Football Analysis

After two sub-par preseason games, the Oakland Raiders have seemed to turn it around as they have run their record to 4-0. In our continued series on our adoption of the Raiders, we take a look at five trends that could carry into the regular season and the return of one big arm quarterback. Read more »

In the first of two final four match-ups New England?s Tom Brady will take on Indianapolis?s Peyton Manning for the chance to represent the AFC in the finals of our ?Be an NFL GM? contest. Read more »

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 »

With T.J. Duckett on board, the possibilities that exist gives a little hope that ?Smash-Mouth? football is returning to Washington. Atlanta?s three-headed monster of Vick, Dunn and Duckett, has now turned into Washington?s power-and-punch with Duckett and Portis. 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 »

And then there were four. The race to become RealGM?s first ever Ultimate NFL Franchise Player is now much closer to being over with only four men still in contention. Your votes have helped Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, and Reggie Bush soar past the quarterfinals and into the semi-final round. Read more »

In our last of the four quarterfinal match-ups we feature a battle between the league?s reigning MVP and a rookie who could soon become one of the NFL?s most talented players. Both Reggie Bush and Shaun Alexander are running backs, but which will make it to the Final Four? 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 »

If Eli can get past Brian Urlacher he?ll be one step closer to a possible Manning vs. Manning match-up in the finals. Which of these two will make the Final Four? Read more »

While people are dying to come to New York to play for the Giants and play with Eli Manning and Tiki Barber, the Jets are focused on one thing this season? Is Brady Quinn really worth the #1 pick? 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 »

Both Peyton Manning and LaDainian Tomlinson have coasted up until this point in the voting, neither having been challenged by their two previous opponents. That?s not likely to remain the case when the dust settles on this quarterfinal match-up. Read more »

While most experts tell you who to pick on your fantasy football team, RealGM's Robert Carroll tells you how to pick. His ten pieces of advice will have you Standing in first place at the end of the season. Read more »

Like the tabloid relationship of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, you have to love a deal that is good for everyone. Ashley Lelie, holder of one of the more feminine names in the entire NFL, finally was shipped out of the Mile High City on Tuesday evening and will be joining Ron Mexico in Atlanta, while T.J. Duckett becomes Joe Gibbs' new life insurance policy. Read more »

So, as the preseason reaches its mid-point, football fans all over the country set out to start another season of Fantasy Football. In an effort to help you along with the process and win your league, here is the RealGM guide to your 2006 draft. Read more »

Douglas Benton reviews wide receivers, tight ends, kickers and team defenses. Read more »