FAIAP....Denver is returning 9 of 11 on offense.
While they take a step backward at QB obviously....Their stable of RB's to start the season is a definite step forward. Everyone else is same old same old. (Assuming the Marshall situation gets worked out). Most people don't realize it but Denver has one of the best O-lines in the league. And BTW...the two coaches McD kept from Shanny's regime were OL & RB.
It's anyone guess as to how McD will perform as a coach compared to Shanny. People want to crucify him for his personnel moves so far but most don't realize that it was ultimately Pat Bowlen's decision to pull the trigger on the Cutler trade. I will reserve judgment on McD the coach until he actually coaches a game (as opposed to the 4 August scrimmages)
Major overhaul in personnel on D but they can't really be any worse than what was trotted out there last year. And scheme/coaching wise, Nolan is far superior to Slowik.
San Diego may indeed win the AFCW but it won't be a cakewalk IMO. Something like 10-6 for SD & 9-7 for Denver.
They play an identical schedule except for two games......
SD gets MIA & TEN while Denver gets NE & INDY.
(Common opponents are AFCW, NFCE, the 2 Ohio teams plus Pitt & Balty)
A renewed focus on Defense, ST & TOP leads me to believe that Denver will at least equal LY's 8-8. Cutler or no Cutler.
To answer your question though...I think The Saints win their division by the widest margin.....GB, Philly & NE solid choices as well.
While they take a step backward at QB obviously....Their stable of RB's to start the season is a definite step forward. Everyone else is same old same old. (Assuming the Marshall situation gets worked out). Most people don't realize it but Denver has one of the best O-lines in the league. And BTW...the two coaches McD kept from Shanny's regime were OL & RB.
It's anyone guess as to how McD will perform as a coach compared to Shanny. People want to crucify him for his personnel moves so far but most don't realize that it was ultimately Pat Bowlen's decision to pull the trigger on the Cutler trade. I will reserve judgment on McD the coach until he actually coaches a game (as opposed to the 4 August scrimmages)
Major overhaul in personnel on D but they can't really be any worse than what was trotted out there last year. And scheme/coaching wise, Nolan is far superior to Slowik.
San Diego may indeed win the AFCW but it won't be a cakewalk IMO. Something like 10-6 for SD & 9-7 for Denver.
They play an identical schedule except for two games......
SD gets MIA & TEN while Denver gets NE & INDY.
(Common opponents are AFCW, NFCE, the 2 Ohio teams plus Pitt & Balty)
A renewed focus on Defense, ST & TOP leads me to believe that Denver will at least equal LY's 8-8. Cutler or no Cutler.
To answer your question though...I think The Saints win their division by the widest margin.....GB, Philly & NE solid choices as well.
