NFL Review: The regular season has ended. There were no surprises in the last week, the Bengals, Lions and Chargers coming up short, as they have in the past. The teams that earned a bye must worry about maintaining their edge. Those who play a first round game must tell themselves that teams in this situation have gone on to win the big prize. If I were a head coach, I’d be saying: “Look at what the Giants did those two years -- why can’t we?” The Steelers seem the only real threat to the Patriots in the AFC. I hope I'm wrong, but the Broncos have fallen a few notches despite the emergence of a sound rushing attack. As for the NFC, I relish a rematch of the Seahawks-Cowboys. Dallas, which went an incredible 8-0 on the road, won in Seattle early in the season, which provided a springboard for its great year. As expected, Black Monday claimed three head coaches: the Jets' Rex Ryan, the Falcons' Mike Smith and the Bears' Marc Trestman. As for the local teams, the Giants broke in a number of promising players in 2014. What used to be a weak point, its receiving corps, has become a strength since the emergence of WR Odell Beckham Jr. and TE Larry Donnell, who must cure his penchant for fumbling. If Victor Cruz returns to his pre-injury form, the offense will be tough to stop. RB Andre Williams also showed flashes of brilliance. The biggest off-season problem will be shoring up the defense. Free agent DE Jason Pierre-Paul seems to be regaining his all-pro form. Management must decide whether it will be wise to invest a huge chunk of the payroll in him. I’ll be surprised if their early draft choices aren't all on the defensive side. The Jets ended on a positive note. Were they better than their record, 4-10, indicates? Probably, but they still have a long way to go. QB Geno Smith’s near perfect game yesterday increases the quandary. What do they do -- stick with him or seek another signal caller? If I were the GM, my priority would be acquiring a game-breaking WR, preferably through the draft. Their RBs are fine. Their secondary is another area that needs to be addressed. Super Bowl prediction: Cowboys-Patriots.
I had no luck selling books on the street, despite the beautiful day. Maybe tomorrow.
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Web Site:
http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
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