From: GC.JAB@forsythe.stanford.edu (Tony Bechtold)
Subject: Re: predictions
Organization: Stanford University, California, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 17:09:12 GMT

In article <1992Aug30.1541.15384@execnet>,
"al sorhaindo" <al.sorhaindo@execnet.com> writes:

>AFC EAST

Most likely Buffalo once again! Miami just doesn't have the defense.
Marino can't keep carrying this team year after year.  An
interesting game this year will be Buffalo at Houston. Could be a
sneak preview of the AFC Championship.

>
> AFC CENTRAL AND AFC WEST
>
>1. Houston               Houston is very overrated but their division
>2. Cleveland             is weak. Cleveland has a lot of problems in
>3. Pittsburgh            the offensive line, despite acquiring Hilgenberg.
>4. Cincinnati            Cincy's defense makes Miami's look good.

Houston is not, "very overrated"!!  Houston in the overall is a
pretty well balanced team. The only place they lack is in defense,
and they don't lack all that much there.
If Elway gets hurt, Denver can pretty much throw in the towel on
this season. If Kreig doesn't step forward and have a career year, I
don't think that KC will be able to make it to the Big Dance on just
their defense.  Still don't understand why KC didn't make a deal
with the 49ers involving Word and Young. KC is really just a QB away
from winning it all.

>  NFC EAST
>
>1. Giants                 The Giants will atone for a disastrous '91.
>2. Philadelphia(WC)       The Redskins went 7-9 after their Super Bowl
>3. Washington(WC)         demolition of the Broncos. Every "expert" has
>4. Dallas                 the Giants picked fourth, but they played well
>5. Phoenix                below their potential last year, and still were
>                          only a few bounces from going 11-5. Any of the
>                          top four would be favored to win any other
>                          division besides the NFC west.

I think the Skins will be in the thick of things down the stretch,
Rypien will be blinded by those $$$ signs he sees, and from the
pressure of reigning Super Bowl Champs, he will choke.  This is the
year that that he proves he really is just mediocre!
I think its Philly's turn to represent the East in the NFC
Championship. Unless something happens to Cunnigham, I don't see
anybody else stopping the Eagles from dominating the East. They are
WAY overdue!  Dallas will go 9-7, their lack of defense is holding
them back. Give um' time though! They are young! Maybe Haley will
help them more than everybody thinks. The Giants? NOT!!! 9-7, maybe!

> NFC CENTRAL
>
>1. Detroit               Minnesota is not as good as their pre season.
>2. Chicago(WC)
>3. Green Bay
>4. Minnesota
>5. Tampa Bay

Hard to say if Chicago can get their act together this year. Great
running game, but lack overall in receiving.  As usual, their
defense will keep them in the thick of it with Detroit.  Hard to say
who will come out on top, but either winner will most likely not
make it past the second round.

>   NFC WEST
>
>1. San Francisco         Set to take the All time super bowl victory
>2. New Orleans           record.
>3. Atlanta
>4. Rams

Atlanta is a dreamer, and the Saints still don't have a strong
offense to play with the Big Boys. Their defense however will give
them an opportunity to keep within range of the 49ers.  Should the
49ers choke, the Saints will win the division again.

If Young can produce like expected, the 49ers offense should be a
power house like usual.  If he falters, and Montana's arm does hold
up, it could be Joe to the rescue, leading to the team all the way
down the stretch. If Joe is done with, Bono may end up being the
savior like last year. Young will probably produce as expected.
The only real weakness the Niners have is their secondary and pass
rush. I can see the pass rush improving, but their secondary will
most likely remain the weak link.  The defense is going to have to
step it up a notch if the Niners are going to have any chance at
winning it all!  Their running game is a weakness, but then the
49ers have never built their offense around the run. It can only
improve from the past two seasons.
They are in position to make history! If they can work out the
kinks, Debartolo will be adding an addition to the trophy case.

>NFC CHAMPION: SF 49ers

Philly could have something to say about this though.

>AFC CHAMPION: Houston

>Super Bowl: 49ers 28 Jets 10.

There is no way the Jets will represent the AFC. They aren't that
good!  Buffalo, Denver and Houton will all have to choke before the
Jets come into the picture. No way will that happen!

Super Bowl: 49ers 27,  Houston 17

And then Joe retires!

                                                Tony
                                             GO 49ERS!!!
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro