What to Expect During The 2002 Football Season



Here's what I expect during the 2002 season.


Divisions



AFC East


1. Patriots - Last year's champs should be better than in 2001 when they won several games on special teams. They have more offensive weapons this season. Their 2001 draft was as good as the 1974 Steelers draft which led to four super bowls in six years. The Pats have stocked themselves with extra picks from Bledsoe and Glenn and should contend for several years.
2. Jets - They looked like a 16-0 team in pre season. They are solid on D and will use ball control to win. Should give the arch rival Pats a run and make the playoffs.
3. Dolphins - Another solid team defensively and they traded for Ricky Williams. The offense is too predictable and mediocrity will remain.
4. Bills - Trying to improve with the Bledsoe trade. They must keep him healthy though. They will score some points this season but, they can't stop the run; and will not win games in their division until that improves.


AFC North


1. Steelers - Still trying to get over the hump. Using multiple QB's and running trick plays to counter the bus. Their D is in an elite class. The special teams need to improve.
2. Ravens - Everyone says that they will be down because of salary cap problems. With Jamal Lewis healthy they should win on ball control since they still have most of their defensive stars.
3. Browns - The Courtney Brown show continues to steamroll up the standings. The supporting cast keeps getting better, but they are a season away.
4. Bengals - The NFL's football follies. The worst run team which plays in a racist city that drives away good players when their contracts expire. They will win one or two games at best.


AFC South


1. Colts - Much improved on D which means that they should compete as their offense and special teams are already excellent. They will have an excellent season then the Indiana choke will follow in the playoffs.
2. Titans - They need to stay healthy to compete. They should win some close games which will keep them in the race all year.
3. Texans - Four wins would be an accomplishment for a team playing it's first season.
4. Jaguars - The players hate the coaching staff and each other. Unless they get their act together they will give the Bengals a run for the top pick.


AFC West


1. Chiefs - The surprise team of the year. I mentioned this with the Ravens two season ago and they won it all. They should get some big wins down the stretch at home against warm climate and dome teams. Their defense is improved while the offense and special teams are excellent.
2. Broncos - A circus show with players frequently getting arrested. Now they are rotating several positions. A true three ring act, but not the greatest show on earth.
3. Chargers - They should turn the corner this year with strict discipline from new coach Marty Schottenheimer who was chased away from the Redskins by his own players who hated him. Quentin Jammer is an exciting franchise player, but will he get along with Schottenheimer? They also have Tomlinson who might even break 2000 yards this season. Cold weather games in December will stall their playoff hopes.
4. Raiders - After two excellent seasons they appear to be about to crash from old age. They will not as bed as most fourth place teams, but their schedule is murderous.


NFC East


1. Eagles - They get better each season. The defense is solid and will keep their games low scoring. Their offensive line is still terrible, but better than their divisional rivals.
2. Redskins - After the player revolt last year, Steve Spurrier was brought in to bring back the three receiver offense. The players adjusted in pre season by scoring almost more than they did all of last season. Their defense is excellent and should keep them in contention. As Ramsey develops, so will the offense.
3. Cowboys - Should improve if Carter stays healthy. Defense is strong. Special teams is weak and they should approach 8-8.
4. Giants - Now that the Cardinals are no longer around there is a new whipping boy in the division. The excessive turnovers and awful special teams play must stop if they will win any games in this division. The Jets are easily the better of the New York teams.


NFC North


1. Packers - They will finally stop the run this year, and take advantage of playing in a soft division; and playing their frigid climate in January to win the NFC.
2. Bears - Handicapped by not playing at home this season. They can't stop the pass and will lose some tough games this season. The QB situation is a circus just like in Denver.
3. Lions - Harrington appears to be in the Marino class. If they get a good tailback in next year's draft they will become a dangerous team for several seasons.
4. Vikings - No running game. Can't stop anybody. If they don't start well when they have some easy games, they will battle the Bengals and Jaguars for the top pick.


NFC South


1. Buccaneers - Ball control team which should remain a playoff contender since they are in a weak division.
2. Falcons - Will improve over the course of the season with Joe Gibbs as GM, and Vick making big plays. The defense must improve if they will contend.
3. Saints - Too many holes on defense. They will lose a lot of high scoring games.
4. Panthers - Should improve from the disaster last season when they were near the bottom in everything and nearly went 0-16. They had a solid draft this year and four wins seems reachable.


NFC West


1. Rams - The best of the arena ball teams when it comes to points. They have three bruising physical opponents in their division. Can make the big dance again if they can avoid a cold weather game.
2. Forty Niners - A solid ball control team which has an upcoming superstar in Micheal Rumph who will take away a third of the field and be a dangerous kick returner. A tough schedule will keep them behind the Rams.
3. Seahawks - They need Dilfer to be healthy to compete. Microsoft ca$h will not heal him quickly. Without him they are one dimensional. Poor officiating in one game cost them a playoff spot last season. They have an incentive to compete and should be in a three team battle.
4. Cardinals - Different division and rivals, but the same situation. They will continue to be a whipping boy until the owner is impeached.



Wild Cards


Jets, Chiefs, Redskins, Forty Niners

Super Bowl 37

Packers over Chiefs


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