2006 NFL Pre-season Rankings by Division by DraySpittle
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by user DraySpittle
AFC
AFC EAST
1. New England Patriots
Sure, they had a mass exodus of players like Willie McGinest, David Givens, Tom Ashworth, and Adam Vinatieri. But they still have Brady, and they still have key players at other positions, and combined with a good draft, I see the Pats back on top this year.
2. Miami Dolphins
This could change if Daunte Culpepper continues to look like he has fully recovered from his injury. They finished 9-7 on a 6 game win streak, and have a good chance to grab a wild-card spot if nothing else.
3. Buffalo Bills
The QB carousel will hurt them, as will losing Eric Moulds. Stocking up on defense during the off-season and getting back Takeo Spikes will help a defense ranked 29th last year, but the Bills aren't ready to be a contender yet.
4. New York Jets
QB is a problem here too. Chad Pennington is coming off of two back-to-back season-ending injuries, and Patrick Ramsey is spotty. The offense is horrible. Curtis Martin isn't getting any younger, and there is no viable backup behind him. Laveranues Coles is the only legitimate threat as a receiver. But, the good news is the Jets greatly improved an impoverished offensive line from last year.
AFC NORTH
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
They lost Antwaan Randle El and Chris Hope, but signed Ryan Clark and drafted Santonio Holmes. Long story short: They're pretty much the same team that won the Super Bowl last year. The biggest problem will be going on without Jerome Bettis, the heart and soul of the team.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
I don't see them knocking off the Steelers, but when Carson Palmer comes back will play huge into whether or not they can make a wild-card playoff appearance.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Steve McNair brings instant credibility to the malignant offense. But I don't see the running game being effective enough to make the Ravens a legitimate contender
4. Cleveland
Great off-season, bringing in LeCharles Bentley, Kevin Schaffer, Joe Jurevicius, Willie McGinest, and Ted Washington, as well as drafting Kamerion Wimbley and D'Qwell Jackson. But still in rebuilding mode
AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts
Edgerrin James will be more easily replaced than most think. The Colt's offensive line is huge and Joseph Addai/Dominic Rhodes will thrive behind them.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
The defense is stout, but with the injury history of Fred Taylor, and the retirement of Jimmy Smith, the offense looks shaky.
3. Tennessee Titans
Vince Young is dumb as a brick, and isn't ready to start in the NFL yet, so I seriously hope they are pursuing Kerry Collins, because if they don't, they could be pushed by Houston for third place.
4. Houston Texans
Was Mario Williams a better choice than Reggie Bush? Only time will tell, but if Domanick Davis returns from injury, he is more proven than Bush. Look for a few extra wins for the Texans this year, but not much more.
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos
Hopefully with rookie Jay Cutler on his heels, Jake Plummer will try not sucking this season. If Javon Walker can come back from injury and stay healthy, they have a potent offense combined with a potent defense.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Willie Roaf may be gone, but the rest of the line is still solid, and Larry Johnson is a beast. Herman Edwards will finally get the defense turned around, but it won't be this year.
3. San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers' youth and inexperience will hold the Chargers back this season from being playoff contenders, but he'll soon make Chargers fans forget about Drew Brees.
4. Oakland Raiders
Raiders hope the return of Art Shell means a return to the glory days. Aaron Brooks hopes getting out of New Orleans means a revival of his career. Shell may be the answer at head coach, but Brooks isn't the answer at QB. Ohh yeah, and the defense still sucks.
NFC
NFC East
1. Washington Redskins
Hate them all you want for spending their way to the Super Bowl, but Washington is one of the most complete teams, top to bottom, in the NFL.
2. New York Giants
How much longer will Tiki Barber be able to play at his 2005 level? Was Eli Manning's performance in the playoffs the norm, or a fluke? The answers to these questions will make the difference between a possible wild-card birth, and winning the division for the Giants.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
Good team, but if anyone gets hurt, watch out, because there's little depth here, and things could get ugly.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Just because everyone thinks that Terrell Owens will be well-behaved this year doesn't mean he will be. Drew Bledsoe may be getting too old, the line is shaky-looking, and Julius Jones can't stay healthy Bottom line: The Cowboys can't contend in the talent-rich NFC East.
NFC North
1. Minnesota Vikings
If Brad Johnson had started all year last year, the Vikings might have won the division, rather than the Bears. Koren Robinson must step up as the go-to guy, as he is the only receiver left on the roster who fits the mold. Chester Taylor also will give the Vike's the RB they have lacked the past few years.
2. Chicago Bears
A lot rests on Rex Grossman's ability to stay healthy. If he goes down, Brian Griese isn't a viable option as a full-time starter, and they won't be able to rely on their defense this year, with Minnesota hot on their trail.
3. Green Bay Packers
It's just as likely that Brett Favre's down year was due to age as it was due to injuries in the offense.
4. Detroit Lions
This team is a long, long way away from being a contender in any sense of the word.
NFC South
1. Carolina Panthers
Solidified the D-Line, in case Kris Jenkins goes down again, as well as improved the offensive line, and got a receiver to take pressure off of Steve Smith in Keyshawn Johnson. DeAngelo Williams in the first gives Carolina depth at RB and makes them possibly the class of the NFC.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Didn't do much in the off-season, but not much needed to be done. Solidified the offensive line in the draft. Chris Simms must continue to improve, and Michael Clayton must get back to 2004 form.
3. Atlanta Falcons
John Abraham and Lawyer Milloy are nice additions, but they don't address the unknown, in Michael Vick, or a defensive line still easily pushed around in the run game.
4. New Orleans Saints
Reggie Bush and Drew Brees will make the offense dynamic, but with a brand new coach, and the defense having some catching up to do, the Saint's are rebuilding.
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks
Lost Steve Hutchinson, but kept MVP Shaun Alexander, and that's the most important thing. Playing in that crappy division almost assures them a first-round bye.
2. St. Louis Rams
Steven Jackson must prove he can be the feature back, and Marc Bulger must stay healthy.
3. Arizona Cardinals
Yeah, I know they got Edgerrin James. But the line is still awful, and the defense is still sub-par. Plus, Kurt Warner is likely to get hurt, and with the exception of Big Ben, no rookie QBs ever make the playoffs. Especially ones that hold out.
4. San Francisco 49ers
See Detroit. It seems as if they are doing their best to get rid of every good player they have on the roster.
Date
Mon 08/07/06, 9:31 pm EST
