Which 5 playoff teams from last year do not make it next season? My 5: Bengals Giants Saints Steelers Lions Im not confident in my picks of the Giants and Steelers but something has to break so im going with them.
Good thread My 5: Bengals - they were a fluke Steelers - their D is aging too much and they face some tough QBs New Orleans- they will be so distracted Denver- Manning is going to stuggle getting back San Francisco - I think last year was kind of a fluke for them too.
Ravens- Hard to imagine losing the Def MVP and not missing a beat. Bengals- Haven't made it to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since the 80s. Broncos- They made God very angry dealing away Tebow. Giants- Brutal schedule. Lions- If not for Forte and Cutler injuries they wouldn't have been in last year.
I wont be suprised if San Fran crashes and burns, the way they play is dangerous and could come back to cost em. And im sorry I just dont see how the Saints make the playoffs, they are in such a mess right now and have a huge target on them now. Teams will want to bully the Saints and make sure they crash next year. I could be wrong of course, just my opinion.
Two of the following three: Bengals - I have a feeling they're going to feel some growing pains with Dalton/Green, and they may struggle a little bit more relying on BGE to carry the load. Steelers/Ravens - Depends on which one wins the division really. Unless the Browns randomly become a force on offense, in which case both could miss it. Three others: Giants - Division is a tough one for them to win again. Eagles will be more potent on D this season with some time to gel. Saints - A lot of turmoil there, and Falcons look dangerous. Bucs have improved, making it a bit harder to gun for a wildcard spot. Broncos - I think it might take a while for things to click there, especially without a legitimate running back (I question whether McGahee can pull off what he did last season again) on that roster to keep things rolling early on. I was tossing up between the Broncos and Lions not making it, but I could see 3 teams from the Lions' division making it through.
Steelers are in a rebuilding year after finally letting go of Farrior and Aaron Smith and changing offensive coordinators. 9-7 and no playoffs for them. Maybe even 8-8. Texans made a huge leap last season on the defensive side of the ball. This year they've lost Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans. Williams was hurt a lot of last season but he's still a great player. Ryans had an off-year after an injured 2010. They're still great talent and I expect the Texans to take a real step back on defense. On the offensive side of the ball they lost Eric Winston as a cap casualty. Andre Johnson is moving late prime and coming off an injury. I think the Texans are 8-8 material next season even with Schaub for the whole year although he has missed a lot of games 3 of the last 5 years. Giants play in a tough division and they aren't getting 99 catches from Victor Cruz again. Last year was serendipity with a great run at the end and the defense solidifying when it counted. 8-8. Lions had Matthew Stafford throw 663 passes last season, which lead the NFL. They made the playoffs basically due to Stafford and Calvin Johnson and drafting along in the Packers wake as the Bears had an off-season. Stafford is like an egg back there and I make the Lions chances of repeating as low. 6-10. The Saints got taken out by the bounty scandal. Off-year and maybe a really off-year if Cam Newton and the Panthers catch the spark. 7-9.
Bengals had an easier schedule last year, plus they arent suprising anyone next year. They got a target on em now.
Yeah I'd have to say: Bengals Giants Saints Steelers Broncos Assuming 5 don't make it again. I think Saints/Broncos may make it because their main competition IMO are Falcons/Chargers and I think either of those are liable to flop. And the Steelers might snatch up a WC but it's hard to say at this point. It's tough to pick, but here's to hoping the Pats are one of the 5.
out -------- Patriots Ravens 49rs Falcons Saints in --------- Chargers Jets Cardinals Cowboys Panthers
Out: Cincinnati Denver NY Giants Detroit Atlanta In: Kansas City Buffalo Tampa Bay Philadelphia Chicago or Dallas
