TEAM ('99 RECORD) |
ESPN.COM SAYS |
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1. St. Louis Rams (13-3)
No Super Bowl champion in history was ignored in the offseason as much as the Rams, but that's a good thing. They have plenty of motivation to prove that last season wasn't a fluke. If midnight finally strikes on Kurt Warner, Mike Martz still has Trent Green to execute the NFL's most confounding offense. |
2. Redskins (10-6) |
Norv Turner had better brush up on his chemistry because it's concoct a championship mix or else. |
3. Titans (13-3) |
No Music City Miracles needed anymore for AFC's top team.
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4. Colts (13-3) |
Talented? Yes. Super Bowl-bound? Uh, let's see Manning win a big game first. |
5. Buccaneers (11-5) |
If Keyshawn complains about not getting the ball, there'll be someone (Sapp) to shut him up. |
6. Jaguars (14-2) |
The clock is ticking on the Jags' title hopes due to their impending cap implosion. |
7. Broncos (6-10) |
The Broncos will make headlines. Romanowski just needs to stay out of them. |
8. Ravens (8-8) |
With Sharpe, Coates, Lewis and Taylor, Brian Billick finally has his toys. |
9. Panthers (8-8) |
Even with 20 snaps a game, Reggie White will preach winning football in Carolina. |
10. Raiders (8-8) |
Gruden's job rides on the accuracy -- and sobriety -- of partyboy placekicker Janikowski. |
11. Bears (6-10) |
With a confident McNown, beefed-up Enis and rebuilt defense, Windy City finally has a winner. |
12. Giants (7-9) |
They've gone retro with the old "NY" logo. All Fassel wants is return to '97 title form.
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13. Seahawks (9-7) |
Shaky defense, not Kitna's quarterbacking, figures to be Holmgren's season-long concern.
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14. Cowboys (8-8) |
A suspect and Deion-less secondary is not a good thing in pass-proficient NFC East.
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15. Bills (11-5) |
It may be much to ask the Next Three (Smith, Price and Wiley) to replace the Big Three. |
16. Packers (8-8) |
Injuries to Favre and Levens cut the Cheeseheads down a couple notches.
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17. Vikings (10-6) |
Porous defense, not Culpepper, may cost Denny Green his job. |
18. Jets (8-8) |
Fans are still griping about the Keyshawn deal.
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19. Lions (8-8) |
Renewed running game won't matter if no one's healthy enough to hand off.
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20. Chiefs (9-7) |
With no chairman, running game by committee takes you only so far. |
21. Patriots (8-8) |
Defense is one of the best but won't get much rest from problematic offense.
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22. Dolphins (9-7) |
See Patriots. |
23. Steelers (6-10) |
Cowher would be wise not to wait too long to rely on Graham and Huntley. |
24. Falcons (5-11) |
Amazing how one team could depend on one person (Jamal Anderson).
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25. Chargers (8-8) |
Lack of go-to back won't help Ryan Leaf's rejuvenation. |
26. Cardinals (6-10) |
Once again, it's all Jake Plummer or bust. |
27. Eagles (5-11) |
How can you run a West Coast offense without any receivers? |
28. 49ers (4-12) |
World championship pride. Expansion franchise talent.
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29. Saints (3-13) |
Rash of preseason injuries one more indication that this organization is jinxed. |
30. Bengals (4-12) |
Already one of millennium's great mysteries: How could Cincy keep Coslet? |
31. Browns (2-14) |
Didn't take long for Dawg Pound to start snapping at Tim Couch's heels.
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