5-1? Damn, I better buy those Steelers tickets now for my sister and nephew before they go sky high in price ! I thought they'd be 5-5 or 6-4 at the bye but never would I think they'd be 5-1 after 6 games. I hope your right! Week 2-7 they're going up against top tier QB's every week. The corners on the team will either be confirmed as decent or torched and exposed. More than the corners though what concerns me most against those teams is they all have RB's that catch the ball well out of the backfield and they all have pretty good TE's. Those RB dumps and screens and TE's kill Rex's D, lets see if he can dial up a scheme against those teams.
The Panthers last year were 12-4. While Newton has cracked ribs, he's still an up and coming Qb who imo will become elite. I can't see them falling below the Jets. Others have spoken to the Bucs situation, as well as the Steelers.
Im just not high on the Panthers at all. Atlanta will be improved. Like you said Cam is banged up and they just signed Stephen Hill. That should give you an idea of how bad that WR group is. Easily the worst in the league. Benjamin could be ok for them but its never a good sign when a rookie is your clear #1 receiver. The D will most likely be good again but as good as last year? Im not so sure about that. 8-8 season for Carolina this year.
I'm with you, add in that division should be much tougher as Atl and TB should be playoff contenders.
seems about right to me for the start of the season. this team has a lot to prove, so 21 is where I'd put them until they do. being 21 doesn't mean they can't be better than that.
Kudos for your optimism! Agree it can be done. A 5-1 start by my interpretation is probable wins against Oakland and Detroit at home. Then 3 wins against either the Packers, Bears, Chargers, Broncos. We got the Broncos and Bears at home and San Diego, Green Bay on the road. I say we beat the Bears at home, lose to Denver but split our road tour, winning at SD but losing to Pack. Broncos, Packers and Bears are playoff caliber teams so we will be lucky to beat one home or away.
Seeing as how I predict 7-9 for the Jets, Carolina should rank higher. Newton is a far better qb than Smith, and probably better than Vick, too. I doubt he plays hurt far into the season.
I don;t know where this idea comes that the Jets are likely to beat Chicago. I have seen them ranked in the top ten, and can't see why not.
I think this is the closest ESPN has been to reality with the Jets power rankings in quite a while. I'd rank them closer to 18th. If you think about it, they picked #18 in the draft, and added Decker & CJ. On paper that's a big improvement. I don't think the Falcons or Giants should be ranked higher. The Giants should be below the Redskins and Cowboys. I'm not sold on the Steelers at #13 either. I see no reason at all to see them doing any better after losing Sanders. And how are the Bucs ranked #19 after losing Revis? Did they make a big improvement and I missed it aside from hiring Lovie Smith? Also everybody seems high on the Bears, but did they really improve much?
Cam might be better but in reality the Jets have a better offense around Geno. Is Cam going to will the Panthers to 9-10 wins all by himself? Kelvin Benjamin and Jerricho Cotchery are their starting WR's. Thats below average even from a Jets standpoint. Decker and Kerley look like Pro Bowl names compared to that. DeAngelo Williams is a solid RB and Olsen a solid TE but neither are top 10 at their position. And take a look at their schedule. Not pretty. That Week 5-10 stretch is on par with our Week 2-7.
Chicago's main weakness last year was their rush defense. They feel they've addressed it during the offseason. The truth will be in the pudding because they will be tested by our running game. Conversely, Marshall and Jeffery against our CBs is a scary thought.
When did that happen? They traded Devon Hester or was he a FA? Thought he was still on the Bears.. Dayum..
