Preseason picks: Who will be the NFC Champs?

[Kodos]

You have one week to get your vote in. Please post your prediction in the thread. If your team is not listed, please choose "Other" and then reply with your pick. Top vote getters will go into Super Bowl champ thread.

[scooper]

Philly gets over the hump. I'd pick Tampa Bay, but it's hard to repeat.

[cuervo72]

Eagles. Gotta support the team.

[Kodos]

Green Bay uses an easy NFC North schedule to claim the home field in the playoffs and advance to the Super Bowl.

[TLK]

Other..... I'd rather not say, but put two and two together :D

[Butter]

Eagles

[JeeberD]

Tampa.

Chicago? You listed Chicago? Might as well have listed the Cowboys too...

[mckerney]

Originally posted by Kodos
Green Bay uses an easy NFC North schedule to claim the home field in the playoffs and advance to the Super Bowl.

Even though they're the second best team in the NFC North?

Head to head, the Vikings were better than the Packers last year. The Vikings got better in the offseason, the Packers didn't.

[Fritz]

Carolina

[MIJB#19]

Originally posted by Kodos
Green Bay uses an easy NFC North schedule to claim the home field in the playoffs and advance to the Super Bowl. You think 5 divisional victories is enough to clinch a top spot?
They would still need 7+ victories against.
Looking at their schedule, a 5-2 starts into the bye week would not be unlikely.
But then they have a post bye week schedule of @Minnesota, Eagles, @Buccaneers and 49ers. Later on comes a season closing schedule of road games in San Diego and Oakland followed by a home game against Denver.

[Masked]

No love for the Saints?

And Seattle and Chicago?

[Kodos]

Just for the record, Minnesota sucks. :D

[Kodos]

You are now seeing why I employed an "Other" option, since some apparently wanted Detroit to be an option. My scientific method for choosing candidates was looking at PFW's predictions, and then choosing the best records.

[Hands to the Face]

Philadelphia

[GrantDawg]

The Falcons, because I'm a true fan.

[vtbub]

Tampa

[Fritz]

Originally posted by GrantDawg
The Falcons, because I'm a true fan.

the georgia dome suck ass

[TLK]

Originally posted by Kodos
You are now seeing why I employed an "Other" option, since some apparently wanted Detroit to be an option. My scientific method for choosing candidates was looking at PFW's predictions, and then choosing the best records.

lol :)

Go Lions.....

[Iceberg]

WASHINGTON REDSKINS!

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by Fritz
the georgia dome suck ass

It is nice and comfortable, but yeah, it is an affront to all that is football in the South.

[MIJB#19]

I voted Seahawks by the way.
I realize it's a long shot, but like the Chargers and Lions and what team not a team with young players on offense in their second year together.
Even though 12 wins would be a bit too much with their schedule.
(That is expecting 12 wins would be required to eventually win it all.)

[mckerney]

Originally posted by Kodos
Just for the record, Minnesota sucks. :D

And yet they still kicked the crap out of the Packers twice last year. Hmm...

[MIJB#19]

Originally posted by mckerney
And yet they still kicked the crap out of the Packers twice last year. Hmm... Vikings AND Packers suck?

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by Fritz
Carolina First they have to score against the Falcons. :D

[Radii]

I <3 Fritz.

Panthers.

[ice4277]

Philly is too easy of a pick...I think the Rams will sneak back in under the radar IF Warner is back at full-strength.

[Kodos]

Originally posted by mckerney
And yet they still kicked the crap out of the Packers twice last year. Hmm...

What can I say? Sometimes even a crap team gets lucky, or matches up well against a superior team. The Vikings were certainly not a force to be reckoned with last year in general.

[Vince]

49ers...this is going to be it, if the rumors I have heard that they aren't going to re-sign (or even try to re-sign, for that matter) Owens, among other players.

[Sharpieman]

49ers...since I'm a homer (I actually don't think 49ers will even make the playoffs, but then again, I have never been good at predicting outcomes).

[VPI97]

Dirty Birds

[ISiddiqui]

I vote Saint Louie. They'll come back strong this go around.

[tucker342]

Tampa

[AZSpeechCoach]

Where the hell's Arizona? Go Cardinals!!!!



Oh wait...Bidwell's our owner. Damn!

[condors]

Eagles

[oykib]

The Giants are gonna finally put together a wire-to-wire season this year.

I'd like to say that we'll see a Giants-Jets Super Bowl. I'll pick the Jets because I'm a fan. But I think that they are a year away.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by SkyDog
First they have to score against the Falcons.

They don't have to score against the falcons at all.

hear me now - the falcons will do no better than 3rd in the south!

[Fritz]

dola, its good to see the falcon bandwagoners out early

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by Fritz
dola, its good to see the falcon bandwagoners out early LOL! I KNOW you ain't talkin' about GrantDawg or Ol' SkyDog now. Don't know about the rest, but I know we've both been loyal Birds' fans since we were old enough to say "Tommy Nobis."

[Fritz]

Originally posted by SkyDog
LOL! I KNOW you ain't talkin' about GrantDawg or Ol' SkyDog now. Don't know about the rest, but I know we've both been loyal Birds' fans since we were old enough to say "Tommy Nobis."

I have been to games down there and know first hand that the Falcons did not have <i>any</i> fans prior to the Superbowl season.

Don't worry, you guys can go back to root for dallas or a front runner by week 6.

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by Fritz
I have been to games down there and know first hand that the Falcons did not have <i>any</i> fans prior to the Superbowl season.

Don't worry, you guys can go back to root for dallas or a front runner by week 6.

Your full of crap, Fritz. I've been rooting for the Falcons since Steve Bartkowski was dropping bombs on Andrew Jenkins, and William Andrews was running over every linebacker in sight.

Now arguing against the fact we may end up third in the South, I'm not. That is a possibility. The defensive secondary is very suspect. The d-line (as always) is undersized and not very deep. And then there is the weak offensive line.

Then again, I can't argue against the fact they may all come together and take it the next step this year. I think the H-back offense will work well with the players we have. It will allow us to use both Duckett and Dunn in the same backfield. The recieving corps has gone from just plain ugly last year, to one of the deepest positions we have.

In other words, just like every other team in the league, the Falcons have a good shot at going 12-4, or 4-12.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by GrantDawg
Your full of crap, Fritz.


No arguments


I've been rooting for the Falcons since Steve Bartkowski was dropping bombs on Andrew Jenkins, and William Andrews was running over every linebacker in sight.


You must have been the one fan that was there for the home team.

[RendeR]

Originally posted by oykib
The Giants are gonna finally put together a wire-to-wire season this year.

I'd like to say that we'll see a Giants-Jets Super Bowl. I'll pick the Jets because I'm a fan. But I think that they are a year away.


Wow, and I thought that I was a sucker for lost causes....I've been a Bengal fan for23 years, but the jets AND the giants?

holy fumbled away football picks batman.......

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by Fritz
I have been to games down there and know first hand that the Falcons did not have <i>any</i> fans prior to the Superbowl season.

Don't worry, you guys can go back to root for dallas or a front runner by week 6. Well, good that you acknowledged that you're full of it. It was rare for me to miss a game on the tube when I was younger. Growing up in South Georgia, we were outside of the blackout range, but close enough that they were the regional game every single week. I doubt there was any one season from age 6-21 (1975-1990 seasons) that I missed more than 2 games on the tube. I have lived in metro Atlanta since the beginning of the '91 season, and have been a faithful follower and attendee since then, as much as I can afford (which ain't too much on a youth minstrey salary....) For blackouts, it has been the radio or a sports bar when I can't afford a ticket. Trust me, you're dealing with a loyal Bird fan here.

[TroyF]

I didn't pick the Falcons to go to the Super Bowl. . . but they'll be a playoff team. Take it to the bank.

TroyF

[Fritz]

falcons fans getting uppity

[RendeR]

I must say, the list is a bit lame, with teams like Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle who really have no chance at getting to the Super bowl being listed.......



*ducks*

[Buzzbee]

I live in the ATL and have been a Falcon fan for a long time. Not as devoted as SkyDog, but a fan nonetheless.

However, the Falcons are overrated in my opinion. Yes, they went to the playoffs last year. Yes, they added a sorely needed offensive weapon in Peerless Price. This should give defenses a little something extra to worry about when trying to prepare for the falcons.

BUT...the offensive line is basically the same as last year, and is not that good. This was ok last year because it allowed Vick to scramble, which was good. This year I don't think having a sorry OL will be as beneficial. Why? See my next point.

I believe that defenses were caught by suprise last year with Vick. They underestimated his speed and ability to scramble. That won't happen this year. As a result, you'll see defenses try to contain him and shadow him with a LB (like Tampa Bay). The result, less success scrambling, no 174 yard game, and a less potent Michael Vick. This leads me to my next point.

Michael Vick had a great season, for a QB in his first full season. I expect a "sophomore slump". As mentioned above, teams were suprised by Vick last year. This year they won't be, and as a result, I expect a worse year from Vick this year. Peerless Price helps and was a needed addition, but won't be a cure-all. I expect the offense to sputter at times. Which leads me to my next point.

During Atlanta's 8 game stretch where they didn't lose a game (1 tie) they were able to do it because of...defense. The defense was a key component in that drive. They shut down other teams and kept Atlanta in the game. Jay Feely won a few games on late field goals (and missed a few game winners as well). The defense was able to keep Atlanta in games and give them the opportunity to win. However, I don't believe the defense is as strong. The secondary is suspect with Ambrose leaving, "Big Play" Ray Buchanan getting older, and injuries affecting others. The Linebacking core is solid with Brooking as the anchor. Overstreet will hopefully be healthy this year and give them more depth. But the DL is undersized and not very deep. I look for Brooking to have a stellar year if he stays healthy, because he'll be one of the few that can tackle.

So, I expect the Falcons to finish third behind the Buccs and the Saints.

[thirdandlong]

I voted St. Louis... because I think it would be a nice story, but I really think Tampa will be hard to beat assuming Johnson continues to regain confidence and form.

[Kodos]

If only polls had 16 options. Actually, 17 so there could be the obligatory joke option at the bottom.

[TroyF]

Buzzbee,

This isn't anything that Falcons fans haven't heard before. Heck, I'm not even a Falcon fan, I just happen to like Michael Vick.

I believe their offense will be A LOT better this year. It isn't only Price. He's a big weapon, yes. I think Martay Jenkins is another great addition. I remember watching a game last year where the Falcons called the perfect play against the Bucs. Vick made a sweet play action fake and rolled out to the right. Both TB safties bit on the play. Atlanta split the field into thirds sending all three WR deep. The two on the outside were covered by the two Tampa CB's. Understandable. The slot WR was blanketed by TB's 4th string LB 45 yards down the field. Unbelievable.

That won't happen this year. I think Algae Crumpler will become a bigger factor in the passing game. I also think Duckett will play more giving them even more ways to exploit a defense.

You say the defense was the main cause of the 8 game unbeaten streak? Well, the offense averaged over 29 points in that stretch. The defense had 2 shutouts against the Panthers during that stretch to pad their stats.

It looks like that O was carrying their weight rather nicely. Imagine what they can do with some WR.

TroyF

[ice4277]

I think the Falcons have a good shot at the playoffs, but most likely the division title is too ambitious a title; TB is still too good (I'm so glad they aren't in the North anymore). However I think the most overrated team in that division is the Saints; they really need to step it up this season, as they had probably one of the most disappointing 9-7 seasons ever last year.

[Neuqua]

Wasn't Troy the guy who said to watch out for the Cardinals last year?

[Kodos]

Originally posted by Neuqua
Wasn't Troy the guy who said to watch out for the Cardinals last year?

And he was right! Watching a Cardinals game last year was dangerous to your health. They sucked THAT bad. :p