ESPN.com's NFL pre-draft Power Rankings

I normally agree with this...but its pretty obvious we play more tough teams this year than we did last year. Last year we had a cupcake schedule, can't get any easier than last season's..

 

As I recall, we weren't very good at home last year (if you want to throw that variable into the equation).

 

we won 5/8, not great but two of the losses came against the Saints and Bengals, which were competitive games.

Again, I am not saying that we are a lock to make the playoffs, or to even have a better record than last year, but we could and it would not surprise me.

 

1) Until the playoffs are determined by polls, I don't care.

2) 16th sounds about right. The team was 9-7 last year and has some questions. There are some higher profile 8-8 teams above us, but if you base it solely off record, there is no point to do power rankings. Broncos made a huge move, the Bears presumably have a healthy Cutler and added Marshall, Eagles and Cowboys are stacked. I wouldn't put the Chargers above us, but the Chiefs, Bengals, and Jets could probably make a case.

 

If we win 5 divisional games, we'll make the playoffs. We lost to Jacksonville AND Indy last year. Sweeping division opponents is not easy, even if they are bad.

Alex, wanna bet that the Patriots, Packers, Lions are gonna be good next year? It's likely that the Texans and Bears will also be good teams. I'll even give you odds. Not sure what we can bet since its the internet though. I agree with your point in some cases, teams with good coaching and/or QBs will be good year in and year out. Texans and Bears are in the category of unpredictable teams that you mentioned. Same goes for half the other teams we play against though... Vikings, Jets and Bills all could have surprisingly good seasons.

I'm not saying we absolutely can't win 10-12 games, I'm just saying that it's gonna be hard when we've gotten worse on defense. Yes, some of our players have an extra year of experience which helps a bit, but we still don't have good safeties or a good line. We also have negative depth at virtually all positions on defense (save maybe LB). Who's our 3rd CB right now? Tommie Campbell? Ryan Mouton? Our 3rd DE is Malcolm Sheppard.

Predicting 11 wins for this team means you've been drinking kool aid heavily.

 

Texans are #6 when the only note is "Have lost a great deal: Mario Williams, Eric Winston, DeMeco Ryans and Mike Brisiel."

Right... sure sounds like the 6th best team in the league to me.

 

Well I dont know about 6th..but they're going to be a force in the South IMO. They have a very good offense..and a great defense. I dont consider Mario Williams a huge loss because he was gone the bulk of last season and their defense didnt miss a beat...Winston may hurt..but they did re-sign Meyers. So that leave DeMeco Ryans and Mike Brisiel...and I dont think their loss will hinder them too much.

Again I dont know about 6th best..the so called "experts" just love riding with teams..till their back breaks (how many years in a row have the cowboys been super bowl contenders..and picked to win the NFC East..and have come up short or just non existent???) but I think the Texans will be very good

 

Williams and Ryans essentially weren't starters and I've never heard of Brisiel.

 

Um...

Wimbley did put his hand down in Oakland at times so it hasn't been 6 years. Granted, he has to learn our scheme, but he was brought in to rush the qb which he's good at and if should give Morgan some more one v one's!

How are we not better. As of right now we have a better og in hutch, a better de/pass rusher in wimbley, a healthy Britt and a team getting a full off-season to learn the offense and defense and for the coordinators to know the players better. We lost finnegan which should cancelled out by the improved pass rush and verners no slouch. Jason jones didn't really fit this system and always nicked up. Did I mention that we have a better MLB too?

I'd say so far we are definitely better than last year and we still have the draft and more fa to get more ppl!!! We are in much better shape than we were looking at the draft last year!

Gut