- Will the quarterbacks who finished the 2005 campaign on the injured list be able to return to their Pro Bowl forms?
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb says he has put the Terrell Owens fiasco behind him, but it remains to be seen if he can recover from the multiple injuries that sidelined him in 2005. Both new Dolphins QB Daunte Culpepper and Bengals' QB Carson Palmer must bounce back from knee injuries for their teams to have a shot at the playoffs.
- What impact will free agents have?
Culpepper is surrounded by promising coach Nick Saban and several potential Pro Bowlers, so the pressure will be on in Miami. The New Orleans Saints paid $60 million to acquire QB Drew Brees, and he will also be expected to deliver. And, of course, Terrell Owens is now a Cowboy, so Dallas fans are hoping that TO will keep his mouth shut and not implode their team.
- How will the highly touted rookies perform?
Just about everyone has great expectations for Saints RB Reggie Bush, and his performance in his first preseason game only added to the buzz. The Houston Texans made waves when they chose monster DE Mario Williams over Bush, so Williams will undoubtedly be under the microscope throughout the year. Tennessee QB Vince Young is vying for a starting job, and QB Matt Leinart will push Kurt Warner for playing time in Arizona.
- Which teams will return to prominence?
Despite making the playoffs last year, the Patriots disappointed their fans with a sloppy loss to Denver, and Tom Brady must get his team back on track. The Eagles had an ugly fall from grace after losing the Super Bowl two years ago, but early signs suggest that Andy Reid & Co. will right the ship in Philly. Additionally, the Ravens seem poised to make a run at the AFC North with the addition of veteran QB Steve McNair.
- Will Peyton Manning be able to get over the hump and lead his team to a Super Bowl?
Manning has often been maligned throughout his career for coming up small in big games, and the Colts need him to finally step up. However, the loss of RB Edgerrin James, one of the game's most dominant runners, might prove too costly for the offensive-oriented Colts.
Playoff predictions: The early NFC frontrunner is the Carolina Panthers. QB Jake Delhomme has proven to be a valuable leader, and WR Steve Smith is the league's most dangerous receiver. On the other side of the ball, the Panther defense seems ready to recapture their 2004 NFC-championship form and should carry Carolina through the conference.
Despite the predictions of obnoxious NFL analysts, the Panthers' biggest challenger will be the Eagles. McNabb has looked stellar this preseason, the offensive line is stacked and hungry, and the revamped defense is prepared to dominate.
A popular preseason pick, the defending champion Seahawks will miss departed guard Steve Hutchinson and should not advance far. Moreover, the 'Hawks do not have history on their side -- in the last five years, the Super Bowl loser has never made the playoffs the following season.
In the AFC, perennial favorites Pittsburgh and New England simply have too many uncertainties to make a serious run: the Pats are not sure if WR Deion Branch will return from his holdout to help the depleted receiving corps, and the Steelers are still waiting to see if Ben Roethlisberger will fully recover from his brush with death.
Instead, I see Manning finally leading the Colts to the AFC championship game to face the Denver Broncos. However, the loss of James leaves the Colts without the dynamic offense needed to beat the Broncos, who will benefit greatly from both the addition of WR Javon Walker and coach Mike Shanahan's ability to turn just about anything with legs into a 1,000 yard rusher.
Oh yeah, and the Super Bowl pick? Panthers 24, Broncos 13.
