Bottom Line: The Falcons lose some explosiveness with Vick out of the lineup, but if they can stay afloat through the first half of the year, their phenom QB should be ready to lead them on a late-season charge. Without Vick on the field for all 16 games, I don’t think the Falcons will have a chance at unseating the Bucs.
4. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are building a defense that I expect to be among the best in the league. Anything less than a 15-sack season by defensive end Julius Peppers will be a disappointment to the second-year defender. Peppers anchors what could be the best defensive line, with Mike Rucker at the opposite end and defensive tackles Kris Jenkins, who is an emerging superstar, and Brentson Buckner plugging the middle.
If the Panthers can get any consistency at all on offense, they should be in a lot of games this year. Stephen Davis is a perfect fit for this ball club. He is the type of workhorse back that can grind out the yards and keep the chains moving so the Panthers defenders can stay fresh. At this time, Rodney Peete is slated to start at quarterback, and probably gives Carolina its best chance of making the playoffs this year.
Bottom Line: I love the Panthers defense, but I just don’t think they have the offense to compete in the division. I expect the Panthers to be a punishing team on both sides of the ball, but I think they are an impact player or two on offense away from the playoffs.
