By Kim J. Harmon

A running back (Jamal Lewis) faces a drug trafficking trial … another (Rickey Williams) quits after reportedly failing another drug test and showing no interest in stopping his usage … a rookie QB (Eli Manning) tells a team (San Diego Chargers) he will not, under any circumstances, play for them … and a team (San Diego Chargers) has trouble signing its rookie QB (Philip Rivers) because of a lot of ridiculous incentives in the contract.

It has not been the kind of off season the NFL could brag about, but all of that stuff (except for the Lewis drug trial) is in the past and the 2004 season is all set to begin next Thursday when the Indianapolis Colts visit the New England Patriots.

Which teams will be at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, next February 6 for Super Bowl XXXVIII? Let’s find out –

 

AFC EAST

 

New England Patriots – In this day when NFL teams can rise to the top or fall to the bottom in any given year, the Patriots have remained consistently good. And until someone knocks them off their perch, they remain the best.

New York Jets – If Chad Pennington stays healthy, there should be no reason why the Jets – with a good running back and solid receiving corps – can’t qualify for the playoffs.

Buffalo Bills – Drew Bledsoe is on the back end of his career and with a running back situation that may cause dissension in the locker room, this team could have some trouble.

Miami Dolphins – Even before Rickey Williams quit on his team, the Dolphins were in trouble and it started when they engendered a quarterback competition between Jay Fiedler and AJ Feeley, two sub-par QBs.

AFC NORTH

 

Cincinnati Bengals – This is the year for the Bengals, long a laughingstock of the National Football League. Carson Palmer has looked good and even if he falters, Jon Kitna – who should be starting somewhere in the NFL – is a more than capable backup.

Baltimore Ravens – The defense (Ray Lewis) is still very strong, but the quarterback (Kyle Boller) is weak and the running back (Jamal Lewis) is going to have some serious distractions (drug trial) to deal with this year.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Tommy Maddox had ONE good season in the NFL and now has Ben Roethlisberger looking over his shoulder. The receivers are very good, but the running backs are getting a little long in the tooth. Still, the Steelers should be better than the Browns.

Cleveland Browns – Now that Tim Couch has been blown out of town, the Browns can concentrate on winning football games … which they won’t do much of in 2004.

AFC SOUTH

 

Indianapolis Colts – Peyton Manning is still the best in the game right now and Edgerrin James is still among the elite running backs in the NFL and that should be enough to allow the Colts to rise to the top of what should be a very competitive division.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Fred Taylor has gotten tagged as ‘fragile,’ but the RB has played every game the last two years and is an elite back in this league. Plus, Byron Leftwich is going to prove himself to be a Pro Bowl QB. The Jags could make the playoffs.

Tennessee Titans – Steve McNair is not getting any younger and the Titans had to have taken a step back by letting Eddie George go. This may be the year the Titans finally falter.

Houston Texans – David Carr is making great strides and Domanick Davis looks to be an explosive back, but the Texans are in a tough division.

AFC WEST

 

Kansas City Chiefs – The Chiefs will probably still have the most potent offense in the NFL (but can Priest Holmes really repeat his performance from 2003?), but the horrible defense is not going to become a great defense overnight. Still, the offense will carry this club.

San Diego Chargers – Even though the quarterback situation is somewhat unresolved, LaDanian Tomlinson is on par with Priest Holmes and could carry the Chargers into second place. Lot of people feel the Chargers are the worst team in the NFL, but not me.

Oakland Raiders – With a pair of ancient quarterbacks, the Raiders just don’t have the juice to compete in this division. But they should still be better than the Broncos.

Denver Broncos – Why the Broncos did not try to hold on to Clinton Portis, I do not know. And Jake Plummer is not – and never will be – the answer at QB.

NFC EAST

 

Philadelphia Eagles – All Donovan McNabb and the Eagles needed was a breakout receiver, and now they have it. Still, they will probably find a way to lose in the NFC championship game.

New York Giants – Even if the QB job is not Eli Manning’s on opening day, it soon will be and he has already proven that he has the tools to succeed. And the running back tandem of Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne could come close to the old ‘Thunder and Lightning’ of the past. But the defense still stinks.

Washington Redskins – Can Joe Gibbs be successful after so many years out of football? Dick Vermeil was, but Gibbs is coaching a team owned by Daniel Snyder. The QB situation here is still poor and that will end up hurting the ‘Skins.

Dallas Cowboys – There is no way that the ancient Vinny Testaverde is going to lead this team back to the playoffs.

NFC NORTH

 

Minnesota Vikings – Daunte Culpepper could return to form as the most dangerous quarterback in the NFL and if he does – and with Randy Moss still catching bombs – the Vikings can make a run at the Super Bowl.

Green Bay Packers – Brett Favre may be older than Methuselah, but he is still a winner and Ahman Green is still one of the most explosive backs in the NFL.

Detroit Lions – All the weapons are in place and this is the year that Joey Harrington has to get it done in Detroit. But he will probably come up just short.

Chicago Bears – With an unsettled situation at running back and a quarterback by the name of Rex Grossman, the Bears are ticketed for a 3-13 season.

NFC SOUTH

 

New Orleans Saints – The Saints have the weapons on offense (a good quarterback in Aaron Brooks, a good running back in Duece McAllister and a good receiver in Joe Horn) and a solid defense but will the winning attitude be there in 2004? Maybe this is the year for the Saints.

Atlanta Falcons – The Atlanta Falcons are a ‘hip’ pick in the NFC and with a healthy Michael Vick at QB and a tough RB in TJ Duckett, it’s possible. But this one just doesn’t feel right.

Carolina Panthers – Can Jake Delhomme be as successful as he was last year? Sure, but he won’t be. But this defense is still the best in the NFL and that should at least allow the Panthers to challenge for a playoff spot.

Tampa Bay Buccanneers – The Bucs are losing a lot of their pieces and fading fast in the NFC. I give ‘em maybe six wins.

NFC WEST

 

Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks are another ‘hip’ pick in the AFC this year and with a very solid QB in Matt Hasselbeck, a great RB in Shaun Alexander, and a very good receiving corps why shouldn’t they be?

St. Louis Rams – The Rams are still a pretty potent offensive team, but questionable coaching decisions by Mike Martz have been holding this team back and will continue to hold it back in 2004.

Arizona Cardinals – The Cards are one of those up and coming teams in the NFL with some bright, young talent, but can Josh McCown get it done at QB?

San Francisco 49ers – Where have you gone Joe Montana? The 49ers could easily be the worst team in the National Football League.