| TEAM ('99 RECORD) |
ESPN.COM SAYS |
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1. St. Louis Rams (13-3)
No Super Bowl champion in history was ignored in the offseason as much as the Rams, but that's a good thing. They have plenty of motivation to prove that last season wasn't a fluke. If midnight finally strikes on Kurt Warner, Mike Martz still has Trent Green to execute the NFL's most confounding offense. |
| 2. Redskins (10-6) |
Norv Turner had better brush up on his chemistry because it's concoct a championship mix or else. |
| 3. Titans (13-3) |
No Music City Miracles needed anymore for AFC's top team.
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| 4. Colts (13-3) |
Talented? Yes. Super Bowl-bound? Uh, let's see Manning win a big game first. |
| 5. Buccaneers (11-5) |
If Keyshawn complains about not getting the ball, there'll be someone (Sapp) to shut him up. |
| 6. Jaguars (14-2) |
The clock is ticking on the Jags' title hopes due to their impending cap implosion. |
| 7. Broncos (6-10) |
The Broncos will make headlines. Romanowski just needs to stay out of them. |
| 8. Ravens (8-8) |
With Sharpe, Coates, Lewis and Taylor, Brian Billick finally has his toys. |
| 9. Panthers (8-8) |
Even with 20 snaps a game, Reggie White will preach winning football. |
| 10. Raiders (8-8) |
Gruden's job rides on the accuracy -- and sobriety -- of partyboy placekicker Janikowski. |
| 11. Bears (6-10) |
With a confident McNown, beefed-up Enis and rebuilt defense, a winner finally blows through Windy City. |
| 12. Giants (7-9) |
They've gone retro with the old "NY" logo. All Fassel wants is return to '97 title form.
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| 13. Seahawks (9-7) |
Shaky defense, not Kitna's quarterbacking, figures to be Holmgren's season-long concern.
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| 14. Cowboys (8-8) |
A suspect and Deion-less secondary is not a good thing in pass-proficient NFC East.
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| 15. Bills (11-5) |
It may be much to ask the Next Three (Smith, Price and Wiley) to replace the Big Three. |
| 16. Packers (8-8) |
Injuries to Favre and Levens cut the Cheeseheads down a couple notches.
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| 17. Vikings (10-6) |
Porous defense, not Culpepper, may cost Denny Green his job. |
| 18. Jets (8-8) |
Fans are still griping about the Keyshawn deal.
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| 19. Lions (8-8) |
Renewed running game won't matter if no one's healthy enough to hand off.
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| 20. Chiefs (9-7) |
Running game by committee can only take you so far. |
| 21. Patriots (8-8) |
Defense is one of the best but won't get much rest from problematic offense.
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| 22. Dolphins (9-7) |
See Patriots. |
| 23. Steelers (6-10) |
Cowher would be wise not to wait too long to rely on Graham and Huntley. |
| 24. Falcons (5-11) |
Amazing how one team could depend on one person (Anderson).
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| 25. Chargers (8-8) |
Lack of go-to back won't help Ryan Leaf's rejuvenation. |
| 26. Cardinals (6-10) |
Once again, it's all Jake Plummer or bust. |
| 27. Eagles (5-11) |
Can a West Coast offense win without wide receivers? |
| 28. 49ers (4-12) |
World championship pride. Expansion franchise talent.
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| 29. Saints (3-13) |
Rash of preseason injuries is one more indication that this organization is jinxed. |
| 30. Bengals (4-12) |
Already one of millennium's great mysteries: How could Cincy keep Coslet? |
| 31. Browns (2-14) |
Didn't take long for Dawg Pound to start snapping at Tim Couch's heels.
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