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AFC
WEST |
| Jim's
Outlook |
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Cyd's
Outlook |
DENVER
BRONCOS
Outlook: Watching NFL Films on ESPN and Ed
McCaffrey (all 6-5, 215 pounds of him) and his wife were
interviewed. The questioner notes that Ed wears undersized
shoulder pads and mentions he must also wear a jock strap. The
wife said the jock ``is a very large one. That's why the
shoulder pads look so small.'' Hmmm ... tell us more, Mrs. Ed! You'll get a chance to see a lot of Ed and the Broncos, primed for a Super Bowl run. Look at these offensive weapons, besides Ed: Brian Griese, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Terrell Davis, Rod Smith. And the game's best offensive mind in coach Mike Shanahan. The defense is just OK, but new coordinator Ray Rhodes has a way of getting all the pieces to fit.
Forecast: The Broncos have a favorable schedule and a new stadium to inspire them. The offense will be just fine and there will be enough defense to suffice. Denver wins the division, gets home field, wins the AFC and beats Green Bay in the Super Bowl. The n Ed takes off his jock on national TV and we can see if his wife was telling the truth or not. |
1 |
DENVER
BRONCOS
Outlook: The Broncos have it
all. Not only do they have a quarterback, they have two. Not
only do they have a running back, they have three. Plus, they
have two star receivers – all of which Mike Shanahan, the game’s
best offensive mind, will use to build the top offense in the
Conference. Defensively, none of the off-season moves were as
big as hiring coordinator Ray Rhodes, who will take this 24th-ranked
defense and make it respectable – which is all they’ll need
to win the division.
Forecast: 11-5. Elvis Grbac wins
for the second straight year in Denver - this time in the AFC
Championship. |
OAKLAND
RAIDERS
Outlook: I have a friend who made the mistake of saying that Raider owner Al Davis is hot. He meant 40 years ago, but that hasn't stopped us from chortling wildly
every time the dowager comes on the screen when we're watching a game. Al might not be hot, but his team was in 2000, making it to the AFC title game. They should be good this year, but expect a bit of a
drop-off. Rich Gannon was midseason league MVP, but fairly ordinary by season's end. He getting older and not necessarily better. The Raiders still can't or won't stretch the field on offense a must against great defenses like Baltimore or Tennessee. The Raiders will still have another up-and-down defensive year.
Forecast: Raiders slip a notch but still make the playoffs, where they lose wild card round at Baltimore. |
2 |
SAN
DIEGO CHARGERS
Outlook: I have called Doug
Flutie "The Chump" since his return to the NFL. This
is the year I finally eat my words. Back in January I told Jim
that whoever drafted LaDainian Tomlinson will go to the
playoffs. Thankfully, Atlanta didn’t make me test that theory.
The Chargers had the best offseason of anyone, getting a leader
in Flutie, getting the best player in the draft in Tomlinson,
snagging offensive guru Norv Turner, and improving their already
good defense with some key acquisitions on the line and at
cornerback.
Forecast: 10-6. They'll be in the
playoffs and could be a surprise team in the AFC Championship. |
SAN
DIEGO CHARGERS
Outlook: Did you see that amazing ESPN the Magazine shot of new Charger receiver/returner Tim Dwight? He's naked in the tub, shaving every inch of his tight, muscular body. Looked better than anything you'd ever see in Colt. But we digress. This team went 1-15 last year but has a real shot at the playoffs. Why? A ton of new talent, especially the little magician Doug Flutie, who takes over for Ryan Leaf at quarterback. That's replacing canned cream weasel with fine Belgian chocolate for dessert. The problem remains maybe the worst offensive line this side of New England, so look for Flutie to be running for his life. Marcellus Wiley joins Junior Seau to anchor a decent defense.
Forecast: The Chargers take advantage of a cake schedule to make great strides but fall short of the playoffs. |
3 |
OAKLAND
RAIDERS
Outlook: My preseason pick last
year to win the Super Bowl, the Raiders have everything it takes
to win in this League. But, somehow, I get the feeling they’ll
screw it up this year. They have a tougher schedule, getting
Tennessee and Philadelphia instead of Cleveland and Carolina,
and they simply can’t seem to beat the Broncos. While Jerry
Rice looks on the outside to be an improvement in leadership,
this could prove to be more of a distraction than anything else.
Still, they’ll have enough to make the playoffs.
Forecast: 9-7. They'll go to the
playoffs and lose at San Diego for the second time this year. |
KANSAS
CITY CHIEFS
Outlook: Have a friend who picks his fantasy football team based on looks and demanded new KC quarterback Trent Green in the draft. Green and new coach Dick Vermeil come over from St. Louis to try and breathe life into a franchise that's 23-25 since going 13-3 in 1997. Green and super-stud tight end Tony Gonzalez will make the offense fun, and the defense will be fun if you like watching the other team pass for a zillion yards each game.
Forecast: I lump the Chiefs, Chargers and Seahawks in the same boat: anywhere from 7-9 to 9-7. Pick 'em out of a hat. |
4 |
KANSAS
CITY CHIEFS
Outlook: There’s lots of talk
of how Trent Green could lead this team back to the playoffs for
the first time since a disastrous 1998 showing. But consider
this: just to get back to their 7-9 record of last year, he has
to match Elvis Grbac’s 5th-rated passing offense,
as this team simply hasn’t improved itself very much while
watching the rest of the division improve themselves. Look for
Vermeil’s return to the NFL to be a rocky one.
Forecast: 8-8. Another up and down year
- they are the Chiefs afterall, no matter who the coach is. |
SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS
Outlook: Rickey Watters has been my enemy since his fumble in the finals seconds cost me winning a four-team parlay in 1998. The bastard! Watters, though, remains a dangerous back and will help the Hawks as they break in a new QB (Matt
Hasselbeck) and wideout (Koren Robinson). The defense has imported John Randal and Levon Kirkland, both probably
two years past their prime. This team is a mystery to me, but I can guarantee one thing: If you go to Husky Stadium anytime from November on, bring an umbrella.
Forecast: Mike Holmgren has been less than impressive since grabbing the power as coach as GM. If they wanted to finish last they should have kept Dennis Erickson. |
5 |
SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS
Outlook: This is the year that
Mike Holmgren really gets exposed for the ego-maniac he is. He
has gone out and acquired himself a team that looks much like
last year’s disappointing Washington Redskins – lots of old
former talents. The key to it all is new quarterback Matt
Hasselbeck. Of course, Holmgren loves him – Hasselbeck is his
protégé from Green Bay. Look for Hasselbeck and rookie
receiver Koren Robinson to struggle, leading to a respectable
season, but a last-place finish in this, the best division in
football.
Forecast: 8-8. A respectable enough
record. But, a last-place finish is the cellar. |
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