Tom Coughlin led his team to Super Bowl XLII, can he do it again?

 

The NFL is known for it's parity. Why then do we see the same 4 or 5 teams at the top of the league and the same 4 or 5 teams at the bottom year after year? Parity is overhyped.

Now that Free Agency is winding down and the draft is winding up, it's time to take a look at where the teams stand. Until proven otherwise, the champions stay at the top.

 

The Contenders

  • 1. New York Giants: I don't actually think they will stay on top, their division is too strong and I still question Eli. He's always shown he can get hot, but can he sustain it?
  • 2. New England Patriots: Despite his cheating, they still have Hoodie. They also have one of the easiest 2008 schedules.
  • 3. Indianaplis Colts: Peyton finally has a defense to compliment his offense, it's a scary combination.
  • 4. San Diego Chargers:The biggest question for this team is if they can recover from all of their offseason surgeries. Seven Pro-Bowl players are rehabbing this summer.
  • 5. Dallas Cowboys: Is this the year that T.O. blows the team up, or does Romo finally prove that he doesn't crumble in the post-season?

Almost There

  • 6. Jacksonville Jaguars: They are trying hard to close the gap between themselves and the Colts. It appears to be working.
  • 7. New Orleans Saints: They are only a year removed from the NFC Championship and have made some moves to shore up their weak point, defense.
  • 8. Cleveland Browns: The Browns are slowly creeping into the elite level in the NFL, that is totally out of character.
  • 9. Seattle Seahawks: They have tried to replenish their running attack to compliment the more potent passing attack. That, combined with a solid D and a weak division, spells success.
  • 10. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers can never be counted out, but they will be fighting with the Brown for supremacy in the AFC North.

Postseason Hopes

  • 11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs are always a tough team to figure out, but Garcia’s play has given them stability.
  • 12. Tennessee Titans: They can run and play defense, they just can’t move out of the AFC South.
  • 13. Washington Redskins: The health of Portis and the play of their QB are their biggest concerns.
  • 14. Houston Texans: They can pass and play defense, they just can’t move out of the AFC South.
  • 15. Philadelphia Eagles: It seems that the yearly McNabb saga will continue.
  • 16. Green Bay Packers: When Rodgers told everyone he isn’t Brett Favre, he wasn’t just paying us lip service.
  • 17. Chicago Bears: Look for their defense to rebound, not their offense.
  • 18. Carolina Panthers: Peppers had an off year, so did Smith. Both should rebound, but the QB is still an issue.
  • 19. Minnesota Vikings: Peterson is exciting, and will win them some games. Jackson is exciting in a different way and will lose them some games.

In Need of Work

  • 20. Denver Broncos: The onus is all on Shanahan, last year was the first time I can remember that the Broncos did not have a touted running game.
  • 21. Buffalo Bills: This team came on strong to end the year, but questions still abound about their passing game.
  • 22. Arizona Cardinals: They kept Fitzgerald, but can Leinart get him the ball?
  • 23. Detroit Lions: Hard to imagine, but losing an offensive genius like Martz should actually help the offense. It won’t affect the defense.
  • 24. Cincinnati Bengals: With so many questions about Johnson, the locker room is bound to fall apart eventually.
  • 25. Oakland Raiders: The off-season moves are signature Davis moves. Walker is a more expensive, less effective version of Moss and Hall is prone to giving up the big play.
  • 26. St. Louis Rams: Having Bulger and Jackson healthy for a full year should help but their defense still needs more work
  • 27. New York Jets: Pennington will not finish the season, neither will Mangini.
  • 28. San Francisco 49ers: Martz does not have the offensive weapons he needs for his offense to work. Their defense is improving.

Arm-Wrestle You for a Draft Pick

  • 29. Atlanta Falcons: A year removed from controversy should help their focus, cutting or trading all your productive players shouldn’t. Turner could be another Lamont Jordan.
  • 30. Kansas City Chiefs: Another 4 win season is possible, they don’t know where they are going.
  • 31. Baltimore Ravens: I’m convinced their offense can’t be fixed. Their defense is aging.
  • 32. Miami Dolphins: Parcells will install his regime, but it will take another year to be noticed.