Predicting the 2008 NFL Season

…Is as pointless as it comes, but as mandatory also. The NFL season kicks off tomorrow, so it’s as good a time as any to get this down for future bragging rights. Last year I did a grand weekly prediction column, division-by-division. Let’s not go over that, shall we?

So take these with a grain of salt, this is how I see the 2008 NFL shaping up, division by division, through the playoffs, and ultimately the Super Bowl. Clicking through to actually read these represents a binding contract between you and I that you will leave a comment afterward so we can all make fun of you too. On to the picks!

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles – 13-3
   The Eagles are a lot stronger than most people think. I expect their offensive line to return to 2006 dominance and Donovan McNabb to silence his critics.
2. Dallas Cowboys – 10-6
   I tried to completely ignore the preseason when it came to the Broncos last year. Big mistake The ‘boys are in for a rude awakening. They have the talent, but not the fire. Bunch of prima donnas gonna get slapped around to start and end the season.
3. New York Giants – 8-8
   Let’s be honest – the defensive line won the Super Bowl. No Michael Strahan. No Osi Umienyora. No chance. Still a good team.
4. Washington Redskins – 7-9
   I like the Skins, but a new coach automatically put them in the bottom of a tough division.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers – 11-5
   This is still a damn good team. Ton of talent on both sides. Mike McCarthy for Coach of the Year.
2. Minnesota Vikings – 9-7
   There’s a lot of hype behind the Purple this year, but a lot of question marks, too. Mostly surrounding Tavaris Jackson. He’ll lose them a few games.
3. Chicago Bears – 5-11
   Thankfully, they actually have a defense, or this would be a 1-2 win team.
4. Detroit Lions – 3-13
   I believe John Kitna‘s success was a product of the Mike Martz system, and the Lions will struggle because of it. A better team than the record indicates.

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints – 10-6
   The Saints survived Gustav… they’ll take over the NFC South this year handily.
2. Atlanta Falcons – 6-10
   Surprise! A solid running game with Michael Turner will lead the Falcons to a stunning 6-10 record. Yes, stunning 6-10.
3. Carolina Panthers – 6-10
   The Panthers need to stay healthy and need to get nasty. What a vanilla football team.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 4-12
   They alternate good and bad season every year like clockwork. They’re due to suck. I see it happening.

NFC West

1. Seattle Seahawks – 14-2
   The Seahawks step up big time in Mike Holmgren‘s swan song. 6-0 in the division, and ready to make noise in the playoffs. A balanced football team on all fronts.
2. Arizona Cardinals – 9-7
   Kurt Warner starts 16 games and makes the coaches wonder why Matt Leinart was ever drafted. An underrated defense steps up and the Cardinals – gasp – make the playoffs. Yes, for the third year in a row, I’m predicting a January in Arizona. Sue me.
3. St. Louis Rams – 7-9
   More injuries than lack of talent last year, the Rams come back with a decent season. Too bad they’re already hurting again or this would be higher.
4. San Francisco 49ers – 3-13
   The defense won’t even be as good as last year’s. Quarterback situation is the biggest mess in the NFL. Good luck Niners.

NFC PLAYOFFS

Seeds:

1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Green Bay Packers
4. New Orleans Saints
5. Dallas Cowboys
6. Arizona Cardinals

Wildcard:  Arizona over Green Bay.  New Orleans over Dallas.

Divisional: Seattle destroys Arizona.  New Orleans edges Philly.

Championship: Seattle over New Orleans.  Seahawks advance to Super Bowl.

AFC East

1. New England Patriots – 15-1
   Naturally, their one loss is to the Broncos. What did you expect?
2. Buffalo Bills – 10-6
   Good o-line. Good d-line. Decent quarterback and some talent throughout. A pretty solid team. Was a sleeper pick for me but now everyone’s jumping on the bandwagon. Oh well.
3. New York Jets – 8-8
   Brett Favre makes them better, but they still haven’t figured out their defense and will struggle.
4. Miami Dolphins – 3-13
   But they will beat the Jets in week one in the battle of Jets quarterbacks.

AFC North

1. Cleveland Browns – 10-6
   The offensive line is better than Pittsburgh’s, and with new additions the d-line could be too. Win the trenches, you win the war.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers – 9-7
   I don’t see them running the ball with the type of dominance they’ve had, and I don’t see their defense as good as last year’s. Maybe 9-7 is too high.
3. Baltimore Ravens – 5-11
   They’ll upset a few teams on defense alone, but another messy QB situation holds them back.
4. Cincinnati Bengals – 4-12
   The only good thing the Bengals have going for them is an offensive passing game. Bad running game, defense, and special teams. Ugh.

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts -12-4
   You can’t underestimate the Colts. They start 8-0 every single year. Don’t overlook the Colts.
2. Houston Texans – 10-6
   Alex Gibbs represents the Texans’ single biggest offseason acquisition. I’m very excited to watch Denver South this year.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – 8-8
   Too low? Perhaps. In March I pegged them in the Super Bowl, but I have a feeling David Garrard won’t repeat his Superman performance in 2007.
4. Tennessee Titans – 7-9
   Vince Young can’t let the defense carry him forever, and the Titans know this. Their rookie RB will win Rookie of the Year, but it won’t be enough for Tennessee to break even.

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers – 13-3
   It pains me to say it, but the Chargers are still full of talent and loaded for a title run.
2. Denver Broncos – 11-5
   I sometimes discuss the Broncos on my daily blog. Check there for more information on this team.
3. Oakland Raiders – 5-11
   Can’t buy a championship. The Raiders and their fans are in for a rude awakening.
4. Kansas City Chiefs – 1-15
   Don’t bother waking Chiefs fans up at all.

AFC PLAYOFFS

1. Patriots
2. Chargers
3. Colts
4. Browns
5. Broncos
6. Texans

Wildcard: Broncos upset Browns on Cutler’s “The Drive,” Colts handle Texans

Divisional: Broncos can’t beat Patriots twice.  Chargers handle Colts.

Championship: San Diego upsets New England in Foxboro to advance to the Super Bowl.

SUPER BOWL XLIII

Seattle Seahawks vs. San Diego Chargers battle for glory, while thousands of East Coast-biased reporters mourn. In perhaps the lease popular thing I will ever post on this site, the San Diego Chargers beat the Seahawks 31-23 and become Super Bowl champions.

The Chargers are my least favorite team. I hate saying it. Maybe it’s reverse psychology to jinx them so it never happens. But I honestly believe the Chargers have enough pieces in place to come away with a championship.

Somebody put me out of my misery.