4 bold predictions after 4 weeks
/1. Dan Quinn is the real deal
The Atlanta Falcons have said for the last several seasons that they want to get tougher. They wanted stronger play from their offensive and defensive lines. Well, they’ve finally got it.
First year head coach Dan Quinn has brought the physicality he coached up with Seattle’s legion of bomb to the South. The Falcons are winning at the line of scrimmage, they’re playing well on the road & at home. Most impressively though, they’re one of the few teams able to make second half adjustments and steal wins from teams that build up early leads.
Now we need to see if they can erase the ghosts of playoffs past…
2. The Patriots won’t repeat
Yes, it’s hard to pick against Belichick and Brady. They’re proven us all wrong just about every chance they’ve had. But considering the Super Bowl history in New England, it’s tough to imagine them repeating as champs.
The Patriots won four Super Bowls when the defense was as strong as the offense, sometimes even stronger. When Brady was shredding defenses with Wes Welker, Randy Moss and company, it wasn’t enough to win a championship. Look at the two Super Bowls they’ve lost. The offense earned a late fourth quarter lead and it wasn’t good enough. This year’s defense has only a fraction of last season’s championship talent, look for it to be a liability in the post season.
3. The Giants will win the NFC East
Somehow, this seems to be exactly where the Giants need to be. Looking sloppy coming out of the gate, Big Blue gave its fans and the media plenty of nasty observations to make. Then all of a sudden, just flip a switch, turn into a monster team and make all the doubters look foolish.
Both Super Bowls the Giants won with Coughlin came after shaky starts to their season. This Giants team seems to show the same trait. Look for the Giants to take advantage of a weak NFC East and host a wild card game in January.
Heck, maybe they’ll beat the Patriots in Super Bowl 50. Just kidding…?
4. The Colts will be just fine
The sky isn’t falling in Indianapolis. Yes, it looks like it’s time for a new coaching regime and the offensive line continues to be just terrible. There are problems in Indy, but remember that this a team that was the worst in the league in 2011 and then followed it up with a playoff season right away. Oh yea, and they made the playoffs the next year, and the year after that, and...get the idea?
