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AFC EAST BUFFALO MIAMI-While teams are measured on their playoff performance, the Dolphins are easily the best team in the AFC. With Fiedler's continued maturity, Zach Thomas' defense, and the addition of Ricky Williams, they should be leading the pack when they hit New England in October. With an easy schedule, this game will be a decisive game as to whether Miami is working to enter as a division champ or wildcard in the 2002 playoffs. Will win at least 9 games. Good bet opening weekend at Detroit. NEW ENGLAND N.Y. JETS 
NORTH BALTIMORE CINCINNATI CLEVELAND PITTSBURGH-I have no doubt that 2002-2003 will be another big year for Bill Cowher. They are truly one of my favorite teams to watch. Having found 'The Bus' and Ma'afala to be one of the most potent and exciting tandems in 2001, the experience of the New England loss may be the last ingredient Stewart needs to command Ward and Burgess to an AFC Championship this year. With a tough schedule outside their division, they will need all-star performances from Kirkland and Bell to keep games close. With a shortened division, 11 wins should be a breeze. Good bet opening weekend at New England with the points (quite possibly the first Tease of the year). 
SOUTH HOUSTON INDIANAPOLIS JACKSONVILLE TENNESSEE WEST DENVER KANSAS CITY OAKLAND SAN DIEGO-Only two hours from L.A., San Diego is our only real chance to experience LIVE NFL action. Unfortunately, it looks like it will be another year of visits to watch opposing teams. The Chargers have a unique mix of aging veterans in Flutie and Seau, an who could be great book ends for a stong, willing offense of defense. Neither exist here in the young Tomlinson or the unkown defensive squad. I am going out on a limb here that defenses are not shakin' in their boots to face Curtis Conway or Nate Turner. Schottenheimer will do everything he can to win six games this year. Cincinnati will not contribute to this total on opening day. |
NFC EAST DALLAS N.Y. GIANTS PHILADELPHIA-Anybody who loves the NFL, and watched last year's battle at Soldier's Field must agree that this team will once again be an NFC title contender. One of the offensive powerhouses, McNabb, Thrash, and Pinkston will hammer opposing defenses. The question once again, can Staley maintain a healthy running attack (having already lost Buckhalter to injury) Can Westbrook pick up the slack. The defense seems to be adjusting the loss of Trotter to cross-town rival Washington, and Whiting and Dawkins are expected to stand- up and take down offenses. Philadelphia will be making a run at 11 victories this year. We will know early on with a big openeer at Tennessee. WASHINGTON-If you were looking for a postive outlook on the Redskins, then you better find a site that is not run by a long-time Tennessee Volunteer fan. This season's losing ways will be quite enjoyable to watch. Spurrier will be counting on the likes of Wuerffel and Matthews, 2nd and 3rd-string quarterbacks at best, to command victory. While an outstanding peformer, Stephen Davis will be frustrated, and thrown out-of-sync, by an offense that will become heavily dependent on a deep passing attack. Fortunately, their aging defense of Armstead, Green, and Smith will only be tested by weak offenses like Arizona, New York, and Dallas. Of course, the frozen Philadelphia turf will definitely convince Spurrier that he is not in Florida anymore. They will be lucky to win 6 games. Opening day at Arizona should be quite a fiasco. NORTH CHICAGO-For those of us bred in Chicago, last year had a such a sweet taste. With a run like theirs, the remodel of Chicago Stadium could not have come at a worse time. No football fan can deny the excitement in watching Urlacher crush defensive schemes, while Big Cat Williams and Anthony Thomas run over opposing defenses. The real question: Can the aging Miller stay healthy, and reproduce last year's epic perfomances. If so, a run at the NFC will be in the cards. If not, fans will be frustrated nationwide watching Chris Chandler attempt to run an another offense as the back-up. Another year facing the infamous thorn of the Green Bay Packers. With the Bears repeated opening day stumbles at Minnesota, you will definitely want to hit them as a 'Tease' on opening day if you are gettin' on the bandwagon at all. 10 victories come easy this season - anymore could be tough. DETROIT-For those of us in Pac-10 territory, we know that the Texans misjudged when they took Carr over Harrington. This guy has a gun and a will to win. Do not expect this team to linger in the basement this year. Az-Zahir Hakim offers him a prime target, and Schlesinger the protection to work. The question will now be how does this rag-tag defense keep opposing offenses of the field, and offer Harrington a chance to work. GREEN BAY MINNESOTA SOUTH ATLANTA CAROLINA NEW ORLEANS TAMPA BAY-Call me crazy! but I think the Bucs are cursed by Doug Williams and their horrible original tangerine jerseys. Another year of major turnovers at every key position will prove troublesome for Gruden, who will find his cool exterior trusted at every turn. They will attempt to rely yet again on Warren Sapp in a division that will be test a defense's corners at every opportunity. While the new double threat of Jurevicius is appealing, nobody is ever sure which Keyshawn will show up (translation: he is no Jerry Rice); this could once again too much pressure on Alstott and Pittman to be heroes instead of closers. They should be able to squeeze out their regular 9 wins. Waiting on my pick versus New Olreans for the moment.
WEST ARIZONA ST. LOUIS SAN FRANCISCO- If you are a repeat offender to the site, you know that I am always willing to gamble on the Niners. 'Course that was when Mariucci was a committed member of the squad. There seems to be no reason, especially with the additon of Seattle and Arizona to the division, that they should not hit the playoffs as a championship contender. The balanced offense of Garcia, Hearts, and Owens will once again prove to be a handful for opposing defenses. The question will be the strength of their defense to stop Denver, Washington, and St. Louis in the opening month of the season. Will win at least 9 games. Good bet opening at home versus N.Y. Giants. SEATTLE-Ego is a very powerful element in professional sports. Forget about Holmgren's obsession with quarterbacks, and finding the next Favre (which we know to be impossible), his arrogance will once again be the largest hurdle for Seattle Fans. By trading away Watters' experience, he is putting all his eggs in Dilfer's basket (Brock Huard is definitely not bringing home a Super Bowl championship as a team leader). While Seattle should walk over Arizona, San Francisco and St. Louis will make the ol' AFC West look like a walk in the park. Will struggle to make the .500 mark. Look to the hard-hitting Oakland defense and crowd to have Seattle chasing its first victory in week 2.
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