At last, football season has begun. This year has the makings of one of the most competitive seasons in NFL history. Almost every team has the talent and wants it enough to make the playoffs. This makes it hard to predict what teams will end up making the playoffs in the end, but I gave it a shot. The three teams that I chose may seem suprising, but after you read my explanation, I believe you will agree with me.
- Oakland Raiders- It seems as if the late Al Davis’s strategy of drafting the fastest players in the draft each year has finally begun to work. That, combined with new GM Reggie McKenzie’s winning history— he is the former packers Director of College Scouting— could lead to a successful season. They have arguably the most talented running back in the NFL, Darren McFadden. For those of you who have not heard of him, he is lightning fast and light on his feet, yet strong enough to break through tackles. They also have two tall and extremely fast wide receivers in Darrius Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore. Moore and Heyward-Bey could provide a dangerous combination with Carson Palmer, the teams seasoned veteran at QB. The Raiders defense also consists of many super fast players, so look for this team to be on the rise and a dangerous playoff contender in the AFC West. The Raiders lost their first two games, but won their third, and I think they have the talent to continue doing so.
- Dallas Cowboys- Although many people may not consider the Cowboys a surprising pick since they have had recent success, it seems as if success this year may be difficult. They are in the NFC East, a division that consists of the reigning Super Bowl Champion New York Giants, the ultra-hyped Philidelphia Eagles, and the Washington Redskins with their new rookie Quarterback, Robert Griffin III, the second overall pick in this past April’s NFL Draft. Even though these teams will without a doubt be challenging, especially during the later part of the season when most teams are fighting for a playoff spot, I believe the Cowboys are going to have a winning season. They have two ultra-talented receivers in Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, who are consistent threats for a big game. Last year, rookie running back Demarco Murray broke out in the middle of last season, but his season ended early with an injury ankle.They have one of the best defensive players in the league, if not the best, in Demarcus Ware. Ware has accumulated over 100 sacks in just 7 seasons, and in 6 of those seasons, he had double digit sacks. Ware is a perennial threat to win the NFC defensive player of the year, and he did win in 2008. They also have a star Quarterback in Tony Romo as well as a consistent tight end, Jason Witten. Look for this team to be a surprise team out of the NFC East. They won their first game againt their division rivals, the New York Giants, and, to me, this is a sign of things to come. In week two, the Cowboys lost to the Seattle Seahawks, a loss that I believe motivated them to win their week 3 match up against the Buccaneers. I would look for the trend of winning to continue, although they may have trouble against my next surprise team in week 4.
- Chicago Bears- Some may consider me biassed since I am a Bears fan, but there are many good reasons to choose them to have a suprising season. They are in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL in the NFC North, but I think hey have the talent and the experience to win the division. They’ve fixed their biggest problem on offense this season by trading for Brandon Marshall, one of the league’s best and most talented wideouts. Marshall played with Jay Cutler, the Bears Quarterback, in Denver, where they had one of the league’s top quarterback- wide-receiver duos, and they seem to reclaim that title this season. They also have Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte, who is coming off an injury, but is highly motivated because of his new $36 Million dollar contract. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears have two of the best Linebackers in the NFL, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. They also have one of the leagues premier defensive ends in Julius Peppers, who is a constant threat to opposing Quarterbacks. Charles Tillman, the Bears Pro Bowl Cornerback, is also returning to the team. The Bears won their first game against the Indianapolis Colts, yet they lost their second game to rival Green Bay Packers. The loss was mostly due to the offensive line’s poor play, which has been a consistent problem, but with their new Offensive Coordinator Mike Tice calling the plays the problem can easily be fixed, because he was the Bear’s Offensive Line coach last year and he knows the strengths and weaknesses of the line, and this will allow him to call plays accordingly. In week three, though, the Bears beat a slightly above average St. Louis Rams team. They play the Dallas Cowboys this week, one of the other teams I chose, and although I believe the Cowboys are extremely talented, I ultimately believe the Bears will pull through. To me, it seems probable that their winning ways will continue throughout most of the season.
The Raiders, Cowboys, and Bears all have the talent to make the playoffs, so be on the lookout in late December and early January, as each of these teams, in my opinion, will be a playoff contender at that time.