The drive for five will crash in the same spot

Sporting News, The, Sept 5, 1994 by Bob Glauber

If the NFL was hoping to create high drama to commemorate its 75th season, its wish has been granted.

Intriguing storylines are bursting at the seams as opening kickoff approaches, with compelling questions everywhere you look:

* Do the Cowboys become the first NFL team to win three consecutive Super Bowls against the backdrop of perhaps the most startling coaching developments in pro sports?

* Do the 49ers become the first team to win five Super Bowl titles? And better yet, do we get to see the second Steve Young-Joe Montana showdown January 29 in Miami? The first will be September 11 in Kansas City.

* Will the Bills get in the way of that Young-Montana Super Bowl matchup?

* Or does Dan Marino come back from the operating table and lead the Dolphins to the Super Bowl?

* Scott Mitchell?

* Do the Packers finally turn the corner and turn Green Bay back into Title Town?

* Is Buddy Ball the answer in Arizona? Or will the Buddy Ryan-Bill Bidwill combo eventually blow up?

* Vinny Testaverde?

* Is Warren Moon the answer in Minnesota?

* Harvey Williams?

The answers begin to unfold Sunday. In the meantime, we offer you our predictions for '94:

NFC East

1. Cowboys: Had Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones managed to keep their relationship from exploding last March, we would have been picking the 'Boys to win it all. This year, next year, and who knows how long after that. Dallas still wins the NFC East under Barry Switzer, but the threepeat is out.

2. Cardinals: Ryan expects to win the division and advance deep into the playoffs in his first season in Arizona. Easy does it, fella. Buddy's 46 defense is enough to scare the daylights out of his opponents, but we've got to see more from his offense before putting Arizona ahead of Dallas. But, hey, there's nothing wrong with a wild-card playoff berth, which would be the Cardinals' first non-strike postseason appearance since '75.

3. Eagles: Looking for a dark-horse team? Check out the Eagles. That's right, the Eagles. Three big ifs, though: If Randall Cunningham makes it through the season in one piece; if rookie Charlie Garner is the real deal at running back; and if the defensive line is sound. If not, you're talking 8-8, and Coach Rich Kotite's job.

4. Giants: Goodbye, Phil Simms. Goodbye, Lawrence Taylor. Goodbye, three of four starters in the secondary. Hello, 6-10. But if there's any consolation, at least they'll be a respectable, hard-working 6-10 under Dan Reeves.

5. Redskins: A new coach, a new quarterback, a revamped offensive line, a shaky defense. Translation: The Redskins suffer their first back-to-back last-place finishes since 1960 and '61.

NFC Central

1. Packers: Memo to Brett Favre: Enough with the interceptions. As long as Favre doesn't attempt to be a hero every time he drops back, the Packers will win their first NFC Central title since 1972. That means Favre has to cut in half his 1993 league-leading total of 24 interceptions.

2. Vikings: Four quarterbacks in three seasons is a bit too much for our liking. But at least Moon, 37, gets the Vikes back to the playoffs one more time - as long as Tony Dungy's defense makes up for the absence of Chris Doleman and cornerbacks Audray McMillian Carl Lee.

3. Bears: Look, we're under no illusions that Erik Kramer is the second coming of Joe Montana. But he's good enough to help the Bears' 28th-ranked offense average more than the meager 1.1 touchdowns per game it produced last season. An 8-8 finish is within sight.

4. Lions: Nothing against the city of Detroit, mind you. We just have a problem with their $11 million man, Scott Mitchell, at the controls of the offense with only seven NFL starts under his belt. And we're not crazy about Coach Wayne Fontes' penchant for a revolving-door roster. Think Jimmy Johnson would be interested in Detroit?

5. Buccaneers: Oops. Sorry, Jimmy. Tampa's your next stop, right? Just remember to thank Sam Wyche for drafting your quarterback (Trent Dilfer) and running back (Errict Rhett). In the meantime, Bucs fans, it's one more last-place finish.

NFC West

1. 49ers: Team President Carmen Policy has become the NFL's unofficial poster boy for managing the salary cap. He made brilliant moves by adding defensive stars Ken Norton, Richard Dent, and Rickey Jackson, as well as Gary Plummer and Toi Cook. As long as Young stays healthy, the Niners go all the way.

2. Falcons: Jeff George is happy at last ... well, for now, anyway. George translates that tranquility into a run at a wild-card playoff berth.

3. Saints: Jim Everett is happy, too, now that he has escaped quarterback purgatory in Los Angeles. Everett has a bona fide star in receiver Michael Haynes and a talented runner in rookie Mario Bates. But an inexperienced defense will be the Saints' undoing.

4. Rams: And now, we bring you the Rams' playbook: Jerome Bettis right. Jerome Bettis left. Jerome Bettis up the middle. Chris Miller back to pass ... looking, looking ... and it's Bettis in the flat. Too bad one man can't do it all. Otherwise, the Rams might be onto something.