Surprise teams in '09?

[GTripp0012]

The funny thing is, I think there are only 11 teams that would consitute a "surprise" if they were still playing in January:

Jets
Bills
Bengals
Browns
Chiefs
Broncos
Raiders
Bucs
Lions
Rams
49ers

I mean, that leaves 21 legitimate contenders for 12 spots. It's probable that one of the teams above could sneak in, probably by virtue of winning a weak division (Lions?), but aren't all the other teams expecting to make a run this year.

I think, nationally speaking, the team that is probably the most underrated based on the indicators that suggest winning is likely the Redskins. So perhaps you could say that we ARE the surprise team. But if you've been paying attention at all this offseason, it's going to be hard to get surprised.

[GTripp0012]

I change my pick to the Lions, on the possibility that the Bears, Vikings, and Packers could all suck this year.

Bucs have the same opportunity, as the Saints figure to be good, but on the off chance that Williams misses badly with that defense (i.e. lacks the personnel), the Bucs are going to be right there at the end of the year to clean up.

So there, I've picked half the league.

[DBUCHANON101]

Bears
Texans
Saints

[Schneed10]

I think the Seahawks bounce back and grab a bye in the first round.

[SmootSmack]

I think, much to everyone's surprise, the Titans and Broncos will finish last in their respective divisions

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I think, much to everyone's surprise, the Titans and Broncos will finish last in their respective divisions

I think Denver is going to be a better team than people think, but they play the Chargers twice, the Pats, the Colts, the Steelers, the Ravens, the Eagles, the Giants, the Cowboys, and the Redskins, which makes up 10 games right there. They will be underdogs in every one of those game.

6-10 seems almost like a best case scenario, and even if they had Jay Cutler, I'm not sure it would make a difference.

[MTK]

Denver bombing wouldn't surprise me, in fact if they win more than 6 that would be the real surprise.

[GridIron26]

It's difficult to pick one; I have quite few in my mind such as Saints and Texans.. If Gregg could do same thing with Saints' defense like he did with ours then Saints would have no excuse but to go all the way to SB.. Texans Houstons appears to have everything finally falling in right places, but it all depends on Schuab's durability.. If Schuab is able to play through out the season then Texans should have good season..

Once again, Saints and Texans wouldn't be much of surprise teams since we are expecting them to..

I think Jets might be the surprise team..

[saden1]

No one really stands out to me this year but if I had to go with one team I'd have to go with the Raiders. I think that team is going to improve the most out of all the teams in the league. They might win 9 or 10 games but I don't know about playoffs.

[Redskin Jim]

Originally Posted by saden1

No one really stands out to me this year but if I had to go with one team I'd have to go with the Raiders. I think that team is going to improve the most out of all the teams in the league. They might win 9 or 10 games but I don't know about playoffs.

I've Said it before and I'll say it again, THE RAIDERS!! I know I'm going way out on a limb but, A) They play in a VERY weak division, B) They are a team similar to the Cardinals that have very many first round draft picks on their roster (loads of talent). If they can shirk the tradition of losing and gel as a team, I can see them taking advantage of a weak division. In other news The Saints won't exactly be a surprise team to be successful, but, it would be a surprise to see them win a Super Bowl... P.S. The Texans will also be a team that may be able to take advantage of their division with Indy and Titans losses of personnel.

[RedskinRat]

Bills will win more than 10 games, mainly due to <vomit> T.O. <cough, vomit>

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by RedskinRat

Bills will win more than 10 games, mainly due to <vomit> T.O. <cough, vomit>

Sorry man, that ain't gonna happen. Owens does not make them better than the Dolphins and the Pats. Doubt all of them will have 10 wins or more, so the odd man out is Buff. They are always medioce, and this season is no different.

[WaldSkins]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Sorry man, that ain't gonna happen. Owens does not make them better than the Dolphins and the Pats. Doubt all of them will have 10 wins or more, so the odd man out is Buff. They are always medioce, and this season is no different.

I think that the dolphins are gonna come back to earth. They are going to be the Cleveland Browns of 2009.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Sorry man, that ain't gonna happen. Owens does not make them better than the Dolphins and the Pats. Doubt all of them will have 10 wins or more, so the odd man out is Buff. They are always medioce, and this season is no different.

Although I don't think the Bills would count as a surprise, the AFC East is going to be the 2nd most competitive division in the NFL. (guess who is first ). And I think Owens does bring exactly what Buffalo needs, too bad the Patriots got SSprings. If Owens gives them a 1000+ yd year and 10+TDs, then they will be a serious contender. They were very much in the race for the first half of last year, and then they broke down - I don't remember why.
I would not be shocked to see the Bills in 1st or 2nd place in their division.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Although I don't think the Bills would count as a surprise, the AFC East is going to be the 2nd most competitive division in the NFL. (guess who is first ). And I think Owens does bring exactly what Buffalo needs, too bad the Patriots got SSprings. If Owens gives them a 1000+ yd year and 10+TDs, then they will be a serious contender. They were very much in the race for the first half of last year, and then they broke down - I don't remember why.
I would not be shocked to see the Bills in 1st or 2nd place in their division.

I forsee serious issues in Buffalo for Owens. He WILL NOT stand by and be quiet when those poor qbs up there over throw him. He will cause a fuss, and will either fake an injury and not play, or will be traded away, or just flat out waste away on the bench. I am thinking it will be the injury part.
Buffalo doesn't know what they are in for. The reason they have been even mediocre is good team work, take that chemistry away and throw in a cancer, and you have a recipe for disaster.