NFL division-by-division breakdown

This is a story I am pretty sure I forgot to post. Looks like i was off, but might as weel post it. This story was done before the season began.

Is this the year that the Texans and Titans take out the Colts in the AFC South? Will San Diego fall back to the pack in the AFC West? Will last year’s worst NFC South team be the best like the past few years? Lets go over the NFL divisions.

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have won the Division five out of the last six years. Will their two big holdouts, Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeil, prevent them from winning the division? Maybe not, but it will be closer than most think.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

After the Chargers it’s a crapshoot. The Chiefs are young and inexperienced but they have talent throughout the roster. They are probably a year or two away from actually pushing the Chargers for division dominance, but they will be intriguing.

3. Denver Broncos

The Broncos made some confusing moves, from trading All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall to drafting developmental quarterback Tim Tebow in the first round. They drafted well, but I doubt they even play .500 this year.

4. Oakland Raiders

The funny thing is, I loved most of their moves this offseason. The Raiders didn’t sign and ridiculous free agents or draft poorly, like usual. It seems that someone hid owner Al Davis in the basement. They may not be great, but have a surprisingly brighter future now.

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts

Indy has won 12 games every year since 2003, and that shouldn’t change for at least this season. The Colts have some stiff competition this year, but then again, they have Peyton Mannning.

2. Tennessee Titans

The offense will run over everyone with Chris Johnson and Vince Young, but will their passing game be better than average? There are talks that the Redskins are trying to trade Albert Haynesworth back to the Titans, which will help their questionable defense.

3. Houston Texans

I wanted to put the Texans a spot higher, but just couldn’t do it. Their offense will be an aerial display, but do they have a good running back? Houston’s defense should be ok with studs on the line and their linebacking core being one of the best, but can they stop Peyton and the Colts passing game?

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

The poor Jags. No one watches them, and they could even be moved in a year or two out of Florida. Their offense has weapons but David Garrard isn’t a starting quarterback anymore. The defense looks pathetic compared to the Jags defense of three years ago.

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens

Their secondary is banged up, but the front seven and offense should make up for that until Ed Reed comes off the PUP list. It is funny how the Ravens are considered and offensive team now though. And to top it off, they just signed T.J. Houshmanzadeh.

2. Cincinnati Bengals

They have a better defense than offense surprisingly, but don’t expect the Bengals to not score points. Carson Palmer has weapons around him again, and not just TO and Ochocino.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

It hurts me to put them down here, but I think they have been passed up now. The Steelers always could win the Super Bowl but this probably is just not their year.

4. Cleveland Browns

Pathetic all around. Don’t expect them to even be a five game winner.

AFC East

1. New England Patriots

Their defense looks weak now, but Bill Belichick will work his usual magic and have a great defense. The Pats offense won’t have much of a running game, but Tom Brady has a seemingly unlimited amount of talent and weapons to throw too.

2. New York Jets

I had Miami higher than the Jets until cornerback Darrell Revis signed his extension. They won’t be as good as the media and fans are making them out to be, but they will sure win a lot of games.

3. Miami Dolphins

They could get a wildcard berth or they could win the division. They disappointed last year after their magnificent rise to the top two years ago, but expect Bill Parcells to have this team dominating oppopnents.

4. Buffalo Bills

See Cleveland, Seattle and St. Louis.

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers

The Cardinals lost Kurt Warner and could fall apart as a franchise. Now it’s the Niners turn to dominate the division. Last year they swept the division but got off to such a slow start that they couldn’t recover. This year they will look great.

2. Arizona Cardinals

As I said before, they Lost Warner. Expect a big slide. The Cards still have a lot of talented pieces but now this team just looks like any other average team.

3. Seattle Seahawks

I would probably have them as the worst team in their division but they just aren’t as bad as the Rams, yet. I’ll give Pete Carroll some lee way for now, but they need more talent… everywhere.

4. St. Louis Rams

Ladies and gentlemen, here is your worst team in the NFL. They are absolutely pathetic. They are littered full of busts and even drafts Sam “Bustford.” Prepare for a very very long season.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints

They just won the Super Bowl, so no way am I not giving them the top spot in their own division. Expect another deep playoff run.

2. Atlanta Falcons

They didn’t perform up to their abilities as they did two years ago. But this year, expect them to be a top ten team in the NFL. Matt Ryan Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner all could have monstrous seasons.

3. Carolina Panthers

When does the Jimmy Clausen era begin? They could be good this season, but I will take the under on 8 wins this year.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I loved Tampa’s draft this year and will be good faster after that draft. They are talented at a lot of positions, but extremely young and inexperienced. Give them three or four years.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers is great. Plain and simple. He has weapons, an improved line and all the talent in the world. He is now the best QB in the division and is in the conversation for the best in the league.

2. Minnesota Vikings

They have injuries everywhere on offense, but could go 10-6 still. They will be talked about as Super Bowl contenders but Bret Favre doesn’t have that much left in the overrated tank.

3. Chicago Bears

They might be good, but they look like the Jags. Have talent, but won’t play up to their abilities. Plus they are in a tough division so they have no chance.

4. Detroit Lions

If it weren’t for the defense and O-Line I would rank them higher than the Bears. They have nice skill players, a nice young QB and a great D-Line, but their O-Line and back seven on their defense are putrid.

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys

Football’s best division. All four teams could go 8-8 but the Cowboys are by far the top team in terms of talent and performance. With a dangerous offense and a stopping defense, we could be looking at the NFL’s first hosting team in the Super Bowl.

2. New York Giants

It comes down to health for them. They always are a threat to be the best team in the league but injuries killed the Giants last year. With everyone apparently healthy, anticipate a great year from the New York football Giants.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

They are like most average teams. Good in a lot of areas but I just cant seem to give them a chance at playoff contention. They have a lot of youth, inexperience and question marks but they will still be better than the Redskins.

4. Washington Redskins

The Redskins traded for Donovan McNabb, but I still don’t see them having a big year. Their defense is good, but they have no offensive weapons and a sorry O-Line. They have a chance but I’m betting a 7-9 record is their ceiling.