THE OFFICIAL 2008 NFL Predictions

On April 30, I had submitted my “super early predicions” for the coming NFL season. At the end of that article, I mentioned that things change. And they have changed. Drastically. Here it is!

AFC EAST Very interesting off-season for a division that is more clear cut than any other. The Patriots are going to repeat as division champions. They won’t be undefeated, but they will go to the playoffs. The Jets will be much improved, but they are not qutie ready to challenge New England for division supremecy. The Bills seem to be a team that is usually just one or two players away, but never quite right there. And Miami can’t possibly be worse than last year. In short: New England 12-4 New York 9-7 Buffalo 8-8 Miami 5-11

AFC NORTH Probably the unpredictable division in the entire AFC. Cleveland made the moves to win now, but could be taking another few steps backward depending on Derek Anderson. The Ravens have decided to hand the reins to unproven rookie Joe Flacco. Cincinnati has started to look more like th Bungles of old, and even more like the “Criminal Cowboys,” of the ‘90s. And Pittsburgh is quietly attempting to establish themselves as the team that ran to a Super Bowl title two years ago. Is this the year that Cleveland finally breaks through the proverbial glass ceiling and wins the division? Sadly, I don’t think so. But, they should finish second in the division again. Barely. Cincinnati, for all they’re troubles, should be a little better, thought their record may not show it. And Baltimore will hang around this year and make some people scratch their heads. In short: Pittsburgh 9-7 Cleveland 8-8 Baltimore 8-8 Cincinnati 7-9

AFC SOUTH The biggest question for this division coming into this year is whether or not Jacksonville can finally break through and end the Colts dominance. And the answer is simple. They won’t. Indianapolis has one or two great years in them before they fall apart. But the Jaguars have tasted the playoffs and want to go deeper this year. They are well-suited for the second season, whether those games are at home or on the road, so they are a team to look out for. Tennessee will not repeat they’re playoff run of last year. True, they will have a slightly easier slate than Indy or the Jags, but something tells me that they won’t quite be able to recreate the magic of last year. Do not, however, count out Houston. The Texans are definitely a team on the rise. But, unforutnately, this is not quite the year. In short: Indianapolis 11-5 Jacksonville 10-6 Houston 8-8 Tennessee 6-10

AFC WEST This division is San Diego’s to lose. None of the other three teams did quite enough to catch them this year. But, if any team is to knock the Chargers off the pedestal this year, my money would be on Oakland. The Raiders do have a decent defense. The addition of Darren McFadden to go along with Justin Fargas and JaMarcus Russell should help keep that defense off the field more this year. Denver has a chance to sneak into the playoffs and be really, really good, or stink up the joint and be really, really bad. I’m going to bet on the latter. Jay Cutler is a good QB, and he has a decent receiver corps. We all know about the running game. But I don’t quite think it will all come together for them this year. The Chiefs made a lot of great pick-ups for the future, but I don’t expect them to all contribute this early. Kansas City is a team to watch out for…next year. In short: San Diego 12-4 Oakland 6-10 Kansas City 6-10 Denver 4-12

AFC PLAYOFFS Based on those records, we would have San Diego as the number one seed, and New England as the number two, with Wild Card match-ups of: New York @ Indianapolis Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh

The Steelers would love nothing more than to get revenge on the Jags for last year’s playoff game, but it won’t happen. Jacksonville gets the win, 24-16. And Indianapolis should roll over New York, 42-17. This set up: Jacksonville @ San Diego Indianpolis @ New England

Great match-ups with the potential for heart-stopping finishes. First up, the Chargers get the shock of a lifetime. Jacsonville comes into town and gets on fire quickly. San Diego mounts a comeback, but it’s too late. Jags, 31-27. Then the classic Colts-Pats affair. Indianapolis as had New England’s number lately, and it won’t stop now. Colts win a shootout, 34-31 in overtime.

This brings us to a Colts-Jaguars AFC Championship game. After splitting the regular season series, these two meet for the right to go to the Super Bowl. This game should go back and forth. A battle of field position to start, then the offense should fly. In the end, the Jags get the upset, 23-20.

Now, on to the NFC.

NFC EAST It’s no surprise that the Cowboys are the team to beat. Provided they play at the level that they are capable of, Dallas should roll easily in this division. Easier said than done, however. Philadelphia is a team that played well below their capabilities last year. There is no reason to believe that the Eagles can’t rebound and push for a playoff spot. The defending champion New York Giants need Eli Manning to play even better than he did to close out last year in order to defend their title this year. While I think he can be better, I don’t think he will be better. Washington played inspirationally last year. Without that momentum this year, they won’t quite be able to compete for the playoffs, but they will make a few teams nervous. In short: Dallas 11-5 Philadelphia 10-6 New York 9-7 Washington 7-9

NFC NORTH There is going to be a surprise this year. The ironic thing is, the surprise will be that Green Bay will repeat as champions. Asron Rodgers should play well enough to complement a pretty good defense. He has a running game to depend on, and a decent, if not really good receiving corps. Minnesota is the chic pick to win this division, but anytime there is a trendy pick, that team usually disappoints. This will be no different. Detroit is finally turning things around, but they still need to beef up the defense in order to be taken seriously. Chicago is trying out a new QB with Kyle Orton. If he plays well this year, the Bears could be a team to watch out for in the future. In short: Green Bay 9-7 Minnesota 8-8 Detroit 8-8 Chicago 6-10

NFC SOUTH When I made these predictions, I was shocked to see what had happened with this division. Carolina does have one of the most talented teams in the league. Unfortunately, they get bt by the injury bug a lot. If they can stay relatively healthy, they should be in good shape. Tampa Bay comes in as the defending champions of the South, and there is no reason to think they will fall too far from last year. New Orleans has the offense to dominate, but they’re defense is suspect. If it holds up just enough, they can be great. Atlanta is rebuilding and it will take at least two years for them to bounce back. In short: Carolina 11-5 Tampa Bay 10-6 New Orleans 10-6 Atlanta 3-13

NFC WEST Seattle lost Shaun Alexander, but given the division they are in, Julius Jones should be at least adequate in the backfield. The Seahawks’ passing game will determine their fate. Arizona has the tools to compete offensively, but they never quite seem to be able to put it all together. They may be able to this year, but it’s doubtful. San Fransisco is testing the J.T. O’Sullivan waters, and if it works, they could challenge for the division title. If it doesn’t, they could be challenging for the number one draft pick. St. Louis can be an offensive juggernaut if the line holds up. but the question will be whether or not their defense can pick it up. In short: Seattle 9-7 Arizona 6-10 St. Louis 5-11 San Fransisco 4-12

NFC PLAYOFFS So, we have the number one seeded Cowboys and number two seeded Panthers getting byes, and the wild card match-ups of: New Orleans @ Green Bay Tampa Bay @ Seattle

The Seahawks should be able to squeak by the Bucs, 24-21 in overtime. The other battle will be more interesting. In his playoff debut, Rodgers gets anxious and makes some mistakes, leading to a Saints win, 30-13.

This sets up: New Orleans @ Dallas Seattle @ Carolina

Dallas once again chokes as the Saints’ fans have a reason to cheer again. They get back to the NFC Title game, 25-20. Carolina’s week off proves to be the difference in their game with the Seahawks. Carolina wins, 23-7.

Now, in the NFC Championship game, we have the Saints at the Panthers. Another battle of division mates playing for the right to go to the Super Bowl. They also split the regular season series, but Carolina comes to the games just a bit hungrier. Panthers win, 28-21.

SUPER BOWL PREDICTION So, after all that, we look back to 13 years ago. Two expansion teams come into the NFL in Jacksonville and Carolina. And now, 13 years later, they meet for the NFL Championship. Each looking for their first title, the game goes back and forth. Neither team can quite break the other’s defense, and each manages two field goals to make it a 6-6 halftime game. But the Jaguars open the second half with a 13-play, 79-yard drive capped off by a 2-yard Maurice Jones-Drew touchdown run. Trailing by seven, the Panthers take to the air and tie the game as Jake Delhomme hits Steve Smith for a 12-yard touchdown. Defense takes over again, as neither team can quite move down the field, but the game breaks when David Garrard hits Reggie Williams for a huge, 64-yard touchdown midway through the fourth that proves to be the difference. Jacksonville wins the Super Bowl, 20-13.

This is how it is. If you disagree, feel free to let me know.