Special Edition - Preseason Picks/Intro
August 30, 2002
The predictions made here each week do not represent the views of everyone on FIC and should not be used for gambling purposes.
Some try blind guesses by having their pets pick the games each week based on which treat they decide to choose. Others make themselves out to have bizarre psychic nicknames. Still more throw darts at a board and pick whoever it lands on. And, yes... there are a few actual experts, but I'm not one of them. Kick off every weekend with "The Mutt" as he tests his skills all season long against four of our correspondents in the race for the FIC Cup.
With less than a week until the season kicks off, The Mutt is throwing a bone to all of you football fans who want to know who to watch this year. Who's going all the way? Which teams that have high expectations will stink up the joint? Without further ado, let's rock!
(Projected records in parentheses)
NFC East (Rank - 6)
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) - McNabb and Co. could duplicate the Giants feat of 2000 and sweep the rest of their opponents in an improving, but weak division.
Washington Redskins (7-9) - Spurrier may ruin a lot of visors on the sideline until he stops spinning the revolving quarterback door.
Dallas Cowboys (6-10) - A strong defense and young nucleus should help the 'boys improve, but Quincy Carter will find a way to keep them under .500.
New York Giants (5-11) - The promo for the last game of their dismal season? New York Mets 1B Mo Vaughn and RB Ron Dayne will have a pie eating contest.
NFC North (Rank - 3)
Green Bay Packers (11-5) - What receiving corps? Brett Favre and Ahman Green should will this team into the playoffs.
Chicago Bears (9-7) - Last year wasn't a total fluke, but they won't get as many bounces this time.
Minnesota Vikings (7-9) - Even if he does touch the ball forty percent of the time, Randy Moss will take enough days off so that he can't carry this team without Carter on the other side of the field.
Detroit Lions (3-13) - Hockeytown.... 'nuff said.
NFC South (Rank - 8)
New Orleans Saints (11-5) - Brooks is only getting better, and Deuce should get loose often enough.
Tampa Bay Bucaneers (10-6) - In a shocking move, Jon Gruden will realize that Shaun King should be leading this team after Brad and Rob Johnson get out of the gate at 1-5 and can't "throw Keyshawn the damn ball!" King will do all he ever does.... Win!
Atlanta Falcons (6-10) - Vick will need a lot of vapor rub with some of the hits that he'll be taking.
Carolina Panthers (1-15) - Rodney Peete?????????? At least this time they'll get the #1 pick.
NFC West (Rank - 1)
St. Louis Rams (12-4) - The entire league looks forward to the Rams trip to Washington so that Mike Martz can give Spurrier a lesson in running up the score.
San Francisco 49ers (10-6) - As long as Mariucci and Owens don't try to kill one another, the niners should be one of the best teams in the league.
Seattle Seahawks (9-7) - In any other division, they're a playoff team.
Arizona Cardinals (6-10) - Realignment killed them..... They had a serious shot at giving the Eagles a run. Instead, the Cards will be the best last place team in football.
AFC East (Rank - 2)
New England Patriots (10-6) - Nobody could have written a better script for last year's run, but the Pats have to prove that they have staying power now.
Miami Dolphins (10-6) - Despite yet another strong regular season showing by the fish, Little Havana's fans will be calling for Jay Fiedler's head on a platter by season's end.
New York Jets (8-8) - Vinny loads up for one last run, but he looks like he's ready to break at any second. Martin's still good enough to carry this team to a decent middle-of-the-road finish.
Buffalo Bills (6-10) - Bledsoe should put up a solid year with Moulds and Price, but the defense isn't strong enough to compete in this division.
AFC North (Rank - 4)
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) - Unless the Bus breaks down again, this should be smooth sailing.
Cleveland Browns (8-8) - There's still not much to throw to outside of Kevin Johnson, but Couch should have a good year. The defense is as tough as any in the league.
Cincinnati Bengals (7-9) - If Frerotte can find ways not to blow games, they have a shot at the playoffs.... Don't bet on him.
Baltimore Ravens (5-11) - With Chris Redman rapping on the chamber door, the Ravens better hope that Jamal Lewis is even better than he was in 2000.
AFC South (Rank - 7)
Tennessee Titans (12-4) - Kevin Dyson may get another chance to cross that goal-line yet.
Indianapolis Colts (10-6) - If Edge is 100%, this team should be unstoppable offensively.... Now, if Tony Dungy can turn that defense around......
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) - It's not a matter of if, but when Fred Taylor gets hurt. With Keenan McCardell gone and Jimmy Smith unsigned, QB Mark Brunell may have to call his own number a lot. Without departed tackle Tony Boselli, he'll usually end up on his back.
Houston Texans (3-13) - They should have a decent inaugural season, but the Texans are still years away from competing.
AFC West (Rank - 5)
Oakland Raiders (10-6) - A strong defense and a few Hall of Fame receivers make them too tough to pick against.
San Diego Chargers (9-7) - Tomlinson should keep the pressure off of Brees, and their defense is one of the most overlooked in the league.
Denver Broncos (8-8) - Even with "Easy" Ed McCaffrey back in the fold, Brian Griese won't repeat 2000. On the positive side, they may actually determine who their #1 RB is by week 17.
Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) - Trent Green was good in high school, at least. The Priest will try and lead this team again, but there are just too many holes.
NFC Wildcards: Bucs, 49ers
AFC Wildcards: Dolphins, Colts
First round winners: 49ers, Eagles, Colts, Raiders
Second round winners: Rams, Eagles, Titans, Colts
Championship Games: Eagles over Rams; Titans over Colts
Super Bowl Champion: Eagles
Obviously, this is just one mutt's take! Follow The Mutt and our four FIC Correspondents that will be competing with him all year as we fight it out for the FIC Cup.
Official FIC Cup Standings
The Mutt 0-0-0
Jeff Brown 0-0-0
Tim Noakes 0-0-0
Zach McCann 0-0-0
Jay Schell 0-0-0
Thursday Night Game - Week 1
San Francisco (-3) at New York Giants - Giants coach Jim Fassel's offense was recently thrown out of an archaeological museum for being out of date. Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens should hook up twice as they tune up one more time for their first real game.... next week. 49ers 24, Giants 7
Hey.... Obviously, there will be plenty who disagree. In fact, I think I can quote myself as saying that I'm NOT an expert with predictions at the top.
The Raiders had one of the toughest defenses in the league two years ago and fell apart last year. Their secondary was tough last year, and the addition of a pro bowler like Rod Woodson never hurts. Romanowski should help to improve a disappointing linebacking core, and FA signee John Parrella's always been a phenomenal lineman against the run.
In my eyes, Schottenheimer is just awful, but he may be the perfect coach for the Chargers. Brees probably won't be too comfortable in the first half of the season, but Marty doesn't like to let his QBs air it out enough anyway. Tomlinson should have a phenomenal year as Schottenheimer forces him to be the workhorse, and the Bolts trademark defense, led by Seau should create some decent field position. I think the Bolts are quite capable of making a run.... How many people thought the Pats could finish over .500 last year, much less win the Super Bowl?
Pennington should be starting soon... Vinny's due to physically fall apart at the seams any day now, and it shows each week in the injury report. I don't see Pennington taking over until next year if Vinny doesn't get hurt, though. The Jets will be tough, and should challenge for that last playoff spot again, but I don't think they'll get there.
As for the FIC Cup? It's just a cheesy little trophy given to the winner of the pool.
