Notes from the Sports Desk by Tyler Julson

 

I finally got to get out and attend my first football game of the fall last Friday. Granted, I sat through a delay for 45 minutes because of rain, but it was good to be back on the Northwood-Kensett field.

I remember (for the most part) my days playing football there, under all the same coaches who are still there now. As a high schooler, I was never really a fan of going to practices. It was always hot and humid, and I swear that coach Capitani had some sort of deal with whoever controls the weather to never let it rain during practice. I can’t recall even one instance when we got a nice rain to cool us off during practice.

However, when I look back now, not quite 10 years later, I realize that being in football was one of the best things I could have ever done. Being in football, or any sport for that matter, can teach so many different life lessons. It can teach responsibility, teamwork, discipline and many other things that will translate into other areas in life.

Many of the other area teams have gotten off to great starts in their seasons. Lake Mills and Alden-Conger volleyball are looking to be in great shape already. The Minnesota football teams will play in their first games this week and Albert Lea’s soccer teams also kicked off their season earlier this week.

I was never really a fan of soccer growing up, but the boys’ and girls’ teams in Albert Lea turned that around last season and I’m excited to get out and cover them again this year.

The Shortstop golf tournament is this weekend. I didn’t get a chance to go to it last year, but I’ll definitely be there this time.

In the collegiate world, the first major weekend of football starts Saturday. I’ll be in Ames, Iowa, hopefully celebrating an Iowa State win, but I’m looking forward to watching some of the games before I head to the stadium.

This week is the final week for my division predictions, with my playoff picture coming next week.

First, the NFC South. This division might be the most wide open in the league with three teams having the potential to win the title.

The Saints have the legendary Drew Brees at quarterback, who seems to be able to get the job done no matter who he has around him. He also has last year’s rookie sensation Alvin Kamara in the back field and Mark Ingram returning after a four-game suspension. The Saints might be a little thin at wide receiver, but, as I said, Brees gets things done with anyone he plays with.

The Falcons will be right near the top, as well. Matt Ryan has proven himself to be a top-tier quarterback and he’s working with one of the best wide receiving corps in the league. However, there are some spots on the defense that make me a little skeptical.

The Panthers are the other team in the division I can see competing for the crown. I hope Christian McCaffrey pans out to be the guy everyone thinks he can be, but I don’t think the wide receivers will be a big help to the team. Cam Newton is one of the most up and down quarterbacks in the league. He can be so good in some games, then come out the next week and look like a completely different player.

The Buccaneers will be sitting a ways behind the rest of the pack in the division. I’ve never been a fan of Jameis Winston, ever since his days at Florida State. I thought he might be able to straighten up once in the NFL, but apparently that’s not the case.

They’ve got some talent at wide receiver in DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans, but the backfield is shaky at best.

 

NFC South final predictions

1. Falcons 11-5 (No. 4 seed in NFC)

2. Panthers 10-6

3. Saints 10-6

4. Buccaneers 5-11

 

The final division is also probably the most predictable this year — the AFC East. Plain and simple, there’s no real shot for any other team than the Patriots to win this division. The best quarterback of all time is going to waltz through the season, coming close to another MVP award, just like every other year.

The Dolphins will be the closest team behind them, but it’s going to be by a lot. Ryan Tannehill is an average quarterback in a league where you need to have an elite quarterback to be good. I like Cameron Wake on the defensive side of the ball, but other than him, the Dolphins don’t have any big playmakers.

The Bills have Kelvin Benjamin as their No. 1 wideout, and he has the capability of making some big plays, but he doesn’t have anyone to throw to him. AJ McCarron, Josh Allen and Nathan Peterman are their three options at quarterback, and both McCarron and Allen are currently listed as questionable. It’s not looking good for the Bills this season.

It might be even worse for the Jets, who at least have the prospect of Sam Darnold at quarterback. However, they’ll have the exact opposite problem as the Bills, as Darnold won’t have a lot to work with at the skill positions.

 

AFC East final predictions

1. Patriots 11-5 (No. 1 seed in AFC)

2. Dolphins 8-8

3. Bills 7-9

4. Jets 5-11

 

Tyler Julson is the Tribune sports reporter. Contact him at tyler.julson@albertleatribune.com.