jmt57

Biggest drop from last year's record: Bucs, Broncos
Biggest rise from last year's record: Packers, Seahawks


Regarding the comment that there was no way Pittsburgh would go 12-4 again: I completely disagree. First of all, they had almost no losses in free agency - almost unheard of for a super bowl champion.

Second, take a look at their schedule. They get the conference's weakest division, the AFC West; and the NFC North, which went a combined 25-39 last year. Absent from their schedule are both the Pats and Colts this season. Only once do they have to travel across more than one time zone; no west coast games at all. The furthest they travel is to Denver - and that is after a bye week.

Pittsburgh only has one game with a shorter week to prepare than their opponent: a home game against the Bengals after that Monday night game at Denver. The only other game with a short week to prepare is a late season game against the Browns, who may be looking ahead to the off-season at that point. Their toughest game of the year comes in week one one at home against the Titans - and then they get ten days to prepare for the next game.

KontradictioN

They still have retained the majority of a team that went 11-5 in 2007 with what looked like (at the time) a steady hand in Garrard. And, as you said, they did pick #8 this year, using the pick to steady the offensive line (which was blamed for Garrard's bad year in 2008). However, Monroe and Britton have not been looking good in TC and the line didn't look any better last night against Miami. I know it's just the first preseason game, but Garrard was running around for his life, much like he was in 2008. Those lineman might develop or they might not. But I took the facts I had at hand and made my decision on them. I can see where you and others are coming from though which is why I chose to add Tampa as well.

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CREDIT - Sicilian

PatsFanSince74

The criteria for judging improvement and decline aren't clear.

Non-Playoff teams to Playoffs? Playoff teams to the Golf Course in January? Then, I'd put the Bears in the Playoffs and maybe Seattle and Buffalo (the latter as a Wildcard, mind you). I don't move the Saints because I like both the Falcons and Panthers in their Division. On the flip side, I don't expect the Dolphins or Cardinals to make the Playoffs this year.

Improvement or decline in W/L records? I think that Seattle will have the greatest rebound from a poor 2008 (4--12) and I look for Houston to make the AFC South an uncomfortable place for the Colts and Titans. On the other side of the coin, with a lot tougher schedule, the Dolphins will be lucky to win 8 games this year; remember, Chad always has his "season that makes you think he's gonna be great" right before his "season that reminds you why you didn't like him."

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It is what it is. It wasn't what it wasn't.

borg

Most improved:
+ 8 games
From 11 wins last year to 19 wins this year
Your New England Patriots

Synovia

They did, but I'd really be surprised if Garrard ever has another season like 2007. Guys just don't throw 3 INTs a season. They got a lot of lucky that season.

Rob0729

Fastest Falling

The Colts - Lost Dungy. O-line (especially LT) is in shambles (Manning got sacked three times on the opening drive in the first preseason game), defense is already injured, loss of Marvin Harrison and no one really stepping up to be the #3. Bob Sanders very likely to be on the PUP for the first six games. They were a team that won 3-4 games they should have lost last year. You cannot do that year after year. They should have fallen last year and I think this is the year they finally do it. Their schedule for the last 6 or so games last year was a joke (SD, Cleveland, Cincy, Detriot, Jacksonville, and a Titans team that rested their starters) and will face a tougher schedule this year.

Most Improved

Houston - Gave away a sure win against the Colts last year because Sage Rosenfels made two bonehead costly errors in a sure win. As long as Matt Schaub stays healthy, they could be a 10-11 win team and potentially contend for the division.

Ochmed Jones

I really think San Diego is going to be vastly improved and I think Atlanta with Ryan at QB will be improved as well.

I think Miami's house of cards will crumble this season. Followed by Arizona.

Sicilian

Most improved I'm going to go with the Pats, honestly. Not because I think they'll have the greatest jump in number of wins, but I just get the feeling they're going to look and feel a lot stronger than they did last year, on both sides of the ball.

Team in decline? Tennessee Titans. I think the Haynesworth loss is going to be bigger than they think, and you can only get away with Collins for so long. Vince Young isn't the solution until he proves otherwise.

everlong

Most improved: GB lost 7 games by less than a TD last year. Had a very nice draft to improve the defense. Rogers second year starting and he did well last year.

Biggest Step back: 13 wins by Titans. They lost Haynesworth. They still don't have a receiving core. I don't think Collins will repeat his performance of last year because the defense allowed them to be able to hand off all day. Collins only threw for 2676 with 12 TDs and 7 INTs. Without Haynesworth they will be playing from behind more often and he won't be able to handle it. If they go to Young I don't see it being much better.

Don't get me wrong they're probably still a 9 win team but when you had the best record in football the year before that's a mighty step back.

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"When Peyton Manning was a kid he used to go to bed at night and dream about throwing the winning touchdown for the Saints in the Superbowl. And on Sunday he did."

There's only two conclusions for Patriots fans on rookies. They are either a bust or being fitted for their bust in Canton.


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spacecrime

Count me among those few who think the Bears will be fortunate to win as many games as last year. I know I'm in a minority, but Cutler has never impressed me. Poor decison maker and a gunslinger, the only thing going for him is his powerful arm. But Rohan Davey and Ryan Leaf had powerful arms. It takes more than that to be a QB.

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“When we look at the board, based on everything we want in a football player at that particular time, we evaluate them and take the player that fits best for our football team. That’s what we always do, and I think the last nine years we’ve put a pretty competitive team out there on the field every year. I think that’s how you do it – you get good football players. Sometimes they are not always at the No. 1 position, but I don’t think you pass up good football players to get the guys who aren’t as good just because they’re at a position that somebody feels you need.”
BB on his draft philosophy, April 2010