Boski's Blogopoluza!

Staring Payton Manning
Randy Moss
The New England Patriots
Lofi Tatupu
Mosi Tatupu
Ickey Woods
James Woods
Tiger Woods
The Cast of Fame
F. Murray Abraham

and

Robbie Rist as Cousin Oliver

In a Quinn Martin Production

So we march on with my distorted view of the AFC

AFC East

New England - I am of the mindset that until they are beaten they are still the team to beat this year. But that does not mean that they are a lock. I do see problems. They will have problems at LB especially inside, a tough open stretch of season and losing Weis and Cronnel. But this team still has Brady, Dillon, Seymour, Harrison (who was fined during the typing of this sentence) and most importantly Belicheck. If they get homefield then they are will go to Detroit, if not and they do not go to Pittsburgh then it will be difficult.

New York Jets - This is the team everyone is on. That this is the team to dethrone the Pats. Whoa hold on there. Yes they came within a field goal of the AFC Championship. And yes I do like Herm Edwards, but for every answer they say they have (new offense, Ty Law and a new kicker) I think there as many questions that still remain. I feel that there are a couple of things holding the Jets back this year. They will miss Ferguson and McKenzie. Next is you should punished for drafting a kicker in the 2nd round. That is as dumb as drafting an disgruntled Ohio State Player who is slow. Lastly, they are the Jets and other than Super Bowl III rarely do things go right for the Jets. This team is a definite Wild Card Contender, but the Pats are going to have to fall very hard for NYJ to pass.

Buffalo - J.P. Losman is the man at the wheel. No you could not stay at UCLA you had to bolt. Oh sorry got off-track. The Bills are going to try to parlay a great running game, excellent defense and great special teams into a post-season bid. The key is do not make Losman try to win, just managed the game till he is comfortable with the pro game. I do think though the Bill will miss Pat Williams inside. How much of a loss will be seen. Also is there a job more dangerous than a Bills Tight End. No one really wants to hold that job. I going to call it the "Curse of Keith Metzalars". Imagine if Bernie Jopruu was a Bill, he would be in an Iron Lung.

Miami - Nick Saban I hope the cash was worth it because you have a superfund site to run. Also I know he is a good coach and has a chance to do well in the NFL, but can we stop with the Belicheck Jr. Praising of him. He has to win people, look didn't the experts think Butch Davis was going to be a good coach. Yeah that went well. Note to A.J. Freely, when you are behind the Sage Rosenfeld's Experience then it is time to think about Europe or Canada.

AFC North

Baltimore - I make this pick out of fear (of upsetting Ray Lewis) and hope (that I am wrong, I do hate the Raven so). The Ravens this offseason where seen as the team to beat, great D that finally got help on Offense with Mason and the drafting of Clayton. But as the preseason came everyone remembered Kyle Boller is still the QB. He still looks awful and has horrible mechanics. Kyle those Int's as you fall back throwing from the wrong foot will not endear you to Ray. But the team will give the ball to Inmate 76356A82 (I know old joke, but I still gafaw) and hope it can keep up the level of excellence on defense. The window for this team to win with this group is closing like Giacomo at the Derby. I think this team make enough plays and makes life a bitch for a lot of teams, but will come up short in the playoffs.

Pittsburgh - The team I would like to see win this division. Last year was storybook till the Pats bashed the 2X4 on their heads. If this team can still run the ball and Big Ben can play within himself. They will win the division. They have the D to make it work. Winning in the Playoff might be another matter. Gentlemen, when you get homefield advantage use it. That is why they call it an advantage.

Cincinnati - The Bengals are the new black, or this the new brown. If that is true then what is the new blue? Oh sorry again about that. Here is another team that the critics love and I love that offense. Marvin Lewis has done the the nearly impossible and made people care about the Bengal. This is second Dennis Green making the NFL care about the Cardinals. They are loaded on O, but they will not be able to stop people. They have good corners ex-Broncos (now you guys play like you mean it) and good young safeties, but even with Crowder and Pollack that defense will be a sturdy as the Iraqi Government. So another team to add to Wow we score 30 a week, but we missed the playoffs because we gave up 30 a week.

Cleveland - Romeo Cronnel will now do his best impersonation of Anna Sullivan. Because the Browns are Helen Keller. He is doing what need to be done and will move this team up the food chain with a couple of seasons, but this season it all about moral victories.

AFC South

Indianapolis - I should not be shocked by the number of people who are picking the Colts to win it all. But kind of like the Pats, till I see them win the big one, I am going to doubt them. Dungy has done a great job building a team that terrifies you with it's offense and a defense that is built from scratch to capitalize on being ahead and rushing the QB. It is all about getting sacks and causing turnovers. But if the O ever falters this defense can pushed around. I think the team D-line weight is equal to one of Ted Washington's legs, even with Corey Simon. Manning will have a disappoint season to roto fans. He is not throwing 49 again. I am thinking 28 to 32. Look for RB's to more scores and for them to phase out the Edge. If they get homefield then they have a great shot at the Super Bowl, if not then it same old same old.

Jacksonville - Oh the Jags, on the cusp of breaking into the elite. But have they really done enough. This team is close, but still a ways off from moving up. They have to first start winning game at home. They win in Indy and GB but get shutout by Houston at home, go figure. They need Fred Taylor to be health (strange, it sounds like I have heard that before). Also they need to get some production in the passing game. Someone under the age of 36 to make catches. Is Matt Jones the answer. Why am I thinking he could be the offensive version of Mike Mamula. I think they will be in the hunt for the Wild Card. I think if they can get through the early part of their schedule they got a shot.

Houston - Another team I still trying to figure out. But I do know that David Carr is going to lose it one day go ferral on his offensive line. This team is trying to find it's identity as I try to remind myself I can not sing "Houston Oilers, Houston Oilers, Houston Oilers number 1" when I watch them. This team has some pieces and if they can find a way to get to the QB then they may see the nice side of .500, but a lot of ifs. Dom I think you may be looking for new digs when this season has finished.

Tennessee - Big changes except for the coach who is one of the best. I think we will see him do some of his best this season to make the Titans a team with a bad record that no one wants to play. Good to see McNair back, bad that by the time they give him the players to make a run we will hang it up.

AFC West

This was the hardest one to pick and not because of the Broncos, but you could make a case for each of these teams. In international football parlance this is the "group of death" The only one who is least likely is the Raiders, but I will get to that.

Kansas City - Oh I hate doing this, but they have got the O and may have done enough on D to make this work. But what good will it do they will lose at home in the playoffs again. As I mentioned with the Ravens, this is a team that's window is ready to slam shut. The offense has some age on it Len Dawson. . . I mean Trent Green is not getting any younger. Also what is up with the circulatory problem. I think the training staff will have to get him a CraftMatic Adjustable bed to help for that. But seriously the line has a lot of miles on it and even as with the potential that Larry Johnson has flashed, he is no Priest Holmes. Who is still such a weapon of terror, but has not been able to go a full 16 in awhile. Tony Gonzalez who had a great year, but was over shadow by Gates is still around. The Chefs need a WR to do something, anything. The D go some talent for Gunther. Sounds like a Movie of the Week. If he can get them on the same page is yet to be seen. He does not need them to be the 85 Bears, just good enough to get a 3 and out from time to time.

Denver - I do not know what to tell you. I am feeling better about this team than I did in July. But we will see what happens when the games count. Yes I have drunk the Kool-Aid and I am an ardent Shanahan supporter but I do have questions about some of the moves (Clarrett, Dayne, the Cleveland Browns adoption program and etc.) But I look and I see the success one moment and then disaster the next. Plus, Jake Plummer has lead them to two playoff appearances, set a team record for passing yards and is 18 - 9 in two years as the QB. Minus its Jake Plummer. Great LB's but lots of questions outside of Bailey. The D line got an infusion of new blood it is now loaded with 1 round draft picks, played well in the preseason. Minus, other than Trevor Pryce who is coming of back surgery they all played for Cleveland. So what do I expect I think they will start fast as they usually do, if they can make more hay in the red zone and create turnovers and not soil themselves on special teams they could get this division, but until they step across the threshold they will just be a wild card contender and playoff fodder.

San Diego - Marty I think you should petition the league to scrap the playoff and go to a Bowl System, because you can not win. This team caught all the breaks and was the feel good hit of the year, but I think now having to play a difficult schedule we will see them play well but they record will not be as gaudy as last year. They will be in the hunt for the wild card, but I think they come up a little short. Which means they will go 14 - 2. They do have LT and even by himself he could win 5 games.

Oakland - Al Davis tried to turn back the clock to those thrilling days of yesterday year when you could win game 48-77 every week. This offense my end up being more prolific than the Colts. Collins is in a system that fits him (still does not mean he will not throw a ton of stupid Ints). Randy is the in the right atmosphere (Hey Randy, Alzado called and he is asking if you could tone down the tude), along with Porter and Curry make for an excellent group. And finally get a chance to shine. (Why did they give him Bo's #, that is not right). But even with all that this defense still sucks or at least has the potential to suck a lot this year. Warren Sapp, funny as hell but he is done, Ted Washington just lost a foot race with the Rockies. The LB's are still not very good. The secondary is manned by talented but a headcase Woodson and rookies. Also they still need to finds a long term solution at Safety. But they do have a great punter and fat social ungifted placekicker. They will be fun to watch. Hopefully it will be losing games.


So there was my long winded AFC preview. You noticed it got longer as it went on. But now lets get to the playoffs

NFC
Philadelphia
Minnesota
Carolina
St. Louis
Atlanta - Wild Card
Dallas - Wild Card

Philadelphia vs Carolina in NFC Championship Game

Philadelphia NFC Champs

AFC
New England
Baltimore
Indianapolis
Kansas City
New York - Wild Card
Pittsburgh - Wild Card

Indianapolis vs. New England

New England AFC Champs


Super Bowl XL New England vs Philadelphia - Another classic game and another heartbreak for the Eagles.

finally before I go here is Boski's pick for tonight's opener.

Oakland +7.5 @ New England

This one is an intriguing match-up. If Oakland can go after the Pats corners deep and get running lanes for Jordan it could be a long night for the champs. But they are the champs for a reason and will work Dillon all night against a bad Raiders front seven. Also Kerry should throw a pick for six. Raider fans you should be use to it. I see the Pats winning but the Raiders will score late and cover.

New England 34 Oakland 30

Wow! Thank you for reading that, even if you didn't but you tried you still should be comended.