NFL Preseason Roundtable

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Season starts tonight, so before I forget here are the thoughts of a few IP experts on the upcoming NFL Season.

Who wins the NFC North

Aaron Sirois: I don’t think Jay Cutler is going to be quite the difference maker that people think he will, but he should be just enough to put Chicago on top this year. Detroit will be competing to see if they can go two full seasons without a victory, Green Bay is still stuck in the post-Favre hangover, and Minnesota will underachieve, but give Chicago a run for their money.

Paul Walker: Vikings. Tight between the Vikes and Bears but the Vikings D gives them the edge.

Mike Shannon: Chicago Bears

Chad Jorgenson: Da Bears Jay Cutler makes that offense better. Big time better. The defense still has enough to carry the division.

Who wins the AFC North

AS: The Steelers and Ravens are going to be fighting to the death for this division again and in the end Pittsburgh will continue to one-up Baltimore. It will probably come down to one game again this year. Cincinnati and Cleveland will once again be glued to the bottom of the standings all season.

PW: Steelers. I see no reason why the Stillers won’t dominate this division.

MS: Pittsburgh Steelers

CJ: Beng…nah. Steelers. Flacco doesn’t have the same year.

Who wins the AFC East

AS: With Brady back in the mix and the additions of Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway (ancient as they are), New England is going to be pushing offensive records once again. The Bills and Jets will fail to meet expectations again. Miami’s wildcat offense will be stuffed as every defense in the league will be ready for it. It will be clear sailing for the Pats unless Tom goes down again.

PW: Patriots. The rest of the pack is catching up, but the Pats with Brady are still head and shoulders above.

MS: New England Patriots

CJ: USA Patriots

Who wins the NFC East

AS: The defenses in this division are spectacular, but the only team with an offense to back it up is Philly. Much as I hate them, the Eagles are going to pull out the division here. The Giants and Cowboys will struggle after losing their star wide outs and Washington will continue to falter with Jason Campbell at QB.

PW: Eagles. I’d rather this whole division fall into the ocean.

MS: Philadelphia Eagles

CJ: Fluffy Eagles. McNabb is good. And McCoy finally gives them a Westbrook insurance policy.

Who wins the NFC West

AS: The Seattle Seahawks are going to retake their throne as the dominant team in the NFC West. Arizona isn’t as good as their Super Bowl appearance would lead you to believe if Boldin gets his wish, the team will be without one of its best players. Meanwhile, Seattle solved their WR problems by picking up Houshmandzadeh. With competent recievers to throw to, Matt Hasselbeck won’t have to hold the ball so long and should be able to avoid the countless sacks he took last year. The 49ers might make some strides, but the distraction Michael Crabtree is causing might hurt their focus early on. The Rams are iffy, but probably won’t make a splash.

PW: Cardinals. The division is on the rise, but the Cards are only getting better, even if Boldin stays a whiny bitch.

MS: Arizona Cardinals

CJ: 49ers.

Who wins the AFC West

AS: San Diego is the only team in this division with a chance to break even this year. The Broncos, Raiders, and Chiefs will probably all vie for second worst record in the league behind Detroit.

PW: Chargers. They’re the only team in the division that has any talent left.

MS: Denver Broncos

CJ: San Diego is the obvious choice, but they do have Norv Turner coaching…

Who wins the AFC South

AS: Tennessee losing Haynesworth should hurt them just enough for Indy to take the South once more. They’ve proven they can win consistently even without the famed Manning to Harrison connection. Jacksonville should be better, but not good enough, and the Texans will probably never have a winning season.

PW: Titans. After seeing how sharp Collins was in the first pre-season game, it’s hard to bet against them. Watch the Texans this year, though if Schaub stays healthy and Slaton doesn’t have a sophomore slump.

MS: Indianapolis Colts

CJ: With the exception of Houston, this feels like a division on the decline. I like Jacksonville and Mo-Jo-Dr to win the division despite Garrard.

Who wins the NFC South.

AS: As much as I hate to say it, I think the Falcons will win out this year. The Panthers have a tendency to suck after a good year, the Saints still haven’t solved their defensive woes and the Bucs are essentially in a rebuilding mode with no QB and half of the defense changed.

PW: Panthers. If I say otherwise, I have to turn in my fanboy card. But the Falcons have a very realistic shot this year too.

MS: Atlanta Falcons

CJ: New Orleans Saints

Who wins the NFC

AS: I really think this is Philly’s year. Their birth in the NFC conference championship should have restored confidence in Donovan McNabb and they’ve got the most complete package out of any team this year.

PW: Vikings. Without Kemo in the middles, I can’t see Carolina stopping the strong running games of opponents come playoff time and now that Purple Jesus has a QB that will make it so D’s won’t be able to only key on him, he’ll carry the team through. That is if Childress doesn’t try to let Brett choke away the playoffs.

MS: Philadelphia Eagles

CJ: Philadelphia McNabbs

Who wins the AFC

AS: Unless Brady doesn’t come back from his injury the same, I can’t see the Pats missing out with the offense they have. They’ll be looking to finally kill the ghost of their Super Bowl loss.

PW: Chargers. This is their year. The year that Phillip Rivers can finally tell Eli and Ben to suck it.

MS: Pittsburgh Steelers

CJ: San Dieo Chargers I just don’t trust Brady being back 100% mentally or physically.

Who wins the Super Bowl

AS: Its going to be a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX, and the result will be the same. The Patriots are just going to overwhelm the Eagles and add another trophy to their collection. Meanwhile, I’ll be hating myself for watching a game between two of the teams I hate the most. If only they weren’t so good…

PW: Chargers. See above.

MS: Pittsburgh Steelers

CJ: Atlanta Falcons. What? Oh…I guess I should pick one of the teams I picked to win the confrences. I’d really like to say San Diego, but I think Philly gets a ring.

Who wins the NFL MVP

AS: Tom Brady. The NFL loves a comeback story as much as they love a new single season TD record.

PW: Shawne Merriman. His return this season will be key to the Chargers’ Superbowl run.

MS: Peyton Manning

CJ: Purple Jesus

Who will be the number 1 fantasy player

AS: Michael Turner is going to continue his ridiculous fantasy ways. Adrian Peterson is going to give him a serious run for his money though.

PW: Adrian Peterson. Defenses can’t stack 10 in the box and dare T-Jack to beat them anymore. And I’d say that even if the Sage-copter was under center now.

MS: Michael Turner

CJ: Matt Forte Da Bears are still going to run the ball. And Cutler will help them play with a lead, so Forte will get a lot of carries when the game is already decided. Cutler also can’t hurt by opening up hole just from the threat of a pass.

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