Who will be the surprise team(s) next season in the NFL and why?

Question

.....although the season ended less than 2 months ago, gotta start preparations for next season right?

Answer 1

Well I think already that it is safe to say the Titans will upset a lot of teams next season...the Packers will have a good shot at the playoffs...and the Cardinals might finally win the NFC West if they can get a run game going with Edge.

Here's somethign that wont shock anyone....If the Patriots sign Randy Moss or Donte' Stallworth (who were two WRs they were talking about New England being interested in) add that with Adalius Thomas and Laurence Maroney being the feature back...they're likely not going to shock anyone when they appear in the super bowl again...aye aye aye...stupid Patriots...

Answer 2

I'll be a bit out there and say that the Steelers will have a decent comeback season from last season's doldrum run of 8-8. Somehow, I get the feeling that Mike Tomlin will make something happen. Big Ben should be better by then, and if Tomlin can keep the team healthy, they've got a good offensive and defensive line to anchor a system around.

I'm looking to see the Titans do a bit better next year. They seem to be happy with the way their coach is starting to pull up, and Young looks like he was a good choice to put in for quarterback.

Now, Arizona shouldn't be expected to do great guns next year, that's asking a bit much from a brand new coaching staff. But I like Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm as coaches, and I think their line play will improve as Grimm works on them. Leinart might do a bit better, but I'd give him another season.

I think the Jets stand a decent shot at unseating the Patriots fromt he AFC East title next year. I like their receivers and Pennington looks in good form. Mangini also seems to be doing something right, making it to the wild card in his first year witha 10-6 record. *checks Yahoo! Sports* Oh, look. They might be getting Thomas Jones off the Bears. Sounds like fun.

Answer 3

The way it's looking, there are going to be a few teams that may suprise.

1) Arizona. First their talent alone speaks for itself. Boldin, Fitzgerald, Leinart, and James will all have bounce back years. Ken Wisenhunt is a run game coach - James will finally get what he's been asking for. Russ Grimm, when he gets his O-Line / Defensive picks and FA settled, will have them staying with their assignments and improving greatly. He doesn't have a SB Ring or get nominated to the HOF for nothing. He is a huge difference and should help immensely. Lest I forget Kurt Warner coaching and mentoring Matt Leinart. Should be an interesting year in AZ

2) San Francisco - over the past few seasons Mike Nolan has improved their play and their chances to get into the playoffs. It seemed to me that despite Norv Turner's record - he helped them as well. With all their frenzy in signing Clements and Lelie and getting rid of the trouble that Antonio Bryant brings, we forgot what they had already: A decent QB who is maturing and a stud running back who will make a HUGE impact on the teams success.

3) San Diego - The one thing that they were able to keep this season was their starting Left Guard...Kris Diehlman. This is a huge help to keeping the team in playoff contention. I know there are somethings that need to be addressed, like will Norv Turner's record be a thing of the past or will they be his next victims. I think they will bounce back - BIG. First they have LT - who is for sure the best back in the NFL today. Second, they have a developing and pretty accurate QB in Philip Rivers. I think he's going to be deadly this year. And finally they have Shawne Merriman and Ron Rivera. Ok, so who says that they won't be dominate? I think that Ron Rivera's record speaks for itself and he's got some talented players in key positions that can help them wim games. Suprisingly I have a feeling they will win the AFC West and maybe (and that's a big maybe), get to the AFC Championship game.

Answer 4

The ONLY TRUE SURPRISE TEAM will be The ATLANTA FALCONS.
With the changing up of the Oline and with Petrino allowing Vick to call plays, we will see a rejuvenated Michael Vick.
He'll once again start looking like who everyone thinks Vince Young is.
Vince Young, albeit one of the better young guns, IS A CLONE.
Michael Vick is the patent.
Expect Atlanta to challenge for division winner.

Answer 5

The Carolina Panthers, who definitely did not exceed expectations this year, should bounce back. Delhomme, Steve Smith, Julius Peppers, etc. should bring the Panthers through the play-offs.

The Bills may do well too. Losman improved a ton last year, Lee Evans was a constant deep threat, and they can only move up.

Free agency and the NFL draft will have a large impact on how teams will do.

Answer 6

The Bills. We finally have a GM who understands a basic rule of football....it all starts in the trenches. Our offensive line was vastly improved by the three signings we made, leaving RG or RT to be filled by the superb young talent on the roster and providing much needed veteran depth. Our offense is going to be pretty brutal, but I'm operating on assumptions here. Shouldn't this wait on the draft?

Answer 7

49ers to win the NFC West. I just get this vibe. I'm not too sure about picking the Cardinals because they've been the favorite "sleeper" team for like the past 3-4 years, and have done Jack.

Cheers!

Answer 8

The Raiders,they will pass n J.Russell and take Joe Thomas,and pick up a veteran Qb.If the are lucky enough o get M.Bush as their running back in the second round of the draft watch out.

Answer 9

The surprise team will be the Cardinals. They have talent on the team, Fritzgerald, James, Boldin, and Leinart. They have a good head coach in Whisenhunt. All they need is a little o-line help which will be addressed in the draft. The Cardinals will make the playoffs.

Answer 10

I think the Cardnals will be in the playoffs... but nothing better than a 5 seed. And I think the 49ers will do good also. And the Kansas City Chiefs are going to win it all this year!!!