Every year, the NFL season produces a few surprises. The 2004 Chargers, 2007 Browns, 2006 Saints, and the 2005 Bucs are all recent examples of teams coming out of nowhere to have a successful season. Every season though there are at least a few teams that looked to be in store for a tremendous season. However, every season one of those "lock" teams seems to fall short. The reasons could be injuries, a tough schedule, or some bad luck. It just seems that every season produces a few teams that fail to live up to their pre-season expectations. I like to call these teams the "Bandwagon Teams." A typical bandwagon team is usual a team that every analyst, reporter, writer, blogger, or ESPN guru loves and predicts a big season for that team. Last year, everyone loved the San Francisco 49ers. Every magazine and website picked the Niners to win the NFC West. Well, we all know what happened. The Niners were a big disappointment and bottomed out at 5-11. Here is a list of my 2008 "Bandwagon Teams" and why it may be hard for these teams to reach expectations.
1) Cleveland Browns: Everyone loves the Browns for this season. Derek Anderson led a big time offensive football team last season and the Browns surprised everybody. All the preseason picks have selected the Browns as the team to knock off the Steelers for the AFC North crown this year. A lot of experts feel that the Browns might be able to challenge the Big 3 (NE, Indy, SD) in the AFC this year. I'm not buying it. Although I think the Browns will be good again offensively, I think it will be hard for them because they are not sneeking up on anyone this year. Look at the schedule: Their division is very hard. Also, their out of division schedule is brutal. They have the AFC South (Indy, Hous, Jax, Tenn), and the NFC East (Dall, NYG, Philly, Wash). I think that they will be very competitive and in all those games, but I think it will be rough road for the Browns this season.
2) San Diego Chargers: I know the Chargers are one of the perennial favorites in the AFC, but a lot people are going to pick them to supplant the Pats and reach the Super Bowl. I don't buy that one bit. First, they can't get by the Pats. The Pats own them. Second, Phillip Rivers is coming off a torn ACL from January, and LT needed offseason surgery as well. I think they played way over their heads in the playoffs last year and made a nice run. I think they will have a hangover from last season, and I think they will start out slow.
3) Arizona Cardinals: The way the Cards played down the stretch last year gave a lot of people hope that the Cards will break out in 2008 and win the NFC West. I wouldn't put too much stock in the Cardinals. I actually think the Rams are more of a threat to Seattle in that division. Look, when you draft Matt Leinart and you are playing Kurt Warner over the kid, that can't be a good thing. I think many people will jump on the Cards bandwagon, but I see more of the same disappointment that Arizona usually provides.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Downtime in the NFL
At this point of the summer, America is wrapped up in barbeques, the beach, and baseball. The NFL season is furthest thing on anyone's mind. However, when you really look at it the NFL season is just around the corner. Before we go into a real in-depth NFL preview, I just wanted to throw out some possible sleepers for the upcoming 2008 campaign.
SLEEPERS:
1) Buffalo Bills- I think the Bills could really surprise some people. They have an easy schedule and a pretty solid defense and running game. If Trent Edwards or JP Losman are somewhat capable, they could steal a few games and end up 10-6.
2) Oakland Raiders: I know that Oakland is an absolute disgrace of an organization, but they have some nice options on offense. The combo of McFadden/Vargas should be able to keep the ground game going, and maybe JaMarcus Russell pulls it together. On paper they look like they can win some games. Plus, the whole easy schedule applies to them as well.
3) Cincinnati Bengals: There defense is awful and the Chad Johnson scenario still needs to be played out off the field, but I have a feeling that this group will be a tough team in 2008. If Chad sucks it up and plays the way he can play, then there offense will be explosive like they always are. They made some nice moves defensively, and maybe they have ridden themselves of all the malcontents that made up their roster. I see them surprising people, but their schedule is a tough one.
SLEEPERS:
1) Buffalo Bills- I think the Bills could really surprise some people. They have an easy schedule and a pretty solid defense and running game. If Trent Edwards or JP Losman are somewhat capable, they could steal a few games and end up 10-6.
2) Oakland Raiders: I know that Oakland is an absolute disgrace of an organization, but they have some nice options on offense. The combo of McFadden/Vargas should be able to keep the ground game going, and maybe JaMarcus Russell pulls it together. On paper they look like they can win some games. Plus, the whole easy schedule applies to them as well.
3) Cincinnati Bengals: There defense is awful and the Chad Johnson scenario still needs to be played out off the field, but I have a feeling that this group will be a tough team in 2008. If Chad sucks it up and plays the way he can play, then there offense will be explosive like they always are. They made some nice moves defensively, and maybe they have ridden themselves of all the malcontents that made up their roster. I see them surprising people, but their schedule is a tough one.
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