Jeff Risdon - Football Analysis

The Niners have become a trendy pick as a breakout playoff team, but I?m not sold. Despite all the upgrades, there are still some serious questions in several spots. If all those questions (WR, DL, QB, PR, thin OL, Gore?s health) get answered positively, this team can achieve those increased expectations. Read more »

The defending Super Bowl champs stumbled, but very quietly the Steelers re-emerged as a team to be reckoned with by winning 6 of their last 8 games, often in impressive fashion. Almost all the key components from the Super Bowl run are still in place as well. Read more »

I like the defense and you?re a fool to bet against Brett Favre, but all the inexperience and just a simple lack of top-end talent around him means the defense is going to have to win games for them. Read more »

QB Matt Leinart comes off a promising rookie campaign and has assumed more leadership on a team in desperate need of a focal point. His rookie numbers compare favorably to Peyton Manning and Troy Aikman, and I fully expect Leinart to quickly emerge as one of the top QBs in the game. Read more »

The Cowboys are a toughie to predict, because they truly are good enough to win the NFC but also have enough questions and issues to wind up last in the NFC East. This group has underachieved badly in the last two seasons under legendary coach Bill Parcells, and now they bring in Wade Phillips, the defensive version of Norv Turner. Read more »

The Jacksonville defense is full of Pro Bowlers and impact players, so it's all about QB play. If David Garrard shows consistency and improves his TD/INT ratio by 8 or more, there?s no reason the Jaguars can?t win 12 games and challenge the Colts for the AFC South. Read more »

The Bears are still the best overall team in the NFC North and are fully capable of returning to the Super Bowl if the offensive skill positions play well. But their depth is largely gone, their schedule significantly tougher-looking, and the sum of their losses greatly outweighs their potential gains. Read more »

Tampa Bay benefits from a last-place schedule and keeping the coaching staff and systems largely intact. It?s not out of the question that Tampa Bay continues the NFC South worst-to-first run (4 seasons and counting) and wins 11 games, but it?s far more likely the Bucs sputter to a 6 or 7 win finish. Read more »

This is the best team on paper in the NFL, and their record will reflect that. 13-3 and total command of the AFC playoff race will be theirs, and the Patriots have the ability to win every playoff game they?re in, including the Super Bowl. Read more »

This is a bit of a rebuilding year in KC, but the Chiefs still have enough talent and potential to factor into the crowded AFC playoff picture. If they get quality QB play, they just might sneak back in, but I think the issues on the offensive line hold them back too much. Finishing 7-9 will disappoint the Arrowhead faithful but will also represent a pretty good year for this group. Read more »

In this edition, Jeff Risdon gives RealGM his preseason mock draft of the top 10, his predictions for the BCS Bowl series and much much more. Read more »

I?m flagging the Falcons as a team that could be a major blockbuster sleeper, but I think the critics are right when they portend box office disaster. The Falcons bottom out at 4-12 but get the ability to draft a new franchise QB with a top-5 draft pick and make a quick turnaround. Read more »

A repeat of 14 wins is unlikely, not with a tough schedule and a firm bullseye on their backs. I do have larger concerns than most people that the recent failures and coaching changes are going to negatively impact this team. Read more »

Everything the glass-half-full fans extol--the explosive offense, the pass rush, the improved secondary--it?s all true. But for some reason I?m pessimistic about this team. Maybe it?s the summer of mounting injuries. Perhaps it?s the brutal early schedule. But mostly, it?s because I believe in the laws of karma. Read more »

Barring a late preseason move to bring in a veteran starting QB (a la Kelly Holcomb or Billy Volek), this is a team with a playoff-caliber running game, elite run defense, decent pass defense, and exciting young talent that has absolutely no shot at surpassing 6 wins. Read more »

Cleveland's net upgrade in overall talent level is staggering. Most people like to begin and end all conversations about the Browns with the prominent offensive rookies, but this team has very quietly assembled what could be a very good defense. The back 8 on defense (the Browns run a 3-4) is young, talented, and well-suited for the style that Head Coach Romeo Crennel wants to play. Read more »

There will be times where this team looks like a legit contender and dominates, even against strong teams. I would encourage Giants fans to embrace those 10 quarters of greatness, because most of the rest of the season is going to be a painful headache. Another 8-8 finish is not out of the question, but I believe this team is more apt to finish 4-12 than in the Wild Card mix. Read more »

Barring some key injuries, the Seahawks are still far and away the most complete team in the NFC West. Seattle has a very legit chance to win multiple playoff games and get back to the Super Bowl. I?m not buying the rise of their rivals or the downfall of a team with as much top-shelf talent as this one. Read more »

Last year I was one of the few who thought the Eagles were going to win the NFC East. I believe the 2007 Eagles are superior to last year?s version, and neither the Giants nor Cowboys are as good as last year. Read more »

The Texans will sputter to a 5-11 finish, thus earning a shot at drafting a true playmaker like Darren McFadden and vaulting into legit playoff contention in 2008. Read more »