|
AFC East |
| Tom Marino says... |
Chris Steuber says... |
1. Patriots
2. Bills
3. Jets
4. Dolphins |
1. Patriots
2. Jets
3. Bills
4. Dolphins |
Tom: Expect Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to move on after
another run at the Super Bowl. New England has an outstanding defense, but their
secondary play is still a concern. In Buffalo, a key injury on either side of
the ball could spell doom for the Bills. Quarterback J.P. Losman gives them an
edge over the rest in a weak division. The Jets' surprise finish last year is
not likely to be repeated. Quarterback woes and the injury to running back
Thomas Jones don't paint a pretty picture. Miami simply appears to be seriously
out-manned and overmatched. Head coach Cam Cameron will quickly find that his
offensive system is not as high-powered without LaDainian Tomlinson.
Chris: The Patriots are ready to make another run at the
Lombardi Trophy. Quarterback Tom Brady finally has weapons on offense and you
can imagine how easy he will make things look this year. The Jets are close, but
they’re not ready to take on New England yet. The Bills are improved, but
still a few years away. The Dolphins, well, they have a nice defense.
|
AFC North |
| Tom Marino says... |
Chris Steuber says... |
1. Ravens
2. Bengals
3. Steelers
4. Browns |
1. Ravens
2. Bengals
3. Steelers
4. Browns |
Tom: The Ravens aren't flashy, but their veteran defense and
quarterback Steve McNair give them the edge in the competitive AFC North. With
Cincinnati, you have to wonder if off-the-field distractions will continue to
impact this talented squad? Their offensive line's play and depth are also major
concerns. The new coaching staff in Pittsburgh wants to change the
character of this ball-control offense and play-defense-like-hell football club.
Huh? As for the Browns, update those resumes boys, the game is over. The
price for trading up this year to grab quarterback Brady Quinn might well end up
being Arkansas running back Darren McFadden in next year's draft
...ouch!!!
Chris: Baltimore still has an intimidating defense, even without
linebacker Adalius Thomas who headed north to New England as a free agent. The
offense is still suspect, but just like during their Super Bowl season of 2000,
the Ravens defense will carry them in 2007. The Bengals are loaded on offense,
but the defense still needs work. The Steelers are solid, but I still have
questions about Ben Roethlisberger. The Browns are building a good, young team.
They’re still a few years away.
|
AFC South |
| Tom Marino says... |
Chris Steuber says... |
1. Colts
2. Jaguars
3. Texans
4. Titans |
1. Colts
2. Texans
3. Jaguars
4. Titans |
Tom: For the Colts, defending the run could be a concern but as
long as No. 18 is running the offense, not to worry. In Jacksonville, new
starter David Garrard is a journeyman quarterback and the Jaguars' receiver
corps is adequate at best. And what's with all the assistant coaching changes?
There are lots of questions to be answered in Houston. Can the offensive
line protect? Can running back Ahman Green stay healthy? Can they run the
football? If not, John Elway could be their QB and it really wouldn't
matter. In Tennessee, nobody on the offensive side of the ball scares
anyone. The league's top coach, Jeff Fisher, might well be headed down the road
at the end of this season.
Chris: The Colts are still the class of this division and with
their high-powered offense, Indy is looking to repeat as champs. The Texans will
surprise the NFL this season. They have a great young defense that will give the
opposition fits. The Jaguars are a tough defensive team with a lot of offensive
questions. Tennessee is building, and Vince Young looks great -- but they need
more help.
|
AFC West |
| Tom Marino says... |
Chris Steuber says... |
1. Chargers
2. Broncos
3. Chiefs
4. Raiders |
1. Chargers
2. Broncos
3. Chiefs
4. Raiders |
Tom: I'm not crazy about the receiving corps in San Diego
(exposed versus the Patriots in playoffs), but there are still a lot of weapons
on both sides of the ball. This year Denver boasts a solid, experienced
squad, veteran coaching staff and a future star quarterback. But they're
just not good enough to overtake the Chargers. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are
flat out not good enough at the quarterback position. Their defense is talented
and plays hard, but will be overworked. Oakland is a bad football team --
pure and simple. Maybe they can draft quarterback DeMarcus Russell with their
first pick again next spring.
Chris: The Chargers are a tough team and they have a great
defense. The offense stars running back LaDainian Tomlinson and developing
quarterback Phillip Rivers, but the receivers -- outside of tight end Antonio
Gates -- are questionable. Denver has high hopes for second-year quarterback Jay
Cutler, but give them another season to build chemistry and the Broncos will be
"Rocky Mountain High" in the AFC West. The Chiefs are mediocre at
best, while the Raiders -- who have a nice defense -- are pathetic on offense.
|
NFC East |
| Tom Marino says... |
Chris Steuber says... |
1. Cowboys
2. Eagles
3. Giants
4. Redskins |
1. Eagles
2. Cowboys
3. Giants
4. Redskins |
Tom: Dallas' secondary was exposed late in the season. If
quarterback Tony Romo can withstand the pressure and narcissistic wide receiver
Terrell Owens keeps his mouth shut, the Super Bowl is a real possibility.
With the Eagles, you have to wonder if they can effectively run the ball? Can
quarterback Donovan McNabb rebound from injury? Has the once formidable defense
begun to show it's age? In New York, running back Tiki Barber will be severely
missed. There is no bell-cow wide receiver on the roster, their special
teams are suspect and defensive end Michael Strahan will be a major distraction
in the locker room. Meanwhile, personnel mistakes abound in our nation's
capital. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has been sold a bill of goods. This is a
sad ending for a great coach, Joe Gibbs, and some excellent assistants.
Chris: With Donovan McNabb back healthy, look for the Eagles to
continue their dominance in the NFC East. The Cowboys have a solid team all
around, but are not good enough to emerge as the division winner. The Giants are
"Team Turmoil," and the gossip has already started. Washington spends
money every year, but disappoints even more.
|
NFC North |
| Tom Marino says... |
Chris Steuber says... |
1. Lions
2. Bears
3. Vikings
4. Packers |
1. Bears
2. Packers
3. Lions
4. Vikings |
Tom: Every dog has his day. And because of their ineptness
over the past decade, the Lions' day has arrived. Head coach Rod Marinelli and
offensive coordinator Mike Martz are a cut above. In Chicago, the defense
is as good as it gets today. But running back Thomas Jones will be missed
and the quarterback situation is -- to say the least --
"unsettled." For the Vikings, the four-year window of
opportunity is now closed. Their over-involved owner is way over his head in
this field of endeavor. When looking at the situation in Green Bay, a shortage of offensive weapons combined with an aging QB does not bode well for this once proud organization.
Chris: The Bears don't have much on offense, but their defense is
still one of the league's best. Green Bay will surprise some teams this year
with their defense, but gunslinger Brett Favre will lose a game or two for the
Pack. The Lions are improved, but not ready for primetime just yet. The Vikings
have an excellent running game, but where's the passing game?
|
NFC South |
| Tom Marino says... |
Chris Steuber says... |
1. Saints
2. Panthers
3. Falcons
4. Buccaneers |
1. Panthers
2. Saints
3. Buccaneers
4. Falcons |
Tom: After 40 years, the Saints appear poised to take that final
step. Let's just pray to the saints in heaven they can keep No. 9 healthy and
upright. The Panthers should rebound, but I don't think they have enough
firepower other than wide receiver Steve Smith on the offensive side of the
ball. I really like this coaching staff, though. In Atlanta, distractions
off the field, an unproven QB, a new coaching staff and system of play spell
trouble for this marginally talented squad. Tampa Bay must learn that
players -- not coaches -- win football games. And there are not enough
quality players on either side of the ball in Tampa. Their quarterback position
is a disaster.
Chris: This is the year the Panthers finally show their promise. The
defense is loaded with athletes and should be one of the best year-in and
year-out. The Saints will have a little bit of a hangover from last year, but
will still challenge for the division and wildcard. The Buccaneers are too
inconsistent. And the Falcons are a mess.
|
NFC West |
| Tom Marino says... |
Chris Steuber says... |
1. Rams
2. Cardinals
3. 49ers
4. Seahawks |
1. Rams
2. Seahawks
3. 49ers
4. Cardinals |
Tom: If they can stop the run, the Rams appear poised to return
to their past glory. Quarterback Marc Bulger, running back Steven Jackson,
offensive tackle Orlando Pace and wide receiver Torry Holt are at or near the
top of their game. As far as the Cardinals are concerned, I've gotten tired of
picking them to win the division over the last three seasons. The time has come
for them to do it on the field. In San Francisco, it all depends on the
development of Alex Smith. If he makes strides, this club could well contend for
the division title. Meanwhile, after a good run, the Seahawks appear to
have come back down to the rest of the division. Running back Shaun Alexander
must rebound from a sub-par 2006 season.
Chris: I think the Rams will be one of the most explosive teams this
year. Their offense is stacked. The defense will allow a lot of points, but St.
Louis can outscore a lot of teams in the league. Seattle will be back in 2007,
but it won't be enough. The Niners are young and have a bright future, but it's
not their time. Arizona always seems to have potential, but they never live up
to it.
POSTSEASON PICKS
| Postseason |
Tom Marino |
Chris Steuber |
| AFC Wildcards |
Bengals, Broncos |
Bengals, Broncos |
| NFC Wildcards |
Bears, Eagles |
Cowboys, Saints |
| AFC Championship |
Chargers over the Colts |
Patriots over the Ravens |
| NFC Championship |
Cowboys over the Saints |
Eagles over the Rams |
| Super Bowl |
Chargers over the Cowboys |
Patriots over the Eagles |
Tom Marino has over 35 years of experience as a professional scout working for the NFL's Bears, Saints, Rams, Giants and Cowboys along with both the WFL and USFL. As Scout.com's Lead NFL Analyst, he has primary responsibility for network reporting, the NFL Draft, Free Agency databases and rankings.
A member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America, Chris Steuber has provided his analysis of the NFL and NFL Draft prospects on the web and on the radio since 1999.