The Bears’ woes at quarterback are well documented, but they can’t get any worse than last year. They have by far the best defense in the division, and one of the best in the league, which should keep them in a lot of games. But Kyle Orton must continue to play like he did in the preseason if the Bears hope to challenge for the playoffs.
Predicted Finish:
Minnesota Vikings (9-10 wins)
Chicago Bears (8-9 wins)
Green Bay Packers (7-8 wins)
Detroit Lions (6-7 wins)
NFC South
The Falcons have put together a very solid defense and a great running game, but quarterback Michael Vick has got to start making more plays with his arm. He must also improve his ability to read defenses and has to become a more accurate passer. Vick is still the hardest quarterback to defend in the league, and his big-play ability brings a lot to the table, but there is only so far he can lead this team with his legs. The Panthers have a lot to prove this year after being decimated by injuries last year. The defense must do a better job of getting pressure with their front four, and the return of Kris Jenkins should draw some of the attention away from defensive end Julius Peppers, assuming Jenkins can get back to playing like one of the league’s top defensive tackles. Overall, the Panthers are a very well-coached team. They run the ball well, play good defense, and are solid on special teams.
The Saints always have been the most inconsistent team over the past few years, and much of that stems from the inconsistency of QB Aaron Brooks. And now they face the daunting task of possibly playing every game on the road. At the least, they will be forced to shift their games to Baton Rouge or San Antonio. Deuce McAllister appears poised for a huge year at running back, especially with an improved offensive line, but this team is just facing too much adversity this year. The Buccaneers are probably an also-ran this year as well. The Buccaneers are a team in transition. Some of the high-priced veterans from their Super Bowl year are still around, but a new young core of talent is slowly evolving. However, there are just too many problems facing this club to think that they will compete for the division this season.
Projected Finish:
Carolina Panthers (10-12 wins)
Atlanta Falcons (10-12 wins)
New Orleans Saints (7-8 wins)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7 wins)
NFC West
The Cardinals are a popular choice to fill this year’s Cinderella role. If nothing else, they seem to be heading in the right direction, and I think they have what it takes to compete in the NFC West. If Kurt Warner returns to making quick reads and getting rid of the ball quickly, the offense could be explosive with the talent they have at wide receiver. And they possess a young aggressive defense that could surprise some people this year and keep the team in the thick of things until the end.
The Seahawks are retooling on defense again, and getting everyone on the same page early will be key to improving their 23rd ranking against both the run and the pass from 2004. A big key will be getting improved play from 2004 first-round draft pick DT Marcus Tubbs, who has shown signs of coming around in the preseason. Cornerback Ken Lucas was lost to free agency, but Andre Dyson and Kelly Herndon were brought in to team up with the talented Marcus Trufant. Given time, this defensive unit should be significantly better than last year’s, and could slip into the top half of the league. The team shouldn’t miss a beat on offense as Shaun Alexander continues to pound out the yards and touchdowns.
The Rams are still a dangerous offensive team, but they struggled in 2004 on defense and special teams. With the addition of a pair of veteran linebackers, Chris Claiborne and Dexter Coakly, the front seven of the defense should be fine, but the secondary could cause problems. They have the potential to be one of the better teams in the NFC, but concerns with the defense and the special teams could once again lead to an inconsistent season.
The 49ers are in an obvious rebuilding stage, and approaching 8-8 could be asking too much for this squad. Five to six wins is probably more of a reality for 2005. The question is, how long do they wait to put No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith in at quarterback?
Projected Finish:
Seattle Seahawks (9-10 wins)
Arizona Cardinals(9-10 wins)
St. Louis Rams (8-10 wins)
San Francisco 49ers (4-6 wins)
Playoffs
AFC
Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore Ravens
New England Patriots*
San Diego Chargers*
NFC
Carolina Panthers
Minnesota Vikings
Philadelphia Eagles
Seattle Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals*
Atlanta Falcons*
AFC Championship Game
Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets
NFC Championship Game
Carolina Panthers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl XL
Carolina Panthers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Super Bowl XL Champion
Indianapolis Colts
*Wild Card
