AFC South (Projected Order of Finish)
1. Indianapolis Colts (12-4 Last Year)
Yes, their window is starting to close (team staple Marvin Harrison no longer there.) But as long as Peyton Manning is on this team, there's little reason to expect less than as playoff appearance. They didn't win the division last year because Tennessee really surprised some people with their D and young star Chris Johnson. But 12-4 is usually more than enough for the division, and Indy will return things to normalcy this year. Harrison may be gone, but wideout Anthony Gonzalez is ready to shine in his place. Joseph Addai will prove he is more than a stale crumb bun in the running game, and the offense will soar with Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. The D isn't quite on par with the offense, but sports solid players in Dwight Freeney, Gary Brackett, and Bob Sanders once healthy. Tennessee is formidable and Houston's creeping up every year, but it will be at least one more division crown for the Colts.
2009 Projected Record: 11-5
2. Houston Texans (8-8 Last Year)
Everyone's bromance for the playoffs last season fell a little short of expectations. But we must be fair here...last year's hurricane that tore up Houston had a lot to say about the team's fate. They could not and did not play a home game until October 5th last year due to stadium damage. They had to take their bye week in week 2, meaning they had to play the next 15 Sundays, unheard of in today's NFL. This all led to an 0-4 start and disappearing playoff aspirations. The good news? They found their grove late in the year and finished up on a 5-1 tear. The offense may knock on Indy's door in terms of production with Steve Slaton in the backfield, Owen Daniels at tight end, and perhaps the Best Receiver in football, Andre Johnson. Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans anchor an ever-improving defense, and if quarterback Matt Schaub stays healthy, it's hello, playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
2009 Projected Record: 9-7
3. Tennessee Titans (13-3 Last Year)
Nope, that's not a typo for their record. The Titans had the best record in all of football last year, and it's clear I see them taking a big step back. I don't necessarily think the team got that much worse in the offseason (thought the departure of mammoth Albert Haynesworth will be a huge loss.) I simply think they played out of their freakin' minds last year. I thought Kerry Collins was in the twilight of his career after the Giants lost the Super Bowl...IN 2000! He is still the man under center as Vince Young tries to locate his chee. But the running game will propel this team, with Chris Johnson and LenDale White taking the duties. The defense will still be good because they have some veteran playmakers. But they won't start the year 10-0 this season. It will be more like their 3-4 finish.
2009 Projected Record: 8-8
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11 Last Year)
Yuck. Yuck yucky pu pu platter. They were 5-11 last year and haven't gotten better in any tangible way. Maurice Jones-Drew will be monstrous, but he can only do so much on his own. Long year for Jacksonville in this division.
2009 Projected Record: 5-11
And now it's time for the real show...
AFC East (Projected Order of Finish)
1. New England Patriots (11-5 Last Year)
I almost didn't do it. You guys have no idea. My hatred for this team is on par with poison ivy, Lady Gaga, realizing there's no toliet paper left at that moment, and SARS virus. It's indescribable. I wanted to not put them in first place, and justify it by saying they didn't win the division last year and are one bad Brady hit away from going 4-12.
But what fun would that be? They're back, baby! Shower them with praise, start constructing Brady's Hall of Fame plaque, tell Bill Belichick he thinks like Cornwallis and smells like honey. That's the team I want to see. That's the team I want to see beaten. I don't see the run at perfection though. Because the defense over just this offseason went from terrifying to simpy respected. Belichick will get the most out of them, but hold off the coronation.
Spygate.
2009 Projected Record: 12-4
2. New York Jets (9-7 Last Year)
Throw me a bone here. Yes, they have a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback. They have little at wide receiver. It's possible so many changed parts on the defense won't gel. But it's the Jets! Do you actually believe I would pick this team to do any worse than their absolute max potential. Could I look at this blog in Januray if the Jets had a remarkable season and know that I didn't believe. No chance in hell. Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and Shonn Greene bring that Boom Boom Pow in the running game, and somebody will complement Jerricho Cothchery and Dustin Keller. The defense is the key to it all, because the Jets need a lot of 13-10, 17-13-type wins to make a run. I blame Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco for creating hope for rookie quarterbacks. Mark Sanchez, you're next. You've made me a victim of The Four Tops variety.
"I'm weaker than a man should be.
I can't help myself,
I'm a fool in love, you see."
2009 Projected Record: 10-6
3. Miami Dolphins (11-5 Last Season)
Oh, that wacky, wacky wildcat. If you don't really watch football yet read this blog, it's kind of tough to explain because it seems so simple. Instead of your quarterback taking the snap, it's a very athletic running back that takes it and runs foward as fast as he can. Everyone knows it's coming but there's so many options out of it that it was pretty much unstoppable last year. That, my friends, is how a 1-15 teams turns into an 11-5 team. That and adding the immortal Chad Pennington to the mix. He's my man. My forever mancrush. Nevertheless, I think teams have had months upon months to prepare for Miami's wacky new scheme. They don't have a whole lot besides it, so they better have more tricks up their sleeve if they want to even approach last year's remarkable success.
2009 Projected Record: 9-7
4. Buffalo Bills
Is this the year? Buffalo has been on the cusp seemingly forever, but just can't break through. They are hoping the loudest athlete in sports has something to say about that. Terrell Owens brings his circus to Buffalo for 2009. Will it work? Let's just say Buffalo has already fired their offensive coordinator, less than a month before the season starts...Coincidence? I'm not here to speculate. Well, I am. But I won't here. No matter their talent, the Bills are still in the wrong division at the wrong time and will have to wait even longer for their time to shine. It won't be '09. Sorry, T.O. At least you will get an Emmy or 2 from your reality show.
2009 Projected Record: 6-10
WHEW!! Mission accomplished, and with four whole hours to spare. I can watch Tim Mcgraw and the Black Eyed Peas in peace tonight. But wait! It's Thursday, meaning What About Conor Wednesday has been skipped again. Fear not, here is a special NFL Preview conclusion edition of What About Conor Wednesday, Thursday Edition.
It's Conor's Five Perfictions (Perfect Predictions, remember?!?) for NFL 2009
1. Drew Brees doesn't quite get to the numbers he put up last season, but New Orleans does so good in the NFC South division, he is awarded the 2009 MVP.
2. Though Adrian Peterson gets all the hype, it's Maurice Jones-Drew who will put up the most fantasy points in '09.
3. Working through all the baggage, the Chargers end up shocking the Patriots in Foxboro for the AFC Championship.
4. With everything coming together, the Saints out-gun the Giants to win the NFC.
5. The Saints beat the Chargers, 27-20 in Super Bowl XLIV.
Enjoy the game tonight everybody. The time has come. Thanks a lot for reading.
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