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September 3, 2002
NFL 2002: Who's Next?
ESPN The Magazine

Let's break it down, bit by bit, just like the pros do. We know the best talent doesn't always make the best team. We know that hoisting Lombardi is as much about the little plays made as the big-time players who make them. We know that every February, while some freshly minted Super Bowl hero is dancing in some downtown parade, 31 coaches are paring down their rosters into different parts.
Miami Dolphins
 
They ask themselves: What do we need? Where can we get it? They're thinking: This league is always up for grabs -- thank you, Ravens and Pats -- so let's make it ours. Maybe the missing piece comes in a trade, like Ricky to Miami. Maybe it comes in the draft, like the trio of defensive backs the Eagles took in April. Or maybe it's that new defensive scheme that fits the talent like a glove -- although chances are Bill Belichick's already thought of it. We've broken down each team not by players, but by parts, so you can judge for yourself: once they're pieced together, if the whole is greater. That's what they're all hoping. Because GMs and coaches, they like dancing too.

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Dolphins over Steelers
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Eagles over Rams
SUPER BOWL XXXVII: Eagles over Dolphins

THE SUM OF THEIR PARTS
EAST AFC NFC
1. Miami Dolphins 1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. New York Jets 2. New York Giants
3. New England Patriots 3. Washington Redskins
4. Buffalo Bills 4. Dallas Cowboys
NORTH 1. Pittsburgh Steelers 1. Green Bay Packers
2. Cleveland Browns 2. Chicago Bears
3. Cincinnati Bengals 3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Baltimore Ravens 4. Detroit Lions
SOUTH 1. Indianapolis Colts 1. Tampa Bay Bucs
2. Tennessee Titans 2. New Orleans Saints
3. Jacksonville Jaguars 3. Atlanta Falcons
4. Houston Texans 4. Carolina Panthers
WEST 1. Denver Broncos 1. St. Louis Rams
2. Oakland Raiders 2. San Francisco 49ers
3. Kansas City Chiefs 3. Seattle Seahawks
4. San Diego Chargers 4. Arizona Cardinals



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