Originally posted by: Deeko
Alright folks, it's everyone's favorite time of year! Football season is here! I had an off year last year with my predictions, but I'm coming back for more. Some tough calls this season - the NFC was particularly hard, along with the AFC North. At any rate.....here we go!!
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys (12-4) - The Cowboys had a disappointing end to a strong season. They've replaced Julius Jones with Felix Jones, and upgraded on defense with Zach Thomas, Michael Jenkins, and Pacman Jones. Dallas should be very strong.
2. Washington Redskins (9-7) - I'm not really sure what to make of this team. They have talent on both sides of the ball, but I'm not a big fan of Jason Campbell. I was also surprised by the pick of Zorn as head coach. Jason Taylor should vastly improve a weak pass rush.
3. New York Giants (9-7) - I'm sure I'll be chastised for this, but the Giants will take a step back this year. They got hot at the right time last year, but do you REALLY think Eli is a new man and will crack the 80 QB rating barrier for the first time in his career? They also lost some players, most notably Strahan. You can't replace a guy like Strahan. They have guys to fill in for his pass rush, but Strahan was not just a great pass rusher, he was very stout against the run too.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9) - Health is always a concern with the Eagles, and it's already biting them with the injury to Kevin Curtis. Asante Samuel is really just Lito 1.1, that was a gamble that backfired as they clearly thought they could dump Lito, and no one took the bait. A lot of stars on this team are aging (Dawkins, Runyan immediately come to mind), the WR corps is thin and banged up, and I am perplexed by Reid's decisions with linebackers lately.
NFC North
1. Minnesota Vikings (11-5) - Wherever Hutchinson goes, great running backs follow. Not surprising that Adrian Peterson had the season he did. A strong finish to the season combined with some upgrades & another year of experience for Jackson, The Vikings are in for a good 2008.
2. Green Bay Packers (10-6) - Certainly outperformed expectations last year, but I don't expect it to continue. I actually am a big believer in Aaron Rodgers, I think the Packers did the right thing by standing behind him. I just think the rest of the team overachieved a bit last year.
3. Chicago Bears (6-10) - Gonna be a rough year scoring points for this year. Finally benching sexy rexy, but this team lost both starting WRs and the starting RB in the offseason. The defense is still strong, but the offense will struggle big time
4. Detroit Lions (4-12) - I'm tired of having faith that the Lions will turn it around.
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - The Seahawks remain the team to beat in the NFC West, not that it's saying much. I'm interested to see what Julius Jones is capable of this year, he got caught in a bad situation in Dallas and now has the chance to prove himself.
2. Arizona Cardinals (8-8) - The Cardinals are another one of those teams I keep thinking will have a breakout year, and they don't. I'm sticking to it again. They have so much talent on the offensive side of the ball, Leinart has to come into his own this year for it to work. They have some good playmakers on defense, too.
3. St Louis Rams (7-9) - The Greatest Show on Turf took a big hit last year. Steven Jackson ending his holdout will be a big help for this team, and Holt remains one of the best WRs in the league. Bulger needs to bounce back this year.
4. San Francisco 49ers (3-13) - Talk about a poor decision. Aaron Rodgers is taking the reigns in Green Bay and Alex Smith heads to the bench. Frank Gore looks to be a one-hit-wonder. Things won't get much better for this team this year...
NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints (10-6) - If Reggie Bush can mature into an NFL halfback, this team's offense is downright scary. I still think they need to do more for their defense, though.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) - Surprising turnaround last year, the Bucs hope to continue where they left off. Galloway is still solid but getting up there in years. The defense is the same way. Warrick Dunn is a nice addition to the running game, since Cadillac has fallen off the Earth.
3. Carolina Panthers (7-9) - The Panthers always have high expectations, but ever since losing to the Patriots in the Superbowl they've been unable to meet them. Julius Peppers was once regarded as among the most talented players in the league, but hasn't shown it lately. There is still talent on this team, but the window may be closing.
4. Atlanta Falcons (3-13) - Arthur Blank's franchise is quickly become a joke since the Vick fiasco. They gave Matt Ryan way too much money in a desparation move to find the new face of the franchise. A rough era to be a Falcons fan.
AFC East
1. New England Patriots (13-3) - The Patriots are suffering from one of the biggest letdowns in sports history, and look to get revenge. They'll still be a very strong team, but I don't see 18-0 happening again. Losing Stallworth hurts the offense more than you'd think, he opened things up for Welker, and the offensive line will take a hit if Kaczur is suspended. Losing Asante hurts the defense, even if I think he's overrated, and the older players that faded down the stretch haven't gotten any younger. Brady-Moss is still the most dangerous connection in the league, so they'll still be solid.
2. New York Jets (8-8) - Brett Favre decides to end his career with the ailing New York Jets. I don't understand this move, he certainly won't go out on top like he did with Green Bay. He does improve the team, but it won't be enough to make the Jets a real contender. Could his comeback be a force of the football gods, ensuring the Madden Curse is fulfilled?
3. Buffalo Bills (6-10) - Lynch is a good back, but this team has problems on both sides of the ball, and off field issues with the ownership. They'll be nothing more than mediocore.
4. Miami Dolphins (5-11) - Can the Great Rebuilder turn the Dolphins around? Maybe, but not this year. In typical Parcells fashion, he's cut the team's old players and brought in his own "Parcells Guys". I doubt it will have the same effect as his first year with Dallas, when he went 6-10.
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) - The Steelers look good for 2008. Roethlisberger finally proved he can put up the numbers, and Mendenhall will be the perfect compliment to Parker. The defense is strong as always.
2. Cincinati Bengals (9-7) - Always on the brink...never quite there. Carson Palmer is an elite quarterback with some great targets to throw to, but a weak defense and maddening inconsistancy keeps the Bengals from making any real noise.
3. Cleveland Browns (8-8) - I am not much of a believer in the Browns, despite their strong 2007. They have a solid line and some good playmakers, but I don't like Derek Anderson, and I just don't like the feel of their defense. Jamal Lewis can't have much left in the tank.
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-10) - Troy Smith may end up the starter for this team, how that ends up remains to be seen. There are some decent offensive players in McGahee and Mason, but QB is a big question. The defense has some of the best individual performers in the league. This team is a question mark, but until they show they can be solid at QB, they won't be a winner.
AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers (12-4) - The Chargers are one of the most talented teams in the league. LT remains a beast, I really like Chris Chambers, and there is a ton of talent on defense, although there are rumblings that Merriman's knee has serious issues. Rivers regressed last year and needs to pick up his play if they want to make the big game.
2. Denver Broncos (9-7) - The Denver running back machine failed last year - Travis Henry flamed out big time. Cutler to Marshall could be the next big connection, and Champ remains the best CB out there, but there are holes on this team that hurt them, especially the front seven.
3. Oakland Raiders (7-9) - The Raiders made some big moves this offseason. They acquired DeAngelo Hall, the most overrated corner in the league, but he is still certainly an improvement. Darren McFadden has tons of talent, but will he be able to show it on this team? Russell needs to show he was worth the #1 selection. New WR Javon Walker is a hollow shell of his former self.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (5-11) - The Chiefs are not what they once were. Gonzales remains a threat, but he is aging. Larry Johnson had an off year, more proof that 400+ touches in a season can kill a halfback. The defense has some decent players, but not enough.This team is improving, but they aren't there yet.
AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts (13-3) - The Colts finished among the best teams in the league, despite Marvin Harrison and Dwight Freeney missing signficant amounts of time. Peyton will be back, and this team is hungry. The offense is scary, the defense is fast and hits hard. Very solid team.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6) - The Jaguars are a very solid team on defense, has good RBs, and Garrard played mostly mistake-free football last year. He needs to step it up and make some plays this season, and he needs help from his WRs to do it. Jerry Porter has his chance to prove he's a #1 receiver.
3. Tennessee Titans (9-7) - Everyone knows what I'm going to say here. I hate Vince Young. I think he's the most overrated player in the league. That said, he has a great surrounding cast that helps this team win games.
4. Houston Texans (5-11) - Matt Schaub proved to be a mistake, Ahman Green doesn't have it anymore. Andre Johnson is very good at WR, and Demeco Ryans is all over the field on defense, but all in all this is still a fairly weak team in a very strong division.
PLAYOFFS
WildCard Round
Seahawks over Packers
Redskins over Saints
Steelers over Jaguars
Chargers over Bengals
Divisional Round
Cowboys over Redskins
Seahawks over Vikings
Chargers over Patriots
Colts over Steelers
Championship Round
Cowboys over Seahawks
Colts over Chargers
Superbowl
Cowboys over Colts
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)
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