Nine wins will be enough in the AFC North.

 

Here's why I don't like Pittsburgh in 2008 (their schedule outside the division)...

 

Home Games: Houston, NYGiants, Indianapolis, San Diego, Dallas

 

Road Games: Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Washington, New England, Tennessee

 

Of 10 games outside the division, 8 are against playoff teams. Houston is getting better and Philadelphia is talented enough to be a playoff team when healthy.

 

At home, they play the defending Super Bowl champs and three of the very best teams in the NFL. On the road, they get two of the best.

 

In contrast, the Bengals get the Jets and Chiefs instead of the Patriots and Chargers. In addition, they get more of the tougher games on the road, meaning they get the more winnable ones at home.

 

I'll be surprised if Pittsburgh can run away with the AFC North against that schedule. They'll have to own their divisional opponents at home and on the road because five wins outside the division is the best they could do, IMO. And, I doubt they can do that.

 

I didn't say Pittsburgh would win it either..IMO it's the Browns division to lose.

I enjoy doing this, so I figured I'd post my 2008 predictions and let the rest of you experts tear them apart. I may (or may not) post a little more detail at some point, if I get time.

 

AFC East

1. New England Patriots (13-3)

2. New York Jets (8-8)

3. Buffalo Bills (7-9)

4. Miami Dolphins (3-13)

AFC North

1. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-9)

3. Cleveland Browns (7-9)

4. Baltimore Ravens (4-12)

AFC South

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-3)

2. Indianapolis Colts (12-4)

3. Tennessee Titans (11-5)

4. Houston Texans (6-10)

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers (15-1)

2. Denver Broncos (8-8)

3. Oakland Raiders (6-10)

4. Kansas City Chiefs (5-11)

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys (14-2)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)

3. New York Giants (10-6)

4. Washington Redskins (8-8)

NFC North

1. Minnesota Vikings (11-5)

2. Green Bay Packers (9-7)

3. Chicago Bears (5-11)

4. Detroit Lions (2-14)

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints (11-5)

2. Carolina Panthers (8-8)

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)

4. Atlanta Falcons (0-16)

NFC West

1. Seattle Seahawks (11-5)

2. St. Louis Rams (7-9)

3. Arizona Cardinals (5-11)

4. San Francisco 49ers (4-12)

Playoffs

Wild Card Round

Titans over Bengals, Jaguars over Colts

Vikings over Giants, Seahawks over Eagles

Divisional Round

Chargers over Titans, Jaguars over Patriots

Cowboys over Seahawks, Vikings over Saints

Conference Championship

Chargers over Jaguars

Cowboys over Vikings

Super Bowl

Chargers over Cowboys

 

Cincinnati is the 3rd best team in the North, behind Pitt and Cleveland. I don't see them winning the division or making the playoffs, I see them going 7-9.

 

I don't see the Chargers going 15-1 in a tough AFC.

 

I don't see Minnesota going 11-5, I'm saying around 8-8, 9-7. I also don't see Detroit going 2-14, I understand they are the Lions, but they are better than 2-14.

 

I see the Bucs and the Cardinals winning more games than you said.

 

I also don't see the Chargers winning the SB. I'm gonna say it will be a Pats-Cowboys SB, with Dallas winning it.

McNabb is primed for a huge year IMO and Kolb has looked really good if he does go down. They have arguably the best secondary now in the NFL. I think they got even better as a team in the off season.

The Skins drafted a lot of talent and brought one of the best pass rushers in the game in. I like the choice at coach + the players seem to have really gotten in his corner so I'm not real worried about that. Cambell is a question mark but I have a faith that he will have a nice year under one of the best QB coaches in the game.

The Cowboys are probably THE most talented team in the NFC.... agree or disagree? I don't really care about the past, this is this year.

The Giants did win the Super Bowl last year but IMO they weren't the best team in football, much like the Steelers a few years back I think they got hot at the right time which is all you have to do once you get in the playoffs. They lost Strahan + Shockey so they got worse IMO. I still think they have one of the best teams in football but the division is brutal + I ranked that Division the way I feel like it will go down. I'm sure there aren't many that are going to predict that but that's my gut feeling. We'll see. I will say that I think they got maybe the steal in the draft with Phillips! I wouldn't be suprised to see him + Claddy win the rookies of the year!

 

I'm not sure what gives you the impression that McNabb will have a huge year. He is always injured and his receiving core isn't anywhere near the Giants or Cowboys, or even the Skins for that matter. And Kolb hasn't shown me anything as of yet.

 

The Skins used their first two picks on wide recievers, in a very weak wide receiver draft.

 

The players might be in Zorn's corner, but usually it takes some time to adjust to a new coach and coaching scheme.

 

The Cowboys have a lot of talent, I can't disagree. But I'm not sure they got what it takes inside to actually win come playoff time. Their coach/QB/entire team likes to choke when the playoffs come around.

 

The Giants losing Strahan hurts way more than Shockey. They won the super bowl without Shockey, remember? Did I want them to trade him? No, but he was going to be a distraction so he had to go. They got a good replacement in Boss and they got some good blockers behind him in Matthews.

 

I agree that Phillips was a steal. I think he's going to be VERY good based only on what I've read/saw so far in the preseason.

 

I am not saying the Giants will dominate or even win the NFC East. But I'm going to give them more credit than finishing last.

I really think McNabb is going to have a very good year. He's always had mediocre receivers (sans TO) and has had a very impressive career. I think he proves all the Philly doubters wrong again this year.

I think the Browns are the favorite in the North, with the steelers and Bengals not to far behind. The Bengals could very well be 10-6 as 6-10. I think it should be a very competitive division.

I'm not sure what gives you the impression that McNabb will have a huge year. He is always injured and his receiving core isn't anywhere near the Giants or Cowboys, or even the Skins for that matter. And Kolb hasn't shown me anything as of yet.

 

The Skins used their first two picks on wide recievers, in a very weak wide receiver draft.

 

The players might be in Zorn's corner, but usually it takes some time to adjust to a new coach and coaching scheme.

 

The Cowboys have a lot of talent, I can't disagree. But I'm not sure they got what it takes inside to actually win come playoff time. Their coach/QB/entire team likes to choke when the playoffs come around.

 

The Giants losing Strahan hurts way more than Shockey. They won the super bowl without Shockey, remember? Did I want them to trade him? No, but he was going to be a distraction so he had to go. They got a good replacement in Boss and they got some good blockers behind him in Matthews.

 

I agree that Phillips was a steal. I think he's going to be VERY good based only on what I've read/saw so far in the preseason.

 

I am not saying the Giants will dominate or even win the NFC East. But I'm going to give them more credit than finishing last.

 

We disagree. No big deal. You have your thoughts I have mine. Dallas is the sexy pick for everybody this year with good reason. The Giants just remind ME of the Steelers a few years back. I don't think they were the best team in football just got hot at the right time. I like the way they play team ball and they did a great job of preparing for Strahan to be gone. I just think Philly+Washington got a lot better in the off season than the Giants while the Giants lost 2 of the better players in the NFL at their positions. Shockey stretches the field, Plax is dinged up, Jacobs went down last year, Toomer is old and until I see Eli do it a full season I'm still not sold on him. He was GREAT in the playoffs but for me it will take a full season of that before I'm on that waggon. Doesn't make it right or wrong. I don't know ANYBODY else that is picking the Giants last in their Division. That's just what I feel. To me it is the toughest confrence in football and there is a HUGE difference in being the hunted and the hunter. I think it's going to be exciting seeing how that division plays out, the Colts/Jags/Titans/Texans division, the Bucs/Saints/Panthers race, the Packers/Vikings race, the Pitt/Clev/Cincy/Balt race and the Bills/Jets race for 2nd. Those 1st 2 divisions I named will be a treat IMO!

I didn't say Pittsburgh would win it either..IMO it's the Browns division to lose.

 

I think the Browns look good on paper....I'm just not completely sold on Derek Anderson after one surprise season. Also, will Jamal Lewis stay healthy for another season? I don't like the depth behind Lewis if he's injured.

 

The additions of Rogers and Williams were big on the D-Line, but I'm not convinced their defense is going to be as good as some expect.

 

I've just had a feeling that the Bengals are going to be a surprise team this season. They're not as bad as a lot of people want to believe. Last season was a disaster by all accounts and they still won 7 games, and were within 3 to 7 points of winning 3 or 4 more.

 

The Browns aren't going to sneak up on anyone this year, but it's possible that the Bengals can to some degree.

 

But, it's not easy to predict the records of 32 teams...you just have to go with your gut feeling on a lot of teams because the reality is that many of them are an injury or a handful of favorable or unfavorable breaks from winning 5 or 6 games or winning 10 or 11. You're basically trying to guess which teams will click and get the breaks and which ones won't.

 

I like the Bengals and Eagles to bounce back strong this year, while the Bucs, Steelers and Browns will falter.

I really think McNabb is going to have a very good year. He's always had mediocre receivers (sans TO) and has had a very impressive career. I think he proves all the Philly doubters wrong again this year.

 

If everyone is healthy, McNabb's passing options overall are better than Eli's in NY, IMO...there is certainly no one on the level of Plaxico in Philly. But, I would rate Curtis and Reggie Brown above an aging Amani Toomer. It's possible Steve Smith will emerge, but as of now, he's young and unproven. A healthy L. J. Smith is a better than Kevin Boss. And, when you're analyzing the Eagles passing game, you have to factor Brian Westbrook in, and the Giants don't have anyone close to that level.

 

It all comes down to McNabb staying healthy, and I'm guessing he will in 2008. I also think their defense will be much better.

Cincinnati is the 3rd best team in the North, behind Pitt and Cleveland. I don't see them winning the division or making the playoffs, I see them going 7-9.

 

I don't see the Chargers going 15-1 in a tough AFC.

 

I don't see Minnesota going 11-5, I'm saying around 8-8, 9-7. I also don't see Detroit going 2-14, I understand they are the Lions, but they are better than 2-14.

 

I see the Bucs and the Cardinals winning more games than you said.

 

I also don't see the Chargers winning the SB. I'm gonna say it will be a Pats-Cowboys SB, with Dallas winning it.

 

I don't think San Diego's schedule is that bad...their two toughest games, NE and Indy are at home. The toughest road games, Pitt, New Orleans and Tampa are teams that are not nearly as talented as the Chargers. I like the way San Diego finished last season under Norv Turner. I think they're the most talented team in the NFL and 2008 is their time.

I think the Browns look good on paper....I'm just not completely sold on Derek Anderson after one surprise season. Also, will Jamal Lewis stay healthy for another season? I don't like the depth behind Lewis if he's injured.

 

The additions of Rogers and Williams were big on the D-Line, but I'm not convinced their defense is going to be as good as some expect.

 

I've just had a feeling that the Bengals are going to be a surprise team this season. They're not as bad as a lot of people want to believe. Last season was a disaster by all accounts and they still won 7 games, and were within 3 to 7 points of winning 3 or 4 more.

 

The Browns aren't going to sneak up on anyone this year, but it's possible that the Bengals can to some degree.

 

But, it's not easy to predict the records of 32 teams...you just have to go with your gut feeling on a lot of teams because the reality is that many of them are an injury or a handful of favorable or unfavorable breaks from winning 5 or 6 games or winning 10 or 11. You're basically trying to guess which teams will click and get the breaks and which ones won't.

 

I like the Bengals and Eagles to bounce back strong this year, while the Bucs, Steelers and Browns will falter.

 

The Bengals have a tough schedule. To have a winning season, the D, STs and ground game will have to be much improved. I'd love to see them win., I surely wouldn't bet on them.

I think the Browns look good on paper....I'm just not completely sold on Derek Anderson after one surprise season. Also, will Jamal Lewis stay healthy for another season? I don't like the depth behind Lewis if he's injured.

 

The additions of Rogers and Williams were big on the D-Line, but I'm not convinced their defense is going to be as good as some expect.

 

I've just had a feeling that the Bengals are going to be a surprise team this season. They're not as bad as a lot of people want to believe. Last season was a disaster by all accounts and they still won 7 games, and were within 3 to 7 points of winning 3 or 4 more.

 

The Browns aren't going to sneak up on anyone this year, but it's possible that the Bengals can to some degree.

 

But, it's not easy to predict the records of 32 teams...you just have to go with your gut feeling on a lot of teams because the reality is that many of them are an injury or a handful of favorable or unfavorable breaks from winning 5 or 6 games or winning 10 or 11. You're basically trying to guess which teams will click and get the breaks and which ones won't.

 

I like the Bengals and Eagles to bounce back strong this year, while the Bucs, Steelers and Browns will falter.

 

I agree that the browns would really need to have a lot of things go right to repeat the success of last season..I think the D will be improved from last season because it really couldn't do a lot worse. Special teams will be there, and if Anderson falters, I think Quinn is ready to step in and take control.. A teams success really feeds off the QB so hopefully the Browns will have a good QB this season and not a one season fluke.

If everyone is healthy, McNabb's passing options overall are better than Eli's in NY, IMO...there is certainly no one on the level of Plaxico in Philly. But, I would rate Curtis and Reggie Brown above an aging Amani Toomer. It's possible Steve Smith will emerge, but as of now, he's young and unproven. A healthy L. J. Smith is a better than Kevin Boss. And, when you're analyzing the Eagles passing game, you have to factor Brian Westbrook in, and the Giants don't have anyone close to that level.

 

It all comes down to McNabb staying healthy, and I'm guessing he will in 2008. I also think their defense will be much better.

 

Don't forget the newcomer DeShawn Jackson who has looked really good thus far.

We disagree. No big deal. You have your thoughts I have mine. Dallas is the sexy pick for everybody this year with good reason. The Giants just remind ME of the Steelers a few years back. I don't think they were the best team in football just got hot at the right time. I like the way they play team ball and they did a great job of preparing for Strahan to be gone. I just think Philly+Washington got a lot better in the off season than the Giants while the Giants lost 2 of the better players in the NFL at their positions. Shockey stretches the field, Plax is dinged up, Jacobs went down last year, Toomer is old and until I see Eli do it a full season I'm still not sold on him. He was GREAT in the playoffs but for me it will take a full season of that before I'm on that waggon. Doesn't make it right or wrong. I don't know ANYBODY else that is picking the Giants last in their Division. That's just what I feel. To me it is the toughest confrence in football and there is a HUGE difference in being the hunted and the hunter. I think it's going to be exciting seeing how that division plays out, the Colts/Jags/Titans/Texans division, the Bucs/Saints/Panthers race, the Packers/Vikings race, the Pitt/Clev/Cincy/Balt race and the Bills/Jets race for 2nd. Those 1st 2 divisions I named will be a treat IMO!

 

You use the "I'll have to see Eli do it for a full season argument" against Eli, so is it not okay for me to use the "I'll have to see the Cowboys/Romo/Wade Phillips actually win in the playoffs before I think they have a shot" argument? :lol:

I didn't say Pittsburgh would win it either..IMO it's the Browns division to lose.

So, you're drinking the Brown Kool-Aid? I doubt that they'll surpass .500

You use the "I'll have to see Eli do it for a full season argument" against Eli, so is it not okay for me to use the "I'll have to see the Cowboys/Romo/Wade Phillips actually win in the playoffs before I think they have a shot" argument? :lol:

 

:laugh:They are both legit arguments in my book.