TypicalBill
09-03-2003, 12:57 PM
1. Tampa Bay ... If it's possible, the defense is stronger. The offense should be better. And the Bucs still seem hungry. Looks like a team ready to buck the trend of non-repeating Super Bowl champs.
2. Philadelphia ... Even with key changes on defense, the Eagles should still consistently shut down opponents. Donovan McNabb and an ultra-deep backfield provide the rest of the ingredients to accomplish the near-impossible task of reaching a third consecutive NFC title game.
3. Kansas City ... The Chiefs offense remains every bit as explosive as it was a year ago, and now it should have some defensive help.
4. St. Louis ... With Kurt Warner healthy and back to his MVP form, the Rams are a Super Bowl contender again.
5. Tennessee ... The Titans might not have been flashy enough to attract Pro Bowl votes last season, but they remain as sound as any team in the league and are extremely well coached.
6. Pittsburgh ... This team can score, which is a good thing because it will probably need plenty of points to offset a secondary that gives up too many big plays.
7. Buffalo ... The Bills' high-impact defensive improvements should go a long way toward allowing a club that has won only 11 games the past two years to soar to contender's status.
REST OF THE BUNCH (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6610458)
2. Philadelphia ... Even with key changes on defense, the Eagles should still consistently shut down opponents. Donovan McNabb and an ultra-deep backfield provide the rest of the ingredients to accomplish the near-impossible task of reaching a third consecutive NFC title game.
3. Kansas City ... The Chiefs offense remains every bit as explosive as it was a year ago, and now it should have some defensive help.
4. St. Louis ... With Kurt Warner healthy and back to his MVP form, the Rams are a Super Bowl contender again.
5. Tennessee ... The Titans might not have been flashy enough to attract Pro Bowl votes last season, but they remain as sound as any team in the league and are extremely well coached.
6. Pittsburgh ... This team can score, which is a good thing because it will probably need plenty of points to offset a secondary that gives up too many big plays.
7. Buffalo ... The Bills' high-impact defensive improvements should go a long way toward allowing a club that has won only 11 games the past two years to soar to contender's status.
REST OF THE BUNCH (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6610458)