Fearless Scribe: Hawks Rate A Second Look
WARNING: Don’t cash in the IRA and head to your bookie on the strength of the following forecasts.
As an oracle, I’m a debacle.
I once thought someone named John Anderson would be president. Can’t remember when, can’t remember why.
Yes, I’ve correctly supplied a preseason prediction of the Super Bowl winner three of the last four years.
But that’s been roughly as challenging as suggesting that Shannon Faulkner won’t be the starting quarterback in The Citadel’s opener.
Other predictions have gone laughably awry.
I can’t even go near accurate predictions. I once got a fortune cookie that said my looks would take me far. My horoscope once promised that vast riches would soon be mine.
Vicious lies.
This, however, is a new season. I’m undefeated. So check it out, the NFL in order for 1995:
AFC West: Oakland. The only team to stand above the others in one of the best-balanced divisions. New passing attack brings out best in Hostetler. Let’s say 11-5.
Seattle. Eight wins would only be a two-game improvement on last year, and the team certainly has made two-game improvements in talent and two-game improvements in coaching. Galloway will be an instant star, but playoffs are a year away. Look for an 8-8 season that could end up 9-7 with luck or 7-9 with injuries.
Denver. The worst defense in the league last year is improved, but not that much. Elway’s tops, but four of the first six games are on the road. (8-8).
San Diego. Stan Humphries returns to terra firma. With an audible boom. (8-8).
Kansas City. When you go from Joe Montana to Steve Bono, something has to slip. In this case, it’s the record. (7-9).
AFC East: Miami. Marino and Shula get back to the Super Bowl with the most talent in the AFC. (12-4).
New England. Bledsoe and Parcells stay within a step of Miami, but may be a year away. (10-6).
Indianapolis. Marshall Faulk, alone, gives the Colts something to kick about. Craig Erickson helps make this a surprise contender. (10-6).
New York Jets. Offensive approach (five tight ends?) means Rich Kotite will pick up where he left off with Eagles. Losing. 6-10.
Buffalo. AFC’s Harold Stassens finally take awaited tumble. 6-10.
AFC Central: Cleveland. If Vinny can be even average, the Brownies make it to the AFC title game. 12-4.
Pittsburgh. Fearsome defense; fearful quarterback. 10-6.
Cincinnati. Big-play receivers; bad-play line. 4-12. Jacksonville. Drill-sergeant coach grows tiresome quickly. (4-12).
Houston. Uh, Houston, we’ve got a problem. Yeah, lots of them. (4-12).
NFC East: Dallas. Losses of Harper, Stepnoski hurt, but Emmitt, Aikman and Irvin will once again take Pokes to NFC title game. (13-3).
N.Y. Giants. A wealth of running backs gets them into the playoffs. (9-7).
Philadelphia. Ray Rhodes has Randall Cunningham tuned into the game and Ricky Watters has them contending. (9-7).
Arizona. At midseason, the offense will mutiny and defense will have to play both ways. (8-8).
Washington. Norv’s troops improve, but Shuler remains a liability. (4-12).
NFC Central: Detroit. Scott Mitchell hits Herman Moore enough to finally give Barry Sanders some help. (10-6).
Chicago. Great coach and easy schedule make Bears look better than they are. (8-8).
Tampa Bay. Dilfer improvement makes Bucs a surprise challenger 8-8).
Green Bay. Not so Sharpe anymore. (8-8).
Minnesota. Coach gets whacked and Moon slips from orbit. (6-10).
NFC West: San Francisco. Not not as good as last year, which makes it only twice as good as everybody else. (14-2).
New Orleans. Another good Everett season with an improved rushing attack. (9-7).
Atlanta. Jeff George matures as Falcons make a run-and-shoot at playoffs. (8-8).
St. Louis. As they say, St. Louis wanted an NFL team. It got the Rams instead. (3-13).
Carolina. Look for an upset or two out of both expansion upstarts. 3-13.
In the playoffs, Miami takes Cleveland and Niners top Cowboys.
Super Bowl: San Francisco 37, Miami 21.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Dave Boling The Spokesman-Review