Top 6 teams who won't make the playoffs...

[LizardState]

Definitely the Vikings, for one overwhelming reason: they are expected to sign Favre.

Coming off bicep surgery on his throwing arm, 40 yrs. old, his head so swelled & full of himself he has no idea that the rest of the universe doesn't revolve around him. Just on his recent track rcd. alone, clearly his passes don't have that zip on them anymore, & he singlehandedly threw away half the games on the Jets' schedule last yr. The guy takes playoff-caliber teams & makes them mediocre or worse, & creates a media firestorm dragged out into wks. & months about his indecision to retire, anything to keep the spotlight on him. Vikes opponents DBs will love seeing him start though b/c he's good for 1.5 INTs/game on the avg.

Sage Rosenfels said he wanted to start before he went to Minnesota -- just be patient, he'll get his chance once Childress gets fired for signing & starting Kiss of Death Favre.

[BlindSite]

Originally Posted by Seamus2602

Carolina Panthers: The top three teams in the NFC South are all pretty close together. Any of the three of them could win the division, and given the difficult schedule NFC South teams face, there may only be one team from the South in the playoffs. Personally, I would put the Panthers 3rd in that division, so even if there is a Wild Card team there, I can't see it being the Panthers.

Atlanta Falcons: Again, there could be only one team from the NFC South in the playoffs and the Saints could always top the division. The Falcons may also be a one-hit wonder, but I can't see it. I feel the Falcons will get playoffs, but there is always a chance that they won't.

Drew Brees is a great QB, but if the last few years have taught us anything, he doesn't play defense and he doesn't pound the rock... Atlanta and Carolina are still better than the saints where it counts and a few games difference in schedule isn't going to change that.

[Vikings4ever]

Originally Posted by wicket

Sorry I wasnt clear there. The SoS will be the tiebreaker for the wild card and they will lose out because of that.

SoS is the 5th tiebreaker (H2H, conference record, common games, Strength of Victory). I seriously doubt it goes that far.

[JoeyJr09]

I'm a Miami fan and I will agree that we won't make the playoffs this year as our schedule is absolutely brutal. We are looking at about 8 wins or so and we are still rebuilding.

But the people on here saying the Wildcat film as a reason that Miami won't have success, clearly didn't watch many Miami games last year. Yea the Wildcat is all well and good and provide a boost here or there but anyone that thinks it played a major role for us didn't pay attention.

If you wanna know why Miami played so well last year, look no further then Jake Long, Chad Pennington and Joey Porter. Our players stepped up. The success had very little to do with the Wildcat. The Wildcat is just the cherry on top.

[Jensen]

Even if the Seahawks and 49ers are better and healthier this year, it's not like the Cardinals got worse. If anything, they got better getting a RB capable of starting, signing a CB to complement DRC, and making solid selections throughout the draft. I think it will be close, but I still expect the Cards to pull it out. I wouldn't be surprised if the top 3 teams in the division are around 8-8 or above.

[Gay Ork Wang]

I think the Cardinals wont make it because i totally trust in the Superbowl Loser curse. They also have Fitz on the Madden cover so double curse!

[Burns336]

With as good as the Giants D is going to be, their offense would have to suck majorly to not make the playoffs.

I actually have them winning the NFC East right now...

[Sniper]

Originally Posted by Burns336

With as good as the Giants D is going to be, their offense would have to suck majorly to not make the playoffs.

I actually have them winning the NFC East right now...

They probably will if they get some decent production from the receivers. Their running game is filthy good.

[CC.SD]

Originally Posted by Burns336

With as good as the Giants D is going to be, their offense would have to suck majorly to not make the playoffs.

I actually have them winning the NFC East right now...

The Giants offense will roll. They'll be a great team.

[Burns336]

Originally Posted by Sniper

They probably will if they get some decent production from the receivers. Their running game is filthy good.

I have you guys are a close second..

Wondering how the defense will be without Dawkins directing people on the field and Jim Johnson running it off the field.

Still, I'm looking for the Eagles offense to be tops on the NFC East.

Those 2 teams are the reason why I'm scared we wont make playoffs this year.

[Sniper]

Originally Posted by Burns336

I have you guys are a close second..

Wondering how the defense will be without Dawkins directing people on the field and Jim Johnson running it off the field.

Still, I'm looking for the Eagles offense to be tops on the NFC East.

Those 2 teams are the reason why I'm scared we wont make playoffs this year.

You probably won't make the playoffs because of your lack of secondary depth and lack of gamebreakers at WR in an offense where a gamebreaker is needed. Plus, Romo still needs to show that he can win down the stretch.

The Eagles are a type of team that could win the division or finish last and I wouldn't be surprised either way. I'm not confident in McNabb's ability to stay healthy for two straight years.

[bigbluedefense]

my 6 would be:

-Dolphins
-Titans
-Cardinals
-Panthers
-Ravens
-Colts

[Burns336]

Originally Posted by Sniper

You probably won't make the playoffs because of your lack of secondary depth and lack of gamebreakers at WR in an offense where a gamebreaker is needed. Plus, Romo still needs to show that he can win down the stretch.

The Eagles are a type of team that could win the division or finish last and I wouldn't be surprised either way. I'm not confident in McNabb's ability to stay healthy for two straight years.

I'm actually not worried about secondary. Jenkins and Scandrick should both be good. Ball is ok. Supposedly Mickens knee is 100% so he might be able to give us something. We're deep at safety. No game breakers, but we upgraded from Roy Williams and Keith Davis. I actually think our secondary is better this year than it was last year.

I'm more concerned with the D-line. I think its Ratliff and a bunch of JAGs to be completely honest. Igor might flourish being under Wade again. We'll wait and see.

Agree with you and Romo.

Agree with you on WR's. Hope we turn to more of a running team, but I doubt it.

[BeerBaron]

I'm a little surprised by seeing a lot of Dolphins but not as many Falcons....I think they're in basically the same boat. Both got off to quick starts under completely new coaching staffs and front offices, and I think they could both snap back to reality a little bit as the still-rebuilding teams that they are.

[Burns336]

Originally Posted by BeerBaron

I'm a little surprised by seeing a lot of Dolphins but not as many Falcons....I think they're in basically the same boat. Both got off to quick starts under completely new coaching staffs and front offices, and I think they could both snap back to reality a little bit as the still-rebuilding teams that they are.

I'm wondering if the 350 grinding carries that he got last year will show up on Turner this year.

I know it's not LJ style overkill, but still a pretty hefty amount.

[Eagles own the NFC East]

Even as an Eagles fan, I can't say the Giants won't make the playoffs. They had one of the best off-seasons to go along with a solid draft which should help them get over the loss of Burress.

I definitely agree with the Cardinals and Dolphins being on there. The AFC East the Dolphins are in this year is much more competitive than last years. With Tom Brady returning to the Patriots, and Rex Ryan and T.O. joining the division, the Phins will have a much harder time winning the AFC East.

[Burns336]

If you are Arizona and you start off poorly, or find yourselves 2/3 of the way through the season without a hope at the playoffs, when do you bench the guy you just gave a ton of money to and find out what you have in Leinart?

[TitanHope]

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

my 6 would be:

-Dolphins
-Titans
-Cardinals
-Panthers
-Ravens
-Colts

How high are you on the Jaguars and Texans/low on the Titans and Colts, BBD? Or is it a mix of the two?

Relieved to know that I'm not the only one who thinks the Ravens.

[jkpigskin]

i might have to take the vikings of this list if brett favre comes back healthy...

[Iamcanadian]

My 6-8 would include:

1) Titans - had one of the easiest schedules in the NFL last year. I see no way they repeat as a playoff team.
2) Miami - another team that lucked out with an easy schedule last year and Brady's injury. Think Jacksonville and the Browns.
3) Carolina - Delhomme had better bounce back from that terrible performance in the playoffs. If he's done, Carolina is done.
4) Baltimore - Borderline ability to repeat although not out of the question as the schedule has to be easier.
5) Atlanta - NFC South is a tough division and repeating is never easy.
6) Minnesota - NFC North is a lot stronger this season and both Chicago and Green Bay will give them all they can handle.
7) Indy - new HC and a # of assistants have retired. Could easily take a step back, but maybe not.
8) Arizona - I think they could take the final step up and win the SB as long as Warner continues to show franchise form but the SB jinx might get them.

[Burns336]

Originally Posted by TitanHope

How high are you on the Jaguars and Texans/low on the Titans and Colts, BBD? Or is it a mix of the two?

Relieved to know that I'm not the only one who thinks the Ravens.

I could see the Ravens dropping back.

I honestly think Flacco is the most overrated player in the game right now. I love how every time you turn on the TV you hear people asking if "Sanchez can do what Flacco did" and I find myself saying, what did Flacco do?

If by riding the coat tails of a great D and a strong running game, than sure. A lot of QB's could do that.

[TitanHope]

Originally Posted by Iamcanadian

1) Titans - had one of the easiest schedules in the NFL last year. I see no way they repeat as a playoff team.

That's inaccurate.

Entering the season, the Titans had the 10th toughest SOS at .543. They had 10 games against teams who went 8-8 or better the previous season, and they played 6 games against teams who went to the Playoffs the previous season. This season, they're entering the season with the 14th toughest SOS at .508.

In the final SOS, they ranked 26th at .4795, but they went 4-1 against Playoff teams (Vikings, Ravens, Colts, Steelers; the loss came to the Colts during the last game of the season when the Titans and Colts were resting players). So its not like they beat up on poor teams and struggled with the good ones. Plus in those 13 wins, the Ravens and Packers were the only ones to come within less than 7 points of the Titans in the final score, so they weren't the product of a weak schedule. They were a good team, and handily beating teams they should win against.

Originally Posted by Burns336

I could see the Ravens dropping back.

I honestly think Flacco is the most overrated player in the game right now. I love how every time you turn on the TV you hear people asking if "Sanchez can do what Flacco did" and I find myself saying, what did Flacco do?

If by riding the coat tails of a great D and a strong running game, than sure. A lot of QB's could do that.

I wasn't a fan of Flacco during the Draft, but I thought he was very poised during the season. But, you always have to worry about a sophomore slump, but even if he does, that OL will help shield him. Actually, I'm more concerned about the loss of Rex Ryan and the age of the defense, which is their bread and butter.

[Iamcanadian]

Originally Posted by TitanHope

That's inaccurate.

Entering the season, the Titans had the 10th toughest SOS at .543. They had 10 games against teams who went 8-8 or better the previous season, and they played 6 games against teams who went to the Playoffs the previous season. This season, they're entering the season with the 14th toughest SOS at .508.

In the final SOS, they ranked 26th at .4795, but they went 4-1 against Playoff teams (Vikings, Ravens, Colts, Steelers; the loss came to the Colts during the last game of the season when the Titans and Colts were resting players). So its not like they beat up on poor teams and struggled with the good ones. Plus in those 13 wins, the Ravens and Packers were the only ones to come within less than 7 points of the Titans in the final score, so they weren't the product of a weak schedule. They were a good team, and handily beating teams they should win against.



I wasn't a fan of Flacco during the Draft, but I thought he was very poised during the season. But, you always have to worry about a sophomore slump, but even if he does, that OL will help shield him. Actually, I'm more concerned about the loss of Rex Ryan and the age of the defense, which is their bread and butter.

Nevertheless, their SOS turned out to be .4795 for the 2008 season and they were a one and out team in the playoffs if I remember right. During the season they played their 2 toughest games at the very end of their schedule, Pittsburgh and Indy. Before that in 14 games, they played 2 playoff teams, Baltimore and Minnesota, who they faced early in the season and 1 of which had a rookie QB who hadn't yet established that he would have a good season, and Minny who is another one and out playoff team.
Their schedule was easy to put it simply for the 1st 14 games and they aren't going to get that lucky this coming season. Collins isn't a solid NFL starter at QB and they lost Haynesworth. They are done IMO with very little chance at repeating as a playoff team. I'm expecting a last place finish in their division.

[Jensen]

Originally Posted by Burns336

If you are Arizona and you start off poorly, or find yourselves 2/3 of the way through the season without a hope at the playoffs, when do you bench the guy you just gave a ton of money to and find out what you have in Leinart?

As soon as possible. If the Cardinals are out of the playoffs through two-thirds of the season (which I find highly unlikely), then there should be no reason not to give Leinart some playing time to see what he's got. They need to make a decision soon as to whether he is going to be our franchise signal caller or if we need to find somebody else. Warner isn't going to play but a couple more years if that.

[Bigburt63]

Originally Posted by JoeyJr09

I'm a Miami fan and I will agree that we won't make the playoffs this year as our schedule is absolutely brutal. We are looking at about 8 wins or so and we are still rebuilding.

But the people on here saying the Wildcat film as a reason that Miami won't have success, clearly didn't watch many Miami games last year. Yea the Wildcat is all well and good and provide a boost here or there but anyone that thinks it played a major role for us didn't pay attention.

If you wanna know why Miami played so well last year, look no further then Jake Long, Chad Pennington and Joey Porter. Our players stepped up. The success had very little to do with the Wildcat. The Wildcat is just the cherry on top.

I get what you are saying, and for the most aprt I agree. But the wildcat ran rough shot over NE early in the season, a win that could be seen as the reason they beat out the patriots for the AFCE title.