2007-2008 NFL Predictions

Here are my predictions for the 2007-2008 NFL Season.

AFC:

AFC East Winner – New England Patriots (12-4) – This is a no brainer. The Pats don’t have any holes on both sides of the ball. I doubt anyone in the AFC East will be able to get a win from them, but maybe Mangenious can steal a win from them.

AFC North Winner – Baltimore Ravens (11-5) – With the new rushing weapon in Willis McGahee, the Ravens will be able to effectively run the ball to cure their offensive woes. Last year, the Ravens ranked 30th in yards and 25th in points. With one of the league’s top defense (2nd in fewest points allowed, 1st in fewest yards allowed) it is easy to pick the Ravens to win the division. This year, expect the Ravens’ offensive numbers to go up, while the defensive numbers stay at the top of the league.

AFC South Winner – Indianapolis Colts (10-6) – There should and will be concerns will the Colts defense, who is starting a lot of new players on the defensive side of the ball, but their offense will be as potent as ever to make up for points the defense gives up.

AFC West Winner – San Diego Chargers (12-4) – Another no brainer here. LT will continue to be ridiculous to lead the Chargers as the top offense in the league.

AFC Wild Card – Denver Broncos (11-5) – It’s going to be hard to pass on the Broncos this year: Dre’ Bly and Champ Bailey should shut down most teams’ passing attack. Travis Henry will put up some big numbers in the Broncos’ zone-blocking system. Plus, they have a fairly easy schedule.

AFC Wild Card – Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) – I think the Broncos are the clear favorite to win the first wild card, but the last wild card in the NFC will be up for grabs in the final weeks of the season. It should be between Cincinnati, Tennessee, and Jacksonville. I think Jacksonville will be able to claim it though. The Bengals give up too many passing yards, the Titans are too inexperienced and I don’t think Vince Young has enough weapons around him to get the job done, and the Jaguars have a stellar defense along with a decent offense.

NFC:

NFC East – Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) – If Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook stay healthy, this team will have a very potent offense. The Eagles have questions with an inexperienced linebacking group without taking Takeo Spikes into consideration. The corners are as good as they get in this league and the front four should be able to put a lot of pressure on quarterbacks this year.

NFC North – Chicago Bears (11-5) – The only thing that will get in the way of the Bears’ success this year is Rex Grossman giving the ball away to the other team. When Rex is on, this is a very tough team to beat. I expect Rex to make better decisions with the ball and first-round pick Greg Olson should help this team out a lot.

NFC South – New Orleans Saints (10-6) – You have to be concerned about their linebackers, but their offense will make up for any defensive issues they have.

NFC West – St. Louis Rams (10-6) – I think the Rams will surprise a lot of people this year. Most people think the 49ers, Cardinals, or Seahawks will win the division, but I’m going with the dark horse here. Stephen Jackson will have a huge year. The passing attack is still there. Free agent pick up Randy McMichael at tight end and the Rams’ second-round selection FB Brian Leonard give Marc Bulger two more options to work with.

NFC Wild Card – Dallas Cowboys (9-7) – I think Tony Romo is overrated and won’t be as good as many people expect, but this team has too much talent to miss the playoffs.

NFC Wild Card – San Fransisco 49ers (9-7) – Everyones “sexy pick” to make some noise in the NFC. They did a lot of good things to the defense this off season. They picked up Nate Clements, one of the best cornerbacks in the league. They drafted Patrick Willis, who is a tackling machine that I expect to be the defensive rookie of the year. The picked up Michaels Lewis from the Eagles to play free safety. The offense has weapons to work with: they picked up Darrell Jackson and Vernon Davis and Frank Gore will be big producers.