Which is this Year's Most Under Rated Team? (1 Viewer)

[Rovers]

I'll start.....

I really think it has to be the Jets. Now, I'm not saying they could sniff the playoffs, but there seems to be a lot of people picking them for the worst record in the NFL this year, and I just don't see it, unless 6 wins makes them the first team to have a shot at Adrian Peterson or Quinn.

Tons of question marks, agreed, but still with some talent and a young CS that may surprise some people. The switch to the 3-4 hybrid may not struggle as much as some think. The O line is improved. Coles is still a servicable WR, and Martin isn't quite done just yet.

I also think SF will be an improved team. So, who gets the grand prize at the draft next year? I vote for either the Titans or Packers.

For playoff contenders, I think the Cards aren't getting much respect.... but I said that last year too.

Discuss!

 

[zanti8]

raiders

raiders lost some close games to good teams early last year and went down from there . i think shell is a great coach . the problems for oakland has been their line and defense . they got a great db in huff who should have an impact like hawk with the pack. i think howard will be great also . shell was a great linemen so he will know how to coach both lines well . i really like the add of qb brooks . it just seems like a good fit with moss, brooks and jordan to me. i think the broncos still take the division but oakland gets a wildcard with 9 or 10 wins .

also take the lions to win the nfc central with 9 wins .

 

[Billy1x]

Packers - Defense, Offensive line, & receivers are underated.

 

[Sea Bass]

Texans.

 

[TURFPACK]

I agree with sea bass, Texans seemed to really get things going the last five games of the season. Plus some soild moves in the off season should continue to press foward.

 

[SSOG]

raiders

raiders lost some close games to good teams early last year and went down from there . i think shell is a great coach . the problems for oakland has been their line and defense . they got a great db in huff who should have an impact like hawk with the pack. i think howard will be great also . shell was a great linemen so he will know how to coach both lines well . i really like the add of qb brooks . it just seems like a good fit with moss, brooks and jordan to me. i think the broncos still take the division but oakland gets a wildcard with 9 or 10 wins .

Agreed. I'm a Broncos fan, but I think that Shell is a hell of a coach, and I think it's a travesty that he went so long without even a single interview- ESPECIALLY given the league's mandatory minority interview policy- and even more of a travesty that for all of his success, he was punished by being forced to return to Oakland. I think he immediately improves their team. I also don't think the Raiders were as bad as they looked last year. Put the Raiders in the AFC East last year and New England in the AFC West, and New England finishes last in the west while the Raiders are in a dogfight with Miami over in the east.I don't think the Raiders make the playoffs, and I don't know if they even finish with a winning record, but I think they're a very dangerous team, and the only reason their record won't reflect that is because they are in a positively BRUTAL division.

I agree with sea bass, Texans seemed to really get things going the last five games of the season. Plus some soild moves in the off season should continue to press foward.

Also agreed. Two seasons ago, the Texans looked pretty good and primed to improve. Last season, they just fell entirely apart. I think Kubiak was far and away the best coaching hire of the offseason, I think he has his priorities straight (i.e. David Carr won't be getting sacked 60+ times every season anymore), and I think he immediately upgrades the Texans. I wouldn't be surprised to see Houston net 8 wins this season.

 

[Bri]

I'll start.....

I really think it has to be the Jets. Now, I'm not saying they could sniff the playoffs, but there seems to be a lot of people picking them for the worst record in the NFL this year, and I just don't see it, unless 6 wins makes them the first team to have a shot at Adrian Peterson or Quinn.

I expect Mangold and D'Brick to start week 1. That's gotta equal some rough weeks for the QB such as life in the NFL for a rookie goes. By week 4, if not earlier, they should be OK.I would compare their line to the real young Dallas D last year stinkin' in the beginning then being very impressive by year's end.

They don't have a skill position player that scares anyone. Giant IF, IF Pennington can comeback and pick apart a D with his short passes to Coles and IF Martin still has some gas in the tank, they could be effective. The O sorely needs a shot of some young stud.

I expect+ read some comments about Mangini preferring more 3-4 over 4-3. I think Thomas CAN replace Abe very well but will he? He's got the talent to be an impact player but....Then there's Ellis. Was he good playing opposite Abe like Sean Jones+Reggie of years ago or is he truly good? They have to be able to get after the QB and win some games on D. If they need Mangini to create a creative scheme just to get a sack, it'll be a long year. Their D's gotta be good "mano y mano" and Mangini's schemes gotta be gravy IMO

 

[ruelvis]

im not a huge afc south fan, but i'll say the texans & jags. one of the worst teams and one of the better teams from last season.

texans for obvious reasons listed above + lots of peole are dwelling on their passing on bush and jags cuz they are being overlooked, especially with the loss of jimmy smith.

i think moving mike williams to guard will be a huge improvement to that OL and the rushing game & will put less pressure on the passing game which is prone to mistakes...this is invaluable especially considering their defense should keep them from being in many shootouts. i also think they could pull off a victory vs the colts this season as well. there may not be a many viable fantasy options on the team but nfl-wise i think they are incredibly under rated.

 

[jurb26]

I agree that Oak is a better team than most are giving them credit for. This team has a rough go around last year with a brutal early schedule and then injuries. I see Brooks as an upgrade at QB and a rather clear one to be honest. His mobility will help this team greatly. On top of that, the D should be better.

I also like Tenn to improve a good bit.

 

[renesauz]

The question was who's the most under-rated team, not who will see the most improvement. Many see the Raiders and Texans improving, perhaps even by a lot, and many of us are curious to see how much the Jets improve.

But for most under-rated I have to look at Philly. They are being picked by most to be mediocre, maybe not even in the playoffs. Some even have them fourth in the division. They were great before TO, and on paper, look deeper and stronger then before TO. Whether they are a legit contender without a legit #1 reciever can be debated, but they have flown far too far under the radar IMHO....and easily get my vote as most under-rated.

 

[Big Score]

I echo other posters feelings of Oakland & Houston being underrated. Might want to add Cleveland to the underrated list also.

I think the Jets, Tenn, Buffalo & 49er's are ranked right where they need to be. All of them are ranked as bottom feeders & deservedly so IMO.

 

[SSOG]

Copying in the Vegas Superbowl Odds just to add to the discussion.

Indianapolis Colts 6-1

New England Patriots 8-1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1

Denver Broncos 10-1

Seattle Seahawks 10-1

Dallas Cowboys 12-1

Carolina Panthers 13-1

Washington Redskins 14-1

San Diego Chargers 14-1

New York Giants 16-1

Chicago Bears 16-1

Philadelphia Eagles 18-1

Kansas City Chiefs 20-1

Cincinnati Bengals 20-1

Miami Dolphins 25-1

Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-1

Atlanta Falcons 30-1

Minnesota Vikings 30-1

Baltimore Ravens 40-1

Arizona Cardinals 45-1

New Orleans Saints 50-1

St Louis Rams 60-1

Buffalo Bills 100-1

Cleveland Browns 100-1

Detroit Lions 100-1

New York Jets 100-1

Green Bay Packers 100-1

Houston Texans 100-1

Tennessee Titans 100-1

Oakland Raiders 100-1

San Francisco 49ers 150-1

I agree that this is a pretty blunt instrument with which to judge a team's "rating", but it's better than nothing. Off of this, I think the Oakland Raiders are the most underrated team. Take them out of the AFC West last year and they're a .500 team... and they've only gotten better since. Yet somehow they have the second worst SB odds in the league? Doesn't seem right.

:BroncosFan:

 

[renesauz]

Armed with that info, I'd be inclined to agree.

 

[slayer666]

The Raiders aren't underrated they just suck.

They have a 13-35 record the past three seasons to include 2-16 in their division. The defense has ranked 30th, 30th and 27th over the past three seasons and they have led the league in penalties during the same time frame.

 

[SSOG]

The Raiders aren't underrated they just suck.

They have a 13-35 record the past three seasons to include 2-16 in their division. The defense has ranked 30th, 30th and 27th over the past three seasons and they have led the league in penalties during the same time frame.

Like I said... they're underrated. First off... penalties don't mean a thing. Studies have shown pretty much no correlation between penalties and the quality of the team. They led the league in penalties back in the '70s when they were dominant, and they led the league in penalties the last few years when they were a doormat.

The thing about penalties is that they are indicative of aggressive play. You always COMMIT more penalties than are assessed against you. The penalties that are called hurt you, but the penalties that are uncalled help you, so in the long run, it tends to even out. A lot of times, penalties are even preferable to not taking a penalty. I mean, if you have a choice between committing a 10 yard holding penalty or allowing an 8 yard sack, I guarantee you that the 10 yard penalty will be more beneficial to the team (since it doesn't result in a loss of down and it'd be really easy to get the 2 yards back with a simple draw on the next down, anyway). Add in the chance that you hold and it doesn't get called, and holding is clearly the smart play when an OL is beaten badly off the snap.

Anyway, all discussion of penalties aside... they were better than they looked last year, and I think the world of Art Shell as a head coach. Just look at his history. He took a team that went 1-3 under Shanahan (who, I think we'll all agree is a pretty good coach), and then went 7-5 the rest of the way with it. He posted a winning record in 5 of his 6 seasons (and only had a 7-9 record in the sixth). He had a better winning percentage, better playoff appearance rate, better rate of winning seasons, and as many playoff wins as John Gruden... but John Gruden got traded for two firsts and two seconds, while Shell got fired. I really think he's such a drastic upgrade over Norv Turner that Oakland is bound to improve.

Now, will they be in the playoffs? In the AFC West? Please. They'll be lucky to finish the season with a winning record. I just think the assessment that they're essentially tied for the second worst team in the entire NFL, better only than SF, drastically underrates them.

 

[NOSRAC247]

underrated, huh? okay, the Falcons are the most underrated team in the league, going into '06. They have the most athletic quarterback to grace the field,(the comments on his play are not necessary, ive heard them all), one of the best running games in the league, you can't argue that. Maybe the most deadliest defense in the league, and well, spceial teams, I'm not too sure on them as of now. Not the Raiders, not the Texans, they both will sink

 

[Jous]

The Rams... I see them advancing to the divisional playoffs. I think Jackson i s a hell of a RB, and if they start to pound the ball more with him like promised, he and Bulger to Holt+Bruce will bring back the Rams' great offense. And if that all works out well (I think it will) then the pounding style of offense will keep the defense off the field, which will in all likliness make them perform better.

 

[diesel7982]

Given their 30-1 SB odds, Id take the Falcons.

Their defense should be VERY good this year, and I have a gut feeling Vick plays like the Pro Bowler and not the CFLer.

 

[MLBrandow]

Texans.

Agree.I see an 8-8 team that could push 9-7.

The defensive personnel is absolutely perfect for the 43, and the offense will benefit immensely from a reliable #2 (Moulds) and a Denver blocking scheme. I would be surprised, but not shocked if Houston got runnerup in the division.

 

[jurb26]

Texans.

Agree.I see an 8-8 team that could push 9-7.

The defensive personnel is absolutely perfect for the 43, and the offense will benefit immensely from a reliable #2 (Moulds) and a Denver blocking scheme. I would be surprised, but not shocked if Houston got runnerup in the division.

Gonna be an improved division. We have seen Texans, Titans and Jags all picked as underrated.... could Indy be in for a fall? I'm thinking so.

 

[-OZ-]

Using SSOG's post, the teams that I expect to finish a fair amount higher than the line would indicate:

Atlanta Falcons 30-1

Arizona Cardinals 45-1

Green Bay Packers 100-1

Tennessee Titans 100-1

Oakland Raiders 100-1

San Francisco 49ers 150-1

The Titans have a tough road, but I don't see them as a bottom 3 team, Oakland either. I had thought I'd vote for Tennessee here, but I'm going with Oakland.

 

[hutchins929]

Atlanta at 30-1 odds and Arizona at 45-1 odds are good bets! IMO...

but now to the original question. I think the team that is most underrated is Baltimore, the most overrated is Chicago.

 

[BoltBacker]

Nobody has mentioned them so perhaps I'm alone in thinking BUF is the best 100-1 team on the board. They have a better balanced team than any of the others similarly ranked imo.

 

[Bojang0301]

I have to say Tennessee. They have a solid offense and defense.

 

[Despyzer]

i think moving mike williams to guard will be a huge improvement to that OL and the rushing game & will put less pressure on the passing game which is prone to mistakes...this is invaluable especially considering their defense should keep them from being in many shootouts. i also think they could pull off a victory vs the colts this season as well. there may not be a many viable fantasy options on the team but nfl-wise i think they are incredibly under rated.

If Mike Williams is the sole reason you think they will be improved, you may want to retract that opinion. According to The Sporting News, Williams is "out of shape and nowhere near his target weight" and that he "has been slow to pick up the blocking schemes" and "faces an uphill battle to make the team."

 

[Bri]

i think moving mike williams to guard will be a huge improvement to that OL and the rushing game & will put less pressure on the passing game which is prone to mistakes...this is invaluable especially considering their defense should keep them from being in many shootouts.  i also think they could pull off a victory vs the colts this season as well.  there may not be a many viable fantasy options on the team but nfl-wise i think they are incredibly under rated.

If Mike Williams is the sole reason you think they will be improved, you may want to retract that opinion. According to The Sporting News, Williams is "out of shape and nowhere near his target weight" and that he "has been slow to pick up the blocking schemes" and "faces an uphill battle to make the team."

funny, I don't buy sporting news yet know that's an old article because I've seen it here for a long while now. I wonder if anyone has a recent update on him

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I'd worry about the Raiders offensive coordinator more than anything else. Tom Walsh has been running a bed & breakfast in Idaho for the past few years. Otherwise, I like their offensive talent. Defense still looks pretty shaky, although they brought in two key components last year in Burgess and Morrison.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

i think moving mike williams to guard will be a huge improvement to that OL and the rushing game & will put less pressure on the passing game which is prone to mistakes...this is invaluable especially considering their defense should keep them from being in many shootouts.

Mike Williams is the biggest offensive line bust since Tony Mandarich. I wouldn't be counting on him for much of an upgrade anywhere. Jags are solid...I just don't think he'll be the reason for any improvement from them.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Buffalo Bills 100-1Cleveland Browns 100-1Detroit Lions 100-1New York Jets 100-1Green Bay Packers 100-1Houston Texans 100-1Tennessee Titans 100-1Oakland Raiders 100-1San Francisco 49ers 150-1

I think the Browns and Packers are being underrated among this group. I don't expect either to compete for a Super Bowl, but they should finish with better records than some of the teams that were given better odds.I also think the Lions and Texans could make a move up in the standings this year.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

underrated, huh? okay, the Falcons are the most underrated team in the league, going into '06. They have the most athletic quarterback to grace the field,(the comments on his play are not necessary, ive heard them all), one of the best running games in the league, you can't argue that. Maybe the most deadliest defense in the league, and well, spceial teams, I'm not too sure on them as of now. Not the Raiders, not the Texans, they both will sink

Well, since your comments are immune your majesty...

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

I think that at 30-1, the Jaguars, Bucs, and Falcons present the best values.

 

[Banger]

I think the Saints can improve quite a bit this year. With Brees, Bush, McAllister coming back, Horn and Stallworth they have a nice set of skill players on the offensive side of the ball. Getting Haslet out of there is good for a few wins all by itself....

 

[thayman]

I think the Saints can improve quite a bit this year. With Brees, Bush, McAllister coming back, Horn and Stallworth they have a nice set of skill players on the offensive side of the ball. Getting Haslet out of there is good for a few wins all by itself....

I'm also going with the Saints. Actually getting some home games will help them this year.

 

[Verbal Kint]

Lots of good arguments here. I'll personally go with the Packers. Injuries wreaked havoc last year, and I think they get back to ~ 8-8.

 

[Menudo]

I'll start.....

I really think it has to be the Jets. Now, I'm not saying they could sniff the playoffs, but there seems to be a lot of people picking them for the worst record in the NFL this year, and I just don't see it, unless 6 wins makes them the first team to have a shot at Adrian Peterson or Quinn.

Tons of question marks, agreed, but still with some talent and a young CS that may surprise some people. The switch to the 3-4 hybrid may not struggle as much as some think. The O line is improved. Coles is still a servicable WR, and Martin isn't quite done just yet.

I also think SF will be an improved team. So, who gets the grand prize at the draft next year? I vote for either the Titans or Packers.

For playoff contenders, I think the Cards aren't getting much respect.... but I said that last year too.

Discuss!

What a blind homer. I'll go with the Texans from the AFC & the Saints from the NFC.

I felt like the Texans had a phenomenal draft, filling a lot of weaknesses on defense and improving their O-Line. Domanick Davis needs to stay healthy, and we need to see what Carr can do with some time. This team isn't ready for a playoff run, but, I do think they will improve a good deal this season.

As for the Saints, this isn't all about Reggie Bush, though I think he will have an impact. I've felt like this team had some talent for quite some time, but, didn't feel they were hitting their potential due to a below-average coaching staff. Aaron Brooks also didn't seem to play with much passion or leadership, despite having great talent. I think Brees is a leader who plays with tons of passion, and the Saints are my pick to sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard. I know that is going out on a limb, but, it is just the feeling I get.

 

[Pipes]

Lots of good arguments here. I'll personally go with the Packers. Injuries wreaked havoc last year, and I think they get back to ~ 8-8.

Not only that they've improved their defensive personel and they're in by far the worst division in football. 8-8 or even 9-7 though unlikely, is not out of the realm of possibility.

 

[The_Man]

Is this the thread where homers sound off?

Because I'll chime in for the Ravens. The defense was kind of a shambles last year, with Ray Lewis missing 10 games and Ed Reed missing 6, and they still finished #5 in the NFL. Now they've got those two coming back healthy and have added a #1 pick providing a space eater at DT, Trevor Pryce, and last year's #2 pick Dan Cody (who missed all of last year, but who the Ravens love).

At offense, they've added McNair, Jamal is healthy and rehabbed, and they have some weapons with Mason, Clayton and Heap. Just need the O Line to come back -- but Right Tackle is a ? and it will be interesting to see if Ogden is done or just had to play hurt last year.

Downside is their tough schedule - Cincy and Pitt twice, plus the AFC West and the NFC South. But they're going to give a lot of people some very long Sundays.

 

[bigreese82]

Tennessee

Tennessee's Defense should be greatly improved with Hope and Thornton...The rookie corners have had a year to get acclimated to the NFL

Givens will also improve the passing game

 

[NOSRAC247]

Tennessee

Tennessee's Defense should be greatly improved with Hope and Thornton...The rookie corners have had a year to get acclimated to the NFL

Givens will also improve the passing game

Tennessee? IMO their astrocious defense was improved, yes, but not by much. Vince is the key to that organization winning again. Give him a lil bit. Fisher is pleased with their line, paving the way for VY. No way they are coming out over JAX & INDY.

 

[Rovers]

I'll start..... 

I really think it has to be the Jets. Now, I'm not saying they could sniff the playoffs, but there seems to be a lot of people picking them for the worst record in the NFL this year, and I just don't see it, unless 6 wins makes them the first team to have a shot at Adrian Peterson or Quinn.

Tons of question marks, agreed, but still with some talent and a young CS that may surprise some people. The switch to the 3-4 hybrid may not struggle as much as some think. The O line is improved. Coles is still a servicable WR, and Martin isn't quite done just yet.

I also think SF will be an improved team. So, who gets the grand prize at the draft next year? I vote for either the Titans or Packers.

For playoff contenders, I think the Cards aren't getting much respect.... but I said that last year too.

Discuss! 

What a blind homer. I'll go with the Texans from the AFC & the Saints from the NFC.

I felt like the Texans had a phenomenal draft, filling a lot of weaknesses on defense and improving their O-Line. Domanick Davis needs to stay healthy, and we need to see what Carr can do with some time. This team isn't ready for a playoff run, but, I do think they will improve a good deal this season.

As for the Saints, this isn't all about Reggie Bush, though I think he will have an impact. I've felt like this team had some talent for quite some time, but, didn't feel they were hitting their potential due to a below-average coaching staff. Aaron Brooks also didn't seem to play with much passion or leadership, despite having great talent. I think Brees is a leader who plays with tons of passion, and the Saints are my pick to sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard. I know that is going out on a limb, but, it is just the feeling I get.

LMAO! From the BIGGEST message board homer I ever, EVER met! Calling ME a homer for predicting a six win season! Hey....is that rookie WR in jail or out of jail? His name shouldn't be Holmes, it should be Homey! Oh, will Ben do any jail time for breaking all those motorcycle laws?

 

[This_Is_Not_VRR]

I like the Bucs and the Dolphins.

 

[cstu]

Buffalo Bills 100-1

Cleveland Browns 100-1

Detroit Lions 100-1

New York Jets 100-1

Green Bay Packers 100-1

Houston Texans 100-1

Tennessee Titans 100-1

Oakland Raiders 100-1

San Francisco 49ers 150-1

I think the Browns and Packers are being underrated among this group. I don't expect either to compete for a Super Bowl, but they should finish with better records than some of the teams that were given better odds.I also think the Lions and Texans could make a move up in the standings this year.

The Browns are going to be a much improved team. Signing Bentley was huge for the offense and they also got a very reliable WR in Jurevicius and a good OT in Kevin Shaffer. On defense they added two very good 3-4 players in Ted Washington and McGinest. In the draft they added OLB Wimbley, two good ILB's in Jackson and Williams and WR Travis Wilson.

 

[BoltBacker]

LMAO! From the BIGGEST message board homer I ever, EVER met! Calling ME a homer for predicting a six win season!

You are a homer."Tons of question marks, agreed, but still with some talent and a young CS that may surprise some people. The switch to the 3-4 hybrid may not struggle as much as some think. The O line is improved. Coles is still a servicable WR, and Martin isn't quite done just yet."

THOSE are the reasons the NYJ will be better in '06?

- new defense won't struggle as much as people predict

So it'll struggle, just not as badly as people are predicting? Ringing endorsement there to be sure.

- O line is improved

Based on...... some rookies? They get rid of all their veterans, push some rookies onto the field whether they are ready or not to protect a statue at QB that some think already has a bad throwing arm.

- Coles is still a servicable WR

... just like last season..... when the Jets won 4 games

- Martin isn't quite done just yet

What more needs to be said about this one?

If those are the biggest reasons the Jets will improve 2 games on their 4 win season last year then they better start negotiating with whoever is the #1 pick on their draft board.

 

[SSOG]

LMAO! From the BIGGEST message board homer I ever, EVER met! Calling ME a homer for predicting a six win season!

You are a homer."Tons of question marks, agreed, but still with some talent and a young CS that may surprise some people. The switch to the 3-4 hybrid may not struggle as much as some think. The O line is improved. Coles is still a servicable WR, and Martin isn't quite done just yet."

THOSE are the reasons the NYJ will be better in '06?

- new defense won't struggle as much as people predict

So it'll struggle, just not as badly as people are predicting? Ringing endorsement there to be sure.

- O line is improved

Based on...... some rookies? They get rid of all their veterans, push some rookies onto the field whether they are ready or not to protect a statue at QB that some think already has a bad throwing arm.

- Coles is still a servicable WR

... just like last season..... when the Jets won 4 games

- Martin isn't quite done just yet

What more needs to be said about this one?

If those are the biggest reasons the Jets will improve 2 games on their 4 win season last year then they better start negotiating with whoever is the #1 pick on their draft board.

You want a reason why the Jets will improve over last season? I have a fantastic reason. It's called "regression to the mean".Theoretically, any team that finished worse than 8-8 last season could make a strong case that it's underrated, because teams have a tendency to regress towards the mean every season. As a result, the worse a team did last year, the more likely it is to outperform that this year (and conversely, the better a team did last year, the more likely they are to underperform that this year).

 

[Menudo]

I'll start..... 

I really think it has to be the Jets. Now, I'm not saying they could sniff the playoffs, but there seems to be a lot of people picking them for the worst record in the NFL this year, and I just don't see it, unless 6 wins makes them the first team to have a shot at Adrian Peterson or Quinn.

Tons of question marks, agreed, but still with some talent and a young CS that may surprise some people. The switch to the 3-4 hybrid may not struggle as much as some think. The O line is improved. Coles is still a servicable WR, and Martin isn't quite done just yet.

I also think SF will be an improved team. So, who gets the grand prize at the draft next year? I vote for either the Titans or Packers.

For playoff contenders, I think the Cards aren't getting much respect.... but I said that last year too.

Discuss! 

What a blind homer. I'll go with the Texans from the AFC & the Saints from the NFC.

I felt like the Texans had a phenomenal draft, filling a lot of weaknesses on defense and improving their O-Line. Domanick Davis needs to stay healthy, and we need to see what Carr can do with some time. This team isn't ready for a playoff run, but, I do think they will improve a good deal this season.

As for the Saints, this isn't all about Reggie Bush, though I think he will have an impact. I've felt like this team had some talent for quite some time, but, didn't feel they were hitting their potential due to a below-average coaching staff. Aaron Brooks also didn't seem to play with much passion or leadership, despite having great talent. I think Brees is a leader who plays with tons of passion, and the Saints are my pick to sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard. I know that is going out on a limb, but, it is just the feeling I get.

LMAO! From the BIGGEST message board homer I ever, EVER met! Calling ME a homer for predicting a six win season! Hey....is that rookie WR in jail or out of jail? His name shouldn't be Holmes, it should be Homey! Oh, will Ben do any jail time for breaking all those motorcycle laws?

Rovers, did you miss the after my comment ?

 

[Despyzer]

i think moving mike williams to guard will be a huge improvement to that OL and the rushing game & will put less pressure on the passing game which is prone to mistakes...this is invaluable especially considering their defense should keep them from being in many shootouts. i also think they could pull off a victory vs the colts this season as well. there may not be a many viable fantasy options on the team but nfl-wise i think they are incredibly under rated.

If Mike Williams is the sole reason you think they will be improved, you may want to retract that opinion. According to The Sporting News, Williams is "out of shape and nowhere near his target weight" and that he "has been slow to pick up the blocking schemes" and "faces an uphill battle to make the team."

funny, I don't buy sporting news yet know that's an old article because I've seen it here for a long while now. I wonder if anyone has a recent update on him

It's from the June 23, 2006 issue. Recent enough?

 

[nygiants56]

Baltimore Ravens..

McNair will allow Billick and Co. to finally open things up offensively.. McNair is MUCH better than Boller or Wright or any QB the Ravens have ever had since moving to Baltimore. Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason form a powerful 1-2 punch at WR, and Mike Anderson is a solid replacement for Jamal if/when his feet flare up again..

Todd Heap is a top 3 TE.

The AFC North is up for grabs. I 'm not sure Pitt repeats as AFC Champs..they have a tough schedule and have gone thru some key losses( Bettis , Randel El, et al), while players like Santonio Holmes are in trouble already..also, was FWP a one year wonder last year? Lets not forget all the negative press surrounding Big Ben's accident, how does it affect him, because you know thats all he is going to hear about ,all year long..

Cowher is talking retirement, and so on and so on..you wonder if it all takes its toll on Pittsburgh , in the end..

Cincy is likely going to be without Palmer for a few weeks at the start of the season...

Cleveland is improving, but there likely a year or two away from making a serious run in that division..

I don't see the Ravens getting any attention..perhaps they should?!

( don't kill me if I sound like I dislike the Steelers, because I do like them....I just worry that all of the things going on right now, will adversely affect them in '06)

 

[Big Score]

I have to say Tennessee. They have a solid offense and defense.

 

[BoulderBob]

Atlanta at 30-1 odds and Arizona at 45-1 odds are good bets! IMO...

but now to the original question. I think the team that is most underrated is Baltimore, the most overrated is Chicago.

The Bears have a young defense in place that lead the team to a division title with the worst starting QB I have seen in the NFL in a long, long time. Try again...

 

[BoltBacker]

You want a reason why the Jets will improve over last season? I have a fantastic reason. It's called "regression to the mean".

I actually do believe in that to an extent but you have to remember you're talking to a Charger fan. Believe me, I waited for them to "regress to the mean" for almost a decade before they finally broke .500. Bengals fans probably know what I'm talking about.Back to the Jets it seems like there are a bunch of reasons they will be worse than last year and only a few why they could be better. I liked their draft overall but it was a rebuilding draft that will help them more next year than it does this year. Those rookie OL were good choices but you have to expect them to have some growing pains like most rookie OL do and these guys are going to be thrust into the starting lineup much earlier than they are ready. Similarly, I liked the pick of Clemens but I'm not too sure he helps them much this season.

I'm always leary of first year coaches because it usually takes at least a year for them to fill the roster with "their guys" as opposed to just playing the guys he inherits from somebody else. QB and WR situation won't be vastly improved from the start of last year. RB and OL may actually be worse than last season. Defense is going through a big change.