Chris' 2008 NFL Predictions

The 2008 NFL season is right around the corner, which means it is time for crystal ball gazing and reading of the astronomical signs to make bold predictions as to what the coming football season will bring to its eager legion of fans. So hear are my picks for the 2008 season as I see it playing out before a single game of any significance has been played. The Wild Card teams will be indicated with a (WC).

AFC

East:
New England Patriots
New York Jets
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins

As much as I would love to pick my Dolphins to surprise people and compete in this division, it is hard for me to do so. I certainly do not expect them to go 1-15 again, however, with an almost completely new roster it is hard to know what to expect from this team. New England had some off season problems with arrests, lingering publicity from Spygate, free agent losses, and Tom Brady's foot, however, this is still a team that did not lose until the Superbowl last year and the recent addition of Pro Bowler John Lynch certainly won't hurt. Buffalo looks to be a mediocre team and while the Jets may finish in second place with Brett Favre, this is still not a high enough caliber team to make the playoffs. Look for the Patriots to again compete for the top spot in the AFC and be the AFC East's only representative in the playoffs.

North:
Pittsburgh Stealers
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Baltimore Ravens

This is a difficult division to pick because you never know which Bengals team is going to show up and it is still hard to tell if the Browns are for real or if last season was a fluke. Baltimore is in a rebuilding stage and while they have a host of young, upcoming players, it will be hard for them to compete in this division. The Browns may have overachieved last year and with numerous injuries, including a concussion and bruised hand for QB Derek Anderson, Cleveland is a huge question mark. Then Bengals seem to have the talent on offense to compete with anyone, but the lack of defense and inconsistency of play prevents me from making them a playoff lock. All of that being said, I will not be completely shocked if either or both of the Ohio teams make the playoffs.

South:
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars (WC)
Tennessee Titans (WC)
Houston Texans

A lot could change in this division depending on how long it takes Peyton Manning to come back from injury and how effective he can be coming back from it. Assuming Manning is healthy, do not expect anything different from the Indianapolis Colts this year. They may not quite be the team they have been in the past, but they are well coached and have one of, if not the best quarterback in the game leading the offense. The Texans may compete and even have a good year but they play in a very tough division and can not compete the other three teams. Jacksonville's unbelievable running game will help them to give the Colts a run for their money, while Vince Young and the Titans should look to make things interesting as well. While there is nothing new or different about these picks, look for three teams from the South to be in the playoffs again this year.

West:
San Diego Chargers
Oakland Raiders
Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City is in a complete rebuilding phase and while they have some good, young talent, they are a few years away from competing for the playoffs. Denver remains a well coached team and while Cutler had a good year last year, there is nothing about this team that indicates to me that they are a force to be reckoned with. The Raiders spent some money this season to bring in players like Jevon Walker and DeAngelo Hall. They also drafted the college phenom Darren McFadden, which combined with a more experienced JaMarcus Russell could make for a team that surprises a few people. They are still a few years away from competing for the division, but they are on the right track. That being said, L.T and the San Diego Chargers run away with the AFC West.


NFC

East:
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants (WC)
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins

This is a very good division, maybe the best in the NFL. A lot of what happens in the NFC East may depend on the health of Donavan McNabb, who when healthy, is still one of the best players in all of football. I believe that all four of these teams will compete for a playoff spot but only two will make it. Dallas has to be the favorite to repeat as the division winner, and don't underestimate the difference veteran linebacker Zach Thomas can make for the Cowboys if he is healthy. With all due respect to the defending Superbowl Champion New York Giants, the off season losses will prevent them from taking this division. A healthy Donovan McNabb could even prevent the Giants from making the playoffs, but if history is any indication that may be a long shot.

North:
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings (WC)
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions

Matt Millen is still with the Detroit Tigers organization which means that they will not make the playoffs and probably will not have a winning record. The Chicago Bears are starting Kyle Orton at QB, how long will it take for Bears fans to turn on him like they did to Rex Grossman causing him to collapse and give up the starting role? Devin Hester will keep the Bears in game but the lack of running backs and wide receivers will keep the Bears from being a serious playoff contender. The Vikings should be in the picture all year long but the health of Adrian Peterson should be the deciding factor. History shows that he will not be able to play a complete season which could leave them watching the playoffs from home. I will still take Minnesota as a Wild Card team banking that Peterson stays healthy and at worse misses very limited time. Look for a talented Green Bay team to rally around its young QB and take the NFC North in a close race.

South:
New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Atlanta Falcons

For obvious reasons the Falcons look to be the worst team in the NFL going into the 2008 season. Jeff Garcia will help Tampa to be competitive, but should finish behind the Panthers in the division. While Carolina should take second place in the division, questions over Jake Delhomme's health, team chemistry problems, and being without Steve Smith for the first couple of games keeps me from putting them in the playoffs. The Saints should rebound from last years disappointing season with a more experienced Reggie Bush and the addition of Jeremy Shockey for Drew Brees to dump passes off to. Look for the Saints to win the South easily compete with Dallas for the top spot in the NFC.

West:
Seattle Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers
Arizona Cardinals
St. Louis Rams

This division may be the weakest in the NFL, and while I do not expect any of these teams to have a chance at the Wild Card, the competition for the division should be a great battle. The Rams have had health problems which leaves them as kind of an enigma. That with the off season conflict with Steven Jackson leaves them as the long shot to win the division. The Arizona Cardinals looked to make a strong push but with Anquan Boldin announcing his wish to be traded, the Cardinals are also a huge question mark this season. The 49ers should be somewhat better with their young players having last years experiences under their belt, but look for the Seahawks to repeat as the NFC West champs, even without Shawn Alexander.


Now to get completely crazy, here is my pick for NFL MVP and my Superbowl predictions:

MVP: Tom Brady

Yeah, yeah I know, too easy of a pick. Well, I like being right, so deal with it.

Superbowl:
Look for the Patriots to repeat as the champions of the AFC. The Colts and Jaguars make strong cases for consideration, but the Patriots have a lot to prove this year and are still coached by one of the best and most ruthless coaches in NFL history. I like the Saints to represent the NFC with an explosive offense that will be hard to stop. The Cowboys will give them a run for their money, but Romo's early inability to win a playoff game makes me hesitant to pick them
So hear you go:

Patriots 31, Saints 23.

The Patriots do not go undefeated but they get the Superbowl ring they believe they should have won last year. The Saints make it interesting but in the end, the Patriots will be the World Champs.

So there you go! Now you don't even have to watch the NFL season because I just told you whats going to happen. Feel free to share your opinions about how brilliant I am or to let me know what a complete jackass you think I am. Goodnight!