NFC South Preview

by Zoneblitz Staff | Sep 5, 2015 | 2015 season, I Said, He Said, NFL Random Thoughts

Andy: I largely yawn at the prospects of writing much up on this division. Carolina won it last year at 7-8-1 and I don’t see enough improvement from any team to truly make a dent in the playoffs. I think it’s possible that the Panthers, minus Kevin Benjamin, and the Saints, minus Jimmy Graham, Kenny Stills, Junior Gallette and others might be worse than they were in 2014. The Bucs are probably better than they were, but that’s hard not to do coming off a 2-14 season and the number one overall pick. Atlanta … who the hell knows.

Tony: Let’s try to look at the positive for once—this was one of the most competitive divisions in football in 2015, with three of the four teams fighting for that coveted playoff spot heading into the final weeks of the season. What more could you ask for?

Oh, you want at least one of them to finish above .500? Well, aren’t you asking a lot. (more…)

NFC North Preview

by Zoneblitz Staff | Sep 4, 2015 | 2015 season, I Said, He Said, NFL Random Thoughts

Andy: I was thinking the drama in the NFC North was primarily going to be for second place and a possible wild card berth this season – and then Jordy Nelson tore his ACL.

I still think Green Bay has to be considered the team to beat. They’ve still got Aaron Rodgers and a lot of additional offensive weapons, but Detroit’s offense looks great and the Vikings appear to have a lot of upside this year too.

Tony: What, no love for the Bears? I mean, any team that is led by Jay Cutler has a chance…to be very, very bad. I mean, when Martellus Bennett starts spouting off about whether or not you’re a leader—and it’s not even the regular season—well, that’s a team that’s got some problems. As a fantasy owner that inexplicably invested heavily in Cutler last season…well, I’m almost over it. However, as a Vikings fan, that’s a beautiful thing to see.

The only thing that would be nicer to see? If it were the Packers. I mean, you never wish injuries on someone—not even your biggest rival. Well, maybe when you’re playing them, and you want to see your All-Pro Defensive Tackle snap their All-Pro Quarterback with a record game streak in half … but other than that, never. But when it happens…it’d be nice if it didn’t feel like they already had one or two guys waiting in the wings to take their place. I mean, if all the pundits are right about Davante Adams, and Ty Montgomery can slide into the #3 spot…well, next year we might be asking “Jordy who?”

Andy: I’m not sure those guys are going to make fans forget Jordy, but it does speak to the skills Ted Thompson has in assembling teams. I think the Packers are still a notch better than any other team in the division. (more…)

NFC West Preview

by Zoneblitz Staff | Sep 3, 2015 | 2015 season, I Said, He Said, NFL Random Thoughts

Andy: I’ve thought the last couple years that the NFC’s two strongest teams came from the NFC West. I still feel that way, though one of the participants has changed.

I still think the Seahawks are the class of the division. The offensive line took a hit in trading Max Unger to New Orleans, but the offense overall should get a boost from the presence of Jimmy Graham. The defense should still be top notch.

After that, I think the Cardinals – if Carson Palmer stays healthy – have jumped San Francisco and they look to me like a real contender.

Tony: I’m not disagreeing that the Seahawks are still the class of the division—or that the offense might get a boost from Graham—but overall, I think Graham’s numbers suffer in Seattle, more than he brings up their offense. Experts targeting Russell Wilson as the #2 or #3 QB just baffle me—3,500 yards and 20 TDs last year do not suddenly jump to 4,500 and 30 TD just because Graham is in town. Their leading TE last year saw 44 targets and 22 catches for 3 TDs, and the team had 525 rushing attempts. Unless they reduce Beast Mode’s workload, I would expect Graham to see about 90 targets, 65 catches, 750 yards and 7 touchdowns this year—not bad for a TE, but not up to his standards.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, did jump the 49ers last season and remain second in the division—more by default, though, than by anything they’ve done. Yes, signing Mike Iupati was a solid move, and they are getting Carson Palmer back. But can he stay healthy? Can Andre Ellington stay healthy? Can David or Chris Johnson do anything if/when Ellington misses some time? Does the loss of Todd Bowles hurt the defense significantly? (more…)