|
AFC
EAST |
| Jim's
Outlook |
|
Cyd's
Outlook |
INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS
Outlook: Ever wanted to reach into your TV and console an athlete? I did last year in the playoffs when totally cute Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a game-winning field goal in overtime at Miami. He looked so forlorn, poor baby. Vanderjagt remains perhaps the league's best kicker on a team that can score points in bunches. Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison are dynamic and dangerous; too bad they don't play defense. The inability to stop the other guys still haunts the Colts, though the training camp pickup of 315-pound run-stuffer Mike Wells helps the line. Jim Mora is 0-6 as a playoff coach.
Forecast: Mora gets his first playoff win but the Colts fall the following week in Tennessee. |
1 |
INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS
Outlook: They will be the best of the worst
division in the AFC. Hard to believe they were the best in
the AFC just a few years ago. While the Colts will
probably be the strongest team here, there's just something
about the Peyton Manning - Jim Mora combination that tells me
they just can't win a championship.
Forecast: 9-7. They'll be upset
in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. |
MIAMI
DOLPHINS
Outlook: This is a team with players easy to distinguish: quarterback Jay Fiedler and his satellite-dish ears; linebacker Zach Thomas and his corn-fed wide body; sultry Cuban-American kicker Olindo Mare and sack master Jason Taylor, who would look right at home at a SoBe photo shoot. The 'Fins will be tough again this year, boasting a stellar defense. But the receivers are ordinary and Fiedler looks better than he plays.
Forecast: Miami faces a nightmarish schedule (Tennessee, Oakland and St. Louis in the first month) so look for eight wins and no playoffs. |
2 |
MIAMI
DOLPHINS
Outlook: The Dolphins will be the victims of a
much tougher schedule this year, with their first place
schedule. A lot of talk has been made of the Dolphins'
great new receivers. The problem: Jay Fiedler is
their starting quarterback. Their defense should be solid,
though they lost some key talent like Trace Armstrong.
Forecast: 8-8. Could win the
division if they eke out a couple questionable games. |
NEW
YORK JETS
Outlook: New coach Herman Edwards doesn't swear and is unfailingly optimistic. Two good traits when you coach the Jets. His top pick, Santana Moss, is out 10 weeks and top defensive lineman Jason Ferguson is hurt and done for the season. Edwards still has the terrific runner Curtis Martin, receiver Wayne Chrebet and linebacker Mo Lewis, so all is not lost.
Forecast: The Jets open with the Colts and Raiders, a tough sked for a new staff to prepare for. A .500 season looks about right. |
3 |
NEW
YORK JETS
Outlook: This has the look of a team that is
one year away from breaking out. New coach Herman Edwards
will get a rude welcome to the head coaching position, as
Parcells' shadow still lingers, despite his departure from the
front office. When your top receiver is 5'10" Wayne
Chrebet, you've got big problems.
Forecast: 8-8. Chad Pennington starts
by November. |
BUFFALO
BILLS
Outlook: Quarterback Rob Johnson is a weenie. He poses for Sports Illustrated looking all buffed-out in his hot tub ... then whines that he was sorry they used the picture. Well, why did you pose for it, Einstein? Johnson gets sacked more than bags of Dorritos at Safeway on Super Bowl Sunday. Buffalo lost a lot through free agency and Johnson now won't have Doug Flutie to blame if things start going wrong.
Forecast: The Bills will battle the Patriots for last place. |
4 |
NEW
ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Outlook: They were positioning themselves
nicely for a run at the Division title. Then they lost
Andy Katzenmoyer, suspended Terry Glenn, and have had a rough
pre-season. While their receivers may be improved, their
offensive line doesn't look to be much better, which means Drew
Bledsoe will be on his ass 50-60 times this season.
Forecast: 7-9. More talk of
benching Bledsoe by the stupid fans in New England (and I'm a
New Englander, so I can say this). |
NEW
ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Outlook: My favorite Drew Bledsoe story involves his mom going to clean his car, pulling down the visor and watching several $40,000 checks fall out. Unaffected, down to earth ... that's Bledsoe. Unfortunately, he's often too down to earth during games, as in the opposing team has no trouble flinging him to the earth; can you say ``sieve-like'' offensive line? His best receiver, Terry Glenn, is suspended for the year, so look for a lot of throw it up and pray.
Bledsoe deserves better. The defense will keep them close, but this bunch simply lacks the horses.
Forecast: The Pats have an easy schedule and could surprise, but methinks it will be another fumbling fall in Foxborough. |
5 |
BUFFALO
BILLS
Outlook: Where is Doug Flutie when you need
him? The Bills made the decision to stick with their
"quarterback of the future." The problem is, Rob
Johnson can't last more than a half of the season. They
lost key team leaders in Doug Flutie and Marcellus Wiley (both
of whom went to San Diego).
Forecast: 6-10. When you consider
that backup QB Alex Van Pelt will probably have to start at
least four games, it could be even worse. |
