Words of Wisdom

Last week I posted my AFC predictions here.

Every year I make a habit of giving you my predictions for the upcoming football season at no charge whatsoever. Though they tend to lack the characteristic of “correctness,” it is still fun to break down the numbers and see what we come up with. So, without further ado, the 2008 NFL predictions.

NFC

East
Dal 13-3
NYG 9-7
Phi 8-8
Was 7-9

North
GB 11-5
Min 10-6
Det 6-10
Chi 5-11

South
NO 12-4
TB 8-8
Car 6-10
Atl 1-15

West
Sea 10-6
SF 9-7
AZ 7-9
StL 5-11

Dallas – In 2008, the Cowboys asserted themselves as the offensive juggernaut in the NFC, rampaging through opponents until QB Tony Romo’s costly playoff mistake ended their season earlier than expected. Rookie Felix Jones’ elusive running style should complement Marion Barber’s powerful style and, even with the departure of WR Terry Glenn, the passing game is in excellent shape. The defense is again powerful and should rate as one of the better ones in the league. Dallas should easily win their division and have a great shot at going deep in the playoffs.

New York Giants – Last year’s surprise Super Bowl champions have their work cut out for them this season after losing several key players, including TE Jeremy Shockey to free agency, DE Michael Strahan (who now may return) to retirement and DE Osi Umenyiora to preseason injury. Eli is still an average quarterback at best and the offense seems destined for sputtering through game after game, meaning that the Giants will again have to lean on their defense and its now terribly depleted front four. Look for New York to struggle to reach .500 this season.

Philadelphia – Times have been tough in Philly over the last few seasons, as the Eagles have consistently hovered around the .500 mark and strengthened their reputation for mediocrity. One of the reasons for this under-performance has been the various injuries that continue to plague QB Donovan McNabb and the lack of receiving targets for him to throw to. Brian Westbrook is an elite running back, though, and the combination of he and McNabb is one to be reckoned with. Philadelphia has a tough defense, particulary in an All Pro-filled secondary that includes Asante Samuel, Lito Shepherd, and 6 time Pro Bowler Brian Dawkins. The team could make a run for a wild card spot this season if they remain healthy, but otherwise look for more mediocrity.

Washington – New coach Jim Zorn has his work cut out for him this season in the nation’s capital. While he does have a very good running game, with two excellent backs, and a decent receiving corps, quarterback Jason Campbell has yet to prove that he has the ability to be an effective starter in the NFL. The preseason has multiplied the woes in D.C. as well, with several key players suffering injuries that could jeopardize their play at the beginning of the season. If the injured players are able to come back strong and remain healthy, the team with the most offensive name in the league could make a run at .500, but I expect them to come in worse than that.

Green Bay – The Brett Favre era is over and the Aaron Rodgers era is now upon us, leaving an excellent Packer squad with its biggest question mark – will Rodgers be able to take the reins effectively? Green Bay has a great young back in Ryan Grant, capable receivers, and one of the best offensive lines to be found. While their defense may not be elite, All Pros like DE Aaron Kampman and CB Al Harris help make it a formidable unit in an offense-starved division. The Pack will battle the Vikings for the division, but their ultimate destination rests on the shoulders of Rodgers.

Minnesota – The Vikings lost the Brett Favre sweepstakes and are again turning to Razorback reject Tavarius Jackson as their starting quarterback. Of course, when you have perhaps the best young back in the league in Adrian Peterson and an elite defense, it may not even matter who the signal caller is. Minnesota has a good shot at making the playoffs in 2008, either as division champ or as a wild card.

Detroit – Though the Lions have been stacked with receiving talent over the past few years, their combination of quarterback Jon Kitna and basically nobody else of note held them near the bottom of the standings year after year. In my opinion, things will most likely not change in 2008 and Detroit will be left battling Chicago for third place in the NFC North.

Chicago – Just as the Lions are defense-starved, the Bears’ lack of offense is absolutely stunning. Though they have made some moves to try and improve (the drafting of RB Matt Forte could be great), the combination of Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman at QB just smacks of disaster. The Bears should be over the injuries that plagued them last year and caused their defense to plummet from one of the best to the low end of average, and if they can stay relatively injury-free, a star-studded squad, including Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris, Lance Briggs, and Nathan Vasher, could make things tough on their NFC opponents.

New Orleans – Quarterback Drew Brees is back to lead the high-octane Saints offense on another fight for first in the NFC south. The addition of Jeremy Shockey gives Brees another large target to throw at and his presence should help bolster a very good passing game. RB Reggie Bush’s effectiveness remains a question mark, but as Deuce McAllister ages and his skills deteriorate, Bush will be looked to even more as a feature back. New Orleans is obviously an offense-oriented team, so their defense does leave much to be desired, but that shouldn’t stop them from dominating their division in 2008.

Tampa Bay – The Bucs were a surprise team in 2007, leaning on a stout defense and the arm of old man Jeff Garcia to fight their way into the playoffs. This offense would have been great about 10 years ago, but, in 2008, only RB Earnest Graham seems to be a formidable piece of the puzzle. The defense, led by veterans like Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber, is tough but rapidly aging and not quite up to par with some of the younger squads in the league. Don’t expect a repeat of 2007.

Carolina – Quarterback Jake Delhomme began 2007 brilliantly before falling to injury after only 3 game, so the Panthers are left with a big question mark regarding the 33 year old starter. Besides Delhomme, Carolina will also return an incredible receiver in Steve Smith and a young running back who has yet to break out in DeAngelo Williams. The Panther defense is about average, but is good enough to hang with most of the teams in the league. If Delhomme returns strong and Williams comes through running the ball, the Panthers could sneak up on Tampa Bay for second in the division.

Atlanta – With the loss of Michael Vick, the cupboard was bare for the Falcons in 2007 as they limped to a 4 win season. Atlanta has now begun to rebuild their program with the drafting of QB Matt Ryan and the addition of RB Michael Turner, but this season will be a wash. On the bright side, they have an excellent chance of procuring the number one draft pick.

Seattle – In a defensively weak division, the Seahawks stand above their rivals. Their squad is certainly in the league’s top ten, maybe even in the top five, and it is filled with great players, including 2007’s NFC Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Kerney. The dominance of 31 year old running back Shaun Alexander is all but over, so they will turn to former Cowboy Julius Jones to help bolster the running game this season. Matt Hasselbeck has proven to be a very quarterback and should again be the leader this team needs to win their division.

San Francisco – The 49ers have really tried to improve their defense, even adding linebacker Takeo Spikes over the offseason, but it remains to be seen whether their spending will bear much or any fruit. New offensive coordinator Mike Martz has the ability to turn the offensive unit around, but his naming of J.T. O’Sullivan as the starting QB leaves a lot of questions. There is a lot of promise in Frisco this season, but they may still be a year away from being winners.

Arizona – Let’s assess the situation: Kurt Warner is your starting QB, your running back is well past his prime, and one of your two Pro Bowl receivers wants out. A once promising offense is floundering and, while the defense has improved, it is still far from great. That being said, don’t expect much out of the Cardinals this year.

St. Louis – Do you remember how great the Rams once were? Remember how they used to steamroll opponents with their explosive offense? Well, those days are gone and, despite having one of the league’s best backs in Steven Jackson, the Rams are destined to fight for last place yet again.