. He's killing the team, and whatever he decides, the Packers struggle this year because of it.
Key Weaknesses: I never thought I'd say it, but Brett Favre is the worst thing going to the Packers right now. They'd be much better off without him this year.
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
Michael Vick will be Michael Vick. The running game will be there. The defense will be better. That's all I can say for sure. This divison will beat up on each other, but look for these teams to go deep, I believe that this divison is the best in the NFC.
Key Weaknesses: Wide Reciever. They need a playmaker to catch the ball. It will really open up MIchael Vick's possibilities if they can acquire a legitimate deep threat somewhere.
2. Carolina Panthers (9-7)
The Panthers are a great team, but unfortunately they play in the toughest division in the NFC. As a result their record is way lower than it should be. This team is stacked everywhere, but they just don't seem to be able to win the big games late in the year.
Key Weaknesses: Linebacker. They need some depth at linebacker to add to that rotation. Other than that this team is very very good.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
This is officially the best 8-8 team ever. This is a team that could very easily win 12-13 games.
Key Weaknesses: Wide reciever/Tight End. Chris Sims needs some good guys to throw to. That's all thre is to sayabout it.He need somewhere to throw the ball.
4. New Orleans Saints (3-13)
This team needs a ton of help everywhere. They'll need to do well in this draft and then make a nice pick in next year's draft or they'll be bad for a looooong time.
Key Weaknesses: O-line/defense. This team has holes all through the defense and o-line. There's no way they'll be competitive this year. There's simply too many holes.
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks (11-5)
The defending NFC champs will be back at it again. Shaun Alexander will lead this team to the NFC West title again this year.
Key Weaknesses: Wide reciever. Drops, drops, drops. That's why this team isn't the favorite to win the Super Bowl.
2. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
The Cardinals will be a much much better team. They had the best statistical passing offense in the NFL last year. The problem: the worst running game by far in the league. Edgerrin James will fix that. Look for the Cardinals to compete.
Key Weaknesses: Defensive line. This D-line needs to get some more talent before this team can be a force. All they have to do is create pressure on the QB and this team will be going deep into the playoffs.
3. St. Louis Rams (8-8)
The Rams just can't compete without a defense. They lost all of their 1st round defensive picks from the last few years this offseason. It's going to kill them this year.
Key Weaknesses: Defensive line and secondary. They made all those picks the last few years in the draft and just when the defense is getting to be respectable, they all sign elsewhere as free agents. I guess it's time to start over from scratch.
4. San Francisco 49ers (5-11)
This team is light years away from competing. They have a young QB who needs grooming and nothing on offense to be excited about. Eric Johnson is your best offensive player? That's pathetic.
Key Weaknesses: Anywhere on offense other than TE and QB. They need help everywhere. Enough said. This offense is just plain bad.
NFC Playoffs
1. Chicago Bears
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. New York Giants
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Arizona Cardinals
6. Dallas Cowboys
Round 1 - New York def Dalls, Arizona def Atlanta
Round 2 - Arizona def Chicago, Seattle def New York
AFC Championship - Seattle def Arizona
Super Bowl - Pittsburgh def Seattle
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