What to Expect During The 2003 Football Season



Here's what I expect during the 2003 season.


Divisions



AFC East


1. Patriots - Had an excellent preseason and continue to draft well. Should be a premiere franchise for several years with a high powered offense and excellent special teams.
2. Dolphins - Loaded with talent but the offense is too predictable. The defense and special teams should get them into the playoffs although they have two critical December games in cold climates which will probably ruin their season.
3. Bills - A high powered offense that will score often, but terrible on special teams. Two early season games in the Florida heat don't help.
4. Jets - Were depleted by free agency in the off season. Then too many players were hurt in the preseason. Should finish near the bottom of the standings this season despite having an excellent defensive line.


AFC North


1. Steelers - Exciting on offense but they can't stop the pass or cover kicks. The best team in a weak division.
2. Browns - Again a hair below the Steelers, but they get better each season.
3. Ravens - Too much turnover in the off season. They need a season to adjust and it will be a long one.
4. Bengals - They are trying to tear off the racist label. Should win twice as many games as last season because of a stockpile of draft picks.


AFC South


1. Titans - The best team on paper. Should win at least 13 games if Kearse stays healthy.
2. Colts - Their offensive guns should once again put up some big numbers. A postseason choke is common in Indiana and will probably happen once again this season.
3. Jaguars - A change in QB's won't improve their record. Not when other positions become more depleted.
4. Texans - The fans will get to enjoy the super bowl, but their team won't be in it. They are improving and are a season away from being a contended with Hollings giving them a franchise back.


AFC West


1. Chiefs - If the defense plays half as well as the offense and special teams then they will battle the Titans for the AFC.
2. Chargers - Should compete for the division with the addition of Boston and Neal to open up the field for Tomlinson. The schedule makers hate this team and send them to cold climates in December again.
3. Raiders - Would win it all in a wheelchair league. The graybeard attack is slowing down although no team is more popular.
4. Broncos - More of a comical act than a team. The defense is funnier than a Gallagher show. Should also have plenty of players arrested once again.


NFC East


1. Giants - They shocked everyone last season and brought in another big mouth this season in Joseph to plug up the middle. Not only will they talk tough. They will play that way too and have a season that will better 1986 and 1990.
2. Eagles - Should put up some big numbers on offense, but the defense is banged up going into the season. They will need to adjust to not playing on concrete anymore.
3. Redskins - Ramsey should develop this season with an abundant load of talent brought in during hte off season. Should be much improved on special teams, but a mean schedule will hurt them in the standings.
4. Cowboys - A total breakdown in discipline both on and off the field last season led to the arrival of Bill Parcells. Then they had five players arrested (one for murder) and another killed in the off season. This team is full of holes and with a tough schedule they should get one of the top three picks in 2004.


NFC North


1. Packers - Still looking for a way to stop the run, but an explosive offense makes them the best team in a weak division.
2. Vikings - Slowly getting better, but their front office has become too cheap to allow them to contend.
3. Bears - Getting to play at home helps, and they are good enough defensively to stay in most games. The offense continues to be a three ring circus with rotating QB's.
4. Lions - They will pass, pass and pass all season and continue to lose as they continue to not stop anyone.


NFC South


1. Buccaneers - Won it all last season with ball control. They are better this season, but so is some of the competition.
2. Panthers - Continuing to improve and they looked like a serious contender in preseason. The defense is excellent and should make this team a contender for several years.
3. Saints - Same as last season. The offense and special teams are good but there are too many holes on defense. They will lose a lot of high scoring games.
4. Falcons - Banged up heavily going into the season. They might be out of it by mid season.


NFC West


1. Rams - Will return to their explosive ways on offense. Still need to learn how to stop the run.
2. Forty Niners - A ball control power team which had their way in weak division last season. The special teams must improve if they are to compete with the top teams
3. Seahawks - More balanced than their rivals on offense. They can't stop the run and will continue to consistently lose until they do.
4. Cardinals - They tried to look good in preseason to sell tickets and they added Emmitt. The rest of the team (including the front office) is terrible. Should pick #1 in 2004



Wild Cards


Dolphins, Colts, Eagles, Panthers

Super Bowl 38

Giants over Titans


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