Scott Merryfield
Senior HTF Member
The preseason is over, so it's time to start the annual HTF NFL regular season discussion thread.
Whle the AFC West looks to be a week division, the road is not smooth for the Chargers. They open on Monday night at the Raiders and I know they suck, but it's a rivalry and those are not predictable. They then play at home against the Ravens and Dolphins and at Pit. All three are playoff teams last year. Combine that with the Chargers having slow starts, I can see them easily being 2-2 or worse after the first four games.Originally Posted by Scott Merryfield
AFC West
1. San Diego (can a team clinch the division in September?)
4. Kansas City
4. Denver
4. Oakland
Scott,Originally Posted by Scott Merryfield /forum/thread/292446/nfl-2009-regular-season-discussion-thread#post_3603162
Originally Posted by Scott Merryfield ">[/url]
Like you had a few too many beers last weekend.
My problem is that I have been rooting for them ever since they came to San Diego (their 2nd year in existence) and no matter how exciting they have been, every season ends the same way, short of the big prize. Every team in their division has won the SB at least once. The Raiders and Denver, multiple times. Just once, I want my team to win it all. Their best chance was the year they went 14-2, but they had a head coach who doesn't know how to win in post-season and lost their first playoff game (at home).Originally Posted by Scott Merryfield
I understand your apprehension, Johnny, but I agree with Steve. While the NFL is unpredictable, the Chargers are the most "sure thing" favorite to win a division going into a season in recent memory, IMO. They have a lot of talent, and the rest of the division is awful. Eight wins should be enough to win the division, and San Diego is better than an 8 win team.
Johnny,Originally Posted by Johnny Angell
My problem is that I have been rooting for them ever since they came to San Diego (their 2nd year in existence) and no matter how exciting they have been, every season ends the same way, short of the big prize. Every team in their division has won the SB at least once. The Raiders and Denver, multiple times. Just once, I want my team to win it all. Their best chance was the year they went 14-2, but they had a head coach who doesn't know how to win in post-season and lost their first playoff game (at home).
The year they got to the SB, they didn't belong there and were embarrassed. The years of Air Coryell were fraught with frustration because they had an all-time great offense and and an all-time bad defense. They had to score gobs of points to win by a TD. They'd score points because they were so good and then give up points because they were so bad. Aaarrgh!
You're right, they should win the division.
It's already patented. After all, I bought if from you.Originally Posted by Scott Merryfield /forum/thread/292446/nfl-2009-regular-season-discussion-thread#post_3604256
Hanson,Originally Posted by Hanson Yoo
Surprise teams:
Saints. They lost 6 games last year by less than a TD, most of them within a FG. If Gregg Williams can stop the other team from one score per game, they will wrap up the NFC South.
Seahawks. Hasselback is healthy, but the real reason the Hawks sucked so bad last year was their defense. The addition of Curry should help the LB corps that had immense problems stopping the run. If Lofa Tatupu (or, "Loaf of the Poo Poo" as I like to say) can back to probowl form, it will make up for the fact that the one-two punch of Julius Jones and Edgerrin James scares no one. They can win the NFC West back.
Disasters
Cardinals. Superbowl losers do not fare well the following season, and with everyone gunning for them and their best RB in Seattle (Edge was the reason they had a late season rushing surge), that unbalanced quick strike offense and a defense that has trouble holding leads will result in 8-8 and disappointment.
Eagles. Yes, I am a Giants fan, but the only thing on that Eagles team that remotely scares me is McNabb to Jackson. So many stalwarts gone both on the field and on the sidelines, and I don't think McCoy will be able to take up the slack for a hobbled Westbrook, and the middle of the field patrolled by their 2nd tier LB's and Safeties is going to be attacked. I doubt we'll see the semblance of a real running game. Again. Looking at a disappointing 8-8.