Jeff Risdon - Football Analysis

Most pundits have them winning at least 11 or 12 games and challenging for the Super Bowl once again. Though that could very well happen and not surprise me, I just don?t see it. They get a brutal 7-game stretch from Oct 29th (IND) to Dec 10th (@SD), and then get CIN on X-Mas Eve. They?ll have to win at least 5 of those games to make the playoffs, possibly 6. The Broncos are good, but not that good, and both KC and SD are better. Denver winds up 9-7 and on the outside of the playoffs. Read more »

It?s so politically incorrect to say anything negative about the Saints after all this franchise has been through in the past 12 months. But the bottom line is that this team resembles the second season of an expansion franchise: some very good talent in some key spots, but sorely lacking quality at others and having almost no proven depth anywhere. Read more »

There is talent on the Vikings, but I?m not sold on how it all comes together, especially on defense. They weren?t as awful as their bad start in 2005, but not near as good as their mid-season string of victories would indicate. Their last 4 games of 2005 they went 2-2, thumping playoff-bound Chicago but losing to weak Baltimore. Read more »

Can a team go two years in a row getting just two forced turnovers from their defensive front 7? Can a QB get pressured on an astounding 63% of his pass attempts (the league average is 41%) two seasons in a row and now get broken? Can a 2-14 team bring in a pretty solid draft class and a whole new organizational culture, plus a few key veteran leaders and performers, and not win more than 2 games again? You?re about to find out. But it doesn?t look positive. They?ll compete with Buffalo for worst team in the AFC and might luck into 3 wins. Read more »

So long as Palmer?s knee is fine and they don?t lose more than 2 of their first 4 games, this team is as good as any in the AFC and should challenge for the Super Bowl. I?m a firm believer in the ?adversity builds team unity? philosophy the Bengals have bought into this offseason, so long as the police blotter stops. Without Palmer at more than 85% of last season, they will be lucky to limp to 8 wins. Read more »

In a division where the three other teams all have somewhat legit Super Bowl aspirations, it?s a tough time to be an up and comer. This team would finish second in the NFC North or West, and in 2007 they will be ready to do that in the AFC North. I see another 6-10, but two wins either way is easy to envision, depending on how quickly the team comes together. Read more »

It?s Totally Overdue for a Time Out from Terrell Owens. If you tune in to ESPN or Fox Sports, you?ve been Taken Over with incessant coverage of the TO saga with the Dallas Cowboys. Read more »

It?s awful hard to look at this team and not see ?playoffs?; a premier defensive front 7, the best RB and TE in the game, great kicking game, highly regarded young QB. Of course they had all that last season and choked away a playoff berth. I foresee a dominating run defense and a more methodical offense that takes some pressure off the iffy secondary. Read more »

I really like the rookie class, I like the needed improvements in the defense, I believe Favre can still summon the greatness at times. Despite all that, this is one of the worst teams in the NFL. They do have a favorable schedule and play in the worst division in football, so an improvement to 6 or 7 wins is likely. Read more »

There are two very distinct scenarios for the Ravens in 2006. They could very well discover the fountain of youth, win 10 games and be the team nobody wants to play in the playoffs. Or they could flounder, fracture, and crash to another last place finish in a tough AFC North. Read more »

They are wearing a giant bulls-eye with a difficult schedule, and they?ll have to play better than they did in the 2005 season to make the playoffs again. They have the capability to do just that, but I still see this team as no better than 5th in the AFC over a 16-game schedule. A 10-6 finish, and their playoff fate is decided in Week 2 with their game against Jacksonville. Win and they?re in, lose and it?s a very long, cold winter in Pittsburgh. But as I said about them last season, if they do make it in, they should be considered the favorites in every playoff game. Read more »

Last year I wrote a piece proclaiming the Rams as my sleeper for playoff success. I?m not making that mistake again. I like the offseason moves they made and these Rams should be tougher and more consistent from week to week. But the defense needs more skill and time to congeal, and I don?t trust the mileage and wear and tear of so many of their starters. Read more »

Last season all the pundits kept proclaiming the Raiders ?the best lousy team in football?. This year they?re almost certain to be lousy again, but I doubt you hear the Pyrrhic praise. I do like a lot of their pieces, and a run at .500 isn?t out of the question. But with the 2 extra preseason games in which to get more injuries and a brutal schedule, this team is going to have to play near flawlessly to win more than 6 games. I see them being about 2-9 and then finishing strong, winding up 6-10. Read more »

This defense has more talent than the 2004 unit that dominated at times and took the team to the NFC Championship game. The new safeties, Milloy and Crocker, are better than the guys they are replacing, though that?s not saying much. RB Warrick Dunn still has life in his legs and he and Pro Bowl TE Alge Crumpler are both excellent check-down receivers. QB Michael Vick is still a major weapon with his legs, and the Falcons have installed an offensive system that should take advantage of his skills. They have excellent depth and versatility at RB, and the DL and secondary both have improved depth. Read more »

The Dolphins won their last 6 games in 2005, displaying a balanced offense and forcing almost 3 turnovers per game. They bring back a veteran defensive front that has played effectively together for years, often dominant. New defensive coordinator Dom Capers has produced tremendous results with less talent than he?s got here. Adding QB Daunte Culpepper brings a dynamic playmaker to the offense, if he can return from a devastating knee injury. Read more »

Last season I called the 49ers the least talented team I?d ever seen, and they overachieved to win 4 games. This team should be better offensively, but still isn?t any better than about 25th unless Alex Smith makes the biggest improvement in league history. I keep looking at their schedule and trying to figure how they win more than 3 games, but I can?t. They finish a disappointing 3-13, but they should get markedly better in 2007 with a good draft. Read more »

This is basically the same team that went 10-6 last year, only a little older in key spots. They?re aware the window of opportunity is nearly closed on their core group, and they have a new coach who can use that to their advantage. If they can ratchet up the pass defense and kick coverage/return to 18th or better this team should secure a Wild Card or possibly even the AFC West, and they?re capable of winning at least one playoff game. Read more »

The secondary has lots of talent, both in coverage and in run support. Both Whitner and Youboty will play a lot and be upgrades over whom they replaced at S and nickel back, respectively. Terrence McGee and Nate Clements are as good in coverage as any pair of CBs in the league. The right side of the OL is strong, and RB Willis McGahee is solid enough to use it to his advantage. All Pro LB and team leader Takeo Spikes returns, and he has some proven talent alongside him at LB. Read more »

Tiki Barber at RB coming off a career season and seemingly cured of his fumblitis. The bookend DEs, Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan, are sack machines that both also play the run very well. The new starters on defense all have motivation to prove themselves, and the overall talent level increased. Read more »

One of the best DLs in football, strong against both run and pass. Very good starting secondary with size and strong cover skills, and Brian Williams is an upgrade at a position of strength. Byron Leftwich at QB is a natural leader and has a cannon for an arm. If Fred Taylor stays healthy, the Jags have a deep, versatile RB corp with lots of talent. Read more »