2008 NFL preview

On the 7 month anniversary of the most significant game in American professional team sports history, and one day before the official kickoff of the NFL season, it would be more than appropriate for a quick look at the upcoming 2008 season. What makes the NFL great is its unpredictability (maybe not so great for gambling purposes), but I will venture now to try and look through my crystal ball and pick your 12 playoff qualifiers for this upcoming season.

NFC East champion - New York Giants - call it a biased pick if you like, and it probably is, but I just dont see a Super Bowl hangover from my boys this year. Yes the losses on defense will hurt, but they are well coached and have more than enough depth to overcome, not to mention all 11 super bowl champion starters on offense returning.

NFC North champion - Green Bay Packers - Aaron Rodgers has the goods folks, once he gets into a groove with the talent around him, he will be just as productive as Favre was. Add that with one of the stingier defenses in the league and you have a dangerous combination. Nobody in that division is on the cheeseheads level.

NFC South champion - New Orleans Saints - They will be the most entertaining offense in the NFL this season as long as they stay healthy. Offensive guru Sean Payton will find away to keep all his weapons happy (most notably our old friend Shockey) and put up points at will. I look for down years from the Bucs and Panthers to vault the Saints to the top of the NFC.

NFC West champion - Arizona Cardinals - I repeat, Arizona Cardinals. Yea i said it. This team will get better every week as their young players improve, and Kurt Warner will get it done as he always does with his great WR corp. Seattle has lost too much on offense to continue their success. The Cards will surprise people, finally.

NFC wild cards - Dallas Cowboys - too much talent to not involve these douche bags. They are loaded with pro bowlers as usual and on paper are the best team in football. Subtract this with proven losers like Tony Romo and Wade Philips and all you have is a paper champion.

Minnesota Vikings - They squeak in as the 6th seed this year with the NFC's best defense and best running back in AP. Tavaris Jackson is the only reason preventing this team from taking the next step, but in a weak NFC and favorable schedule they should get in.

A quick note about the Eagles for our Philly readers... once the Phillies miss out on the playoffs dont worry, you will still have two months to root for your Eagles and then quietly switch to hoops by mid-november when the Eagles are 4-7. Go Sixers!

Quick note on the Chicago Bears over/under season win total of 7.5 - I will be taking this play for 5 units. They have undoubtedly the worst offense in the NFL and the defense has been declining every season. Their schedule is extremely tough, and did I mention that Kyle Orton is their QB? This is almost too easy. Take this one big


AFC East champion - New England Patriots - no surprise here, the Pats return their loaded offense but took some key losses on the defensive side of the ball. No shot at 16-0 but an easy division title most likely, if Brady's ankle holds up.

AFC North champion - Pittsburgh Steelers - These guys come back strong after a disappointing season, and are poised for a championship run. I love the addition of Rashard Mendenhall to go with many other weapons on offense and a great defense as usual. I like the Steelers to be the #1 seed in the playoffs this year

AFC South champion - Indianapolis Colts - another boring, predictable pick here but its impossible to go against them. Peyton will be just fine coming into the season, and they will get over their playoff disappointment from a year ago. They will be a juggernaut again.

AFC West champion - San Diego Chargers - I see a down year from the Chargers actually but not down enough to take the division in the miserable AFC west. I see only 9-10 wins from them. Never a big fan of Philip Rivers and theyre defense will certainly take a hit when psycho Shawn Merriman's leg needs to be amputated for playing on torn knee ligaments.

AFC Wild cards - Buffalo Bills - Your AFC sleeper, I love what I saw from Trent Edwards when he took over towards the end of last season and I believe he will have a breakout season. The defense is also one of the best around. Donte Whitner is a blooming star in the secondary, and their front seven is scary.

Tennessee Titans - They are jsut a solid squad year in and year out under Jeff Fisher. They will jump over the Jags this season with an 10 or 11 win season. Gee I wonder what their o/u win total is on the season... oh its 8. I will be taking the Vince Youngs' Titans over 8 reg season wins for 2 units.

Well there you have it. Lets see how these picks turn out. I will be posting my picks for the week on Friday as tomorrow I will be taking off and heading to the Meadowlands to watch the reigning super bowl champion New York Giants (how ridiculously cool is that to say) against the Skins. It may be the best moment of my life as a sports fan watching them get introduced as Super Bowl champs tomorrow night, yes even better than them actually wininng it last year, I know I'm a sicko...

Until Friday