When you really think about it, the title of the article should be the "realistic" best case scenario. Because the best case scenario for every team has them winning every game. For the Colts it may just be Peyton Manning and the rest of the team firing on all cylinders and defeating every opponent. For the New Orleans Saints the best case scenario may be a wild and unforseeable chain of events that has them winning every game. You know like everytime their opponents have the ball a freak hurricaine style cloud burst happens, or they never face a starting QB because every week their opponents QB is out due to injury, the starting running back misses the bus, the defense goes blind due to reflection of the Saints helmets, or a combination of everything remotely possible. As far and the unfortunate Dungy incident ruining the Colts unbeaten season. BULL. Peyton choked when he had a chance to win the game against San Diego even after playing terribly all game, and of course the choke against Pittsburgh in the Playoffs. The death of Dungy's son was unfortunate and terrible, but hardly the main cause of the Colts demise. As a matter of fact some teams would have become stronger after an event like that. The Colts just crumbled under the pressure of expectation in the late part of the season.
Every time I see Dr. Z, all I can think of is: "The Bills will beat the Cowboys/Giants/Redskins." That is part of what I like about Dr. Z. He is one of the most informed football writers working today and, yet, he very openly goes with his heart over his head sometimes. He's like that with the Jets sometimes, too.
He has the Bears at a realistic 14-2! Too bad games aren't won on paper. While an interesting article, this carries as much water as a collinder.
I find it hard to take him seriously. He has the Lions as a team that could go 9-7. This is the same team that has a new coach with his only experience being coaching a defensive line. This is also the same team who's number one offense has scored one touchdown in three preseason games. Not to mention he has them winning at Lambeau.
Best case scenario? T.O. 6 recs 176 yrds and 2 TD's his first game back at the Linc. Realistic scenario T.O. escapes with his fucking head still attached to his body. Then avoids batteries and felony assault while he sprints from the stadium under a presidential gaurd. 2 recs/ 18 yrds If he plays at all. Philly sacks Bledsoe 7 times.
I find it hard to take him seriously. He has the Lions as a team that could go 9-7. This is the same team that has a new coach with his only experience being coaching a defensive line. This is not entirely accurate. Marinelli has been a coach at the NCAA Division One or NFL level since 1976. He has coached special teams, defensive line, and offensive lines. On three seperate occasions, twice in college, at major Division One programs, and once in the NFL, for the last 4 seasons been the Assistant Head Coach. I am not a Lions fan and have no axe to grind, just trying to provide the facts.
Frankly, there should be about 6 teams whose "best case" is 16-0. Isn't that the best case scenario for all 32 teams?
BPP, I thought the same thing, but figured it was too obvious. You know, like the true-false questions in Cranium.
just trying to provide the facts. What I should have said is that Marinelli has had no head coaching or coordinator expirience what so ever, which makes him perfect for another Millen disaster.
Off topic, but the SI link led me to this, which made me very, very happy.
I guess this is one way to do an NFL preview. A pretty chart with no actual analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the team.
That has always been King's modus operandi... lotsa fluff, no stuff.
