Six teams that could crash playoff party in '09
by Mike Florio
Posted: May 15, 2009
Last year, I tried to predict six playoff teams from 2007 that wouldn't make it back in 2008; six non-playoff teams from 2007 that would replace them; and six non-playoff teams that would remain non-playoff teams in 2008.
Since my success rate was roughly equivalent to the turnover rate of playoff teams from one year to the next, I figure it makes sense to try it again.
Here are the six teams that might replace the six teams that might not make it back to the postseason.
Patriots
This one is easy. Even with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady gone for nearly the entire season, the Patriots almost made it to the playoffs in 2008.
This year, if Brady is healthy, they'll be back.
And even if he isn't healthy they'll give it a good run.
The real question is whether they'll have enough to overcome the Steelers for the AFC berth in the Super Bowl.
Texans
It's time.
Eight seasons is long enough for the Texans to wait for a shot at the postseason.
So, yeah, it's time.
And everyone knows it. Owner Bob McNair expects it.
If it doesn't happen, big changes could be coming in Houston.
The Texans have the talent. The challenge for them will be staying healthy at key positions, like quarterback. Especially with Sage Rosenfels looking to helicopter into the opponents' end zone in Minnesota and Dan Orlovsky looking not to run out of his own end zone in Houston.
Chiefs
Last year, a claim that the Dolphins or Falcons would reverse their disastrous fortunes and make it to the playoffs would have been met with instructions to submit to reasonable-cause drug testing.
This year, everyone is looking for the next team to make the same stunning turnaround.
The candidates are the Lions, who won zero games in 2008, and the Chiefs, who actually have won fewer games over the past two seasons that the Lions.
But the Chiefs were competitive in more than a few of their games last season, and they've added the man who nearly carried the Pats to the playoffs in the absence of Tom Brady.
Besides, K.C. plays in a wide-open division, where a .500 record was good enough to get to the playoffs last season.
So my (Delaware) money is on the Chiefs.
Which likely means the Lions will be the team to make a Fins/Falcons-style turnaround.
Cowboys
There's plenty of pressure on the Cowboys to get to the postseason. And to win a game when they get there.
Though I'm not prepared to vouch for them on the second point, they've got the talent to make good on the first one.
Even without Terrell Owens, the Cowboys can score points -- and their defense is good enough to keep their opponents from scoring more points regularly.
They just need to put it all together, and to come together as a team.
Look for that to happen, especially in the wake of the practice facility collapse of May 2.
Bears
With a collection of not-so-great passers, the Bears have done good things over the past few seasons, qualifying for a Super Bowl and nearly making it to the playoffs in 2008.
Now, they've got their first franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman. And they've got enough talent at enough other positions to punch a playoff ticket in a so-so NFC North.
Though being a trendy pick to make it to the postseason could work against them, the coaching staff and the front office realize that, if they don't provide a significant return on the Jay Cutler investment, they all might be looking for new work soon.
Seahawks
Last year, a chronic back injury to Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck marred an otherwise promising final season for coach Mike Holmgren.
The fact that everyone on the team knew that Holmgren was on his way out might have prompted some of them to pack it in once the early-season losses mounted.
This year, Hasselbeck is back, receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is in the fold, top-five rookie linebacker Aaron Curry has generated plenty of excitement, cornerback Ken Lucas has returned, and there's a feeling of quiet optimism in the Pacific Northwest.
Most importantly, new coach Jim Mora did a quietly solid job during his time with the Falcons -- and he'd likely still be there but for his public yearning to return to Seattle.
Mora has gotten his wish, and the Seahawks seem poised to reclaim dominion over the NFC West, which will force the son of former Colts coach Jim Mora to talk about ... playoffs.
Posted: May 15, 2009
Last year, I tried to predict six playoff teams from 2007 that wouldn't make it back in 2008; six non-playoff teams from 2007 that would replace them; and six non-playoff teams that would remain non-playoff teams in 2008.
Since my success rate was roughly equivalent to the turnover rate of playoff teams from one year to the next, I figure it makes sense to try it again.
Here are the six teams that might replace the six teams that might not make it back to the postseason.
Patriots
This one is easy. Even with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady gone for nearly the entire season, the Patriots almost made it to the playoffs in 2008.
This year, if Brady is healthy, they'll be back.
And even if he isn't healthy they'll give it a good run.
The real question is whether they'll have enough to overcome the Steelers for the AFC berth in the Super Bowl.
Texans
It's time.
Eight seasons is long enough for the Texans to wait for a shot at the postseason.
So, yeah, it's time.
And everyone knows it. Owner Bob McNair expects it.
If it doesn't happen, big changes could be coming in Houston.
The Texans have the talent. The challenge for them will be staying healthy at key positions, like quarterback. Especially with Sage Rosenfels looking to helicopter into the opponents' end zone in Minnesota and Dan Orlovsky looking not to run out of his own end zone in Houston.
Chiefs
Last year, a claim that the Dolphins or Falcons would reverse their disastrous fortunes and make it to the playoffs would have been met with instructions to submit to reasonable-cause drug testing.
This year, everyone is looking for the next team to make the same stunning turnaround.
The candidates are the Lions, who won zero games in 2008, and the Chiefs, who actually have won fewer games over the past two seasons that the Lions.
But the Chiefs were competitive in more than a few of their games last season, and they've added the man who nearly carried the Pats to the playoffs in the absence of Tom Brady.
Besides, K.C. plays in a wide-open division, where a .500 record was good enough to get to the playoffs last season.
So my (Delaware) money is on the Chiefs.
Which likely means the Lions will be the team to make a Fins/Falcons-style turnaround.
Cowboys
There's plenty of pressure on the Cowboys to get to the postseason. And to win a game when they get there.
Though I'm not prepared to vouch for them on the second point, they've got the talent to make good on the first one.
Even without Terrell Owens, the Cowboys can score points -- and their defense is good enough to keep their opponents from scoring more points regularly.
They just need to put it all together, and to come together as a team.
Look for that to happen, especially in the wake of the practice facility collapse of May 2.
Bears
With a collection of not-so-great passers, the Bears have done good things over the past few seasons, qualifying for a Super Bowl and nearly making it to the playoffs in 2008.
Now, they've got their first franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman. And they've got enough talent at enough other positions to punch a playoff ticket in a so-so NFC North.
Though being a trendy pick to make it to the postseason could work against them, the coaching staff and the front office realize that, if they don't provide a significant return on the Jay Cutler investment, they all might be looking for new work soon.
Seahawks
Last year, a chronic back injury to Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck marred an otherwise promising final season for coach Mike Holmgren.
The fact that everyone on the team knew that Holmgren was on his way out might have prompted some of them to pack it in once the early-season losses mounted.
This year, Hasselbeck is back, receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is in the fold, top-five rookie linebacker Aaron Curry has generated plenty of excitement, cornerback Ken Lucas has returned, and there's a feeling of quiet optimism in the Pacific Northwest.
Most importantly, new coach Jim Mora did a quietly solid job during his time with the Falcons -- and he'd likely still be there but for his public yearning to return to Seattle.
Mora has gotten his wish, and the Seahawks seem poised to reclaim dominion over the NFC West, which will force the son of former Colts coach Jim Mora to talk about ... playoffs.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:41 AM
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