Kevin Cadle - Sky Sports Expert

The Cadle Guide

KC on the who's hot and who's not in the NFC and AFC

Posted: 03rd September 2008 19:15

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NFL is back on Sky Sports bigger and better than ever!

Every week we will be broadcasting up to six games live over the weekend, with our main man Kevin Cadle in the hotseat.

Kev will also be picking winners and lamenting losers every week, right here on skysports.com as he looks ahead to the live action - and back to the last round.

But before he takes his seat for the season, we got him to run his expert eye over all eight divisions, pick out his potential play-off teams, players to look out for and those who haven't got a hope in hell...

AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West
NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West

AFC EAST

New England Patriots will be every bit as good as last year. They have the easiest schedule in the NFL, so look for them to lose just a couple of games and be right in the hunt for the Super Bowl as usual.

Buffalo Bills look much better-equipped. They haven't been to the play-offs since 1999 and this could be the year that they sneak it. They have a very good defense and the offense has certainly started to find itself.

In the last two seasons they have had so many injuries, but a lot of those guys are starting to come back and they've made good acquisitions on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively so much depends on how well Trent Edwards has developed over the summer.

People talk about Brett Favre (pictured) and the New York Jets but they have spent money on other positions in the off-season. They've fixed their offensive line, they've moved a few things on defense and Brett was the final piece of the puzzle.

When you start talking about the play-offs, where New York got two years ago with Chad Pennington, with Brett that becomes a real possibility. It depends on where Brett is mentally, and we don't know where he is, because if he's on his game then the New York Jets have definite play-off potential.

As for the Miami Dolphins it's all about building and if they win five games, they're moving in the right direction. Don't expect them to go from the gutter to the palace, because that's just not going to happen.

I think it's a great move for them to get Pennington, for the next two or three years until one of those younger guys is ready to take over the reins. It allows them to learn the Miami Dolphin way.

The Dolphins rebuilding has to begin with attitude. They have to develop a mentality that says 'we're here to win football games, we're here to establish ourselves as a viable force and we want to be competitive in every game we play in'.

They have it there with the new coach Tony Sparano and the system they have put down is amazing. People are talking about Bill Parcells as being the coach of the team, but what he will put down is 'we ain't takin no BS!'. If a Miami Dolphin wants to miss a tackle, or drop that ball then he'll probably be on the unemployment line. They are going to make people accountable, which didn't happen last year.

AFC NORTH

The Pittsburgh Steelers' entire game comes back down to what is their offensive line going to do for big Ben Roethlisberger? They paid big Ben some big money, but did they do enough to reinforce the guys that are going to protect him?

They've added to the backfield with Rashard Mendenhall and that could be an explosive combination with Willie Parker. Parker has been running the ball a lot with his slight frame, probably a little bit too much for the last two years and now they can keep him fresh for the play-offs. If their offensive line can hold up, I'll be looking for them to win this division again.

As for the Cleveland Browns, they're just an enigma. In pre-season none of their big guys really played but I don't put a whole lot into that because these guys have been around.

They didn't play Derek Anderson much because of a concussion, they didn't play Jamal Lewis at all but he is one of those guys that has carried the ball over 300 times for the last three or four years so they're trying to keep him as fresh as possible.

Offensively they have no worries, they score over 25 points a game, but defensively I don't think they are that strong in the backfield. The two guys at cornerback, Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are second year players and the safety, Brodney Pool, is a third-year player so there's not that much experience there. But if that backfield can find its feet, they are a potential play-off team.

Cincinnati Bengals will be better. They're trying to get a grip, even if they have re-signed Chris Henry (pictured) which proves those they picked up early in the draft are not ready for the NFL. I think what they've done is off-load as much of the bad as they could. They will be better, but I don't see them being a play-off team.

Building is what it's all about for the Baltimore Ravens too. They will rely on Ray Lewis, their veteran in defense, but offensively they can cause teams a lot of problems and maybe win seven or eight games - if that offense can protect the football.

Last year they just turned the ball over too much and put their defense in bad positions and even if they have to go three and out and punt it, I think the defense can do a confident enough job until that offense gets itself together. If they have to go with the rookie Joe Flacco at quarterback, then it might be six wins, if they go with Troy Smith, it could be eight.

AFC SOUTH

The Indianapolis Colts are my team and I like what they always bring. They never go down the route of free agency, their entire organisation is through the draft and although they picked up a free agent in Dominic Rhodes, he played with them when they won the Super Bowl.

The whole thing for them is how they deal with the injury bug. If they can avoid injuries, they have a good shot at being in that AFC Championship game. If it hits, and hits hard, they are not able to deal with injuries, it will allow the Jags to move into that top spot.

For Jacksonville Jaguars, I like David Garrard, he's a nice quarterback, but there is still a question mark against their receivers. Their running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew (pictured) are as good as anything in the NFL, defensively they've addressed things in the off-season and they are still gonna be tough, but their are still doubts about that receiving corps.

Mentally, they look ready to step up and if Indianapolis is not on top of their game, the Jags will win that division.

As for the Tennessee Titans, you just don't know! They are another side that really hasn't addressed the receiving corps for Vince Young although they are talking about letting him throw it a bit.

They are one of those on-the-edge type teams who will keep it close and try to sneak it out at the end and they found success doing that and made the play-offs last year. You can talk about Young as much as you want, but you've got guys that came out in that class, like Matt Leinart at Arizona, but Young has been to the play-offs and these guys haven't. It will be interesting to see his maturation this year.

Defensively they have a lot of holes that I am not sure they have filled, but Jeff Fisher has always been competitive as a head coach.

Houston Texans are still trying to find their running game. Ahman Green is still nursing injuries, while quarterback Matt Schaub is fit again but will he be able to finish the season off? Again, injuries have hurt this organisation a lot.

I want to see their defense because they have spent a lot on it in previous drafts and a lot of these guys are now in their second, third, fourth years. Let's see if they're finally ready to go to the next level.

AFC WEST

I'm afraid it's the San Diego Chargers again, folks. They're the walkaway team in the West and even if they have an off season I still can't see them finishing second.

There just isn't another .500 team in this division.

People talk about the Oakland Raiders coming close, but you're talking about a "rookie" quarterback in JaMarcus Russell. You're also talking about the new backfield they might have in there who can run the football, not just the real rookie, Darren McFadden.

There are still questions about their offensive line as well; it has improved but I'm still not convinced. Behind that though they do possess real quality in cornerbacks, DeAngelo Hall and Nnamdi Asomugha and the two safeties, Michael Huff and Gibril Wilson do possess genuine quality and are as good as any four in the NFL.

But what about their defensive line and their linebackers? Well they gave up the most rushing yards in the NFL last season and I have a feeling people are going to run on them without a problem. They're gonna be better than last year, but they still aren't gonna come close to the Chargers.

Kansas City Chiefs struggled with a poor offense last season and it really hasn't improved. If you're scoring 14 points a game, you're talking about two touchdowns and then relying on your defense to make things happen.

There's a major dependence on running back Larry Johnson and quarterback Brodie Croyle because coach Herman Edwards has picked up a lot of rookies. I know he has faith in them but a lot of rookies mean a lot of rookie mistakes - and a lot of costly mistakes. If the Chiefs win more games than last year, they'll be happy because like Miami, all they're looking for is to take that next step.

Up in Denver Mike Shanahan (pictured) has taken over the reins in selecting personnel but I think when other people were making those selections, the Denver Broncos were a better football team.

Shanahan is just not selecting the right personnel. I think he's had about 10 defensive linemen in there and money has been stuck on people and nothing has really stood up in that line. OK, the linebackers are good and the defensive backs are okay and offensively if Brandon Marshall keeps his focus he is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL - but even he is going to go off the whack for a while.

And don't forget they have got rid of their kicker Jason Elam. I know a lot of people have been trying to play that down, but last season he won them three of four games just to get them where they were. Offensively they'll be fine, but it's all about rebuilding and if they get to 8-8 they'll be doing ok.

NFC EAST

This is always one of the tightest divisions in the NFL and all you know for sure is that these four are gonna beat up on each other!

If you can come out of the East with a 4-2 record against your divisional rivals, then you've done well. By being that way as well, they are gonna knock one of those other teams out of the play-offs - that's how tough this division is.

The Dallas Cowboys are just talented from bottom to top. There's no doubt they are the most talented team in the NFL, they've got 14 Pro Bowlers there and guys know that the clock is ticking, that is what the owners have put good money on - that's why they have given big contracts to the likes of T.O and their running backs.

They have picked up some good complimentary players as well like Adam 'Pacman' Jones, who's a quality back and means they can move Anthony Henry to safety and in a passing situation sit Roy Williams down, who is great against the run but has struggled against the pass.

All the components are there for Dallas to get it done. It's just about keeping focused and making sure nobody blows it.

Philadelphia Eagles have stayed steady as they usually do. They have added Asante Samuel to give them a nice defensive backfield. I think Jimmy Johnson was disappointed about how they went about their defense last year and has gone in and addressed that. They've added a little bit more speed on those ends, so defensively they will be back.

I think it's amazing that Donovan McNabb (pictured) as a quarterback in 10 seasons has only really had one year with a quality receiver and that was Terrell Owens. Even so, he just gets it done.

This year Kevin Curtis is out injured for the start, so Reggie Brown and DeSean Jackson will have to step in but LJ Smith, the tight end who was out all season, will be back and Brian Westbrook is one of the best backs in the NFL.

Offensively, this Eagles team is gonna be OK and they could surprise a few and be a play-off team.

And then we've got the reigning Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants. For some reason, a lot of people are looking down on them and they must be the most disrespected champions in NFL history.

Personally, I think they are going to be OK.

But they have lost Michael Strahan, who was their inspirational leader, their heartbeat. They've lost Osi Umenyiora who led them in sacks last year and when you lose your two best defensive 'bookends, where do you go from there?

Offensively, people are looking for Eli Manning to step out of his brother's shadow, but look at the last game of last season in the play-offs and he has already done that. He threw 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions during that stage and won MVP at the Super Bowl, so people also need to get off his case!

As for Washington Redskins, they'd better hope pre-season doesn't mean a thing - because they were not good.

They have added a lot of new guys but they are all rookies, like Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas. People always get excited about the debutants, but that is just what they are - they haven't proved anything. You get excited when you hear these names pulled out of the draft but the reality is very few of them live up to the hype in that first year.

They've got a two-pronged running attack to call on but it still leans towards Clinton Portis. It's almost a three or three-and-a-half-to-one ratio from Portis to Ladell Betts, whereas most teams try to keep it two-to-one.

Your two running backs should average 4.0 to 4.5 yards as well and these two guys together only averaged 3.7, so we're not talking about a great running game and the one thing they need to have this year.

NFC NORTH

The Green Bay Packers are the obvious standouts here, but I wouldn't say they are head and shoulders above the rest. Maybe a nose in front.

Now of course, you've got to take Brett Favre out of the equation and put Aaron Rodgers in there, but how is he going to go?

The thing with Favre was with two minutes to go when they needed a touchdown, they had Favre and they had faith. Even if he didn't get it done, the belief was there that he could get it done because they'd seen him do it before.

Now they have Rodgers (pictured) and do they have faith with two minutes to go, that he's gonna make something happen for them? We really don't know. Defensively they are really another team that this year is trying to do it through the draft but if Rodgers fits in and the team does its job, they will win the North.

Minnesota Vikings will be right on their back, but they have a question at quarterback with Tarvaris Jackson; is he ready to take that next step up? But I do like the fact that they have picked up defensive end Jared Allen, who was a top free agent.

Detroit Lions have got rid of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, so will run the ball a bit more and I expect them to be a little better, but if you're talking about them being a play-off team, well that's a big question.

They have improved, but with Minnesota and Green Bay in this division, I don't see any post-season action coming Detroit's way.

As for Chicago Bears, well they might be lucky if they win one game!

They are going with the quarterback they want in Karl Orton, but they've lost both they're starting receivers, they don't have their main running back from last year, the offensive line has problems, there's just not a lot of positives around the Bears this season.

NFC SOUTH

This will be tight, but I am going to side with the New Orleans Saints.

Last year things just fell apart for them, but they have been here before. They survived Hurricane Katrina and last year they looked at a lot of things and thought they would just take care of themselves.

They just got off to a bad start but I think this year, they know what they have to do. They picked up a lot of quality guys in the off-season, offensively and defensively and just filled in those little holes with the right guys to go with what they had there.

And Drew Brees (pictured) is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, so I like New Orleans in this one.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers edged this last season, but I think they are probably at about the same place as they were last season.

Their offense is basically the same with no additions that you would say there's been great work done and they've picked up a lot of rookies to try and fill the spots they needed to, but rookies are rookies.

They will be competitive because they've been there, they've done it, but what's interesting with the South is the team that wins it usually finishes last the following season. Tampa might not finish in last, but I don't see them being a play-off football team.

Basically, that's because I think Carolina Panthers are a better football team; better than they were last season and better than the Buccs.

I do think the Atlanta Falcons are going to be better - it's hard to see how they can be any worse.

The organisation is moving in the right direction and although it looks like they've got rid of some of their best players, they have just torn it up and started again and that's good. They've realised it's not going to happen with the guys they had so they have just tried to go and find some other guys and redo it all.

They're starting with a rookie quarterback in Matt Ryan and good running backs in Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood, so it looks like they are going to play tough, aggressive football. I do think the ingredients are there with the style they like to play, but it's really about the rebuilding process for them.

NFC WEST

I like the Arizona Cardinals here. This might finally be the year for them.

They have decided to go with Kurt Warner at quarterback and while he might lose you some games in the weirdest of ways, there's no doubt he will win you games as well. He's going to put it up and make it happen and as long as Warner takes care of the ball, they're gonna be OK.

Defensively they lost a lot of guys to injury last year and they'll be back and they've also filled in some holes with some very good pick-ups, so I like Arizona here.

The Seattle Seahawks right now, have four receivers that no-one has ever heard of because their top two, Deion Branch and Bobby Engram are out and we don't know for how long and they also jettisoned Shaun Alexander, their mainstay at running back for years.

So they've now got two different running backs in there and they don't know if one guy is going to be the main man or if they are going to use them both in there.

They are still trying to figure out a lot of things offensively and what seemed to be the key for this Seattle team throughout the years was that we always knew what they had offensively. Now we don't.

San Francisco 49ers will be better with Mike Martz (pictured)coming in as offensive coordinator. They have added former NFL Europe man JT O'Sullivan who Martz was with at Detroit and will push for him to be the starting quarterback. But you know what they say - be careful what you wish for!

As for the St Louis Rams. It's just a no. No, no, no! They will maybe win a game or two more than last season, possibly a game or two less.

They are putting a lot on their first-round draft pick, Chris Long because his father was a Hall of Famer, but there's still a lot of things to be done on the defensive side.

Offensively they've been losing this guy, losing that guy and things ain't got any better. In fact, they got a whole lot worse!

Comments

Bradley Skinner says...

This Dallas fan is very excited about the coming season. The Boys must be one of the few teams in the NFL that will realistically expect to match its 13-3 record of last year. The NFC East is a tough division and we'll likely see three post-season teams once again, but this Cowboys team is even better than last year. It seems that The Boys' management knows what its doing when draft time comes around, with excellent additions once more. Young, healthy and experienced offensive and defensive lines give fans confidence, and with quality acquisitions strengthening the backfield, as long as the secondary is managed correctly, the Boys aren't going to ship points to many teams this year. On the offensive side, Dallas is improved, with a healthy Owens and Witten returning and Tony Romo better for another year's experience. But what excites me is the shake up at running back, dropping Julius Jones was a great move, and now Marion Barber will step up with more carries. The drafting of Tashard Choice and especially Felix Jones will give Dallas some real speed to compliment Barber's strength. This time next year the Cowboys will have the most highly regarded running game in the NFL.

Posted 16:54 21st September 2008

Mike Saunders says...

Having followed the NFL since 1982, and being a Cowboys fan, I am hoping that the last season in Texas Stadium will see Superbowl victory No. 6. I think that in Tony Romo we have a top Quarterback to follow in the footsteps of Troy Aikman. The offence is strong and always likely to score at any time.. much like the team that included Aikman, Smith, Irvin, Harper, Novacek, Harper... The defence looks better this year and is the key to Dallas making the jump from Play-off's to Superbowl. They need to be strong and dominate other offences. I t hey do and give the offence time on the field we will be Superbowl Champions AGAIN!!!

Posted 14:20 18th September 2008

Mark Wilson says...

Am I alone in asking this question as a long suffering niners fan why didnt we get some WR's this year and can we please use our TE a little.It might just take the preassure of the running game.

Posted 15:28 15th September 2008

Martin Hamill says...

The Bears will be lucky to win a game!! WE HAVE THAT ALREADY, goodbye Colts, see ya next year. NFC North is going to be very competitive this year. As you said KC, the packers should get there by a nose (even without Favre), but the Bears will be breathing down their necks all the way. The opposition defences don't like the wind(y) up them in the depths of an Illinois winter. Grrr ooo Bears.

Posted 11:47 11th September 2008

Andy Goddard says...

Its going to be a hard season now without Brady but we still have the best selection of wide receivers in the NFL. Dante Culpepper could do a job if Cassel is not up to it (which i dont think he will be). GO PATS!

Posted 10:21 10th September 2008

Paul Neal says...

Are there any Lions fans out there who have been waiting for a spectacular season as long as i have. (15 years). Really want them to do well. Promised so much last year and fell away. I think we can make the playoffs. Anybody else out there? Keep the faith. Go lions

Posted 07:44 10th September 2008

Will Bradshaw says...

As a giants fan i think we can get to the playoffs but the superbowl is a big ask. The pats will have a superbowl hangover not sure about the colts and cowboys cant win a playoff game so i think its Lts and the chargers time to win the superbowl.

Posted 14:38 7th September 2008

Jp Davis says...

I know there are alot of question marks about the Bengals this year, but the eventual AFC North Division winner could be 9 and 7 this year as they play a really tough schedule. The Bengals have been picked by most critics to be 3rd or 4th in the division, but they are going to be better than that. Look for the defense to make some strides under new D Coordinator Mike Zimmer and the offense to roll with Carson, Chad and T.J..

Posted 14:14 7th September 2008

Ian Mcnicholas says...

Aaron, if by lucky you mean that the Giants did their homework and shut the New England Cheatriots down then I couldn't agree more!

Posted 10:29 7th September 2008

Craig Cleveland says...

if the giants can get a better home record and keep there away form then they can reach the superbowl this year, losing strahan and umenyiora is gonna be huge but i think jacobs is gonna have a massive record breaking season,....GO BIG BLUE

Posted 10:14 6th September 2008

Paul Styles says...

I'm hoping my team, the Cowboys, go all the way this year but if they don't, I have a sneaky feeling the Chargers could spring a surprise. Enjoy the season everyone!

Posted 22:45 5th September 2008

Mike Chambers says...

O.K so I know the bears are not going to be challenging the NFC championship game this yaer, but "we'll be lucky to win one game this season", I don't think so. Orten has already proved that he is a decent QB, and with the addition of Forte, who incidently looks to be much better than Benson able to take much of the pressure off the QB should be a major help. I also think that we have more than made up for the loss of last yaers starting recevers, Hester is only going to improve at the postion & in Lloyd & Brooker have two proven recevers. All in all I'm expecting a respectable 8-8 season form the boys in Chicago.

Posted 21:15 5th September 2008

Stephen Sherrard says...

Its that time of year when we stay up and sit down and watch some serious sport NFL style. Mark Woodward may be asking for a hard winter to help the sea hawks but i feel that the team overall has depth and strength to counter rain, hail, snow and shine. Eamonn, you're right to bring up religion; we are talking gridiron here! Chris is on the button; its tough the next day but its well worth the commitment because Sky's coverage is just superb and maybe luck will fly the eagles way this season. And to the cleveland brown die hard stephen morris a play off berth is a realistic challenge but i think the browns have to work every play in every game and not just have a season of solid and mediocre but sometimes stoic games.

Posted 20:59 5th September 2008

Graham Noon says...

The legend has gone and will always be a green bay legend but one man dont make a team and buy the end of the regular season Aaron Rodgers will quiet down a lot of armchair hogs who now nowt about the game GO PACK GO !!

Posted 20:47 5th September 2008

Simon Howe says...

Back at last!!! Brilliant coverage, I used to watch channel 4 all those years ago when it first started, Kevin and Nick are excellent. They fill the gaps in the game really well, keep it up. I bet each year on different teams but support Tampa and green Bay. My money this year is on Jacksonville!!!!!

Posted 16:34 5th September 2008

Chris Paterson says...

Go 'Skins !!

Posted 16:22 5th September 2008

Darren Rhodes says...

GO STEELERS!!! Big Ben to take the steelers to the super bowl!

Posted 15:38 5th September 2008

Mark Woodward says...

I love Kev but as a Seahawks fan I have to disagree. SuperMatt will always get the job done and I like the additions to the running game. Julius Jones always plays well at Qwest Field, Mo Mo is improving and TJ Duckett (and the improved O-lIne) will help us with our achilles heel, 3rd down conversions. Burleson and Carlson will give SuperMatt enough in the passing game until Branch (who could even play this week) and Engram return and you gotta like the fact that Taylor will get some snaps as well. The defense returns 11 starters and have added a 1st round pick to the line, special teams has improved substansially and they are going to want to win it for the Walrus. Remember our speed based defense was all over Green bay until the snow came and that would have put us at home in the NFC Championship game (8-1 last year). The 12th man will be roaring again come January

Posted 12:36 5th September 2008

Nathan Sharp says...

As a lifelong Cowboys fan, i've seen some ups and downs...! I think this season we'll make the Superbowl though, especially after so nearly making it last season. Individuals need to keep their focus, TO needs to keep his hands sticky and we need to forget the (inevitable) pressure that the Cowboys always seem to be under. Winning so much in the past has led to a lot of expectation, and this team certainly has the quality to live up to it.

Posted 11:09 5th September 2008

Eamonn Hurley says...

Thank god the NFL is back. Looking forward to outstanding coverage and fantastic football games over the winter. Also Kevin and Nick's views, as ever. Go New England.

Posted 18:58 4th September 2008

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