2005 NFL Season Preview

PART TWO: AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

Ajitpaul Mangat

(** denotes division winner/* denotes wild card team)

AFC EAST

BUFFALO BILLS*

(Predicted Record: 10-6; Division: 2nd)

The Bills made one of the most surprising moves of the off-season, releasing veteran quarterback (QB) Drew Bledsoe and replacing him with QB J.P. Losman, who has never started an NFL game. The offense may suffer a little due to this move, but the rest of the team is solid. The Bills defense was dominant last season, finishing second in yards allowed. The special teams were not far behind, tying an NFL record with five return touchdowns. Look for the Bills to end a five-year playoff drought.

GRADES: Offense: C+; Defense: A; Special Teams: A; Overall: B+

MIAMI DOLPHINS

(Predicted Record: 6-10; Division: 4th)

Nick Saban’s (Coach) era will begin this season in Miami, and he has his work cut out for him as the team is coming off its worst record (4-12) since 1969. Although the team has talent, it will not be a playoff contender without an upgrade at quarterback. Perennial underachievers, QBs Gus Frerotte and A.J. Feeley, battled it out in training camp. Frerotte will likely start opening day, but either way this team will not be playing in January.

GRADES: Offense: C; Defense: C+; Special Teams: B; Overall: C

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS**

(Predicted Record: 12-4; Division: 1st)

The Patriots have lost key members from last year’s Super Bowl winning team, including coordinators Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel and linebacker (LB) Tedy Bruschi. This team is still loaded, however, as QB Tom Brady (the league’s best player), coach Brian Belichick, defensive end (DE) Richard Seymour, strong safety (SS) Rodney Harrison and kicker (K) Adam Vinatieri return. Once the playoffs begin, this will be the team to beat.

GRADES: Offense: A; Defense: A; Special Teams: B+; Overall: A

NEW YORK JETS

(Predicted Record: 8-8; Division: 3rd)

Questions abound as the Jets begin the season. Offensively, the team is very reliant on RB Curtis Martin, but he enters the season at 32 years of age — extremely old for a running back. Furthermore, QB Chad Pennington is coming off surgery on his throwing shoulder, which is already below average to begin with. The questions continue on defense where the team is hoping newly-acquired corner back (CB) Ty Law can recover from a severe foot fracture. The playoffs are possible, but this team would have to be very fortunate.

GRADES: Offense: B; Defense: B; Special Teams: C+; Overall: B

NFC NORTH

BALTIMORE RAVENS**

(Predicted Record: 10-6; Division: 1st)

If former 2,000-yard rusher, RB Jamal Lewis, can bounce back from a subpar 2004 season, the Ravens should be able to advance deep into the playoffs. Along with Lewis’ return the team will be improved with the signings of wide receiver (WR) Derrick Mason, linebacker (LB) Tommy Polley, guard (G) Keydrick Vincent and CB Samari Rolle. Look for LB Ray Lewis to have a big season as the team switches from a 3-4 to a 46 defense.

GRADES: Offense: B; Defense: A; Special Teams: B+; Overall: B+

CINCINNATI BENGALS

(Predicted Record: 8-8; Division: 3rd)

The Bengals have high hopes for this season as the team finished strong last year, posting a 6-3 record after starting 2-5. This change in fortune can be attributed directly to third year QB Carson Palmer, who matured as the season progressed. As the offense was improving, the defense was not, and surprisingly little was done to fix that side of the ball in the off-season. The playoffs will have to wait until the defense has improved significantly.

GRADES: Offense: B+; Defense: C+; Special Teams: B; Overall: B

CLEVELAND BROWNS

(Predicted Record: 2-14; Division: 4th)

This could be the worst team in the league. Not only are the Browns dreadful at evaluating talent and picking coaches, they also have horrible luck. Last year’s top draft pick, tight end (TE) Kellen Winslow, Jr., was lost again for the season after suffering multiple injuries in a motorcycle accident. The only bright spot appears to be this year’s top draft pick WR Braylon Edwards, who could win offensive rookie of the year.

GRADES: Offense: D; Defense: D+; Special Teams: D+; Overall: D

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

(Predicted Record: 9-7; Division: 2nd)

QB Ben Roethlisberger was the toast of the town last season as he led the Steelers to the AFC Championship, winning 14 straight games and breaking records along the way. Like any rookie, teams are better prepared the second time around; they now know Roethlisberger’s shortcomings — throwing while running to his left and throwing against zones — and they will exploit them. Roethlisberger’s probable decline, along with losing WR Plaxico Burress and LB Kendrell Bell in free agency, will cause this team to barely miss the playoffs.

GRADES: Offense: B; Defense: B+; Special Teams: B+; Overall: B+

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON TEXANS

(Predicted Record: 8-8; Division: 2nd)

The biggest problems for the Texans last year was their pass protection and pass rush, which ranked 32nd and 26th. The team addressed the pass rush by getting faster at linebacker and more athletic at cornerback. They released LB Jamie Sharper and CB Aaron Glenn and signed LB Morlon Greenwood and CB Phillip Buchanon. The pass protection was addressed by signing offensive tackle (OT) Victor Riley to play left tackle. How these moves pan out will determine the Texans’ playoff chances this season.

GRADES: Offense: B; Defense: B+; Special Teams: B+; Overall: B+

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS**

(Predicted Record: 13-3; Division: 1st)

As good as QB Peyton Manning has been in his career, he still has to prove he can win the big games. Instead of putting everything on himself in these games, he must learn to trust his teammates. Manning’s stat padding has been an overlooked flaw. Instead of throwing touchdowns near the end zone, Manning should allow RB Edgerrin James more carries and, consequently, touchdowns, which will keep him happier and more involved in the offense. These may seem like harsh comments for the reigning Most Valuable Player, but if the Colts are to win the Super Bowl, Manning must elevate himself from being just a great player to also being a great leader.

GRADES: Offense: A+; Defense: B+; Special Teams: B; Overall: A

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

(Predicted Record: 7-9; Division: 3rd)

The Jaguars started out very strong last season at 6-3, but faltered at the end, finishing at 3-4. Many unknowns plague this team: Will Byron Leftwich step-up and become an elite quarterback? Can Fred Taylor stay healthy? Who will be the second wide receiver? Who will play right cornerback? Look for this year’s team to continue last year’s downhill finish.

GRADES: Offense: B; Defense: B+; Special Teams: B; Overall: B

TENNESSEE TITANS

(Predicted Record: 5-11; Division: 4th)

This team is in the first year of rebuilding, and with rebuilding comes the replacement of veteran leaders with mistake-prone rookies. Among the key losses were WR Derrick Mason, OT Fred Miller, CB Samari Rolle and DE Kevin Carter. It will take years to replace these players, so expect a down year from the Titans

GRADES: Offense: C+; Defense: C; Special Teams: C; Overall: C

NFC WEST

DENVER BRONCOS

(Predicted Record: 7-9; Division: 3rd)

The Broncos finished the last two seasons at 10-6, but got blown out in the first round of the playoffs. As a result, the supporting cast was turned over. The problem of a lack of elite players on offense remains as QB Jake Plummer is mistake-prone, and WR Rod Smith and center (C) Tom Nalen are aging. Look for this lack of top-level talent to cause the Broncos to miss the playoffs.

GRADES: Offense: B; Defense: B+; Special Teams: C+; Overall: B

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS*

(Predicted Record: 10-6; Division: 2nd)

After finishing last season as the best offensive team and the second-worst defensive team in the league, the Chiefs knew changes had to be made. Brought in were CB Patrick Surtain, one of the top cornerbacks in the league, LB Derrick Johnson, the best linebacker in the draft, playmaker LB Kendrel Bell and ball-hawk free safety (FS) Sammy Knight. These players will elevate this defense from porous to at least average. With the offense intact, this team could be a surprise Super Bowl contender.

GRADES: Offense: A; Defense: B; Special Teams: B; Overall: B+

OAKLAND RAIDERS

(Predicted Record: 6-10; Division: 4th)

In the off-season, the Raiders acquired the most explosive wide receiver in the league, WR Randy Moss, and the underrated RB LaMont Jordan. These two should combine with QB Kery Collins and WR Jerry Porter to form one of the best offenses in the league. The team will need to score a lot because their defense will be very weak. Look for the Raiders to lose a lot of 35-30 games.

GRADES: Offense: B; Defense: D+; Special Teams: B; Overall: C

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS**

(Predicted Record: 11-5; Division: 1st)

The Chargers will be improved this season, with RB LaDainian Tomlinson finally back to full strength, and the drafting of LB Shawne Merriman and RB Darren Sproles (a fourth-round pick who could prove to be the biggest steal of the draft). Even with these upgrades, the team’s hopes still rest on QB Drew Brees, who surprised everyone last season, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. If Brees plays well, a Super Bowl berth is possible.

GRADES: Offense: A; Defense: B+; Special Teams: B+; Overall: A