Wait, slow down here. What the heck is going on? Wasn’t it just a few short weeks ago when it looked like the Yankees weren’t even going to make the playoffs? Wasn’t it just a little while when those crazy New Yorkers were booing their team due to bad performance? How in the world is it that they all of a sudden are in second place in the entire AL and lead the AL East?

Crazier things have happened, but it is just hard to believe that the Yankees have managed to pull it all together so quickly. They went from being seemingly down and out to being on top of their division and ready to make a strong move into the playoffs. The Yanks are currently the team to beat in the AL, mark my words.

Sure, Detroit is still a great team, but the Yanks are getting red hot at a great time. They are going to make a great push into the postseason and, with the ridiculous amount of all star caliber players that line their rosters, expect them to be legitimate World Series contenders when all is said and done. If they don’t make it to the World Series, this writer will be extremely, extremely surprised.

While the NFC is a pretty well rounded overall conference in professional football with most of its teams either performing well or on the verge of doing so thanks to good off-season moves, there is still one team in the NFC that there is basically no hope for. That team is the Detroit Lions, and expect them to be receiving plenty of “boos” before this season is over.

So, where does it take you when you draft three consecutive first round wide receivers? Straight to the losing team bin! The Lions not only don’t have much of a defense, they have had an offense that couldn’t get a first down even if it is 1st and 1 every single drive. This lack of performance has made the Lions the laughingstock of the Detroit area, especially with the emergence of the Tigers in baseball and the consistent play of the Pistons in the NBA.

Truly, is there any hope for the nearly down-and-out Detroit Lions? Well, of course, this is sports, and you can always hope for a miracle. But, truth be told, the likeliness of the Detroit Lions making a playoff run in 2006 is about as likely as Denver switching their team name away from the Broncos. It just ain’t gonna happen, no matter which way you slice the cake.

When is the last time the Buffalo Bills had a good team? Surely not in a while, that’s a certainty. And, as it appears, the Bills will not have another good team until far after the time when I’ve left this world (might be a bit extreme, but the point is made). Simply put, the Buffalo Bills are a joke of a team and don’t expect much performance out of them in 2006 or beyond.

But how can they be so bad, you ask? Hey, after all, they have the self proclaimed #1 back in the NFL, Willis McGahee, who can’t keep his mouth shut and keeps putting himself above other players like LT, Shaun Alexander, and Larry Johnson, just to name a few. Yo Willis, want to know what sets those players apart? No, it’s not just the fact they have more stats then you each and ever year, it’s also the fact that they are also leaders on their teams and they lead their respective teams to victories, something you and your Bills have no concept of.

With a leader like McGahee, the Bills are doomed for life. Nobody ever said Miami, or the “U” as it is called by its players, actually produced quality PEOPLE in addition to talented players. But that is a matter for another time, and all that needs to be known is that McGahee is only going to hold his team back from ever being a legitimate contender. That, and of course the fact that there is basically no talent elsewhere on the team.

Mark my words, if the Indianapolis Colts are stuffed early, they will make it all the way this year. Yeah yeah, say what you want about this being a safe pick (or a stupid one, based on their lack of post-season efficiency), but 2006 is the year for the Colts. After disappointing post-season runs the past few years, the Colts are due, and they definitely have the talent to get the job done.

It will be harder for the Colts this year without star running back Edgerrin James, but rookie Joseph Addai is looking solid and there are a couple seasoned veterans who can be relied upon for some tough yardage. Peyton Manning will be his usual self, meaning outstanding, and Marvin Harrison will still quietly gain his fantastic yardage and touchdown numbers.

But really, it is the emergence of the Colts defense that makes them true contenders. Prior to the 2005 season, the Colts suffered from being an offense only team. In 2005, they finally learned that they can rely on the defense to help out too thanks to an outstanding year for the defensive squad. In 2006, expect both sides to gel. Now that they have a great defense and solid offense, expect the Colts to be a complete, well-rounded team.

It will be this aspect of the Colts that will carry them through the playoffs this year, just wait. Remember this blog in February.