JL 2008 NFL preview

I know I'm one game behind, but here are my picks for the 2008 season:

AFC EAST

Patriots 13-3
Bills 8-8
Jets 8-8
Dolphins 2-14

I didn't think any team had a chance of doing well besides the Pats, but the Bills and Jets have decent schedules. They can fight it out for a playoff spot if they work in their Qb's.

The Dolphins, once again, can suck it.

AFC NORTH

Steelers 10-6
Browns 8-8
Bengals 4-12
Ravens 3-13

Everyone in this division has a brutal schedule. The Steelers are, to me, pretty strong, but they might just wear down. I don't think the Browns were a fluke, and I like their direction, but they're in way over their heads this year. Some people see Baltimore as a sleeper, but how are they going to score? Cinncy has the opposite problem. I'm excited for Ocho Cinco, though. I love seeing his name on official reports.

AFC SOUTH

Jags 12-4
Colts 11-5
Titans 9-7
Texans 7-9

This might be the best division. Jacksonville is a big favorite for a lot of people. The Colts have a tough schedule and Manning is a little hurt, so they will drop, but they can still win 10 games. Tennessee seems to do better than I always think, so I give them the last playoff spot. They do play the Jets and Browns. Houston is getting better, but not quite there yet.

AFC WEST

Chargers 12-4
Broncos 7-9
Raiders 4-12
Chiefs 3-13

The Chargers won't even have to break a sweat in their division games. I'm not even that high on Denver, but they have a lot of easy games. The old Raiders-Chiefs battles are going to be extra ugly this year.

NFC EAST

Cowboys 11-5
Eagles 10-6
Giants 9-7
Redskins 7-9

Everyone loves the Cowboys. I need to find something wrong. I'm going to hope they self-destruct at some point. Their schedule is a lot harder, but they should win this division. I will go on a longer rant about the Iggs at some point, but this looks like another 10 win year for them. Some experts really like them.... a few think they could miss the playoffs... it's tough. I look at the sked and I think 9-11 wins are completely reasonable. The 'Skins aren't terrible, but they keep making too many changes.

NFC NORTH

Packers 9-7
Vikings 8-8
Bears 4-12
Lions 3-13

This will be a fascinating division race because the Packers and Vikings are basically the same team: inexperienced QB, questionable passing game, solid defense and running. I give the Packers a slight edge in talent, plus I think Rodgers will be okay. I'm still not sure about Tavaris Jackson. Alas, ye Bears and Lions; the sidewalk is your pillow yet again.

NFC SOUTH

Saints 12-4
Bucs 9-7
Panthers 8-8
Falcons 3-13

I really like the Saints this year. Their D might be suspect, but their offense is spectacular and their schedule is not too tough. That also helps the Bucs and Panthers. Carolina scares me. I'm done picking them for great things. Atlanta... sorry.

NFC WEST

Seahawks 10-6
Cardinals 7-9
Rams 3-13
49ers 2-14

This is the other bad West. Seattle should be slipping soon, but they just have no challengers. Arizona is still trying to drag Leinart along, but he just isn't working. The Rams are shells of their former selves. The John Taylors are still a mess.

AFC PLAYOFFS

SD over TEN
IND over PIT

JAX over SD
NE over IND

C: NE def JAX

NFC PLAYOFFS

NYG over SEA
PHL over GB

NO over NYG
DAL over PHL

C: NO def DAL

SUPER BOWL XLIII

Patriots 38, Saints 33

Yeah, I know, I don't like this either. I can't find anyone to take down the Pats. They're older, but they still have talent and focus. The Jags and Chargers might challenge, but I don't know about their coaches, and they have flaws on offense. The NFC as a whole is weaker. Anything can happen in the big game, but... every NFC team is flawed, even Dallas. New Orleans has the best O and they can get the best record, which would be big. I can see every team besides the Bears-Rams-Niners-Falcons-Lions mess fighting for playoff spots. This also makes me feel better about Philly: they're not great, but I look at everyone else and say, "Why not them?" I won't pick them, though. I'm cautious. I will pick the Pats and hope my bad luck carries again.

Once again, the possibility of a Pats-Cowboys SB terrifies me. I would have to root for a re-enactment of The Sum of All Fears. Please don't let it happen.