Malach's 2006 - 2007 NFL Preview

Monday, August 21, 2006

First, some business.
Angry Piper is on a mini/psuedo hiatus/sabbatical. He will be on the internet, but not able to update his site for a bit. So Piper is looking for your help. He is looking for guest book reviewers for the next few weeks or so. If you like to give it a shot, here are the submission guidelines. You know Malach is gonna review something, something like Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus.

Cue the Music (MNF Theme).
It is time for Malach pre-view of the upcoming NFL Season. Like last year, Malach will provide you all you need to know, and I only expect 10% of you gambling earnings (and if you look at last year, I was pretty damn close). I will reprint it tonight on my blog also. Teams are listed by division and order of finish. So here we go:

AFC EAST
New England Patriots: The Pats have one of the weakest schedules in the NFL this year (for once). They are also, beyond Miami in a very weak division. Pats should win the division, and probably go 12 - 4. Deion Branch will play, and probably be signed soon. The Defense will play more like they did in the second half last year, especially with the return of Rodney Harrison. Junior Seau is a VERY interesting add. He should see 15 - 20 plays a game and provide another on field leader. The offense is scary. Brady is coming off his best statistical year. They are going to run some 3 - 4 tight end offensese (you heard me) with guys like Ben Watson lined up as your second reciever. Watson should have a huge year. Watch for the rookies, Jackson and Maroney, especially Maroney (who will be better than Reggies Bush) to have big years. The Combo of Dillion, Maroney and Kevin Faulk, could accumulate 2500 yards. They will miss Givens, but if Dave Thomas and Reche Caldwell can catch touchdowns, they should be fine. Also watch for a relative unknown like Bam Childress to take over the role of Troy Brown. In addition they have chip on their shoulder again. The Pats have a good shot to win their 4th Super Bowl.

Miami Dolphins: Miami needs another year, but they should give the Pats their only divisional competition this year. The defense is still good, albeit old. The biggest question mark the 'Fins have is Daunte Culpepper. Can Culpepper fit into to the AFC? Can he win with out Randy Moss? He has perhaps the best set of recievers ever in his career; can he adjust to the hard hitting, style of the AFC? Saban is not going to want him to run too often, which is probably good. Dolphins are good for at least 9 - 7 and at least one win vs. the Pats. Might sneak in as a wildcard, but might be tough to do in the AFC. They do have the benefit of playing the Jets and the Bills twice.

New York Jets: This is going to be a long year for Jets fans, though they should be better than the Bills. Best thing they did is dump that idiot Herm Edwards. It will be interesting to see if Pennington can get back to his form of 2003 - 2004, and whether or not Curtis Martin can even play. Acquiring Kevan Barlow is a bit interesting and at the very least they have a servicable running back. .500 will be a good season for this team.

Buffalo Bills: Scott Norwood still owes you a Super Bowl. Gonna be a LONG cold year in Buffalo. Hey, Peerless Price is back! 4 -12.

AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts: Sorry Indy, you were destined to win it last year and failed. As your team slowly succumbs to salary cap Hell, you'll make another run at it, but lose to NE or PITT in the playoffs. They are going to miss Edgerrin James, Addae is going to be pretty good, but he is no James. Again, they will score, but they still have no defense. Defense is good enough to beat most average NFL teams, but does not work against the top teams. Colts should finish 12 - 4 or so, but bounced out of the 1st of 2nd round of the playoffs. Peyton Manning, meet Dan Marino.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville like last year will fight the Colts for the top spot. Excellent defense, improved offense the question as always is Byron Leftwich. Can he move to the next level? Evertime he does it seems the interception gods bring him back to Earth . . . but if Jake Plummer could do it . . 12 - 4?

Houston Texans: A lot of questions here. Can they build on last season? They did not really add anyone, nor did they really lose anyone . . . 8 - 8 would be an improvement from last year! This team is stuck in some weird tropor or space time continuim.

Tennesee Titans: Tennesee singed some interesting players. Tennesee could give some teams fits week to week. The Titans could be better than the Texans if the stars align properly. They are still rebuilding, and I can guarantee you Vince Young will be starting by the third week of the season. Anything is a improvement over 4 - 12 or last year. .500 season with luck.

AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers: Pitt is in a VERY interesting division this year, a division that could turn out to be the best in football. Pitt should be the top team out of this division, but Ben Roethlisberger needs to take the next step (yeah sound silly since they won it all). Ben has to become a better quarterback. He is going to have to throw more than 17 touchdowns. Shockingly it seems Duce Staley is the number one RB. Defense is still very good. Could they repeat, hat is now up to Rothlesberger, hopefully they keep him away from motrocycles. They should win the division but will 11 - 5 do it?

Cincinatti Bengals: This is what I wrote about them last year: The Colts of the AFC North, with a worse defense. They will score some points, but also give up a lot of them. If this team can have a halfway decent preformance from their defense, they will make the playoffs, if not, they will finish third in the division. It still holds true. This team might start slow . . but should blow out mediocrity.

Baltimore Ravens: This team fortunes rest with Steve McNair, if he still has it, they could be competing for a playoff spot and possibly send Cincy back to Earth. If not, they will finish at the bottom. Watch for Todd Heap to have a huge year with McNair.

Cleveland Browns: This team is going to be very good, not this year, but sooner than later. They absolutely need a Quarterback, but this is going to be one of those "bad" teams no one will want to play. .500 or just below will be a huge step for this team.

AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: Yet another new running back star in the making (something in the water in CO), but again, are we just waiting for Jake Plummer to implode? Both New England and Pitt exposed Denver last year in the playoffs. Denver should win this division which might be the weakest in AFC. But get bounced in the first round of the playoffs.

San Digo Chargers/Kansas City Chiefs: Let see, Chargers have Shotenheimer and the Cheifs Edwards, both are meidocre coaches. KC has no recievers beyond Tony Gonzales, San Deigo no one beyond Gates. Tomlinson vs Johnson? Trent Green is a servicable quarterback, Rivers is going to have a LONG year. SD defense in pretty good, KC's not so much . . .

Their both better than the Raiders.

Oakland Raiders: So do you think Al Davis is jealous of Dan Snyder? Time to put away the black and silver gear for another year. Randy Moss should hey traded to Dallas, now that would be entertaining.

NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: This will be a fun year in big D. The Tuna already won't talk to or address TO by name, their "drunken kicker" can't do kick offs, Terry Glenn is the voice of reason. They are even talking about adding Freddy Mitchell. Dallas should win the division, if they don't kill one another first. This division is going to be rough, and you might see someone win it with a 9 - 7 record. I just can't wait form Bledsoe's inevitable implosion, and TO reaction, halfway through the season. NFL, your got a reality show right here!

The New York Giants: I might eat these words, but Eli Manning might turn out to be the more succesful Manning brother. The Giants are a very solid team, and Manning continues to improve. They might take the top spot in the division. They are close and have the talent to do it.

Washington Redskins: Dan Snyder, tell me one thing. Why did you pay Randel El, as a 1st string WR, when he has never been more that a 4th stringer and kickoff returner? Gibbs has finally let go of the reins of the the offensive play calling. Again good division with abover average teams, they might all end up log jammed at the top with 9 - 7 records.

Philadelphia Eagles: Philly, you have no running back, or any any wide receivers (there is a reason he is called Todd Stinkston), you got a good tight end, you are the worst team in this division. 7 - 9 at best.

NFC SOUTH
Carolina Panthers: The analysts darling, and you wonder why? Look at this crappy division. One of two good teams in the NFC that might get into the Super Bowl, still can't compete with any AFC playoff team. Keyshawn Johnson is a very interesting addition to this team. Makes their offense less one dimensional. They shoul finish with 11+ wins.

Atlana Falcons: Unless Michael Vick changes his playing style, the Falcons will do nothing, and Vick will continue to be the next Kordell Stewart. This division is bad and they might sneak into the playoffs.

Tampa Bay: TB is a real enigma to me. They should be bad, but they might not be. How's that for decisive.

New Orleans Saints: Hey Drew Brees, Welcome to N'orleans, the Black Hole of the NFL.

NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: This is a AWFUL division. Chicago is guaranteed 6 wins just from playing the rest of the division. Extremely good defense. No offense. Might go a few rounds in the playoffs but any team scoring 20 will beat them. With this division they might win 12.

Detrot Lions: Can the Lions finally get it together behind John 'Superchristian' Kitna? Or will it be Josh McOwn lead them to a winning season? Hell, they might have the best bunch of receivers in the league, they got a halfway decent running back and a decent defense. Perhaps the curse of Barry Sanders? They are better than the rest of the divsion, but not Chicago. They should do better than 5 - 11 of last year, but this is the Lions.

Minnesota Vikings: This is a rebuilding year, and still they might be better than the Packers.

Green Bay Packers: In statis while making their way to Pleaseretire Planet in the Brett Favre system.

NFC WEST
Seattle Seahawks: Still the best team in the NFC, but you saw last year how bad the NFC still is. You cannot beat Pittsburgh with Roethelisberger throwing up a 22 QB rating? Expect more of the same out of Seattle. They might go 14 - 2 in the NFC but lose in the Big Game.

St. Louis Rams: The best Mediocre team in the NFL.

Arizona: Might be the most improved team. Well see how long Warner lasts at the helm. Leinart for all his faults, can play the pro version of the game (at least in college). Edgerrin James will give this team and interesting wrinkle. Might finish second in the division, perhaps a 8 - 8 record.

San Francisco 49ers: Hey you still have 6 Super Bowl Titles.

I am Malach, and who the Hell would name their kid Tebucky?