• Have something to say? Register Now! and be posting in minutes!

What teams are poised to take a step back this season?

SoCalWizFan

Well-Known Member
9,150
1,176
173
Joined
Jul 8, 2013
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Saints, Bucs, Texans, and chargers

i admit the rams might not go better than 13-3 but we aint going below .500 either, teams above i beg to differ

Bucs? Huh? They were 5-11 last season. How much further back can they go?
 

ATL96Steeler

Well-Known Member
24,625
5,266
533
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Location
NE Metro ATL
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
I will give you my choices:

Rams:

Offensive line looks a mess, Cooper Kupp returning from ACL, Gurley's status in limbo, young QB exposed a bit by Belichick. Great defense, but how will that offense perform after getting shut down in the Super Bowl?

Chiefs

The offense lost momentum after Kareem Hunt got cut, and now there is the specter of losing Tyreek Hill. Defense is going to be improved, but I think the offense is not going to be as explosive as it was in Mahomes' first season as a starter.

Two good choices...I still think both make the playoffs but with lessor record than LY.

For me...NO takes a little step back too. Still the projected winner of the DIV, but not as a 13 game winner. Mark Ingram was hurt a lot of the season and they got a chance to if Kamara could carry the load which he did, but Ingram was the guts of the running game imo. Secondly, on DEF can Cam Jordan repeat last season's performance at 30? Sheldon Rankins status, will he be the same player? Finally, I think CAR and ATL come back as better teams this year.
 

ATL96Steeler

Well-Known Member
24,625
5,266
533
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Location
NE Metro ATL
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
saints, brees was very pedestrian down the stretch and playoffs, if he plays like that, or the drop off continues, they will fall back

Great minds think alike is the saying...lol

I think Brees will still be Brees, maybe not as effective, but he will pass for around 4k yds and probably 25-28 TDs. The reason I picked them to come back to the pack a little, Mark Ingram is gone, Kamara is great but not a bell cow RB...I don't think he's built to handle 200+ touches rushing every season. Secondly, I'm not feeling the DEF will be as good as LY.
 

ATL96Steeler

Well-Known Member
24,625
5,266
533
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Location
NE Metro ATL
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Injuries are excuses. Every team has them. Every team deals with them differently.

Just sayin


Yeah, but at some point it's just the reality.

NE did not have anywhere near the significant injuries the Falcons had LY....3 key DEF starters, plus 3 to 4 key OFC starters. They still could've won a few more games than they did (some bad coaching imo), but Matt Ryan got slapped around an awful lot.

I'm willing to give Brady his due as the GOAT, he's earned that, but if he was getting sacked and moreso decked as much as Ryan did LY, NE would not have won the SB.
 

NWPATSFAN

Well-Known Member
32,414
6,317
533
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Hoopla Cash
$ 236.27
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Yeah, but at some point it's just the reality.

NE did not have anywhere near the significant injuries the Falcons had LY....3 key DEF starters, plus 3 to 4 key OFC starters. They still could've won a few more games than they did (some bad coaching imo), but Matt Ryan got slapped around an awful lot.

I'm willing to give Brady his due as the GOAT, he's earned that, but if he was getting sacked and moreso decked as much as Ryan did LY, NE would not have won the SB.

NE has had their fair share of injuries over the years. Troy Brown needing to play DB for them. Last season their entire rookie class, minus Michel were on IR. Two impact players in Wynn and Bentley.

When you go down the road of this teams injuries are more important than that teams injuries it becomes a homer battle. Too many factors to do that. Team schemes, position value, back ups...
So IMO injuries are part of the game. Get over them and move on. Don't use them as an excuse.
 

Shanemansj13

Finger Poppin Dat Pussy
110,122
31,769
1,033
Joined
Oct 18, 2012
Location
Dallas
Hoopla Cash
$ 506.35
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
I will give you my choices:

Rams:

Offensive line looks a mess, Cooper Kupp returning from ACL, Gurley's status in limbo, young QB exposed a bit by Belichick. Great defense, but how will that offense perform after getting shut down in the Super Bowl?

Chiefs

The offense lost momentum after Kareem Hunt got cut, and now there is the specter of losing Tyreek Hill. Defense is going to be improved, but I think the offense is not going to be as explosive as it was in Mahomes' first season as a starter.

Sounds good to me

 

Shanemansj13

Finger Poppin Dat Pussy
110,122
31,769
1,033
Joined
Oct 18, 2012
Location
Dallas
Hoopla Cash
$ 506.35
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Take a step back
Saints - take a step back. Still have them winning the division.

Rams - take a step back. Still have them winning the division but I think Seattle will fight for it.

Chiefs - take a step back. I mean I think this is expected. They just had a great year. I think the Chargers could win that division but it will be a hell of a race again.

Ravens - I love the Ingram pickup but I still think the lack of passing offense could hurt them. Their defense overall lost some steam as well.

Dolphins - I think they will fight for the worst record in the NFL.

Take a step forward
Falcons - I think they could fight for a WC spot and for the division for some of the season. I still think they are a borderline playoff team. Defense needs to improve a lot.

Panthers - still not a playoff team imo but they will also improve.

Browns - a borderline playoff team as well, could fight for WC or division.

Bengals - still not a playoff team but they will improve if players stay healthy.

Jags - they have a QB now. Still a borderline playoff team and tough division but look for them to make a run at a playoff spot.

49ers - not a playoff team, Jimmy G needs to stay healthy but I think they definitely improve. Float around .500 or so.
 

ATL96Steeler

Well-Known Member
24,625
5,266
533
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Location
NE Metro ATL
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
When you go down the road of this teams injuries are more important than that teams injuries it becomes a homer battle. Too many factors to do that. Team schemes, position value, back ups...
So IMO injuries are part of the game. Get over them and move on.

Nah...it's really that you know that team and the impact of the injuries more than a team you don't see every week.

Injuries are indeed part of the game, but this ain't the '70s man...the depth behind the starters is simply not as good as they used to be.

Call it what you want to call it, but if you lose your pro bowl MLB, pro bowl SS, and your starting FS, LG, RG, and RB1 your team is not going to be as good...that's the reality.

Kudos to NE for continuing their winning ways in spite of injury, but I'll just say, that's not the norm in the NFL.
 

ATL96Steeler

Well-Known Member
24,625
5,266
533
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Location
NE Metro ATL
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Take a step back
Saints - take a step back. Still have them winning the division.

Rams - take a step back. Still have them winning the division but I think Seattle will fight for it.

Chiefs - take a step back. I mean I think this is expected. They just had a great year. I think the Chargers could win that division but it will be a hell of a race again.

Ravens - I love the Ingram pickup but I still think the lack of passing offense could hurt them. Their defense overall lost some steam as well.

Dolphins - I think they will fight for the worst record in the NFL.

Take a step forward
Falcons - I think they could fight for a WC spot and for the division for some of the season. I still think they are a borderline playoff team. Defense needs to improve a lot.

Panthers - still not a playoff team imo but they will also improve.

Browns - a borderline playoff team as well, could fight for WC or division.

Bengals - still not a playoff team but they will improve if players stay healthy.

Jags - they have a QB now. Still a borderline playoff team and tough division but look for them to make a run at a playoff spot.

49ers - not a playoff team, Jimmy G needs to stay healthy but I think they definitely improve. Float around .500 or so.


I'm not sure about BAL going backwards, but I can see that happening, but CIN, CLE, PIT should all be better than they were LY.

ATL...the Falcons could make a big swing to the positive. I'm thinking 10 wins and playoffs. Else, there will be upheaval at the GM and HC spots.
 

NWPATSFAN

Well-Known Member
32,414
6,317
533
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Hoopla Cash
$ 236.27
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Nah...it's really that you know that team and the impact of the injuries more than a team you don't see every week.

Injuries are indeed part of the game, but this ain't the '70s man...the depth behind the starters is simply not as good as they used to be.

Call it what you want to call it, but if you lose your pro bowl MLB, pro bowl SS, and your starting FS, LG, RG, and RB1 your team is not going to be as good...that's the reality.

Kudos to NE for continuing their winning ways in spite of injury, but I'll just say, that's not the norm in the NFL.

The homer battle is real. Is my WR1 or RB1 more important than your QB or DE? It depends on scheme. So much depends on scheme, game planning, coaching and depth.

NE is succesful because of depth, scheme and coaching. Thus injuries do not hurt them as bad as some other teams that pay huge contracts to a couple of impact players. When those players go down the 53 man roster suffers. This isn't basketball where one player can make such a huge difference.

I'm on the side that it's more BB than TB accounting for NEs success. Matt Cassel coming in and taking them to 11-5 tells me enough. That was a freak year where 11-5 didn't get you into the playoffs.

2nd or 3rd string has never been as good. That's why they're back ups. But a coach and GM can manage the drop off by selecting players who fit certain schemes while putting said player/s in positions that match their skill set.

Teams will always have injuries. Outdoor teams will always have to deal with the elements. Refs will always make questionable calls...
I prefer not to dwell on the "whoa is me" attitude. Instead I prefer the next man up. You're only as strong as your weakest link. That starts in off season, draft, FA and voluntary work outs. The teams with the most success are the ones that have the least drama queens on them. Team chemistry plays a huge part and doesn't get enough credit IMO.
 

ATL96Steeler

Well-Known Member
24,625
5,266
533
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Location
NE Metro ATL
Hoopla Cash
$ 1,000.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
The homer battle is real. Is my WR1 or RB1 more important than your QB or DE? It depends on scheme. So much depends on scheme, game planning, coaching and depth.

NE is succesful because of depth, scheme and coaching. Thus injuries do not hurt them as bad as some other teams that pay huge contracts to a couple of impact players. When those players go down the 53 man roster suffers. This isn't basketball where one player can make such a huge difference.

I'm on the side that it's more BB than TB accounting for NEs success. Matt Cassel coming in and taking them to 11-5 tells me enough. That was a freak year where 11-5 didn't get you into the playoffs.

2nd or 3rd string has never been as good. That's why they're back ups. But a coach and GM can manage the drop off by selecting players who fit certain schemes while putting said player/s in positions that match their skill set.

Teams will always have injuries. Outdoor teams will always have to deal with the elements. Refs will always make questionable calls...
I prefer not to dwell on the "whoa is me" attitude. Instead I prefer the next man up. You're only as strong as your weakest link. That starts in off season, draft, FA and voluntary work outs. The teams with the most success are the ones that have the least drama queens on them. Team chemistry plays a huge part and doesn't get enough credit IMO.

BB or TB...yeah I hear ya, but I'm going the other way on that one. Obviously both are at the top of their profession, no question. I don't think NE is the NE we've come to know and hate (just kidding, I fully respect what they've done even with the little caveats) without Brady. The one season with Cassel just adds to BB's greatness if you will, but Brady has done it with whomever they've rolled out there with him.

On the homer injury stuff...again, I know my team and how the players factor better than you do because I should. Likewise you with your team. Sure everyone knows the impact of losing a Gronk, but they probably won't know much about your LG that blew out his knee and was lost for the season. While I don't consider ATL, "my team" but living here for 22 yrs, I'm a fan, and follow them...so just on shear IR head count alone what happen to ATL last year would've been devastating to nearly every team in the league.

Years ago, the backups were not as good as the starters, but backups played years with the same team, in some cases their entire careers as backups were with one team...they knew the schemes. Teams now, with the way the cap is broken down, the back up is often a rookie or a washed up vet hanging on. A lot of the mid level vets that were backups in the 70s are starters or out of the league as most teams would rather pay a guy on a rookie contract.

That said, I prefer it is what it is, the games still have to be played and the season still counts...there is no whoa as me. But it doesn't bother me if Joe wants to lean on the fact his QB was lost for the season...it is what it is....I don't call it an excuse to lose.
 

Scooby-Doo

Ruh-roh
15,502
4,216
293
Joined
Aug 8, 2013
Location
Arizona
Hoopla Cash
$ 100.00
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
The homer battle is real. Is my WR1 or RB1 more important than your QB or DE? It depends on scheme. So much depends on scheme, game planning, coaching and depth.

NE is succesful because of depth, scheme and coaching. Thus injuries do not hurt them as bad as some other teams that pay huge contracts to a couple of impact players. When those players go down the 53 man roster suffers. This isn't basketball where one player can make such a huge difference.

I'm on the side that it's more BB than TB accounting for NEs success. Matt Cassel coming in and taking them to 11-5 tells me enough. That was a freak year where 11-5 didn't get you into the playoffs.

2nd or 3rd string has never been as good. That's why they're back ups. But a coach and GM can manage the drop off by selecting players who fit certain schemes while putting said player/s in positions that match their skill set.

Teams will always have injuries. Outdoor teams will always have to deal with the elements. Refs will always make questionable calls...
I prefer not to dwell on the "whoa is me" attitude. Instead I prefer the next man up. You're only as strong as your weakest link. That starts in off season, draft, FA and voluntary work outs. The teams with the most success are the ones that have the least drama queens on them. Team chemistry plays a huge part and doesn't get enough credit IMO.
I actually agree with just about all of this. :noidea:
 

Wamu

whats-a-matta-u?
69,097
37,816
1,033
Joined
Jul 14, 2014
Location
Colorado
Hoopla Cash
$ 420.04
Fav. Team #1
Fav. Team #2
Fav. Team #3
Which teams take a step back? Hopefully the Steelers & the Ravens.
 
Top