OTP 2002 NFL PREVIEW

That's right - it's time for a new season of bold prognostication followed by shameless backtracking and equivocation. Some things last season went as planned - the Rams were great, the Panthers were awful, etc. A lot didn't, which is becoming par for the course in the past couple of seasons. The Patriots 2001 season reads like a Disney movie - struggling team with checkered history loses two best offensive players, but led by veteran cast-offs and a no-name kid QB rallies behind its embattled coach to win it all against incredible odds. Has there ever been a more redundant - I'm going to Disneyland than Tom Brady's. So, fans expect the following wrenchs to be thrown in the works: 1) 1-2 contenders will be knocked out by injuries (2001 Titans & Broncos); 2) a contender will fizzle do to chemistry problems (see the 2001 Saints), and 3) a contender will emerge from nowhere behind a stingy defensive and a play-it-safe offensive (2001 Pats & Bears). Anyone who knows now who those teams are should be using their prophetic talents on something far more important than football.

NFC Contenders - can win it all if:
1) Rams: They find someone to step up for London Fletcher, don't choke
2) Eagles: The defensive line holds together and Freeman still has something left
3) 49ers: They figure out how to keep Owens happy and a young star emerges on the defense
4) Packers: Glenn spends more time on the field than in the locker room, and the secondary improves
5) Bucs: Gruden is as smart as he thinks he is, Brooks and Sapp regain 2000 form.

NFC Pack - can make the playoffs if:
6) Bears: Their fans can find the stadium, and someone pressures the other QB
7) Skins: Spurrier can turn one of his Gators into a decent NFL QB, Arrington is as good as the hype
8) Saints: Brooks' head is screwed on right, they have someone to fill those holes on D
9) Cowboys: They get something approaching average quarterbacking, they force more turnovers
10) Giants: Their young corners develop, Shockey becomes Collins' security blanket

NFC Longshots - will be watchable if:
11) Cards: Plummer decides to play in the first three quarters, you have a player on the other teams' offense on your fantasy team
12) Falcons: Vick isn't running for his life on every play (well that might be watchable), they uncover a pass rush
13) Seahawks: They change their uniforms back to the old colors, Dilfer has time to throw
14) Vikings: They throw the ball to Moss on every play, the other team decides not to run the ball
15) Lions: They let Joey Harrington play before the score is 31-0...wish I had more
16) Panthers: Deshaun Foster gets into the lineup, you're a fan of the team they're playing.

AFC Contenders - can win it all if:
1) Steelers: Kordell blocks out all memories of the AFC championship meltdown, they figure out a way to use three QBs on one play
2) Dolphins: The offensive line opens some holes for Ricky Williams, the defensive line closes some against opposing backs.
3) Patriots: Who wrote last year's fairy-tale penned a sequel, Jamal Anderson has a miraculous recovery, signs, and brings the "Dirty Militaman" to New England.
4) Colts: Tony Dungy gets the defense to play over their heads, Edgerran James is the old Edgerran James
5) Broncos: The offensive line adjusts to the new rules on run blocking, McCafferty's return cures Griese

AFC Pack - can make the playoffs if
6) Browns: Somebody blocks for Couch and Green, Warren and Brown dominate the line of scrimmage
7) Titans: Eddie George is back to normal, they plugged the leaks in the secondary
8) Jets: Vinnie has something left, the old Sam Cowart is playing MLB
9) Raiders: The old vets no longer need Gruden to master the offense, the free agent signings plug up the front seven
10) Chargers: Drew Brees is as good as he looked last year, Jammer catches up after his holdout
11) Chiefs: Green settles for being Trent Green instead of Kurt Warner, the defense rises to mediocrity

AFC Longshots - will be watchable if:
12) Bills: The line gives Bledsoe a little protection, they drafted well on the defensive side of the ball
13) Bengals: Frerrotte gives them Dilferesque mistake-free QBing, the defensive forces more turnovers
14) Ravens: Brian Billick really was the genius behind the '98 Vikings offense, Jamal Lewis fully recovers
15) Jaguars: Fred Taylor defies the odds, they don't have to play defense
16) Texans: Their offensive line heals in time to let Carr play this year, their overpaid cap casulties play with a chip on their shoulders.

Completely Biased Playoff Predictions
NFC: Eagles, Packers, Bucs, Rams, 49ers(wc), 'Skins(wc)
AFC: Dolphins, Steelers, Colts, Broncos, Patriots(wc), Browns(wc)
Championship games: Eagles over Rams, Steelers over Browns
Super Bowl Prediction: Eagles 20, Steelers 16