Every year for the last 14 years there have been at least 5 new teams make the playoffs. Seems pretty stupid to bet against that trend, but every year we see almost all of the"experts" just pick repeats with a couple of trendy new teams. I could see ATL taking NO spot too. Let's go out on a limb and assume a 14 year trend continues. It happens every year. Who do you think will make the playoffs,with ony 6 repeats? Last years teams were NE, NYJ, BAL, CIN, IND, SD, DAL,PHI, MIN, GB, NO, ARZ. My picks to make it back are BAL, IND, SD, GB, NO, MIN My new teams are MIA, PIT, TEN, SF, WAS, NYG I think NYJ are in for a rude awakening, NE is going to struggle on D and r unning the ball, DAL seems to be imploding already. CIN and PIT seem like the most likely to switch on my lists, but CIN never repeats, and PIT seems to find a way. I could see ATL taking NO spot
Return Teams: Saints, Packers, Ravens, Colts, Chargers, Patriots New Teams: Dolphins, Texans, Falcons, 49ers, Giants, Redskins
Old teams: GB, Dallas, Saints, Pats, Chargers, Colts New teams: Dolphins, Steelers, Titans, Giants, 49ers, Falcons
Old teams-NYJ, CIN, IND, MIN, GB, NO New Teams- MIA, PIT, ATL, SF, NYG, OAK I don't fully see Oakland or the Giants actually making it, I would have opted for SD and Dallas instead.
Old Teams to make playoffs again: AFC- BAL, IND, SD, NFC- GB, MIN, NO New Teams to make playoffs: AFC- MIA, HOU, OAK NFC- SF, ATL, WAS
Its tough to leave so many of last years good teams out. But every year there are shockers like that. I think this year it might be DAL and/or MIN
Recurrent: Colts, Chargers, Ravens, Saints, Vikings, Eagles New: Texans, Dolphins, Steelers, Falcons, 49ers, Giants
They won only 11 games and lost a playoff shootout with a +24 turnover differential. In contrast, we won 11 games in 2008 with a +17 turnover differential. History tells us that teams that lead in turnover differential one year do not lead the next year. Factoring in their schedule and the loss of that massive turnover advantage, I have the Pack going 8-8 on the strength of their offense.
Wow. GB has been the darling pick this year. Every one of the NFL.com "experts" picked them to get to the Super Bowl in their season preview. I didn't know they had that huge turnover differential. But that's what I have been thinking about NO too. Their defense didn't stop people very well, but they created a lot of turnovers. Their D scored 8 TDs off of 39 TOs. Can't see that happening there again either. They were ranked 25th in yards allowed and 20th in scoring D.
The Saints defense is hugely overrated, but they did create turnovers, which is the most important thing a defense can do. They did exactly what was necessary to win: take the ball away. They had a +11 turnover differential, third in the NFL. For that reason I don't expect them to repeat, but based on how the Panthers, Bucs, and Falcons look, they're likely to repeat as division champions. And yeah, Green Bay is a sexy Super Bowl pick, but I'm not on that bandwagon. I love their offense, I love their secondary, but they had an enormous turnover differential and couldn't make a playoff run. That tells me they still need more work. Their division will be slightly tougher and their schedule includes some really good defenses. 8-8 looks about right, but they could do 10-6 if they somehow take the ball away again. I just don't see them making the playoffs. They'll be in contention through week 17, but hey, so were we last year.
The Jets are imploding every week on HBO, and the Patriots defense is collapsing. I give the Pats a better chance at the playoffs than the Jets, but I don't see how either team makes it right now.
The same way the Dolphins did, by having a great QB (Dan Marino). The pat still have Tom Brady. And he throws to Randy Moss. That's good for 10 wins right there.
Last years teams were NE, NYJ, BAL, CIN, IND, SD, DAL,PHI, MIN, GB, NO, ARZ. Teams returning to playoffs: AFC - Patriots, Colts, Chargers NFC - Saints, Vikings, Packers New Teams to playoffs: AFC - Steelers, Texans, Titans NFC - Falcons, Giants, 49ers
I see a lot of fans are picking the Dolphins to get into the playoffs this year. As a long time Dolphins fan. I certainly hope you all are right. Personally I still think the Dolphins have too many questions to be a legitimate playoff team this year. The jury is still out on Henne as the long term answer at QB. The defense is young and unless they develop a strong pass rush. I just don't see the secondary holding up against the many quality QB's they will face this season. I always thought when Parcells took over the Dolphins that it would take him at least four years to develop a consistent playoff quality team. I still feel this way and I see the Dolphins finishing this season at 7-9 or possibly 8-8. I hope I am wrong and all of you predicting the Dolphins will go to the playoff are right. I just don't see them being one of the top six teams in the AFC right now and that is what it takes to make the playoffs.
I think it'll be a struggle, but if the Dolphins finish 7-9 again then it is a complete failure. To have the same record from last year when we had less talent[adding Marshall, Dansby, Nolan was huge] and all those injuries and the hardest schedule in 09 would mean the team has gotten worse each year since 2008, and everyone would be questioning the staff. Even 8-8 would be disappointing, but not as much as 7-9. One game is a big difference. 9-7 is probably a good estimate, but I'll go with 10-6 as what I expect as of right now [that can change as the season goes on]. We have a strange schedule. It seems tough, but it looks like we can get to a fast start possibly. I'm more nervous about Buff then I am about Minn or NYJ, we havent won there since 2003 or the opening game since 2005. If we beat Buff, should give a confidence boost to every fan. Minn's WRs are hurting. Their best wont be playing and their 2nd best is having migraine problems. Jets wont have Pace, Holmes, and maybe not Revis either. Is 3-0 possible? How about 4-0, with the Pats in Miami? It's hard to imagine starting a season so strong, it's been a long time.
I have started to feel the same way about the early schedule. What originally looked really tough doesntseem so now. BUF may be the worst team in the league,MIN is looking more beatable with their injurry issues, and we should be able to beat both the Pats and Jests at home in primetime. They haven't had steller preseasons either. I know things have looked sloppy in these preseason games, but it is preseason. You just can't tell from those what's really going on.
