THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS

It is time for my 2008 NFL Predictions. Below are my 2007 NFL Predictions. I look forward to being equally wrong this year, as usual.

https://tygrrrrexpress.com/2007/09/2007-nfl-predictions/

I have said on many occasions that my passion for politics, while burning strong, pales in comparison to my passion for the National Football League. We have a couple months until we select our next world leader, and there will be many days to analyze it to death. For those who prefer politics to sports, come back tomorrow.

On Thursday September 4th, the Redskins are at the Giants. Everybody else must suffer in waiting until Sunday, September 7th. The 2008 NFL season starts in 2 days for me, when The hated Denver Broncos play the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football, so let’s get down to business.

For further NFL coverage, some fabulous websites are below.

www.nfl.com

http://fansided.com/forums

www.justblogbaby.com

http://michellemalkin.com/2008/09/06/49ers-do-the-job-san-francisco-democrats-wont-do/

To quote mutual fund manager Bill Fleckenstein, I am “often wrong, but never in doubt.” With that, here are my predictions for 2008.

NFC East:

Dallas Cowboys–This team is loaded, and they are hungry after last year’s playoff shocker. They are my favorites to get to the Superbowl. 13-3

Philadelphia Eagles–Andy Reid is an excellent coach, but the offseason has been a nightmare for him. His family pressures have to be weighing on his mind. Donovan McNabb has less talent around him than in past years, but Reid and McNabb could will the team to some wins. 9-7

New York Giants–At the risk of enraging the fans of the defending champions, they were not that good last year for most of the year. They were only 10-6, so a slight drop would not be out of the range of reason, especially with Strahan retired and Umenyora out for the season with a broken leg. They might miss the playoffs. 8-8

Washington Redskins–Jim Zorn is a new coach, and the Redskins are in building mode. 5-11

NFC North:

Green Bay Packers–Brett Favre is gone. The 13-3 team last year was not as good as their record. Favre willed them to some wins. Even with Favre I saw them sliding to 10-6. Therefore, if Aaron Rodgers goes 10-6, he will be unfairly criticized. I hope he has a thick skin. 9-7

Minnesota Vikings–Adrian Peterson had a great rookie season, and will get better. He has some help at defense but quarterback is a question mark. Brad Childress may be on the hot seat. 8-8

Detroit Lions–My comments are the same as last year. Yes, Mike Martz is a genius evil mad scientist, and yes, he has the personnel, and no, past performance does not guarantee future results, but they are the same old Lions until proven otherwise. 6-10

Chicago Bears–They are simply not that good. Brian Urlacher cannot do it all by himself. 6-10

NFC South:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers–This analysis is unchanged from last year. They are back. Jon Gruden needs to settle his quarterback situation, but hard nosed running and stout defense should lead to typical “Buc-ball” wins of an ugly nature. 10-6

New Orleans Saints–Two years ago was a feel good story, with Gleason and Deloach contributing to the greatest blocked punt in NFL history. Yes, they were one win from a Superbowl, but they plummeted last year. They play in a tough division, and despite Reggie Bush and Drew Brees, I see another tough year. 7-9

Carolina Panthers–This team had so much potential, but have been injury wracked the last couple of years. Steve Smith is suspended for 2 games. John Fox is a good coach, but we shall see if Jake Delhomme rebounds. 7-9

Atlanta Falcons–Last year I said that they are done. No Vick, no franchise. Period. I was right, and Matt Ryan will not turn it around this year. They have too many holes. 3-13

NFC West:

Seattle Seahawks–As was the case last year, playing in a terrible division alone should be enough. If Matt Hasselbeck gets hurt, Seneca Wallace is a very able backup. Anyone running behind Walter Jones should be ok. 10-6

Arizona Cardinals–126 years of futility will not change this year unless Kurt Warner starts ahead of Matt Leinart. Matt Leinart may turn out to be good one day, but Warner far outplayed him in preseason. With Leinart, they go nowhere. With Wrner, they have a shot. 9-7

San Francisco 49ers–They are a mess. Alex Smith is not that good, and apparently has lost his starting job. Frank Gore is not that overwhelmingly special. A weak division helps, but not nearly enough. 4-12

St. Louis Rams–I still maintain that all being equal, Kurt Warner is better than Mark Bulger. Yet Warner is gone, and Bulger has less help. This is no longer the Greatest Show on Turf. 4-12

AFC East–New England Patriots–As was the case last year, there will be no drop off. It is almost unfair, but the team that was cruising towards a 4th ring before being shocked will have a chip on their shoulder, which is not normal for perennial champions. Randy Moss was the last piece of the puzzle, and Bill Belichick will not allow for the Superbowl hangover. 14-2

New York Jets–Brett Favre has gone from Cheesehead Green to Gang Green. He still has the fire. He has willed teams by himself, and may carry this team. 10-6

Buffalo Bills–Trent Edwards is a better quarterback than J.P. Losman. I do not see much on the horizon. 6-10

Miami Dolphins–New everything, many question marks, we shall see. Bill Parcells is one of the greatest Coaches ever. Yet he is not a legend as an executive yet. Now he has total control. Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor are gone. No player is Dolphin safe with this Tuna around. It will take time, but it will get done. 3-13

AFC North:

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin established himself as a typical Steelers coach, focusing on hard nosed running and a stifling defense. Big Ben is healthy, and the team has talent. 10-6

Cleveland Browns–As last year, Romeo Crennel is a good man, and he should get 2 years to develop Brady Quinn, but that might not happen. Derek Anderson is quite good, and the talent is there, but 10-6 may have been a peak rather than a stepping stone. They will step back before moving forward. A qb controversy could hurt as well. 8-8

Cincinnati Bengals–If Marvin Lewis can keep his guys out of jail, they should be ok. 3 years ago one would have said a playoff year was an aberration, and it is looking that this is true. Palmer has regressed, Chad Johnson is being a malcontent, and Rudi is gone. 6-10

Baltimore Ravens–The defense is still quite good, but with a new coach, and Steve McNair retired, it could be tough. Joe Flacco has showed promise, but Kyle Boller will not get it done. 5-11

AFC South:

Indianapolis Colts–Bill Polian to Tony Dungy to Peyton Manning, this team is first class all the way. They got the New England monkey off their back in previous years, but last year New England got the upper hand again. The team simply hows no sign of slipping. 12-4

Jacksonville Jaguars–Jack Del Rio has a defense, and a solid qb in David Garrard. They beat Pittsburgh twice last year in Pittsburgh. The two teams are a mirror image, and Jacksonville can run the ball. The division is tough, and they still might not get past Indy. 11-5

Tennessee Titans–Jeff Fisher is the best coach in the league right now. Vince Young regressed last year. They should contend if Young rebounds, but have a tough division. 9-7

Houston Texans–They are getting closer, but have too many tough games. 7-9

AFC West:

Denver Broncos–It all rests on the cannon arm of Jay Cutler. The team has rallied around him after he announced he had diabetes. Mike Shanahan teams will provide the offensive line and good running game. The division is weak. 9-7

San Diego Chargers–Even Norv Turner cannot destroy a 14-2 team in one year, but within 2 years have 8-8 written on them. San Diego is done. They have the players, but so did previous Turner teams. Lat year I correctly had them at 11-5, but was wrong in predicting their quick playoff exit. It will not be an issue this year. 8-8

Oakland Raiders–Jamarcus Russell is the real deal, and as special as Darren McFadden is, Michael Bush was the star during preseason. The team used to be loaded at wide receiver, but no more. The defense has superstars at the corners, but run stopping is suspect. Lane Kiffin is not the answer at coach. The Silver and Black are a year away. 5-11

Kansas City Chiefs–This team is horrible, and they open against a New England team that went 16-0 and is enraged. Brodie Croyle will have a tough year. 3-13

NFC Title Game–Dallas Cowboys defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Outside of Dallas, the entire NFC remains pathetic).

AFC Title Game–New England Patriots defeat Indianapolis Colts (This still remains the Superbowl one game early).

Super Bowl–Just like last year, I will go to my grave knowing Tom Brady fumbled that ball against the Raiders in 2001. He also did not deserve the MVP in either of his first two Super Bowl wins, although he might have earned it the third time, when he did not win it. Nevertheless, Randy Moss fit in perfectly. Bill Belichick is the chess master, having escaped the legend of Bill Parcells. New England Patriots 31, Dallas Cowboys 21.

Then after the pro Bowl, where hopefully 3 Raider defenders and punter Shane Lechler will play, the countdown to the 2009 Draft will begin with Roger Goodell hopefully not beginning by saying, “The Oakland Raiders are on the clock.”

Are you ready for some football!!!!!

Let’s get it on!!!!!

eric

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 6th, 2008 at 3:36 pm and is filed under SPORTS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.