Fan Stop Central

Old or young. Boy or girl. Optimist or pessimist. Human or cartoon, you can’t help but like this franchise and now here comes the third installment.

Woody, Buzz, and the rest of their toy-box friends are dumped in a day-care center after their owner, Andy, departs for college.

Though this may not be an Oscar dark-horse for best picture, it’s still going to make me, my wife and my two boys laugh.

It’s slated for 2010. Pencil it in now.

Popularity: 17% [?]

It’s that time of year again. Time to put it all on the line … and maybe even check the Vegas lines … in a run for the NFL Championship.

Let’s start in the AFC.

In the West … well, this really isn’t a discussion this year. Chiefs, Broncos and Raiders are all challenging each other for second in the division. San Diego (in all rights) should run away with this division.

In the North … Cincinnati? Cleveland? They don’t seem to be poised to have a shot. This (as it has been) will be a fight between Baltimore and Pittsburgh with the Steelers coming out on top of the North division.

In the South … Tennessee? Houston? Indy? Jacksonville? The Jags have the tools to get it done, but I don’t see it happening. Houston showed some moxi in the preseason, but I still don’t see them ready to be on top for 16 weeks. Indy has a few changes to adjust to in their franchise that I think will keep them down this year, but if anyone can bring them together and over the top it’s Peyton. But I think the South goes to Tennessee.

In the East … There’s big speculation all over this division. JETS? No, rookie QB success doesn’t strike like it did last year. Dolphins? While they turned heads last year, they now have Venus, Serena, Mark Anthony and Jimmy Buffet as part-owners. Can anyone really take this team seriously anymore? Buffalo? They do have talent at WR with T.O., but really no one to throw it to him. That leaves us with the Patriots. They aren’t just the defacto division winners. They have the best chance to win the division.

Now to the NFC.

In the West … I don’t see Arizona repeating. Just like the rookie QB success of last season, so to was this a lightning strike (i think?), but this division isn’t very cut and dry. Seattle? San Fransisco? St. Louis? If you go by the Preseason results (and we all know you can – snicker) then it would seem Arizona will tank again and Seattle will take the division. St. Louis will be improved as will San Fransisco, but I think Seattle takes the division.

In the South … New Orleans looks poised to make a run, but with the QB success in Atlanta combined with the talent and experience of Tony Gonzales, might make the Falcons the team to beat in the South. Carolina and Tampa Bay … thanks for playing. Since I am a Chiefs fan thru and thru, I have to pick New Orleans just to jab Gonzalez for bolting on the team he’s played for his entire career.

In the North … Again if you go by Preseason results … you’d get nowhere. They all had a 3-1 record. If you cut through all the hype, I don’t think Favre will bring enough to the table to get the Vikings over the hump. Green Bay looks sharp with Rodgers at the helm. Detroit had an inspiring turnaround (according to the preseason), and Chicago looks to be more solidified at the QB spot. This may be the division with the best QBs from team to team, and I think the division will be an old fashioned slug-fest with Chicago coming out on top.

In the East … Giants? Cowboys? Redskins? Eagles? They all sucked in the Preseason, but i think some showed their hand more than others. Washington may give a surprising run, but I wouldn’t bank on it. New York doesn’t really seem to be making waves in the league. The Cowboys have a nice and shiny new stadium, but I think that will be more of the downfall. I could really see the Eagles coming out on top in the East.

AFC
West – San Diego
North – Pittsburgh
South – Tennessee
East – New England
WC – Baltimore
WC – Indianapolis

NFC
West – Seattle
North – Chicago
South – New Orleans
East – Philadelphia
WC – Dallas
WC – Atlanta

AFC – New England
NFC – Philadelphia

Champion – Philadelphia

Popularity: 15% [?]

New QB. New Head Coach. New problems.

The Chiefs don’t look to be in a position to make any kind of a turnaround anytime soon. New QB Matt Cassel went down in the preseason with a knee injury, and even if he wasn’t injured, TE Tony Gonzalez requested a trade and is now in Atlanta … leaving the receiving corps cupboard pretty bare.

But hold on … new developments within the division

• Broncos rookie jailed on harassment charges
• Chargers Merriman accused of assaulting MTV’s Tequilla
• Raiders head coach Cable accused of assaulting assistant coach

It seems that the division might just implode around the Chiefs, which would be just fine. The rules don’t say HOW you get to the playoffs … just get there!!!

But in all honesty, Fan Stop Central sees the Chiefs (at best) going 5-11. They have a brutal streak with the NFC East teams (all in a row at that), and just an overall brutal schedule.

Popularity: 15% [?]

Last night was a great game! (Go Canes!). Pretty much an instant classic. Not much defense, but a great game nonetheless.

Neither team slacked off, and (as many Canes/Noles games seem to do) came down to the final play of the game.

Miami took a 38-34 lead late in the 4th quarter. After a short squib kick, the Seminoles drove the field and got as close as the two yard line after a pass interference call in the endzone against the ‘Canes.

One final pass into the endzone wasn’t able to stay in the hands of FSU’s WR Jarmon Fortson and fell to the turf with no time left on the clock, ensuring Miami’s fourth victory in the last five trips to the state capitol.

Popularity: 15% [?]