September 8, 2015 at 5:29 p.m.
Playoff picture unclear
Rays of Insight
My family was disappointed.
At Monday’s Labor Day party, uncles and cousins asked for my Super Bowl picks. I told them that despite the fact they would be running in today’s paper, I still was not sure.
They pushed, I resisted and they pushed again. Eventually I gave them a couple of conference champions, but who knows whether those two teams will stand once this column is complete.
I’m admittedly less prepared for this column than I ever have been before.
Normally, I’m on top of the NFL Draft, free agency, training camp and the preseason. But this year has been different.
That may hurt, and it may not. We’ll see.
I’ll start by naming division winners in a series of groups, tack on the wild cards and finish with the playoffs.
The sure things
New England Patriots — As long as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are leading the way, I’m picking them to win the division. It really is that simple.
Seattle Seahawks — It would be silly to choose a team other than the one that has been to the Super Bowl each of the last two years and arguably should be looking for a third straight title.
Denver Broncos — There are those who like Kansas City or San Diego better, but I’m not one of them. Denver is still the division’s best team.
The repeats
Indianapolis Colts — They’re just going to be too good at throwing the ball. Put that on top of the fact that they get to play their own sorry division and the hapless NFC South and they will repeat.
Pittsburgh Steelers — Suspensions could hurt them early, but look out when Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant return to the fold. Pittsburgh will be a real contender.
The newcomers
Philadelphia Eagles — I thought they’d run away with the division last season, but they struggled down the stretch while Dallas won its last four. While I’m not a Sam Bradford fan, I think he’s good enough for the Eagles to claim the top spot this year.
Atlanta Falcons — Who knows what to expect from the NFC South mess? Cam Newton has no one to throw to in Carolina, and I wasn’t impressed with the Saints’ offseason. So the Falcons win, by default.
Minnesota Vikings — Yeah, that’s right. Most are picking Green Bay here, and logic points in the Packers’ direction. But this is no fun without taking at least a few chances.
The wild cards
Green Bay Packers — OK, so maybe it’s not that big of a chance since I’m putting the Cheeseheads in the playoffs anyway. It’s more than a little difficult to bet against Aaron Rodgers.
Cincinnati Bengals — Yes, they’ve struggled in the playoffs. And yes, Andy Dalton can be frustrating. But I think Cincinnati deserves more credit than it gets.
Arizona Cardinals — Let’s remember the Cardinals didn’t lose a game that Carson Palmer started and finished last season, and they were 5-3 with Drew Stanton at the helm. If healthy, they’re an easy playoff pick.
Houston Texans — I know Arian Foster is out for a while. And I know Brian Hoyer is their quarterback. I just have a feeling about Houston. (I was tempted to take the Texans as a surprise division winner, but didn’t want to draw too much ire from local fans.)
The playoffs
So who goes the distance?
Rather than trying to decipher the bracket, I’m going to do this elimination style.
Houston and Philadelphia are out because their quarterbacks just aren’t good enough.
Next off the list are Atlanta, Minnesota and Cincinnati, none of which are quite ready to take the leap.
And I’m sorry, but the Colts have the same offensive line and run-stopping problems they always have.
Green Bay already scares me because of injuries, and Pittsburgh’s defense is just not quite good enough for me to give the Steelers the AFC nod.
I don’t see a repeat appearance by New England, and, because no team has advanced to three Super Bowls in a row since the 1993 Buffalo Bills, Seattle is out too.
If you’ve been keeping track, you know which teams are my Super Bowl picks — the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals.
(For the record, that’s not the match-up I gave my family Monday. And when I began writing this column, I had no intention of picking Arizona. It may be lunacy, but I’m sticking with it.)
I’ll then take the Broncos for the win, giving Peyton Manning the opportunity to ride off into the sunset as a champion.
At Monday’s Labor Day party, uncles and cousins asked for my Super Bowl picks. I told them that despite the fact they would be running in today’s paper, I still was not sure.
They pushed, I resisted and they pushed again. Eventually I gave them a couple of conference champions, but who knows whether those two teams will stand once this column is complete.
I’m admittedly less prepared for this column than I ever have been before.
Normally, I’m on top of the NFL Draft, free agency, training camp and the preseason. But this year has been different.
That may hurt, and it may not. We’ll see.
I’ll start by naming division winners in a series of groups, tack on the wild cards and finish with the playoffs.
The sure things
New England Patriots — As long as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are leading the way, I’m picking them to win the division. It really is that simple.
Seattle Seahawks — It would be silly to choose a team other than the one that has been to the Super Bowl each of the last two years and arguably should be looking for a third straight title.
Denver Broncos — There are those who like Kansas City or San Diego better, but I’m not one of them. Denver is still the division’s best team.
The repeats
Indianapolis Colts — They’re just going to be too good at throwing the ball. Put that on top of the fact that they get to play their own sorry division and the hapless NFC South and they will repeat.
Pittsburgh Steelers — Suspensions could hurt them early, but look out when Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant return to the fold. Pittsburgh will be a real contender.
The newcomers
Philadelphia Eagles — I thought they’d run away with the division last season, but they struggled down the stretch while Dallas won its last four. While I’m not a Sam Bradford fan, I think he’s good enough for the Eagles to claim the top spot this year.
Atlanta Falcons — Who knows what to expect from the NFC South mess? Cam Newton has no one to throw to in Carolina, and I wasn’t impressed with the Saints’ offseason. So the Falcons win, by default.
Minnesota Vikings — Yeah, that’s right. Most are picking Green Bay here, and logic points in the Packers’ direction. But this is no fun without taking at least a few chances.
The wild cards
Green Bay Packers — OK, so maybe it’s not that big of a chance since I’m putting the Cheeseheads in the playoffs anyway. It’s more than a little difficult to bet against Aaron Rodgers.
Cincinnati Bengals — Yes, they’ve struggled in the playoffs. And yes, Andy Dalton can be frustrating. But I think Cincinnati deserves more credit than it gets.
Arizona Cardinals — Let’s remember the Cardinals didn’t lose a game that Carson Palmer started and finished last season, and they were 5-3 with Drew Stanton at the helm. If healthy, they’re an easy playoff pick.
Houston Texans — I know Arian Foster is out for a while. And I know Brian Hoyer is their quarterback. I just have a feeling about Houston. (I was tempted to take the Texans as a surprise division winner, but didn’t want to draw too much ire from local fans.)
The playoffs
So who goes the distance?
Rather than trying to decipher the bracket, I’m going to do this elimination style.
Houston and Philadelphia are out because their quarterbacks just aren’t good enough.
Next off the list are Atlanta, Minnesota and Cincinnati, none of which are quite ready to take the leap.
And I’m sorry, but the Colts have the same offensive line and run-stopping problems they always have.
Green Bay already scares me because of injuries, and Pittsburgh’s defense is just not quite good enough for me to give the Steelers the AFC nod.
I don’t see a repeat appearance by New England, and, because no team has advanced to three Super Bowls in a row since the 1993 Buffalo Bills, Seattle is out too.
If you’ve been keeping track, you know which teams are my Super Bowl picks — the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals.
(For the record, that’s not the match-up I gave my family Monday. And when I began writing this column, I had no intention of picking Arizona. It may be lunacy, but I’m sticking with it.)
I’ll then take the Broncos for the win, giving Peyton Manning the opportunity to ride off into the sunset as a champion.
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