Every season there are several teams that make the big leap from mediocrity to Super Bowl contention. In 2004 San Diego, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta rose above most prognosticator’s preseason expectations and secured playoff berths by winning their respective divisions. This year will provide similar results for three teams who have long been NFL bottom feeders. Fans in Detroit, Arizona, and Cincinnati will be dizzy with joy flying with their teams into the rarified air of post-season play. Here’s the breakdown by division.AFC East
This division has been dominated by the New England Patriots in 3 of the last 4 years. However, there is too much turnover in the coaching staff and with the players for their success to go uninterrupted. Similar to their 2002 season, when their defense took a step backwards, the Patriots will miss the playoffs. The Jets will be the class of the East. Their defense (#4 in 2004) will continue to progress into a dominant unit, and their offense will be more explosive with the reacquisition of Laveranues Coles. Look for Buffalo and Miami to scratch for wins this year. Buffalo’s got a first year starter at QB and Miami’s been without solid QB play since Dan Marino retired.
AFC South
Once again the Colts will win this division, however the task becomes tougher with the ascension of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Showing potential in 2004, the Jaguars missed the playoffs by one game. They mature this year and earn a wildcard berth. This may end up being the best division in football because the two bottom teams will both be near .500. Although a returning Steve McNair and a consistent running game will put points on the board for the Titans, there is an awful lot of youth on that defense. As for the Texans, I just wonder if Dom Capers is the coach to get that team over the hump. David Carr might need an offensive minded head coach.
AFC North
This division will be determined by the play of its young quarterbacks. Of Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer, Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, and Baltimore’s Kyle Boller, whoever plays the best will lead their team to the division title. With Carson Palmer being the cream of the crop, the Bengals will rise to the top. Palmer is the most polished passer of the three, has the better receivers, and has shown that he can win games. I know Roethlisberger was 13 – 1 as a starter last year, but that was with a dominant running game. However, with Duce Staley already injured, and Jerome Bettis feeling incapable of shouldering a heavy workload this year, expect the Steelers to decline. It’s not the time for Big Ben to be the focal point of the offense. The Ravens will be competitive only because of their defense. Admittedly, I am no believer in Kyle Boller or the offensive ‘guru’ Brian Billick. Cleveland will be competitive, but they don’t yet have enough talent on either side of the ball to do much winning.
AFC West
San Diego is no fluke, and Drew Brees is no one year wonder. With their second straight division title, San Diego will not be a team anyone wants to face in the playoffs. Solid on defense, excellent on offense, only the Schottenheimer curse will hold them back. Kansas City returns to playoff form, but they still won’t have enough defense to advance past the better teams. The rumors of Oakland’s ascendance have been greatly exaggerated. Minnesota was under .500 (28-36) the last 4 years with Randy Moss, a good running, a good quarterback, and no defense. Let’s see, the Raiders now have Randy Moss, an unproven running game, a good – for nothing – quarterback, and possibly a worse defense than the Vikings had. That smells like the cellar to me. Denver will struggle to make .500 as things begin to fall apart in the last year of the Mike Shanahan era.
NFC East
The Philadelphia Eagles are just a very good, very consistent football team. They have the NFL’s best regular season record in the last 5 years. Regardless of the obstacle (McNabb’s broken leg, Buckhalter’s knee, Staley’s departure, the defensive losses of Vincent, Taylor, and Trotter, horrible receivers, or a great receiver with a horrible attitude), the Eagles always find a way to win. Nothing changes as they celebrate 5 consecutive division titles. The Cowboys will be much better, but won’t make the playoffs. The Giants and Redskins are still sub .500 teams. Too much immaturity at quarterback will keep Gibbs searching for an arm, and Coughlin searching for a job.
NFC South
This will probably be the NFL’s most exciting division. The only dull team is Tampa Bay, but their coach’s sideline personality makes up for the inefficient offense and slowing defense. All the way around, the Bucs are a last place team in a division that will be dominated by Atlanta and Carolina, and humored by New Orleans. Atlanta wins the division with superb play by the game’s most exciting and indispensable player, Michael Vick. Carolina is back after suffering through an injury filled 2004. Their suffocating defense and offensive balance will earn them a wildcard playoff entry. New Orleans? Once again they’ll lose when they should win, and win one or two they should lose, and keep us wondering how Jim Haslett has kept his job after 4 consecutive years of underachieving.
NFC North
This is the year that Brett Favre plays during regular season the way he plays in the post-season. An era is over. Why the Packers continue to place their hopes in Favre is beyond comprehension. His playoff performances in recent years prove that his championship armor has rusted. Well, there’s no need to worry about that this year because the Packers aren’t going to the playoffs. Minnesota wins this division with explosive offense and improved defense. I don’t think even Mike Tice can mess it up this year. Look out for the Lions, though. Six of their ten losses in 2004 were by less than a touchdown. Joey Harrington is progressing, and he has plenty of weapons. The Bears are about as unlucky with quarterbacks as the Cubs are with pitchers. Maybe next year will continue to be a Chicago sports fans motto.
NFC West
Remember, you heard it here. The Arizona Cardinals will win the NFC West, and Kurt Warner will be the Comeback Player of the Year. Dennis Green knows how to coach offense and has proven he can win with any type of quarterback. While in Minnesota, Green went to the playoffs with Rich Gannon, Sean Salisbury, Warren Moon, Brad Johnson, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, and Daunte Culpepper. Like Warner, Salisbury, Moon, Cunningham, and George were all considered damaged or past their prime. But Dennis Green won with them, and he’s going to win with Kurt Warner. St. Louis should play well, but won’t make the playoffs. Seattle will take a step backwards this year, I don’t think the Holmgren-way is working out there. San Francisco has too many holes to be competitive. They may land the number one overall pick again this year.
AFC Playoffs
1 Colts
2 Jets
3 Chargers
4 Bengals
5 Chiefs
6 Jaguars
Indianapolis should win the AFC this year. Their biggest playoff threat will come from the Jets or Chargers. I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of those three teams in Super Bowl XL. I’m picking Indy, though.
NFC Playoffs
1 Falcons
2 Eagles
3 Vikings
4 Cardinals
5 Panthers
6 Lions
Atlanta is my pick to advance to the big game. Either Philadelphia or Carolina, the NFC’s last two representatives, could upset those plans. There are going to be some tough battles in the NFC.
Super Bowl
Indianapolis Colts defeat Atlanta Falcons
One man shows have made it to the Super Bowl before (Tarkenton, Marino, 1980’s Elway) but you can’t win it alone. The Colts will have too many weapons for Vick to keep up with them.
17 replies on “You Heard It Here – 2005 NFL Predictions”
The Patriots not in the playoffs????? You gotta be crazy. There’s no way, unless Brady or Dillon goes down, that NE freefalls that much. They haven’t lost a regular season or playoff home game in Gilette Stadium (19-0 in the last two years). The Jets, I’ll say it again like I’ve said in so many comments on articles, have a horrid schedule (at home against Jacksonville, San Diego, New England and Buffalo; Road games against Baltimore, Buffalo, Atlanta, Carolina, Denver, and New England). I guess it’s anyone’s guess how the Jets will turn out, but it seems like asking 10 or 11 wins (or more) with a schedule like that is really stretching it. Plus, you didn’t predict any win-loss records for the teams. How come?
I’ve voted against, not because of your pick with the Jets, but because you didn’t predict win-loss records and you didn’t go in depth enough.
nice job I love your choice of teams. I have ‘Zona, Cinci, and Chicago. Most people think I’m nuts for having those three. Detroit will be competitive, but I don’t think its defense is good enough (or good, period). I think Chicago is much better on defense and has almost as good offense.
“most prognosticators preseason expectations”
You need an apostrophe in “prognosticators” (prognosticator’s).
“Showing potential in 2004 the Jaguars missed the playoffs by one game.”
You need a comma after “2004”.
“Cleveland will be competitive, but they don’t yet have enough talent on either side of the ball to do much winning.”
Well, you cannot argue that Cleveland is not singular and they is modifying Cleveland. You do this a few more times.
“Denver will struggle to make .500 as things begin to fall apart in the last of the Mike Shanahan era.”
Exactly!!!
“Too much immaturity at quarterback, will keep Gibbs searching for an arm, and Coughlin searching for a job.”
No comma needed after “quarterback.”
Also, I thought Coughlin should have been fired last year. Hopefully he will be this year. He is terrible. Wait, I hate the Giants. I hope he never gets fired.
“Seattle will take a step backwards this year, I don’t think the Holmgren-way is working out there.”
Semicolon instead of comma after “this year.”
You hit the Arizona picture right on. I’m adding that Anquan Boldin is a much better version of Torry Holt, the young wide receiver he had in St. Louis. Plus, the defense is not atrocious and he has a good running back, albeit not as good as Marshall Faulk. Arizona will win the NFC, not just the NFC West.
Good prediction. I have Indi to win it also.
But Atlanta’s schedule is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY too tough to be the #1 seed. The Falcons play 4 times against the Saints and Panthers, play the toughest division in football in the AFC East (4 more games), play the toughest division in the NFC in the NFC North (4 games), play the Eagles, and play the Seahawks. Thet also play twice against Tampa Bay, but they always lose to the Bucs somehow. There is no way this team wins more than 10 games, and I’m a Falcons fan. I’m looking at 8 or 9 and possibly missing the playoffs. Also, this team has NEVER had consecutive winning seasons. Twice it has had three consecutive non-losing seasons, but never two consecutive winning seasons. This schedule will not help change that trend.
Great analysis though. You have hit many teams right on the money that most people would not have hit.
U FUCK!!! UR A FUCKING IDIOT FOR PICKING THE BENGALS OVER THE RAVENS U FAGGIT
E REED OWNS UR ASS
…….a That is not a reason to vote down an article.
Read the voting etiquite (I can’t spell) before voting on articles.
fuck u bsd go fuck urself ill rip ur head off and shit down ur throat u faggit. all u do is write fucked up wierd articles with retarded point of views
so go fuck urself
e reed owns u bitch
AFC North First off, it is Duce Staley, not Deuce. While it is true that much will depend on the QBs, there is no way that you can call Carson the most polished QB despite only one year of starting. It is also arguable that he has the best WRs between Baltimore’s new additions and what the Steelers have. I think overall that there needs to be a little more comments and analysis of each division.
Not crazy Stat Man, I do not predict wins and losses because it’s purely guess work that can’t be supported with any data or logical reasoning. Did anyone predict that in 2004 there would be only 4 teams with a better than .500 record in the NFC? In 2003 there were 7 teams in the NFC that topped .500, why the dropoff last year? You can predict with logic and data whether a team will be good, but you can’t accurately predict something requiring so many variables.
Who predicted Pittsburgh would win 15 games last year? Who predicted New England would win 14 games in 2003 after coming off of 9 wins in 2002? Who predicted 12 wins for San Diego last year? Predicting wins is guesswork, and I don’t like to guess. I like to have a little information or use a little inductive reasoning. Predicting wins does not allow that.
As far as New England, in 2002 Tom Brady had possibly his best statistical year. He led the league in touchdown passes. Yet, the defense faltered (17th) and the team won only 9 games and MISSED the playoffs. Tom Brady and Corey Dillon are not the keys to that team’s success. The defense is. In their 3 Super Bowl runs the defense has ranked 6th, 1st, and 2nd. The year the defense didn’t play well, they MISSED the playoffs.
I’m predicting that the defensive losses (Crennel, Law, Bruschi, Johnson) will catch up with them this year, and the defense will falter. As the stats show, when the defense falters, they MISS the playoffs!
You posted 10 ‘tough’ games that the Jets have this year. Of those ten the Jets should be expected to win at least 6. They should split with NE. They can sweep Buffalo. They’re better than Jacksonville, Baltimore, Denver, and Carolina. And, they beat San Diego TWICE last year.
Add Ty Law to the Jets #4 defense, add Laveraneus Coles (Pennington’s favorite target) to a solid offense and you have a recipe for continuing improvement.
I’m not crazy, just analytical!
Thank you Yeah, Arizona is going to surprise some folks this year. Anquan Boldin is good, but have you checked Tory Holt’s numbers? No one in the league is ‘much better’ than Tory Holt. There may be only 3 who are marginally better (Owens, Harrison, Moss).
The AFC East is not that tough. They play the Jets and Patriots at HOME, and play the sorry Bills and Dolphins on the ROAD. Remember, the Bills have a first year starter at qb.
The NFC North is tough, but the have Minnesota and Green Bay at HOME, and play the Lions in an indoor road stadium. The Chicago game is outside in DECEMBER, but the Bears will be pitful on offense this year, and they’ll be so far out of the playoff hunt, they’ll be mailing it in come late December.
The team has never had 2 straight winning seasons. Well, when have they had a healthy Michael Vick for 2 straight seasons. In the two full seasons that he’s played, they have made the playoffs and won a playoff game in each season. If Vick stays healthy, not only will they have a winning season, but they’ll go to the Super Bowl. Don’t forget, they went to the NFC Championship game last year.
Okay SteelerFan, don’t get all testy because your squad is going to slip this year. And, I stated that of the 3 most important quarterbacks in the AFC North (Ben, Kyle, and Carson) that Carson is the most polished. Just because he’s only started for one year doesn’t mean he’s not more polished than the one year starter Ben, and the less than impressive Kyle Boller.
However you spell Staley’s nickname, he’s hurt!
As far as the receivers, do you know that Cincinnati basically had two 1,000 yard receivers last year. Chad Johnson (1,274), and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (978). And, when Peter Warrick was healthy in 2003 he had almost a thousand yards. He’s healthy now, so that means 1 great, and 2 very good receivers on the Bengals. That makes them one of the top receive corps in the NFL. That can’t be said about the run oriented Steelers or Ravens.
Brady not the key to success? — All the female and gay Patsies fans would argue otherwise. I mean, he’s just so darn good looking.
cool it edreed11. Cut the profanity. If you dont like what you see here is what you can do:
1. not vote down on someone’s work because you dissagree with their picks, base your voting on the quality of the story, not the views opinionated within it.
—–or——-
Its people like you, that people like me dislike.
shut up go cry yourself a river buddy…
BSD is a grown man let him deal with his own problems, he doesnt need someone like u to act like his mom
anyways
E REED OWNS UR BITCH ASS
I fixed the mistakes and i am now going to vote for it.
bsd – let me know if I missed any.
YOU shutup There wouldn’t be any problems if you didn’t start any. Stop being an idiot and stop ruining the site. You might as well leave because I’m pretty sure you won’t be missed.
thanks he wont be missed at all.
That KC-Jets game…. proved that Pennington is having horrible fumbling problems; his throwing arm may never be the same again. His downfield throws were mostly off and the throws that he used to make so easily he can’t anymore.
Plus, the Jets defense was horrible. Almost 200 yards rushing allowed? Imagine what Pittsburgh, New England and Baltimore are gonna do against this team.
It’s quite early One game is not a season and not a trend. Pennington is not having ‘horrible fumbling problems’, he had a bad first game. It is rather obvious that his cerebral disposition affects his instincts for the game. He was thinking too much and reacting too little.
I think the Jets got caught up in the hype and buzz of Super Bowl predictions by many television talking heads. The KC game was a good wake up call for the Jets. The first game will be remembered as an aberration after they win the division.
I stand by my Jets pick, my Patriots prediction, my Pittsburgh Steelers prediction, and my Arizona Cardinals prediction. It’s a long season, there’s no need to get too excited or despondent after week one.