Official 2008-09 NFL thread

[GeneralHankerchief]

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It's that time of year again, folks! After last year's exciting finish with the Giants upsetting the undefeated Patriots to win the Super Bowl and an offseason of interesting moves (plus Brett Favre), the new season will finally start tonight when the Giants take on the Redskins. The remainder of Week 1 games will be played Sunday and Monday. Here are my predictions for every division, plus comments:

NFC East: The toughest division in the conference and possibly the entire league. Last year it was home to three playoff teams, with the Eagles finishing strongly at 8-8. The Giants won the Super Bowl, but it's a mark of the division's toughness that a lot of people aren't even predicting them to make the playoffs this year. Eli's going to be better, but with Strahan and Umenyiora gone, they're going to be fighting an uphill battle. As for the rest of the division, I hate the Cowboys but they are probably the best team in the East, so long as Romo isn't distracted. I think he'll be able to overcome the lack of receiver depth and lead the team to another division title. A lot of people are picking the Eagles to win the division and maybe even make a Super Bowl appearance, but as a hometown guy I just don't see it happening, especially not with their crappy receivers. The Redskins I think will take a step back this year - Campbell has not looked good in the preseason and I don't think Zorn has enough experience yet.

Cowboys
Giants (wild card)
Eagles
Redskins

NFC North: The Packers surprised everybody last year and look to repeat, Brett Favre or not. However, the Minnesota Vikings (coached by Martok's favorite person in the world, Brad Childress) went on a spending spree in the offseason, grabbing Berrian and Jared Allen. They're clearly making a push for greater things, and most people have one of the two teams winning the division and going far. However, the one thing they both have in common are young, injury-prone QBs (plus a lack of depth). I can easily see both of them going down and their teams struggling as a result. This opens the door for my sleeper pick, the Detriot Lions, to come in and take the division title. Their offense looks very good, with Kitna having possibly the best receiver combo in the league in Williams and Johnson, plus a nice running back tandem. The only question is their defense, but I think this is the year where the Lions stop being a joke. The Bears, on the other hand, are getting older on defense and still don't have a decent quarterback. I think they're going to implode and get a very good draft pick.

Lions
Vikings
Packers
Bears

NFC South: Tampa Bay won it last year with a ton of old guys, and then promptly lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Giants. I think they're a decent team, but Garcia and Galloway can't play well forever and they're in a weak division. After Delhomme got hurt, the Panthers couldn't get anything going and as a result their coach is on the hot seat. Delhomme's back, but I just can't see the Panthers getting anything done in this division. The Saints, after getting a ton of injuries last year, are back and look to repeat their performance of two years ago. Like the Lions, they seem to have a very solid offense with a lesser defense. They will win this weakened division easily. The Falcons are in Year 1 of their retooling and won't make much of an impact.

Saints
Buccaneers
Panthers
Falcons

NFC West: The Seahawks have always been a decent team and want to make one final run for Holmgren's final year of coaching. Hasselbeck is a great QB and they have a decent defense, but the question remains whether they can beat the powerhouse teams in the conference. Their running game is also a question mark. Arizona looks like it's about to climb the mountain, but their reliance on Warner over Leinart is a bit alarming - don't forget that Kurt is an old guy who gets hurt a lot. Warner's health could determine this otherwise talented team's fate. The 49ers are a mess, especially at QB (and they have no receivers, either), and the Rams are rebuilding.

Seahawks
Cardinals (wild card)
Rams
49ers

AFC East: Naturally, the Patriots will dominate. They still have all of their record-setting offense from last year and have an added chip on their shoulder. The question is not whether they will make the playoffs or not, but how far will they go? Their secondary is their only weak link, with Samuel going to the Eagles. The Jets added a ton of players in the offseason, most notably Brett Favre, but as we've seen in the past, they usually all don't click. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills are quietly maturing and building up their roster. They won't make the playoffs this year, but they will finish second in the division and get put on the map. Miami, under Parcells's guidance, will experience a turnaround but won't be a factor, at least not this year.

Patriots
Bills
Jets
Dolphins

AFC North: This is a tough division, with the powerful Steelers, primed Browns, and desperate Bengals all gunning for the title. I think the Steelers, even though they lost Faneca, will repeat, but barely. The Browns have decent QBs and if Anderson falters, Brady Quinn will step in and lead them to a wild card berth. The Bengals will fall apart as their numerous problems, especially with injuries and defense, will sink them. The Ravens have a new outlook, but until their murky QB situation is solved (or if Flacco steps up and becomes the next Manning), won't go anywhere.

Steelers
Browns (wild card)
Ravens
Bengals

AFC South: The other candidate for best division in the league, the mighty Indianapolis Colts look to win their sixth straight title. They're hurt (Manning, Harrison, Freeney, etc.) and aging, but this is Dungy's last year and they're still extremely dangerous. However, I think this is the year they finally cede their crown to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have a good QB in Garrard and are a very balanced, capable team. The changing of the guard in the South will net them two playoff teams, plus the growing Houston Texans taking third over Vince Young's receiverless Titans.

Jaguars
Colts (wild card)
Texans
Titans

AFC West: This is San Diego's year. Merriman is hurt, but they still have an uber-talented roster. Cromartie will be the best CB in the league by year's end, Tomlinson will have another year or two of his amazing production (however, he won't be the best fantasy player this year), and Rivers will dominate with Gates and his receivers. The Denver Broncos have a good QB/WR combination in Cutler and Marshall, but the rest of the team just can't seem to get it done. The Raiders will be an exciting team to watch with Russell and McFadden leading the offense, but still have too many problems. The Chiefs are rebuilding.

Chargers
Broncos
Raiders
Chiefs

Final Predictions:
NFC: Saints over Seahawks
AFC: Chargers over Patriots
Super Bowl: Chargers over Saints

Let's have a good season, everybody.

[Strike For The South]

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=OhILOm4BdCQ Thats whats up

[seireikhaan]

NFC East: This was a strong division last year, but I'm predicting a slow down this year. The skins lost Joe Gibbs, replaced by a rookie head coach. The Giants had an incredible run last year, and I think they're still a solid team, but that they'll go 8-8 and miss the playoffs. The Eagles had a quietly good offseason, and Donovan McNabb is back and healthy. It think their secondary will be so good they can stack the line with an 8 man, and make their defense rock solid. McNabb and a Westbrook will put up enough points to have a productive offense. Of note, I think the Cowboys will have a down year. T.O. is a proven nuisance, and the honeymoon will be over. They lost a lot of their running game, as well as Terry Glenn, who I think will be missed more than people think. They still have a lot of talent, but I don't sense any kind of cohesion, and Wilson doesn't impress me as a coach.

Eagles
Giants
Cowboys
Redskins

NFC North: A lot's made of the Brett Favre situation and how that will hurt the Packers, but I think Aaron Rodgers will have a terrific year. He's had years to improve his mechanics and work with the coaching staff, and he was an obviously talented QB coming out of Cal. The rest of the team is still very good. I'm going out on a limb and going to predic the Bears will, somehow, someway, patch together an 8-8 season, with strong defense, and Kyle Orton being more consistent and protective of the ball than Rexy. The Vikings, on the other hand, have no proven sense of cohesion despite their talent, and I think will have a letdown. I still think Childress is a numnutz of a coach, and will botch team chemistry. The Lions speak for themselves.

Packers
Bears
Vikings
Lions


NFC West: I'm predicting a breakout year for the Cardinals. Their offense will be great with Kurt Warner at the helm. Their offensive line showed progress last year, and I think will be even better this year. The receiving corps will still be very good, and I think a TE will be developed in the person of Leanord Pope. This division will not be very good, and their merely adequate defense will be able to contain their divisional opponents enough to enable them to win the division. I think the Rams will have a renaissance this year. Bulger's a very good QB still, and more importantly, Orlando Pace and the rest of their O-Line is healthy once again. Bulger will light up the field. The defense will be a liability, but their fantastic offense will enable them to win a wild card spot. The 49ers will, like the Rams and Cards, will have a fantastic offense with Martz at the helm of the Offense, but they won't be balanced, and they don't have any kind of proven performer at QB like Bulger. They'll finish just behind the Rams. The Seahawks have gotten old, they have no RB who's got any kind of proven record, they still don't have a decent reciever, let along any good one, and their 'D' still isn't very good.

Cardinals
Rams (Wild card)
49ers
Seahawks

NFC South: The Saints will come marching home. Brees is a top 5 QB, the recieving corps is solid, the line is very good, and Deuce McCallister comes back, giving them the 1-2 punch with Bush. The defense isn't all that good, but I predict a down year for the division as a whole. The Panthers will grab the other wild card spot, with Delhomme coming back, and a strong running game to work with as well. The 'D' is a complete question mark, it could be good or bad. The Falcons are still rebuilding, and have a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball. The Bucs, I predict, will fall apart. They haven't a proven RB, Garcia and the receivers are old, and the line has been shaky from year to year. The 'D' has some question marks in the secondary and inside line. Plus, the Bucs have never been able to put any consistency forth year to year since Gruden's been there.

Saints
Panthers (Wild Card)
Falcons
Buccaneers

AFC East: The Pats are king. Period. Jets will be much improved. Favre will rally the team and inject excitement. Plus, it doesn't hurt that their o-line should be great, giving him plenty of time to throw, as well as giving Thomas Jones room to run. I predict a wild card for them. The Bills have a sold 'D', and their offense has some promising young players, but this just isn't their year, they need more exp. The 'Phins, like the lions, speak for themselves at this point.

Patriots
Jets(Wild card)
Bills
Dolphins

AFC South: Ok, I'm a bit biased, but the Colts are still top dogs in the south. Peyton's been out of the pre-season, but its irrelevant. The offense has years of chemistry together, and Anthony Gonzo will have a breakout year in the slot, where he belongs. Harrison will come back strong, and he's been working out and practicing for a while now. Plus, our line is perrenially strong thanks to the great work by Howard Mudd, our terrific o-line coach. I'm a bit concerned about the loss of Jeff Saturday, however. That could hurt a lot if he's out for a prolonged time. Our defense will be stronger, I think, than last year. Its still VERY young, and we added some critical players. Guys to watch- Curtis Johnson, and undrafted free agent from Clark College in Atlanta, and Marcus Howard, our 5th round pick. Both are excellent speed rushers, and fit our system perfectly. I think both will be far better backusp than what we had last year. Bob Sanders has recovered from his injury, but he needs to keep himself upright- he's the best defensive player in the NFL, in my opinion. He's a dynamo, all over the field, and a great tackler.

The Texans have a very good young team, and I think that Steve Slaton will take off at RB halfway through the season. He fits the system well, and has a lot of quicks. Schaub's a solid QB, and Rosenfels is a quality backup. The receiving corps is good and young, if Johnson stays healthy, they will be very good. The defense has been getting better and better, and I think Amobi Okoye will takeoff at DT this year, being more consistent. The rest of the defense has quality talent as well, such as Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans. I'm predicting they'll pickup a wild card spot ahead of the Jaguars. The Jags I have reservations about. Their receiving corps is in tatters, and a couple of players on the o-line are hurt. Fred Taylor has been historically fragile, and he's getting older as well. Jones-Drew can't handle the starting role by himself. The 'D', which used to be build on its rush defense, has been hit. Stroud's in Buffalo, and Henderson's a bit fragile, and even if he is on the field, can only do so much himself. They have NO veteran pass rusher, and Derrick Harvey won't be the help they need. They reached for him, and he held out for a very long time to boot. I'm predicting a bigger year from Quentin Groves. I'm predicting 8-8, and just missing the playoffs. Tennessee is maddening. They don't seem to have the talent other teams have, but they ALWAYS find ways to be competitive. Young doesn't put up very good numbers, and turns it over too may times, but still somehow keeps them in games. Their receiving corps has nobody most people can recognize, but they still manage to move the chains. Yet, the losses to their D-line will be felt, and their defense will crack more this year. I think this will be compensated a bit by an improved running game and a more consistent Young. However, the brutal division will keep them at 8-8, and out of the playoffs.

Colts
Texans (wild card)
Jaguars
Titans

AFC West: THis division will still be terrible. The bolts have a complete lock here, they simply have far too much talent and proven players like LT to have a chance of not winning this division. Their defense will still be great, and Rivers has shown to be a quality QB thus far. The Broncos will improve slightly under a more mature Jay Cutler, but the rest of the team is still subpar, on pretty much every level. The Chiefs are rebuilding, with a lot of young players at key positions, and their special teams is worth mentioning because of how awful it was last year; they went through seven kickers last year. The Raiders are a rotten organization, and I mean more in a literal sense. Al Davis has no idea how to run a team anymore, and his interference has rotted what used to be a great franchise into a perennial joke now. No half decent coach would put up with Davis.

Chargers
Broncos
Chiefs
Raiders

AFC North: The Browns have a load of quality young talent, complemented by a top offensive line and a grinding running game with Jamal Lewis. The defense will improve greatly with Shaun Rogers at the nose tackle position, and Corey Williams will vastly improve their DE spot. The improvement along the D-line will have a carry over effect for the linebackers, who will be freer to run to the ball and rush the passer, which in turn gives the secondary an easier job. The secondary still is pretty awful, but the D will be solid overall, methinks. The steelers have a great QB in Roethlisberger, but I think the rest of the team is decidedly average. They lost Faneca on the o-line, and their OT spot is still a bit questionable. I think they'll finish 9-7, but will miss the playoffs because of the Texans and Jets, who I think will both finish at the 10 win mark. The Bengals are full of enigmas, and the D is shotty. Marvin Lewis will be fired after this year. The Ravens have a new coach and rookie QB from day one(Flacco apparently got the starting job). This is clearly a rebuilding year.

Browns
Steelers
Bengals
Ravens

I don't fee like doing all the round by round stuff, but I'll do the championships.

NFC championship-Eagles defeat Saints

AFC championship- Colts defeat Patriots

Super Bowl- Colts defeat Eagles.

Tony Dungy retires.



MARTOK: The NFC central doesn't exist anymore.

[Strike For The South]

I'm feeling the Bangles this year. I really think Pittsburgh has topped out and last year I really felt as if Cincinnati has been squandering good talent the pat couple of years.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

The bengals are going to step up this year. We have the nicest, hardest working, least complaining, happy go lucky bunch of guys out of any team in the leauge. In the end it's personal integrity and quality of character that make a good football team.

[GeneralHankerchief]

[Veho Nex]

Wow three went for raiders, I just chose them cause they are fun to go see. Man I love their games and all the fun before and after

[drone]

I think we can all honestly say that the Redskins will not win the NFC East this year. There is much gnashing of teeth going across the airwaves this morning, I love football season in DC. The Giants didn't look very good either, they tried to give the game away but the Skins apparently didn't want it either.

Chargers, Patriots, Jaguars - Cowboys, Eagles, Packers. Some combination of these teams will be in the Bowl.

[Devastatin Dave]

This is the year the Colts come back and show they have all the pieces. Marvin Harrison is back, they've got a great running back, Reggie Wayne and Manning's gelled last year with Marvin gone most of the year, and their offensive line looked good in preseason. I think the Eagles are good BUT that's only if their quarterback stays healthy and i wouldn't put money on that. Will this be the year that Rivers lives up to his potential and LT gets some relief from having to run and run and run? I think the Seahawks will be a bust with Julious Jones getting thumped worse than he did in Dallas. I'm excited about the Falcons, I think their rookie QB has got the poise and the horses to throw to and now they have a pretty solid RB in Turner who was LT's second on the Chargers last year. My only question is how long will Ricky Williams last in Miami before he goes Cheech and Chong on them again!!! This is going to be a great year!!!

[Ferret]

This isn't football, the players barely ever use they're feet for god's sake! I propose it be renamed to stupidball so that no one will ever confuse it with the true football

[Martok]

NFC East: As much as it pains me to say so, the Cowboys -- my favorite team to hate -- has the edge to win the division. Eli and the Giants will still be pretty good, but they lost too much talent in the offseason to compete with Dallas. New York will finish second, getting one of the wild card slots. Philly will finish at around .500, with Washington continuing to struggle.

Cowboys
Giants (wild card)
Eagles
Redskins


NFC North: Yes, my beloved Vikings ponied up the dough in this past spring/summer and did some serious beefing up of their player roster. Yes, Green Bay has lost Favre, and his heir-apparent is still a largely-untested QB. Despite this, however, the Packers will still just edge out Minnesota for the division title, with my team landing the other wild card berth. Chicago will just barely avoid the cellar, relegating that role (as usual) to Detroit.

Packers
Vikings (wild card)
Bears
Lions


NFC South: In one of of my surprise picks, I'm actually going with Tampa Bay to repeat. The Saints are decent, but they're also overrated IMHO. Atlanta will again finish last, although Carolina probably won't do much better.

Bucs
Saints
Panthers
Falcons


NFC West: It's Seattle's division to lose this year. Arizona should give them a run for their money, but will fall probably short in the end. I predict San Francisco will finally begin to show signs of life, possibly going 8-8. St. Louis will continue to suffer setbacks.

Seahawks
Cardinals
49ers
Rams


AFC East: New England -- not that that one's a tough call. Buffalo and New York will finish at or just above .500, with Miami winning *maybe* 6 games this season (if they're lucky).

Patriots
Bills
Jets
Dolphins


AFC North: I agree Pittsburgh still has the edge, but with Cleveland nipping at their heels the whole way -- either way, one team will win the division crown, while the other gets a wild card slot. I think Baltimore, while not competitive this season, will still do better than most are expecting. Cincinnati will continue to free-fall.

Steelers
Browns (wild card)
Ravens
Bengals


AFC South: Indianapolis will win their division again, despite their injuries -- with my beloved Dungy retiring, they're going to play all-out this season. Also, I don't think Garrard is quite as good as some people think he is, nor the team as a whole (for all that I'm a del Rio fan). In fact, I'm picking Houston to finish second and just edge out the Jaguars for a wild-card slot. I do agree, however, that Tennessee will continue to go nowhere until they find someone for Young to throw to.

Colts
Texans (wild card)
Jaguars
Titans


AFC West: Yep, San Diego for the division crown. Denver will finish second, but not really threaten, with KC doing surprisingly well given their druthers the last few seasons (wouldn't be surprised if they managed to go 8-8). Oakland....sucks. They have for years, and will continue to do so.

Chargers
Broncos
Chiefs
Raiders



Final Predictions:

NFC: Cowboys over Seahawks

AFC: Patriots over Chargers

Super Bowl: Patriots over Cowboys (which is close to my ultimate nightmare scenario, by the way -- two teams I despise )

[Ramses II CP]

GH I want you to repeat after me: "I will not believe in the Lions until Matt Millen is fired (Or consumed by actual Lions avenging the offense to their namesake)."

As the Raiders are my team I am planning to take this year off from watching football... wait, no, that's just dumb. I will, however, pick the team most likely to humiliate them to win the Superbowl. Good luck Chargers, I picked you last year and, uhm, yeah... Good luck.

Out of the NFC I'm going to take the Packers. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named-(in-their-locker-room) was as much a liability for them as he was an asset last year, and Rodgers is as ready as ever a replacement can become. Plus the Packers got faster on defense, and IMHO the rule changes are going to make this a big year for fast defenses.

I won't make division by division predictions, but I will go waaaaay out on a limb and say that at least two more teams make another epic run at one of the least coveted records in all of sports, 0-16, by managing to achieve a minimum of 0-10. I'll leave you to guess which two.

[KarlXII]

San Diego, SUPER CHARGERS! San Diego....CHARGERS!

I'll be going for them this time around. I may actually feel proud of them.

[Strike For The South]

HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS

Other than the penalties we completely rolled over a browns team that was supposed to be "up and coming" Ha. Take that middle America!

[GeneralHankerchief]

Hmm.

Patriots still win the division, but probably at 10-6 now instead of 13-3. Bills take a game that they shouldn't have from NE and grab the second wild card spot that used to be Cleveland's.

Lest we forget before all making predictions of doom for the Belichick/Brady era in New England, Matt Cassel still has the best offensive supporting cast in the game.

Oh, and the Chargers beat Jax in the championship now instead of NE.

[Strike For The South]

Jacksonville is way overrated in my opinion. A Vince Youngless Oiler team beat them and were all over Gaarad. I like jones drew but it was apparent today that they need to shore up their o-line or its an 8-8 year for them.

[Martok]

San Diego, SUPER CHARGERS! San Diego....CHARGERS!

I'll be going for them this time around. I may actually feel proud of them.

You might want to reconsider.

A pity about their last-second loss to the Panthers. I really want San Diego to do well this year -- I've always had sort of a soft spot for them.

[seireikhaan]

You might want to reconsider.

A pity about their last-second loss to the Panthers. I really want San Diego to do well this year -- I've always had sort of a soft spot for them.

Bah. My spot for the chargers is right above the special place I've got reserved for the Patsies.

Bah, we didn't show up tonight.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Oh yeah, I can't wait to read Bill Simmons in a day or two. That column should be entertaining.

[Strike For The South]

Brady is Done for the year. Just made official

[GeneralHankerchief]

Let's go Saints!

[Ramses II CP]

Well, at least the Raiders got to avenge a defeat from one hated rival this year. I wouldn't say it was an awe inspiring performance, but I felt like the offense was pared down enough to let this bunch of unmotivated bums wrap their heads around it, which finally got some of the native talent on this team to show up. I still maintain that we have a substantially more talented team than Denver. Maybe this victory can be something to build on for next year...

...and maybe it'll just deny us the draft pick we deserved. It's hard to keep the faith right now. I didn't want to give up on this season, but if they start to get it together only after I've officially done so it'll be a bit like twisting the knife.

The best thing about this game was the patience of the Raider's defense. They sat back, played with discipline, and pretty much kept everything in front of them. The offensive line had their heads in the game too.

The Indy game was interesting too. I still don't have confidence that they'll make the playoffs, but I had them losing this game by a good margin (And with the phantom PI call they should've at least had OT) so it's starting to look like I'll have to eat my words again.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

Steelers vs. Tennessee in the AFC Title game.