2008 NFL Season Predictions

So far my college predictions are still possible(unlike last year when my National Champion pick lost to Appy State). So maybe my NFL predictions will go right(unlike my predictions of a 12-4 Patriots, 13-3 49ers, Super Bowl Champion Saints, and 10-6 Rams). This year your going to criticize me heavily for my picks and I'm going to actually defend them. Here are my predictions

1.Eagles(NFC East Champ)
2.Panthers(NFC South Champ)
3.Rams(NFC West Champ)
4.Lions(NFC North Champ)
5.Cowboys(NFC East Co-Champ)
6.Buccaneers(NFC South Runner-Up)

1.Jaguars(AFC South Champ)
2.Chargers(AFC West Champ)
3.Patriots(AFC East Champ)
4.Steelers(AFC North Champ)
5.Texans(AFC South Runner-Up)
6.Colts(AFC South 3rd Place)

Wild Card:
Cowboys over Lions
Patriots over Colts
Rams over Buccaneers
Steelers over Texans

Divisionals:
Cowboys over Eagles
Patriots over Chargers
Panthers over Rams
Jaguars over Steelers

AFC Championship:Patriots over Jaguars
NFC Championship:Cowboys over Panthers

Super Bowl XLVIII:Patriots over Cowboys

Justifying My Picks:
AFC:
To me, Jacksonville is the best team in the regular season and I think will only struggle on the road against Indy, and Houston. With stars on both sides of the ball. Jacksonville should be a force. San Diego has no real competition in the AFC West but they do play Pittsburgh, New England, and Indy...expect them to win 2/3. Thats how good the Chargers are. Remember this team almost beat the Pats without LT and with a limping Phillip Rivers. Merriman's injury may be a factor but San Diego's defense is too good to fall apart. New England will not be 16-0 entering January, I believe they are vulnerable like every other team is. Pittsburgh will struggle early but will get hot in late October. With time and the development of Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed, Pittsburgh will be a champion in the next 5 years...mark my words. This one will get laughs but the Houston Texans with the front 4 they got featuring Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye and others should give teams a scare. I hate to say it but I think Slaton can be an impact player on offense and a healthy Matt Schuab with Andre Johnson should make Houston a viable contender in the AFC South...which is why I feel Indy will barely qualify, I think they're in a tough division and have tougher road games. Playoff wise, I feel New England with all their late season momentum will beat Indy in the cold New England snow and should narrowly escape San Diego(ala 2007). Jacksonville will be tough for New England but they will overcome it and win Super Bowl XLIII.

NFC:
Yes the Eagles and Panthers are Number 1, no this is not 2003. I feel Philadelphia with the addition of Asante Samuel has a new dimension that should improve an already good defense. I believe McNabb will return to 2004 form and the Eagles will win the East narrowly over Dallas. Carolina's front 4 looks vicious and Jake Delhomme is back, and with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams as a 1-2 punch, Carolina should be revived in '08. Now your gonna laugh at this one but I believe the Rams have a real opportunity to win the division and be there in the playoffs. The first half is murder and I believe they come away as good as 3-4 or as bad as 0-7. The second half isn't so bad and I feel that all 9 2nd half games are winnable, but St.Louis will not beat Philly, Seattle(road), Dallas or New England I can guarentee that. Detroit is in somewhat of a rebuilding division and they're ahead of everybody else. Before you mention Adrian Peterson I feel the Sophomore slump will haunt A.P. Remember, Peterson struggled last year after the 296 yard game against the Chargers. He is vulnerable and with Tavaris Jackson at QB I feel Minnesota will struggle. Detroit should win this division. Dallas is better than the top 4 but a tiebreaker with Philly kept them away from being No.1 overall. Dallas should manage to beat Detroit(though it will be close). I think they will beat Philly in Game 3, and Carolina in what will be a battle of defenses. Tampa Bay will get in because Jon Gruden is that good.

The most notable absensce is the Giants and that is not a shot against the G-Men but more of a "your good but theres just a few teams slightly better". If they still had Osi, I'd have them on top of the NFC.

Overall, my prediction of New England and Dallas(a game I've hyped as a possible Super Bowl since November 2006 will be Super Bowl XLIII and the Pats will win their 1st Super Bowl in this decade post Spygate.