Fearless (Perhaps Foolish) Playoff Predictions For 2006

Summary: Now that the draft, free agency and the first set of minicamps have come and gone, teams are close to being set in terms of personnel. The schedule is in place for every team, and this time of year presents the first somewhat realistic opportunity to look ahead. Of course, there could still be player movement, and injuries are always a monkey wrench in terms of gauging which teams are poised for a big year. With all that being said, it's time for the first set of fearless pre...

Now that the draft, free agency and the first set of minicamps have come and gone, teams are close to being set in terms of personnel. The schedule is in place for every team, and this time of year presents the first somewhat realistic opportunity to look ahead. Of course, there could still be player movement, and injuries are always a monkey wrench in terms of gauging which teams are poised for a big year. With all that being said, it's time for the first set of fearless predictions for the 2006 season, including who will make the playoffs. AFC East Top Two Finishers: New England and Miami The Patriots, for the first time in two years, are looking to recapture the title they lost last season. Any team with the combination of Bill Bellichek and Tom Brady has a chance to win it all, and with the Bills and Jets at least a year away, the Pats will win the division. The Dolphins have uncertainty at QB, but also have a "star" coach in Nick Saban and talent all over the field. AFC North Top Two Finishers: Pittsburgh and Cleveland Pittsburgh is the defending Super Bowl Champion, and they return most of their team. Their nucleus is young, and Bill Cowher will keep his team hungry. The Browns have a quality coach in Romeo Crennel and a roster that's a mix of young and veteran talent. The Bengals will take a step back assuming Carson Palmer takes some time to return to form, and the Ravens will be a victim of a tough division. AFC South Top Two Finishers: Indianapolis and Jacksonville The Colts will have a Mt. Everest-sized chip on their shoulder this year after a disappointing finish to the 2005 season, and Peyton Manning is as consistent as any QB in history. The Jaguars have a punishing defense and a young nucleus that is a year more experienced. AFC West Top Two Finishers: Denver and Kansas City Denver was a few plays from the Super Bowl last season and added star WR Javon Walker in a draft-day trade. The Chiefs have superstar RB Larry Johnson and a quality coach in Herm Edwards who should improve their defense. The Chargers will take a step back with a young QB and the Raiders will be squeezed out by sheer numbers. Playoff Teams: Patriots, Steelers, Browns, Colts, Broncos, Chiefs The Dolphins and Jaguars will be left out of the wild card spots. The Dolphins will win their share of games, but until they settle on a QB, they won't go too far. The Jaguars need a better offense, and with WR Jimmy Smith retiring, those prospects don't look promising. NFC East Top Two Finishers: Dallas and New York The Cowboys lacked one thing last year - a game breaking threat on offense, and that need was more than satisfied with Terrell Owens, who always behaves well in his first year with a new team. The Giants have a stingy defense and a maturing Eli Manning at QB. This is the most competitive division in football, and every team could be worthy of a playoff spot. NFC North Top Two Finishers: Chicago and Green Bay The Bears have a dominant defense, and no offense in the division looks to be a threat to that unit. The Packers have Brett Favre back, and he's going back to the offense that made him a three-time MVP to go along with a beefed up defense that finished last year ranked 7th. The Vikings and Lions are a year away at least. NFC South Top Two Finishers: Carolina and Tampa Bay The Panthers were "this" close to the big game last year, and they added a much-needed compliment to WR Steve Smith in Keyshawn Johnson that will help a tough defense. The Buccaneers return largely in tact with a team that made the playoffs last year. The Saints are improving, while the Falcons may need to take a step back before moving forward. NFC West Top Two Finishers: Seattle and Arizona The Seahawks are the defending NFC Champions, and they benefit by being in a division that's mostly in rebuilding mode. The Cardinals have all the pieces in place, and just need to put it all together. The Rams are a year away and learning a new system, and the 49ers are a couple of years from competing for the playoffs. Playoff Teams: Cowboys, Bears, Packers, Panthers, Seahawks, Cardinals The Buccaneers and the Giants may be better teams in 2006 than the Packers and Cardinals, but will lose out on the wild card spots because their schedules are brutal, especially when compared to the relatively easy slates that the Packers and Cardinals will enjoy.