NFC West Predictions

Another horrible division. Kurt Warner does not play the whole season due to injury and the offense once again sputters under Matt Leinart. Seattle improves with the addition of T.J. “Championship” Houshmanzadeh, but the lack of a running game continues to hurt them. Steven Jackson’s back gives out while trying to carry the entire city St. Louis. Michael Crabtree eventually signs his contract and learns that doing so earlier would have ensured that he would be prepared. Instead Josh Morgan is the best wide receiver for San Fran.

San Fransisco 49ers 10-6
Arizona Cardinals 7-9
Seattle Seahawks 6-10
St. Louis Rams 3-13

Best QB: Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
Best RB: Frank Gore, SF
Best WR: Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
Best TE: Vernon Davis, SF

Other news: Kurt Warner retires due to a back/knee injury. Steven Jackson requests to be traded after week 8.

NFC South Predictions

The addition of Tony Gonzalez bolsters an already well-balance team and for those worried about Michael Turner’s workload will place less pressure on him to do all the work in the red zone. The Saints return the most potent offense in the NFL, but a very porous defense, the addition of Malcolm Jenkins at corner will hopefully help. Tampa Bay will not make the post-season as it tries to go younger and shed some of its aging veterans.

New Orleans Saints 10-6
Atlanta Falcons 10-6
Carolina Panthers 9-7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-8






Best QB: Drew Brees, NO
Best RB: Michael Turner, ATL
Best WR: Marques Colston, NO
Best TE: Tony Gonzalez, ATL

Other news: Jonathon Stewart outperforms DeAngelo Williams in Carolina. Jeremy Shockey actually catches a TD this season.

NFC North Predictions

In another horrible division, several story lines emerge. Brett Favre returns from retirement again to beat the Packers win a Super Bowl with the Vikings. Jay Cutler leaves Denver for the friendly confines of Soldier Field except this time his #1 WR is 5’11″. Calvin Johnson continues to get double and triple teamed, while Matthew Stafford keeps looking like a man that just realized he’s going to suck in the NFL.

Green Bay Packers 10-6
Minnesota Vikings 9-7
Chicago Bears 7-9
Detroit Lions 6-10

Best QB: Aaron Rodgers, GB
Best RB: Adrian Peterson, MIN
Best WR: Calvin Johnson, DET
Best TE: Greg Olsen, CHI

Other news: Chicago GM Jerry Angelo is fired for making this trade. Favre retires for real this time, but not by choice, his arm will require surgery to keep playing and won’t do it.

NFC East Predictions

A very tough, competitive league in 2008-09 will change somewhat with personnel changes. Dallas loses Terrell Owens to the Bills, Washington loses Jason Taylor but gains Albert Haynesworth, Philadelphia loses Brian Dawkins but gains some talented rookies and Michael Vick, and New York Giants lose Plaxico Burress to prison and a lot of cash to Eli Manning.

Washington Redskins 11-5
Philadelphia Eagles 11-5
New York Giants 8-8
Dallas Cowboys 6-10

Best QB: Donovan McNabb, PHI
Best RB: Clinton Portis, WAS
Best WR: Domenik Hixon, NYG
Best TE: Jason Witten, DAL

Other news: Jeremy Maclin returns a total of 3 kick or punt returns for touchdowns. Roy Williams is second to Patrick Crayton in Dallas. Washington produces a top-5 defense with the addition of Albert Haynesworth.

AFC West Predictions

Arguably the worst division in the NFL. One team has a 6-man running back platoon, Denver. Another team has a coach that values team-building exercises, Oakland. A third traded for a quarterback that has played one full season, Kansas City. The last team actually won the division last year with a record of 8-8, San Diego.

San Diego Chargers 9-7
Oakland Raiders 7-9
Denver Broncos 6-10
Kansas City Chiefs 4-12



Best QB: Philip Rivers, SD
Best RB: Darren McFadden, OAK
Best WR: Dwayne Bowe, KC
Best TE: Antonio Gates, SD

Other news: The Broncos will use one of their two top 10 picks (one from Chicago in the Cutler trade) next year on a QB, either Sam Bradford of Oklahoma or Jevan Snead of Ole Miss. Al Davis is still alive, fires Tom Cable and prevents Oakland from competing.

AFC South Predictions

Indianapolis will finally fall from its perch, mostly due to instability at the head coach, offensive and defensive coordinator and skill coach positions. The absence of Marvin Harrison will put more focus on Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Anthony Gonzalez. Tennessee will have to score more since their defense will be missing Albert Haynesworth. Houston finally has the pieces to make it to the post-season.

Houston Texans 11-5
Tennessee Titans 10-6
Indianapolis Colts 8-8
Jacksonville Jaguars 7-9

Best QB: Matt Schaub, HOU
Best RB: Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC
Best WR: Andre Johnson, HOU
Best TE: Dallas Clark, IND

Other news: Mario Williams will get more than 10 sacks. Peyton Manning will still throw 30 TDs and Vince Young will supplant Kerry Collins in Tennessee.

AFC North Predictions

In a division where teams are more apt to run the ball rather than throw, and a premium is placed on hard-nosed defense, the top two teams will again reign supreme.

Baltimore Ravens 12-4
Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5
Cincinnati Bengals 5-11
Cleveland Browns 4-12

Best QB: Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
Best RB: Jamal Lewis, CLE
Best WR: Hines Ward, PIT
Best TE: Todd Heap, BAL

Other news: This will be the final year for Bengals’ Marvin Lewis. Rashard Mendenhall will become the #1 RB in Pittsburgh during the season.

AFC East Predictions

Presuming there are no ACL injuries in the first quarter of the first game of the season, this is how I see the AFC East playing out.

New England Patriots 10-6
Buffalo Bills 7-9
New York Jets 7-9
Miami Dolphins 7-9



Best QB: Tom Brady, NE
Best RB: Thomas Jones, NYJ
Best WR: Randy Moss, NE
Best TE: Anthony Fasano, MIA

Other news: Chad Pennington will miss 3 or more games due to injury. Lee Evans will be the more productive wide receiver for the Bills.