Premature Immaculation!

In my post earlier this week, I laid out a few challenges that I feel will prevent the Philadelphia Eagles from capitalizing on their newly found wealth of talent. At the very least, I believe that they will need the majority of this season to begin to show real brilliance and cohesion. However, Philly is among a list of several teams that I feel are being lauded far too early or for no good reason at all. Here is my prediction list for the teams I am far from sold on.


Philadelphia Eagles:

(See previous article, "Dream team")


New York Jets:

This team has lost some talent and I am not sure they have adequately replaced their losses. I believe that Braylon Edwards was a legitimate loss and that Plaxico Burress will fail to replace the range Edwards supplied as a second receiver behind Santonio Holmes. Secondly, I think LaDanian has seen his best years. I still see him as a solid featured back, but have seen enough practice footage to see he has lost a few steps and, more importantly, endurance. Lastly, Rex Ryan's shenanigans will hurt his team this year. It was evident in their first team's embarrassing performance against Houston's first team defense in this years first preseason effort. The team simply lacks discipline and diligence.
Prediction: 10-6, 2nd AFC East

San Diego Chargers:

When I think of teams to be worried about, the Chargers are not one of them. I am well aware of their media darling status this year. Truth be told, they have been the NFL's trendy pick for nearly the last decade. Their assets are obvious. Phillip Rivers is a great quarterback. There is no question about that. However, I have little faith in Vincent Jackson for an entire year of production and that leaves the bolts with few real offensive threats for Rivers to exploit. The loss of Darren Sproles will be felt! There is simply no way that Tolbert, Curtis, Hester, Mathews or McNeal can fill those shoes! this is an offense that will face both the up and coming Chiefs and a powerful Raiders defense two times each this year. I am not buying it!
Prediction: 8-8, 3rd AFC West

San Francisco 49ers:

If Josh McCown is the answer, the question must have been "is there anybody who is less likely to bring the 'niners a playoff berth than Alex Smith?" The 49ers have only further complicated their quarterback quandary with the signing of the 32 year old former Cardinal and all but guaranteed that no one quarterback will start all year. That means none of them will be receiving adequate practice snaps against their first team defense. Both Seattle and Arizona have added quality tight ends, and are sporting what look to be improved ground attacks. Couple those running threats with the likes of Mike Williams (Seattle), Sidney Rice (Seattle), Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona), and Sam Bradford (St. Louis) you end up with three offenses that will outperform you in your own division. I am not sure why there are analysts out there still believing in this beleaguered bunch of hasn't-beens, but I am not one of them. The NFC West will likely go to the Cardinals or the Rams and the Seahawks will beat this team at least once, with or without a constantly injured Michael Crabtree. Braylon can't do it all by himself and Gore is on a downward trend in his career.
Prediction: 5-11, 4th NFC West