The State of Sports Sept. 1st

Football

What is the most competitive division in football?

I’d like to think that the AFC East is the most competitive, but I know I’m wrong. I mean New England, Buffalo, the Jets, and Miami are literally built on their defenses. And we all know that defenses have won championships. Most recently, the Oakland-Buccaneers super bowl game. The defense absolutely dominated the whole game. But, I’d like to make the case for the teams in the AFC West. All which are built on high powered offenses.

The Chiefs have Trent Green, who was second in the NFL in total passing yards and tied for third with Ben Rothlesberger in Passing Completions. They also have Priest Holmes who is 29, and a possible injury case, but is unbelievable when healthy. And then Holmes is backed up by first former round pick Larry Johnson.

The Chargers have returning starter Drew Brees who surprised everyone by getting the AP comeback player of the year award, as he led the team to its first post season game in 15 years. Brees was also third in the league in Passer rating behind Daunte Culpepper and Payton Manning. With Antonio Gates as the main target, and having Tomlinson who led the league in TD’s by a running back, they will be tough to stop.

Oakland’s new acquisition of Randy Moss fills a hole that could bring the Raiders to the post season after two disappointing seasons. Kerry Collins is a quarterback who is good at throwing the ball deep downfield which is why Randy Moss could come in handy. Plus, with Lamont Jordan, the raiders will have a pretty good balanced offense.

And finally, with Denver, you have Tatum Bell. Probably a very hyped up player for one reason: Mike Shanahan’s west coast offense. Look at some of the running backs they have had over the last couple of years. Terrell Davis, Clinton Portis, Reuben Droughns to name a few, has had very successful seasons in Shanahan’s system. Jake Plummer also set the Broncos team record for passing yards in a season and he tied John Elways record for TD’s in a season.

When it’s all said and done, the AFC West really looks good. But, will any team have a shot at the post season. I think at least one of those teams will grab a wild card spot. They will, however, not make it past the first round of the playoffs for one reason: defense. Defense wins postseason championships.

Fantasy Super Sleepers:
-QB- Carson Palmer and Jake Delhomme
-RB- Julius Jones and Lamont Jordan
-WR- Braylon Edwards and Ashley Lelie
-TE- Ben Watson
-K- Mike Nugent (with no pro experience)

Awards-MVP- Payton Manning-Comeback Player of the Year-Joey Harrington or Jeff Garcia (whoever wins starting QB job in Detroit)-Rookie of the Year- Braylon Edwards or Ronnie Brown-Defensive Player of the Year- Ray Lewis

Final Standings with who’s on top of division with wildcards

AFC
-Patriots
-Pittsburg
-Indianapolis
-Denver
-WC-Oakland
-WC-Jets/Houston

NFC
-Eagles
-Minnesota
-Atlanta
-St. Louis
-WC-Carolina
-WC-Seattle/Dallas