|
NFC
WEST |
| Jim's
Outlook |
|
Cyd's
Outlook |
ST.
LOUIS RAMS
Outlook: When she owned the Rams in Los Angeles, Georgia Frontiere
always took forever to get just the right picture for her owner's page in the media guide. Subsequently, the Rams' guide was always the last one to go
out that, given the dreadfulness of the team and owner, was a public service. How this onetime showgirl wound up with a team
now among the elite is a great mystery. This bunch is loaded on offense with Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Issac Bruce et. al and has restocked the
defense, which will take a while to gel
Forecast: Rams rebound to win the division but fall to Green Bay in the NFC title game. |
1 |
NEW
ORLEANS SAINTS
Outlook: This team was touted for its defense
last year that ranked 8th in the NFL and was one of the five
best by the end of the season. They also had the
10th-rated offense. That offense should be explosive this
year, with Aaron Brooks at the helm and a healthy (keep your
fingers crossed) Ricky Williams. And while teams will try
to double up on Joe Horn, Brooks now has Albert Connell to look
to in the passing game.
Forecast: 11-5. They'll host the NFC
Championship game and will get outplayed by Donovan McNabb. |
NEW
ORLEANS SAINTS
Outlook: I'm a big Ricky Williams fan. Loved that he said he welcomed all his fans, straight or gay. Loved that he posed on the cover of a magazine in a wedding dress. Even like his
dreadlocks. Expect a breakout year from Williams and from QB Aaron Brooks. A solid defense and great coaching mean another winning year.
Forecast: A wild card berth but not much more.
Give Brooks another year, then watch out. |
2 |
ST.
LOUIS RAMS
Outlook: Three years ago, after the Jets lost
to the Broncos in the AFC Championship, I picked the Jets to
finish last in the division while virtually everyone else had
them winning the division. My reason: I predicted
they'd suffer a key injury. In Week 1, Vinny went
down. This year, I see hubris getting the best of the
Rams, and them paying for trading Trent Green. Kurt Warner
will not be the same old Kurt Warner - his INTs will catch up to
him and, yes, he'll suffer a bad injury at some point in the
season again - quite possibly in Week 1 at Philadelphia.
Forecast: 10-6. They have enough
talent elsewhere to continue to win, but they have no NFC
Championship in site. |
SAN
FRANCISCO 49ERS
Outlook: After watching interviews of Niners QB Jeff Garcia, he of the rock-hard guns and
wan voice, all I can say is: You go, girl! Garcia was a terrific surprise last year and he gives the 49ers a chance in each game. The defense is young and improving and Terrell Owens is a star at receiver. The special teams, though, are suspect and there's nobody to run the ball.
Forecast: With a little luck, the Niners could
sneak in as a wild card. |
3 |
CAROLINA
PANTHERS
Outlook: The Pantherinos have, for some crazy
reason, been one of my faves for the last few years. They
just keep out performing expectations. This year will be
no exception. Chris Weinke is a damn good quarterback, and
he will challenge LaDainian Tomlinson for offensive Rookie of
the Year. He throws to a great tandem of receivers and
tight end Wesley Walls, and RB Biakabutuka is ... well ...
OK. Plus, coach George Seifert is a fantastic coach and
owns the San Francisco 49ers.
Forecast: 6-10. Everyone accepts
this year as a retooling year and Seifert gets one more go at
it. |
ATLANTA
FALCONS
Outlook: Michael Vick brings a personality infusion to a team blander than a meeting of Al Gore impersonators. The real story in Atlanta will be the return to top form of running back Jamal Anderson. His comeback will aid china-doll fragile QB Chris Chandler. The defense is about as bland as a plate of grits.
Forecast: Call me crazy, but I think this team will be competitive. The schedule is easy and Dan Reeves can coach.
But lack of talent does this in.
|
4 |
SAN
FRANCISCO 49ERS
Outlook: Why do I think this team could
implode? The bad attitude of Terrell Owens? The lack
of running back? The lack of defense? The lack of
leadership? All of the above.
Forecast: 6-10. Where is Bill
Walsh when you need him? |
CAROLINA
PANTHERS
Outlook: Duke and Coach K will make another title run, but don't count out the Tar Heels. Oh, we're talking FOOTBALL in North
Carolina? Why bother? This team is dull, with little star-power and not even anybody you could work up a healthy dislike for.
Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z.
Forecast: Former 49er head man George Seifert can coach, but when you have Chris Weinke instead of Steve Young at
quarterback you can tell it'll be a long season. When does midnight basketball practice start? |
5 |
ATLANTA
FALCONS
Outlook: The Falcons will probably be the
second worst team in the League. On November 11 they'll
host Dallas to see if they are the second worst, or the
worst. Michael Vick will have no impact on this
team. I take that back - if he has an impact, it won't be
a good one.
Forecast: 4-12. Dan Reeves is
gone and Michael Vick's shaky NFL career is off to a rough
start. |
