NFC North prediction 2012

by | Aug 31, 2012 | 2012 season

NFC North

The NFC North might have sent three teams to the playoffs last season if not for an injury to Jay Cutler in Chicago. I think those same three teams will be in the mix this year in arguably the league’s most competitive division. I think the Packers keep the regular season crown, but there won’t be as big a gap as there was in 2011 and I don’t expect another Super Bowl run for the green and gold either.

Green Bay Packers: I don’t think Green Bay matches its 15-1 mark from a year ago and I’m not sure I even feel it for a dominant run. The Packers still have some gaping holes in the defensive backfield and I’m surprised the front office didn’t do more in the offseason to address a non-existent run game (Cedric Benson is a stopgap, not an answer). But the passing game is amazing and it’ll be enough to propel the Pack to a division championship.

Chicago Bears: I have been all over Detroit the last two seasons and I still think the Lions have more upside than this year’s Bears. But I love the Cutler-to-Marshall combo and the defense, while aging in some key spots, is still pretty good. This is a veteran team built to win now and it is a playoff team.

Detroit Lions: This still up-and-coming team has some fantastic offensive weapons and I think over the next couple years the Lions will mature into a team that can compete for division championships and playoff runs for several years to come. The offseason police blotter screams immaturity to me and I think those issues will help cause Detroit to fall back to around the .500 mark for one season. There is playoff upside here, but I’m guessing they finish one notch out.

Minnesota Vikings: I like the Vikings’ draft and most of what the team did in the offseason, particularly in putting one person in charge of personnel decisions. That said, this team is still suffering the fallout of going all-in on 2009. While there are some interesting young pieces in place, Minnesota is still the fourth best team in the NFC North and it isn’t close. If the Vikings win six games this year and show improvement it will be a good season.

NFC East prediction 2012

by | Aug 30, 2012 | 2012 season

NFC East

None of the four teams in the East strike me as flawless, but the top three are as tight as any division grouping. The division games are always tricky to pick, but they’ll be key in deciding a championship that likely will come down to the wire again.

New York Giants: It seems like Eli Manning has taken his game to the next level. The offensive skill talent is top notch with Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz and I’m hugely curious to see what David Wilson can add to the run game. I don’t love this pick, but coming off the huge Super Bowl run I say stick with them until they give you a reason not to.

Philadelphia Eagles: Last year was a disappointment but I tend to think the talent will come together this year. If Philly can keep Michael Vick healthy they’ll stick right with the Giants if not overtake them. The defense has to improve. This is one of the harder teams in the NFC to read. I could see them being as good as anyone in the conference or completely imploding again. I’ll start with them here for now.

Dallas Cowboys: In a division as tight as the East, it’s unfortunate that Dallas isn’t going into the season at full strength. Jason Witten likely won’t play in what could be a key game in the opener Wednesday against New York. The wideouts have been hurt. The offensive line is a mess. I think Dallas will get better as the season goes along, but if they start with a couple losses it could be hard to make that up.

Washington Redskins: I am a fan of Robert Griffin and of the team’s move to trade up and get him. Everything I’ve read indicates this team is set at quarterback for a decade. That said, there’s still a talent shortage at other positions. They’re now heading in the right direction but it’ll be another year or two before they are ready to compete for the division.

2012 overvalued fantasy draft picks

by | Aug 29, 2012 | 2012 season, Fantasy Football

We’re in the heart of fantasy football draft week and the countdown to kickoff has begun. My brother and I kicked off our fantasy football draft season last weekend with a 12-team auction and I have my first solo draft of the season tomorrow night.

So I was doing some studying this morning and in doing so, I came across a few postings at Fantasy Football Sportal.com that inspired me to throw together a couple of my own lists. In this one, I look at a handful-or-so of guys I think are being drafted too high. Do you agree? Or am I out of my mind? Let me know your thoughts.

Matt Forte (ADP: 1.10 in 12-team leagues) (more…)

Forte has not earned top-tier money

by | Jul 13, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

I don’t dislike Matt Forte. And I can certainly understand his desire for a long-term contract, given the short span the careers of most running backs.

But as the Monday deadline approaches for franchised players to sign long-term deals, Forte also plays a major role in whether or not this deal gets done. He’s got to look in the mirror and realize the limits to his value.

It’s not that I don’t think he’s a good back. In the open-field he’s exciting to watch and he’ll break incredibly big plays a few times a season. But he reportedly has been citing deals given to Arian Foster and LeSean McCoy when discussing how he wants fair market value and that kind of coin, my friends, he has not earned.

Let’s compare: (more…)

Cousins will do fine in Redskins’ family

by | May 1, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Random Thoughts

Why are people feeling sorry for Kirk Cousins? Why do people think his selection by the Washington Redskins was controversial?

The Redskins thought he was a value in the fourth round so they took him. Cousins may be a backup. Or Robert Griffin III could be a flop. Then Washington has a backup plan in place.

Look no further than 1994, the year Washington drafted both Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte to see that it’s not unheard of for the unheralded guy to end up better than the big shot. Or, as a commenter in a National Football League Post column pointed out, the 1971 draft when the Houston Oilers selected both Dan Pastorini and Lynn Dickey. Both had long careers, but Dickey arguably outperformed Pastorini over the long haul after he got his shot with Green Bay. (more…)

Steelers, Patriots, Browns and maybe Vikings among day one winners

by | Apr 27, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Random Thoughts

Two of the AFC’s long-time powerhouses got better Thursday night, potentially solidifying their chances of chasing yet another Lombardi Trophy in 2012.

New England, in my eyes, retained its standing as the favorites for a repeat shot at the Super Bowl with their maneuverings. Normally more of a threat to trade down, New England got aggressive and jumped up in trying to fill the defensive deficiencies that dogged the team last season.
In landing defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Dont’a Hightower, the Patriots are much better on defense than they were when the day started.

Pittsburgh didn’t have to do any wheeling-and-dealing to win the night. As other teams traded up and down before the Steelers’ pick came up, Stanford guard David DeCastro inexplicably dropped into their laps.

(more…)