Cincinatti Bengals
Predicted Record: 10-6
Playoff Seed: 4
Key Player: Carson Palmer, This couldn't be any simpler. If Palmer goes down with his reconstructed knee than down go the Bengals. Not only is Palmer a Superbowl caliber QB, but the backup is Anthony Wright who couldn't even beat out Kyle Boller for the Ravens job.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Chad Johnson, Why because he's the man, he's consistant, and you can go around saying my number 1 wideout is a Beaver.
Why the Record: Palmer will be back, he will stay healthy and the Bengals will score more points than any team in the league. However, it is doubtful that the defense will be the turnover creating machine that it was last year. Therefore they will not run away with the division.
Projected Wins: CLE, NE, @TB, ATL, @BAL, SD, @CLE, BAL, OAK, PIT
Projected Losses: @KC, @PIT, CAR, @NO, @IND, @DEN
Pittsburgh Steelers
Predicted Record: 10-6
Playoff Seed: 6
Key Player: Willie Parker, Some may think Big Ben but the key to the Steelers offense was the combination rushing attack of Willie and the Bus. Now without the Bus the pressure is squarely on Parker's shoulders and if he is unable to perform in short yardage situations then the Steelers will be searching for another viable options.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Willie Parker, I know I'm going with dual for Key Player and Player to Eye but really Parker is the guy that either could be a mediocre back with limited touchdowns or turn into a top flight back with 1,400 yards and around 10 tds. It's all up to his ability to find the hole when the the opposition throws 8 in the box at the goal line.
Why the Record: The Steelers have a strong squad and I personally believe Parker will emerge as a solid back and put up the 1,400 yards. In addition the losses to Randle El and Jerome are overstated as the biggest loss there is not talent but the inspiration that the Bus provided. In the end I see the Steelers deadlocked with the Bengals in the division but to lose out via the division losses tiebreak as I predict the Steelers to split their games with the Ravens.
Projected Wins: MIA, CIN, @ATL, @OAK, DEN, NO, @CLE, CLE, @CAR, BAL
Projected Losses: @JAX, @SD, KC, @BAL, TB, @CIN
Cleveland Browns
Predicted Record: 7-9
Key Player: Defense, Why the defense, because their offensive is lead by Charlie Frye, Rueben Droughns, and their two go to wideouts Edwards and the Soldier are coming off big time injuries. Thus if the Browns want to win any games it is pretty much up to Romeo and the D.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Braylon Edwards, He's a stud and apparently the come back trail from blowing out your knee has never been faster. If you can store him on the bench for the first few weeks before he eventually breaks out you've done yourself a good job in the late rounds.
Why the Record: Romeo Crennel will be worth a few victories this year while Charlie Frye will be worth negative a couple. Unfortunately for all Brown fans Ohio boy Brady Quinn will not be suiting up in a Cleveland uniform next week.
Projected Wins: BAL, @OAK, DEN, NYJ, @ATL, KC, BAL
Projected Losses: NO, @CIN, @CAR, @SD, PIT, CIN, @PIT, TB, @HOU
Baltimore Ravens
Predicted Record: 5-11
Key Player: Offensive Line, With Brittle Steve McNair behind you, and Kyle Boller backing him up, you better pass protect like crazy else your season will be hitting the shitter really quickly.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Todd Heap, Heap's been an overhyped injury prone player the past few seasons and hasn't deserved where he's gone in the draft. It will be interesting to see how he performs for the few weeks that McNair is healthy.
Why the Record: I do not believe the Ravens hype. Jamal Lewis is still banged up, McNair gets hurt every year and their defense is getting older. Once McNair gets injured the Ravens will hit the tubes because they have no faith in Kyle Boller.
Projected Wins: @DEN, CAR, @TEN, PIT, BUF
Projected Losses: @TB, OAK, @CLE, SD, @NO, CIN, ATL, @CIN, @KC, CLE, @PIT
Predicted Record: 10-6
Playoff Seed: 4
Key Player: Carson Palmer, This couldn't be any simpler. If Palmer goes down with his reconstructed knee than down go the Bengals. Not only is Palmer a Superbowl caliber QB, but the backup is Anthony Wright who couldn't even beat out Kyle Boller for the Ravens job.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Chad Johnson, Why because he's the man, he's consistant, and you can go around saying my number 1 wideout is a Beaver.
Why the Record: Palmer will be back, he will stay healthy and the Bengals will score more points than any team in the league. However, it is doubtful that the defense will be the turnover creating machine that it was last year. Therefore they will not run away with the division.
Projected Wins: CLE, NE, @TB, ATL, @BAL, SD, @CLE, BAL, OAK, PIT
Projected Losses: @KC, @PIT, CAR, @NO, @IND, @DEN
Pittsburgh Steelers
Predicted Record: 10-6
Playoff Seed: 6
Key Player: Willie Parker, Some may think Big Ben but the key to the Steelers offense was the combination rushing attack of Willie and the Bus. Now without the Bus the pressure is squarely on Parker's shoulders and if he is unable to perform in short yardage situations then the Steelers will be searching for another viable options.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Willie Parker, I know I'm going with dual for Key Player and Player to Eye but really Parker is the guy that either could be a mediocre back with limited touchdowns or turn into a top flight back with 1,400 yards and around 10 tds. It's all up to his ability to find the hole when the the opposition throws 8 in the box at the goal line.
Why the Record: The Steelers have a strong squad and I personally believe Parker will emerge as a solid back and put up the 1,400 yards. In addition the losses to Randle El and Jerome are overstated as the biggest loss there is not talent but the inspiration that the Bus provided. In the end I see the Steelers deadlocked with the Bengals in the division but to lose out via the division losses tiebreak as I predict the Steelers to split their games with the Ravens.
Projected Wins: MIA, CIN, @ATL, @OAK, DEN, NO, @CLE, CLE, @CAR, BAL
Projected Losses: @JAX, @SD, KC, @BAL, TB, @CIN
Cleveland Browns
Predicted Record: 7-9
Key Player: Defense, Why the defense, because their offensive is lead by Charlie Frye, Rueben Droughns, and their two go to wideouts Edwards and the Soldier are coming off big time injuries. Thus if the Browns want to win any games it is pretty much up to Romeo and the D.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Braylon Edwards, He's a stud and apparently the come back trail from blowing out your knee has never been faster. If you can store him on the bench for the first few weeks before he eventually breaks out you've done yourself a good job in the late rounds.
Why the Record: Romeo Crennel will be worth a few victories this year while Charlie Frye will be worth negative a couple. Unfortunately for all Brown fans Ohio boy Brady Quinn will not be suiting up in a Cleveland uniform next week.
Projected Wins: BAL, @OAK, DEN, NYJ, @ATL, KC, BAL
Projected Losses: NO, @CIN, @CAR, @SD, PIT, CIN, @PIT, TB, @HOU
Baltimore Ravens
Predicted Record: 5-11
Key Player: Offensive Line, With Brittle Steve McNair behind you, and Kyle Boller backing him up, you better pass protect like crazy else your season will be hitting the shitter really quickly.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Todd Heap, Heap's been an overhyped injury prone player the past few seasons and hasn't deserved where he's gone in the draft. It will be interesting to see how he performs for the few weeks that McNair is healthy.
Why the Record: I do not believe the Ravens hype. Jamal Lewis is still banged up, McNair gets hurt every year and their defense is getting older. Once McNair gets injured the Ravens will hit the tubes because they have no faith in Kyle Boller.
Projected Wins: @DEN, CAR, @TEN, PIT, BUF
Projected Losses: @TB, OAK, @CLE, SD, @NO, CIN, ATL, @CIN, @KC, CLE, @PIT
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