Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Name a Darkhorse from both confrences who you think will make it too the playoffs. I say Houston and Detroit with Jacksonville getting serious consideration. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted August 26, 2004 AFC- Jacksonville.. Don't know why, it's ojne of those "gut feelings" I think we'll see a lot more "dark horse" teams out in the NFC since the bad teams there have done a lot more to upgrade during the offseason.. NFC- I'd say Detroit or Chicago. NFC North is going to be tough this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just John 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Does Seattle count? I think they have a serious shot at going to the Super Bowl. Jacksonville will be this year's Cincinnati. I think Detroit and Houston will make solid improvements, but not quite reach the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 I think New Orleans puts their shit together for the year (carried kicking and screaming by Deuce McAllister if necessary) into a wild card spot and possible playoff run. I think Buffalo gets a wild card spot. I think Houston will be a good team, but with Tenn. and Indy in the division they will have to be great against everyone else to get into the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 I wouldn't rule out anybody but the following teams...Cardinals, 49ers, Giants, Raiders, Dolphins, Chargers & Browns. However, there are some that are more likely than others. NFC - New Orleans Saints. I didn't pick them to make the playoffs, but they could make a good run. They have great talent on offense, even with the inconsistant Brooks at QB and the DEF should be improved. They also lost some flukey games last year. Carolina will fall off and Tampa Bay is in transition from a Dungy team to a Gruden team and likely won't contend this year as a result. Detroit is next year's big dark horse. They are still too young and have too many holes on D for this year. I would consider Washington, but people are starting to think too highly of them so I no longer consider them a darkhorse since success is almost expected. AFC - Buffalo Bills. They had a fantastic D a year ago and a fantastic O two years ago. Now only if they can put the two together. They are set at RB on offense and Moulds is in one of his patented even years which according to the pattern he has set throughout his career means a big season from him. The loss of Moulds (along with the idiot Gilbride who was sent packing) was a big part of the ineptness of the offense last season. Evans should be an upgrade over Reed. They have the potential to be really, really good if they put it all together. The only thing stopping them if it happens is a tough division with the Jets & Pats leading the way. Miami has no shot to win the Super Bowl, but they are still more talented than the other scrubs (and some of the darkhorses) and are far from a sure win when they show up on the schedule (except for December/January). EDIT: Dammit. pinjockey beat me when I was writing my response. I seriously did not copy off of him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Texans and Giants. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brett Favre 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 The New York Jets. Well because they are my favorite, but if everyone stays healthy, they may have an explosive offense. There's Chad Pennington, who's one of the best QB's in the game when healthy. With Curtis Martin in great shape, his play action is still a deadly weapon, IMO the best play action in the league. Santana Moss and McCareins at either side of the ball. Speed with Moss and the long ball with McCareins. Chrebet for the 3rd down situations, and an offensive line that just added Kendall along side Fabini, pro-bowl center Mawae, and McKenzie. LaMont Jordan backing up Martin is playing for a new contract as well. On the defensive end Abraham, if he stays on the field is a wreckless force, along with 2nd year man Dewayne Robertson who should improve after a year in the NFL, and pro bowler Shaun Ellis. The linebackers are probably the strong point of the D. Vilma and Coward in the middle, along with Barton (former Raider) and Hobson on the outside. The corners with Barrett (former Cardinal) and Donnie Abraham shouldn't be too bad, along with Mickens and rookie Derrick Strait who I think was a steal in the draft. The safeties McGraw and Tongue should be pretty good together, if McGraw can stay healthy, and Erik Coleman is looking good in preseason. We have a decent backup this time around, but hopefully we won't see Carter. On paper, this should be a playoff team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Bills? Saints? Seahawks? Jets? Those aren't darkhorses...those are teams people know are talented, but have underacheived. It's like calling the Colts darkhorses after that poor season they had a few years ago. I don't think Jacksonville can be considered one either, due to so many experts saying they will be a team to watch this year. You can't be a darkhorse after everyone says you will be. AFC Browns NFC Cardinals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dangerous A 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Cards are done now that Boldin and Fitzgerald will be missing significant time and Shipp is done for the season. I'd go with the Lions in the NFC and the Bengals in the AFC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Cards are done now that Boldin and Fitzgerald will be missing significant time and Shipp is done for the season. I did not know that, so um...nevermind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Does Seattle count? I think they have a serious shot at going to the Super Bowl. Jacksonville will be this year's Cincinnati. I think Detroit and Houston will make solid improvements, but not quite reach the playoffs. Seattle was soo close, I wouldnt count them. I personally think Seattle will play Buffalo in the Super Bowl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Maxim picked the Bengals to finish last in the division. Stick to half-funny remarks in the captions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted August 26, 2004 I wouldn't rule out anybody but the following teams...Cardinals, 49ers, Giants, Raiders, Dolphins, Chargers & Browns. However, there are some that are more likely than others. I would say that the Browns deserve to be out of that Category because they play in the worst divison in Football. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Maxim picked the Bengals to finish last in the division. Stick to half-funny remarks in the captions. They also expected the Eagles and Patriots in the superbowl, and actually it was Chris Berman making the picks. Buncha morons. I hate it when they make sports picks and know absolutely jackshit about what they're talking about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UseTheSledgehammerUh 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 So what's wrong with picking the Pats and Eagles? Sounds intelligent to me. The two best winning percentages in the past 4 (or is it 5?) years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Eagles wont make the playoffs. Running game will get exposed, they couldnt stop the run last year and made little improvments there. Plus they lost BOTH their corners. They will go 8-8 or 9-7, and wont make the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Since I don't think anybody gives them a shot --- I'll say the Panthers might have the best shot at making the SB. If their OL gels quickly, they're going to brutally hard to stop. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yankovic fan 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Eagles also lost Duce Staley so, uh yeah, they will have ground difficulties. As far as a Dark Horse team, AFC I hope Jacksonville does well since they drafted a guy from my small college in the fifth round. NFC I would like to see the Bengals do well. I'm still torn b/t home state Saints and the Panthers with Home state QB Jake Delhomme, for the 2nd year in a row. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Since I don't think anybody gives them a shot --- I'll say the Panthers might have the best shot at making the SB. If their OL gels quickly, they're going to brutally hard to stop. -=Mike I am with ya man. If their O-line is good, they are the Favorite in the NFC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted August 26, 2004 NFC I would like to see the Bengals do well. Um...kay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 NFC I would like to see the Bengals do well. Um...kay I dunno how the NFC would feel about the Bengals.....maybe the AFC that they play in would have something to say about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Eagles also lost Duce Staley so, uh yeah, they will have ground difficulties. Duce's importance to Philly was overrated ever since his big game in Dallas which put his name on the map. Westbrook is the starter with or without Duce, so I don't see how just losing Duce spells doom for Philly. Losing Buckhalter hurts them, but you can't blame that on Duce leaving. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 AFC: Houston NFC: Detroit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rrrsh Report post Posted August 26, 2004 AFC: Houston NFC: Detroit Your a wise man... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
St. Gabe 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 AFC: BROWNS NFC: BEARS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest acnx Report post Posted August 26, 2004 I wish I could pick the Lions, I really do, but they are still one year off. Too many holes in the defense. They won't pressure the QB at all, and they are plugging anybody they can in as a linebacker. From the NFC, I'll go with the Saints, and the Browns are going to do some damage in the AFC. The Eagles will make the playoffs, TO makes them a much better team. Sheldon Brown and Lito will do fine. Losing Staley is hardly a blow...he did just about nothing for the Eagles. Buckwalter going down does hurt, but it doesn't take them out of the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Eagles also lost Duce Staley so, uh yeah, they will have ground difficulties. Duce's importance to Philly was overrated ever since his big game in Dallas which put his name on the map. Westbrook is the starter with or without Duce, so I don't see how just losing Duce spells doom for Philly. Losing Buckhalter hurts them, but you can't blame that on Duce leaving. Westbrook is a nice complimentary RB, but he is too undersized to carry a full load. Should be interesting to see how long he can hold up........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UseTheSledgehammerUh 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Eagles won't make playoffs?!?!?!?!? LMAO! I think they're in the top 2 favorites to win the NFC. A) Duce is gone. Okay. Their best running back last year was BRIAN WESTBROOK...who is still there. B) Lost two corners. Okay. They were also HURT for many games last year, and the replacements didn't do poorly. C) WE FINALLY HAVE A PRO BOWL RECEIVER TO CATCH THE BALL. Seeya in the NFC Title Game, birds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Are you going to make the same guarantees you made last time and then disappear? Please say yes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Salacious Crumb Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Maxim picked the Bengals to finish last in the division. Stick to half-funny remarks in the captions. Proving that Maxim should just stick to showing pictures of half naked women and never try to make football predictions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
