So i guess the next two "weakest divisions" by default are the NFC South and AFC east. Both divisions are extremely top heavy and extremely weak at the bottom. In the NFC South, the Saints and Falcons are coming off of playoff seasons that ended in shocking performances. The Falcons got smacked around by the Giants. They scored 2 points and looked quite intimidated in Giant stadium. The Saints went into San Francisco and played the way the normally play but could not stop the anemic offense of the Niners and allowed Alex Smith to drive 80 yards for a victory. No one could have ever predicted that the niners would score 39 points in a game. The AFC east is headlined by the Patriots. They represented the AFC in the Super Bowl and fell shortto the New York Giants. They have a loaded offense but defense failed them last year. I think they ran into a team that simply has their number. The Giants defeated the Patriots during the season and ended their 20 game home winning streak on a fourth quarter drive. The Patriots need to just simply avoid the Giants and they would have several more championships. Lets analyze both divisions..
The AFC east has three quarterbacks trying to find themselves and Tom Brady. The New York Jets play solid defense but cannot get a pass rush. They try blitzing everyone but once the blitz gets picked up they are vulnerable except of course on Revis island. On offense the Jets need to get back to running the ball and with the departure of L.T. they brought in Tim Tebow to bolster that attack. He can run and he needs to work on his throwing. The Jets have no receivers. They have Dustin Keller who can play but he cannot be affective if the Jets core of receivers cannot get open. The Jets talk alot and are media darlings for not doing anything. They are the Kardashians of sports and it is time to show up, put up or quietly shut up...
The Buffalo Bills got off to a great start last year. Then Ryan Fitzpatrick got a huge contract extension and then the Bills fell off a cliff. They couldn't beat Alabama after week 5. They have seriuos weapons on offense. They can run the ball with jackson and Spiller. Johnson is a star in the making. They play probably in the worse play to play for a team that can pass the ball as well as they do. Their defense thinks that this year their line is the best in football. The signed Mario Williams to give them the pass rush they need to cover up their weaknesses at linebacker and cornerback. If they can stay healthy and confident,they have enough to compete for a wild card spot.
The Miami Dolphins just named Ryan Tannehill their starter for the season. He has serious upside, but he has only play 19 games as a starting qb in college and he needs more class room time. Reggie Bush had his first season as a 1000 yard rusher. He is poised to prove that last year was not a fluke. They just released Chad Johnson and traded away Brandon Marshall. So who is Tanneyhill going to throw the ball to? They have a solid tight end in Fasano but who else? Defensively the Dolphins have a pulse. They can rush the passer quite well. Cameron Wembley was a sweet surprise last year. They are starting a new with a new coach and coordinator. They are a work in progress. They will struggle this year some.
The Patriots needed defensive help and drafted 6 new defensive players. they realize that they cannot win the big game with offense only. If their offense does not get on the field then they are being wasted. They still need a running game. Brady is Brady and he has made stars of both tight ends and Welker is in his final year with the Pats. They have not given him a longterm deal which is a joke. The Patriots improve on defense they could unbeaten in the regular season...
The NFC south has star potential all over the place. The Tampa Bay Bucs flopped last year. They have to regroup with a new coach in Schiano and get Freeman his confidence back. Theyhave weapons on both sides of the ball and last year clearly the coach lost that team. They have running backs and young talented receivers who can stretch the field. The defense is fast and opportunistic. They just don't know how to play yet. This year they will improve some but Freeman has to healthy and play with the confidence of two years ago.
The Carolina Panthers has no where to go but up. Cam Newton re-wrote the rookie record books with his play last year. Steve Smith found the fountain of youth. They ran the ball well and really are a couple of defenders away from being ready to compete for the division. Newton still has a lot to learn and he must take care of his body this season because teams will be gunning for him. Football cannot be this easy. If they can run it better than they did last they could contend for a wild card. Their defense has a lot of promise. They just play in the division that youhave to be able to score points or you cannot compete.
The Atlanta Falcons need a defense to match their offense. They can score with anyone. They have great running backs and receivers and tight ends. The Qb play is all pro level. They need someone on the defense to make a play and get off the field on 3rd down. They need better play calling and smart play calling. They should be ashamed of themselves for what they did last year. They think that winning comes in the form of outscoring people. They need to understandthat you have to make a stop once in a whlie or ball control to keep Brees or Rodgers off the field. If the Falcons can figure that out, they could have a super season...
The Saints have the pressure of hosting the super bowl this year, a scandal that has rocked the league, and no head coach to guide them through. Drew Brees set the NFL record for yards in a season last year and just got paid a beaucoup dollar contract. They have the offense of the present but dont have a defense at all. They bend but dont break. They can intercept any pass, cause thousands of fumbles, but always have at least 2 or 3 games that defy logic.. This season they have to prove that they are even more special than ever because they are being asked to coach themselves.. It should be wild..
The outlook this season.. New England:14-2, Buffalo:9-7, New York Jets 9-7, Miami 3-13
The outlook this season.. New Orleans: 13-3, Atlanta: 11-5, Carolina: 7-9, Tampa bay 5-11
The player to watch in the AFC east: Mark Sanchez. the jets go as far as he takes them
The player to watch in NFC south: Drew Brees The pressure is squarely on his shoulders.
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