Indianapolis ColtsPredicted Record: 13-3
Playoff Seed: 4
Key Player: Bob Sanders, It was pretty evident last season that the Colts defense was much better with Sanders in the roster. Sanders was key to them surviving playoff showdowns and another injury to him could decrease this record from 13-3 to closer to 11 wins.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Peyton Manning, All you are really watching for if you select Peyton in the first round is whether or not the Colts need to utilize his services in the final weeks aka your playoff weeks. I personally believe they will still be competing for a bye and thus need him to play every down in weeks 15 16 and 17 unlike some years in the past when he sat out halves.
Why the Record: Well they are the defending Super Bowl Champ. They bring back essentially the same fire power minus Tarik Glenn, which is a big loss but shouldn't be to dramatic of an effect. The Colts will win a lot of games this season but I think they're record will be a cut below the Chargers and Pats.
Projected Wins: NO, @TEN, @HOU, DEN, TAM, @CAR, KC, @ATL, JAX, @BAL, @OAK, HOU, TEN
Projected Losses: @JAX, NE, @SD
Jacksonville Jaguars
Predicted Record: 9-7
Key Player: David Garrard, The Jaguars have finally decided to end their QB debate and have stuck their eggs in Garrard's basket. Personally I have always thought that Leftwich was better, but the Jaguars have a difference of opinions. At the very least the disappearance of the controversy should help the Jaguars. And their defense should again be a strong point.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jones Drew had a phenomenal rookie campaign but there are some significant question marks for him this season. Can he repeat his success from 2006? Will he continue to get goal line touches now that Greg Jones is back?
Why the Record: The Jaguars are just one of those teams that seems to be good every year and that's it. Just good, never great. I don't think Garrard or Leftwich at QB makes that much of a difference. This team should finish at around .500 or just above as I have them.
Projected Wins: TEN, ATL, HOU, IND, @TB, @NO, @TEN, CAR, @PIT
Projected Losses: @DEN, @KC, SD, BUF, @IND, OAK, @HOU
Houston TexansPredicted Record: 7-9
Key Player: Offensive Line, It's the same old story every single year for the Texans. Can their offenseive line protect the Quarterback for long enough for the QB to actually complete a pass. Every single year there is talk of their improvement yet it never is evident. Yet again their play is key to the Texans success rate.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Andre Johnson, Everyone knows Andre is one of the best young receivers in the game. However, in past seasons he has been hindered by the fact that the only available route for him to run was a 5 yard cross. Cause that's as long as packet would allow for. So he caught a ton of balls but the yardage and td rate weren't high. But there is potential for that to change.
Why the Record: By a result of yet again having the worst record they have yet again the easiest corresponding schedule in the division. They have a lot of winnable games throughout their schedule and eventually you have to think that this franchise will win more than 5 games. That being said if they finished 8-8 or better I would be pretty shocked.
Projected Wins: @ATL, MIA, @OAK, TEN, TAM, DEN, JAX
Projected Losses: @KC, @CAR, IND, @JAX, TEN, @SD, NO , @CLE, @IND
Tennessee Titans
Predicted Record: 4-12
Key Player: Vince Young, It's obvious with the talent surrounding Vince that he is going to need to be better than ever this season for the Titans to have any kind of success rate. They really have no standout running backs or Wide Receivers on this team so if the Titans want to have more than 5 wins this season VY is going to have to avoid the Madden Curse and carry his team on his back.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Nobody, I'm staying far far away from Titans fantasy players this year. They have no QB that stands out No RB that stands out and people are jumping all over Vince Young way to early despite the fact that he will almost certainly put up Vick-esque numbers. Aka nothing special. Run away from the Titans.
Why the Record: I know Vince carried them on his back last year to wins, without much surrounding talent. But they still don't have the talent and I don't foresee the same herculean efforts. In addition the Pacmeng was a significant loss, he was emerging as a solid #1 cornerback and dynamic returner. However, if I looked at two final records after the completion of the game by game picks I think that the most sketchy would be the Titans and the Cowboys.
Projected Wins: ATL, @HOU, OAK, @KC
Projected Losses: @JAX, IND, @NO, @TAM, CAR, JAX, @DEN, @CIN, HOU, SD, NYJ, @IND
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