Well, it happens every year … 16 teams begin the season undefeated and 16 begin win-less.
New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Miami, New England, Jacksonville, Chicago, New York Giants, Pittsburgh, Houston, Tennessee, Arizona, Seattle, Green Bay, Washington, Baltimore and Kansas City all take the first step together to be the season’s initial undefeateds … now, who continues this streak is the real question.
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In the second season of the Todd Haley era, the Chiefs have a New Arrowhead, new faces, new (old*) coordinators, and a spot on Monday Night Football for opening night nonetheless. Things are supposed to look bright for the Chiefs and their new baby-fresh organization, but things may not necessarily be what they seem.
This could quickly turn into a what’s-wrong-with-the-Chiefs entry, but we’ll try hard to keep this to previewing the Chiefs and Chargers matchup.
The first glaring difference … and frankly one that has stupefied many … is the QB matchup – Matt Cassell v. Philip Rivers. Rivers has had much success already in the League. Rivers had success and experience in college at NC State. It’s fair to say Rivers had success and experience in high school … this is a fairly normal progression for NFL QB’s. But, not so much for the Chiefs’ Cassell. Cassell never started a game in the League until Tom Brady was hurt (ironically against the Chiefs). He was a career backup in college – sure it was USC and Carson Palmer and Matt Leinert were in front of him, but Leinert’s obviously not a League-caliber QB … and honestly, if he didn’t have the ineligible Reggie Bush behind him, who knows how average he would have seemed. Cassell didn’t even start high school until he was a senior. So, the baffling part is that the Chiefs decide to bring him in and pay him $67 million over 6 years. Really? I didn’t start QB in high school. I didn’t start QB in college. I haven’t played a down in the League. I’ll take $67 million. I think this matchup goes to the Chargers.
Running backs. This one has been transformed. Pro-bowler LaDanian Tomlinson is no longer pulling the load in San Diego, and Darrian Sproles now takes over the duties. We’ll see. He’s good – sure. He was good at K-State. He’s been good at fill-in for Tomlinson. We’ll see just how good he is when he takes on the full load. The Chiefs however found a gem last year. After dumping Larry Johnson, Jamaal Charles stepped up and turned in an unbelievable performance – over 1,400 yards in just 8 games! Add to that the acquisition of Thomas Jones, and the Chiefs look to be powerful in the backfield … as long as the O-Line plays their part, and though it has been much improved over the past few seasons, it’s still not the dominating line like when they were starting Willie Roaf, John Tait, Brian Waters, Casey Wigman and Will Shields. I think this still goes to the Chiefs.
Receivers … let’s call it a toss-up. I don’t see either having a dominating receiving corps, so as long as you catch what hits your hands, you’re good. But, the tight end position would have typically been a no-brainer for the Chiefs when Tony Gonzales was still here, but he’s gone on to “greener” pastures in hopes to win a ring … how’s that worked out for you TG? Anyway, the big man for the Chargers, Antonio Gates, has secured the top spot as top Tight End in the AFC. Chargers get this edge.
Defense should be pretty evenly matched up, however, I would give the early edge to the Chiefs on this. They have Romeo Crenell as the Defensive Coordinator who orchestrated the mighty D of the Patriots during their dynasty run. The downside is they have now implemented a 3-4, which will take some time to become like clockwork, but it also allows the opportunity to get some of the Chiefs’ great defensive players on the field together: Derrick Johnson, Mike Vrabel, Tamba Hali, Glenn Dorsey, Eric Berry, Jovan Belcher, Tyson Jackson … these guys are going to have to get it done … and I think they will – in time.
Monday Night Football 9/13
Chargers: 17
Chiefs: 24
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As the 2010 NFL season looms, it’s time once again to make some predictions that really don’t mean much … but we do it anyway.
Typically we would give a write-up here with each division exposing strengths and weaknesses, but this time, we’re just getting straight to the dirt:
NFL Champion – New York Jets
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Congratulations to New Orleans and its Saints … Super Bowl Champions!!! Doesn’t quite sound right to us to say those words together, but the Saints well-deserved it this year. Congratulations.
Now, for Fan Stop Central, the NFL season wasn’t as pretty. It’s recap time. Let’s quickly take a look at our predictions and just how wrong we were:
AFC
West – San Diego
North – Pittsburgh (Cincinnati)
South – Tennessee (Indianapolis)
East – New England
WC – Baltimore
WC – Indianapolis (New York)
NFC
West – Seattle (Arizona)
North – Chicago (Minnesota)
South – New Orleans
East – Philadelphia (Dallas)
WC – Dallas (Philadelphia)
WC – Atlanta (Green Bay)
So, we were decent in our playoff participants predictions … we only had 5 completely wrong and we had a few division winners and wild cards swapped, but overall, pretty good. Now, here’s where we go wildly astray:
AFC – New England
NFC – Philadelphia
Champion – Philadelphia
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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
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