What is that old adage? What comes up must go down. Yesterday, I detailed the teams I think are ready for a move up, that said, how about those who may be moving in the opposite direction. Yesterday, I thought each division had a team ready to rise, this time around I think there are two divisions where everything is looking up and no teams will be going down--- meaning those divisions will be stronger, but as a result, more difficult to win.

The AFC East: The New York Jets
Hard to say this because I grew up out there, but the issue for me is that this team is not growing at the most important position on the entire team: quarterback. Chad Pennington hasn't as much won the job the last two years as much as he just hasn't lost it. The player pushing him, Kellen Clemens, has potential, which is the why the Jets made him a second round pick. However, let's face it: If either of these guys is your starter, you can't feel comfortable and that is just a sad state of affairs. Pennington in 2002 looked like he had the chance to have a spectacular career, now in 2008, things look a lot less promising. Blame injuries and blame depth, bottom line, there is a lot of blame to go around.

The AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals
Not a lot of hope here. The team's most important player, quarterback Carson Palmer, said he doesn't think head coach Marvin Lewis can turn this team around. Not exactly a vote of confidence there. Will they trade Chad Johnson? They say no. Do they have a chance? I think no.

The AFC South: Uh, Nobody.
Three of the four teams went to playoffs in 2007 and nobody finished with a losing record. That's impressive across the board.

The AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs
The simple selection is the Oakland Raiders. That said, they have fallen so far in the six years since their last Super Bowl appearance, their decline is an old and tired issue. The Chiefs is the pick. Issues at quarterback, offensive line, and secondary. The coach is on the hot seat and so is the general manager. Other than that, everything is fine.

The NFC East: Uh, once again, nobody
Three of the four teams went to the playoffs and much like the AFC South, nobody had a losing record last season. The worst team in the division was the 8-8 Eagles and they have gone to four NFC Championship Games recently. As for the other teams, Dallas won 13 games in the 2007 regular season, the Redskins won nine games, and the Giants, well, they just won Super Bowl XLII.

The NFC North: Chicago Bears
Questions at starting quarterback and any team that has that problem has, well, problems. They have Rex Grossman, Brian Griese (remember him?), and Kyle Orton. What more needs to be said? They have a solid defense, though their inability to move the ball cost them Super Bowl XLI and I don't think it's going to get better. I think this organization got cocky after winning the NFC two seasons ago. They lost some of their bite, the question is can they regain their top form?

The NFC South: Atlanta Falcons
Perhaps the easiest selection to make. This team basically couldn't give their head coaching job to anyone. Bill Parcells said no, Jason Garrett said no, Tony Sparano said no, and Bill Cowher said no. Can they turn it around? I say...well...for the purposes of consistency, I'll say no.

The NFC West: San Francisco 49ers
Could have said coming into the 2007 season, this was a team that many expected to be a contender. This past off-season after a 5-11 record, it is safe to say they were a contender only for the title of "disappointing team of the 2007 season." Mike Nolan was the head coach and general manger, now he's only the head coach. Another poor effort and his title of head coach may be in peril.

Have yourself a great weekend and I will see you back here on Monday.

-"Z"