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There are always some teams considered to be “on the bubble” when playoff time rolls around, and even now, before the season starts, there are several debates about who has a legitimate shot to unseat the juggernauts atop each conference.
In this breakdown, 10 teams which I consider to be “bubble” teams will be dubbed “Contenders” or “Pretenders.”
Arizona Cardinals – Contenders:
The Cardinals have a solid receiving core and overall offense. We all know that. But their defense may surprise this year. After losing Calvin Pace in free agency, Arizona filled a need they already had on with the drafting of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. If Antrel Rolle’s move to safety is successful, the Cardinals will have a very formidable secondary for the first time in… ever. If their defense can step it up, it’s very possible that they could unseat the Giants in the NFC.
Buffalo Bills – Pretenders:
I’ve spent my whole life rooting for the Bills, and as much as I hate to say it, they have no shot this year. Not saying they have no shot at making the playoffs, just that if they do, they won’t get far. The Pats and Colts are still the class of the AFC, with the Chargers and Jaguars nipping at their heels. Those four leave Buffalo in the dust, and the Bills will continue their seemingly endless Super Bowl drought.
Cleveland Browns – Contenders:
The Browns had a terrific season last year. With Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow all earning Pro-Bowl honors (Anderson and Winslow came in as injury replacements), the offense was electric. Even Jamal Lewis played like his old self, racking up 1,304 yards and nine touchdowns on a 4.4 yards-per-carry average. Their problems, however, came on the defensive side of the ball. They were 30th in the league in total defense, including 27th against the run. Big problem.
Well, they got a couple of big answers: namely Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. Rogers will man the nose in their 3-4 scheme with his mammoth size (6-4, 340) while Williams will play next to him at one of the end spots. While the trading of stud corner Leigh Bodden was idiotic, I think that, overall, their defense has made strides in the right direction.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Contenders:
Every year the Jaguars are stuck with a wild card spot in the playoffs because they are “The other team” in the AFC South, stuck behind the Colts. Well their consistency cannot be ignored, nor can it be underestimated. They will make the playoffs again, and their defense will be solid, again. The offense won’t wow anyone, but it will get the job done again. You see where I’m going with this? Jacksonville is an old-school team that won’t put up a lot of points, but won’t let you put up points either.
The loss of Marcus Stroud will hurt, but the additions of Derrick Harvey, Quentin Groves, and even Trae Williams will help. Troy Williamson won’t be a huge help to the offense, but he’ll give them a different dimension. The defense will once again suffocate, and the continued improvement of Maurice Jones-Drew will help the offense take care of itself. You can’t call the Jags a sleeper, but you can call them a contender.
Minnesota Vikings – Contenders:
What are the two cornerstones you need to build a championship team? A solid running game, and a solid run defense. Well check, and check. How could you make Adrian Peterson any better than he was in college? Oh yeah, give him the chance to run behind Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson, and Matt Birk. An amazing 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns as a rookie? Unbelievable. Don’t expect a sophomore slump from from him.
And now, shift over to the defense. Anchored by the Great Wall of Williams, the Vikings are starting to look more and more like the Purple People Eaters of old. Kevin and Pat Williams are immovable objects in the middle of that line, and with Jared Allen coming over to provide a rush off the edge, watch out.
Many are questioning whether or not Tarvaris Jackson can be the quarterback for a championship contender. Well what about Trent Dilfer’s 2000 Baltimore Ravens? And yes, Brad Johnson made the Pro Bowl when he led the Bucs to their 2002 Super Bowl title, but 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns – those are slightly above average numbers. How did both teams do it? With suffocating defense and a stellar rush offense. Both had the No. 1 ranked defense in the league the year they won the championship, and the Ravens had the two-headed monster of Jamal Lewis and Priest Holmes, while the Bucs’ grind-it-out rushing with Michael Pittman and Mike Alstott helped complement a ridiculous defense.
With a secondary consisting of Darren Sharper, Madieu Williams, Antoine Winfield, Marcus McCauley, Cedric Griffin, and newly acquired Tyrell Johnson, this new and improved Vikings defense looks flat out scary. They’ll push for the NFC North crown, and don’t be surprised to see them in the conference championship game.
New York Jets – Pretenders:
I’m sorry Jets fans, but you can’t make it to a Super Bowl if you don’t know who your quarterback is. The ground game was weak last year with Thomas Jones, and while it may improve this year with the addition of Alan Faneca, I still don’t see the offense doing much. The defense is bursting at the seams with young talent, but I think they’ll need a year or two to all gel together before they’re ready to dominate cohesively as a unit. Maybe in a year or two when Chad Pennington is finally run out of town and Kellen Clemens steps into his own, but not this year.
Seattle Seahawks – Pretenders:
I hate on the Seahawks. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I just think they flat-out stink, and the only reason they’re in the playoffs every year is because they are in the NFC West with perennial powerhouses like the 49ers, Rams, and Cardinals. Well, this year the Cardinals will bump the Seahawks out of the division lead, and ultimately, out of the playoff picture. Unless T.J. Duckett is an unbelievably good complement to Julius Jones this year, I don’t see anything happening for this team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Pretenders:
The Buccaneers are in the same situation as the Seahawks. A crappy team in a weak division that has absolutely no business being in the playoffs. Count on the Panthers or Saints to step up this year and knock them off. Actually, recent history (2003-2007) shows us that the team which finishes last division one year (the Falcons) is destined to be the team at the top the next. I don't see the Falcons winning it, but anything is possible in the NFC South, I guess.
Tennessee Titans - Pretenders:
Vince Young has come into his own, I'll give him that, but for the most part, the Titans are a team aging fast. And I mean really fast. Guys who were once known as young defensive studs (Kyle Vanden Bosch, Keith Bulluck, Jevon Kearse) are now all on the wrong side of 30 and can't be relied on much longer. And while the young players they have are promising (Chris Johnson, Chris Hope, even Roydell Williams), they're not ready to make enough of an immediate impact to propel their team deep into the playoffs. If they make it, it's going to be another first-round exit for the Titans.
Washington Redskins - Pretenders:
Washington has the same problem as the Titans and Jets - enough talent, not enough experience. With the addition of Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, and Fred Davis, the Redskins' passing game should be revitalized in 2008, but can those guys really step up and make the big plays when it counts? I don't know. The defense is built to win now, and the offense is built for the future. Put that together and you have a slightly above-average team. And that's exactly what the Redskins are.
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