2008 Season Preview
NFL - American Football Conference (AFC) - Predictions for 2008 Season Final Team Standings
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AFC North ·
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AFC Playoffs 2008-2009:
· Wild Card: Jacksonville over San Diego. Tennessee over Cleveland.
· Division: Jacksonville over New England. Indianapolis over Tennessee
· AFC Championship: Indianapois over Jacksonville
Last Update: August 7 2008 (will be continually updated)
This chart shows the 2008 range of expected wins (in green) and predicted wins (in yellow) for each team
AFC East
Division Snapshot: Once again, its the Patriots and everyone else. The Jets need to figure out if they are a 4 win team or a 10 win team. The Bills will try to push the win total up a notch. Another preview here and here. (flashback see 2007 predictions 2007 AFC).
1. New England Patriots Bill Belichick (since 2000)
2008 projected wins: 14
Record (2007): 16-0, lost to New York Giants (17-14) in Super Bowl XLII
Record (2006): 12-4, lost to Indianapolis (38-34) in AFC Championship
Record (2005): 10-6, lost to Denver (27-13) in divisional playoff
Record (2004): 14-2, won Super Bowl XXXIX 24-21
Keep in mind: WR Randy Moss bought into a NASCAR Truck Series team now called Randy Moss Motorsports. Maybe not terribly productive, but much better than the trouble of offensive lineman Nicholas Kaczur, here.
Recap: On the one hand, the 18-1 Patriots averaged 36.8 points per game. Quite the offense. On the other hand, teams across the league will be looking to exact a little payback. It may take some time however before the tables are turned. The Pats just have a full assembly line of talent, offense and defense. More here.
2. New York Jets Eric Mangini (2006)
2008 projected wins: 8
Record (2007): 4-12
Record (2006): 10-6
Record (2005): 4-12
Record (2004): 10-6, lost to Pittsburgh (20-17, OT) in divisional playoff
Keep in mind: The Jets have been bouncing between 4 and 10 win seasons and the question was which team would show up in 2008. With Brett Favre in town the odds look like a return closer to the 10 wins..
Recap: The Jets might do themselves well to lean on RB Thomas Jones a little more. A capable defense, increasingly led by corner Darrelle Revis should be boosted a little be the arrival of Vernon Gholston. Bottom line, the Jets bounce, but maybe not quite up to 10 W's.
3. Buffalo Bills Dick Jauron (2006)
2008 projected wins: 7
Record (2007): 7-9
Record (2006): 7-9
Record (2005): 5-11
Record (2004): 9-7
Keep in mind: The Bills are developing into a grind-it-out team on offense, with QB Trent Edwards rarely tossing for over 200 yards. If Edwards can improve his consistency then it will open up the running game (Marshawn Lynch plus Fred Jackson) and maybe give that defense room to improve.
Recap: It looks like another year off in Buffalo. The offensive pieces seem to be in place. Not great, but in place. This year, success, and momentum for the future depends on consistency from the defense.
4. Miami Dolphins Tony Sparano (2008)
2008 projected wins: 5
Record (2007): 1-15
Record (2006): 6-10
Record (2005): 9-7
Record (2004): 4-12
Keep in mind: There are a couple of bright spots, at least in terms of offensive excitement. Ted Ginn Jr enters his 2nd season as, basically, the best WR target, since the Dolphins lost Marty Booker and brought in Ernest Wilford as the #1. Then, the Dolphins have the RB pair of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Williams, though, is going to need to work himself into shape. And Brown is recovering from a torn ACL.
Recap: When your starting QB is named Josh McCown or John Beck, you have problems. When you give away your veteran Pro-Bowl LB Jason Taylor right before the season, you have problems. New head coach Tony Sparano will try to make the most of it. And, when your coming off a 1-win season, the good thing is it can only get better. Right?
AFC West
Division Snapshot: The Chargers are the class of the division. However, the division just keeps getting worse. Expect the Raiders to actually be a bright spot at times. (flashback see 2007 predictions 2007 AFC).
1. San Diego Chargers Norv Turner (2007)
2008 projected wins: 10
Record (2007): 11-5, lost to New England (21-12) in AFC Championship
Record (2006): 14-2, lost to New England (24-21) in divisional playoff
Record (2005): 9-7
Record (2004): 12-4, lost to NY Jets (20-17, OT) in wild card.
Keep in mind: Despite dropping from 14 wins in 2006 to 11 in 2007, the Chargers went a round deeper in the playoffs last year-- just a game away from the Super Bowl.
Recap: The Chargers have the offense and defense to convincingly win the AFC West. However, we are not sure if this team ranks up with what they have had in recent seasons. TE Gates is a year older and will enter 2008 a little banged up. And QB Philip Rivers must prove a little more in order to open up the run game for Tomlinson.
2. Denver Broncos Mike Shanahan (1995)
2008 projected wins: 8
Record (2007): 7-9
Record (2006): 9-7
Record (2005): 13-3, lost to Pittsburgh (34-17) in AFC Championship
Record (2004): 10-6, got crushed by Indianapolis (again) in wild card game 49-24
Keep in mind: If the rest of the AFC West wasn't so bad, the Broncos wouldn't look so good. The running game should be solid again as Selvin Young and Travis Henry should do well enough under Mike Shanahan's leadership. QB Jay Cutler continues to live up to expectations, even if they are modest..
Recap: The defense looked, well, just bad more often than not last season. They gave up nearly 26 points per game. It's amazing the Broncos managed to win 7 games. We don't see much to turn things around for Denver. Expect a mediocre season.
3. Oakland Raiders Lane Kiffin (2007)
2008 projected wins: 7
Record (2007): 4-12
Record (2006): 2-14
Record (2005): 4-12
Record (2004): 5-11
Keep in mind: The draft pick of RB Darren McFadden should prove to be a big boost for the hapless Raiders (last 5 seasons win totals: 4, 5, 4, 2, and 4 last year). McFadden should produce this year, and he will also push Justin Fargas to be even better.
Recap: This offseason the Raiders add help on defense with Tommy Kelly and DeAngelo Hall. On offense they picked up Javon Walker. Ultimate success of the offseason changes depends on how QB JaMarcus Russell plays. Expect a couple extra wins from the last few years.
4. Kansas City Chiefs Herm Edwards (2006)
2008 projected wins: 6
Record (2007): 4-12
Record (2006): 9-7, lost to Indianapolis (23-8) in wild card
Record (2005): 10-6
Record (2004): 7-9
Keep in mind: After a couple of decent seasons, including a playoff trip in 2006, the Chiefs fell apart in 2007. KC has rolled over the offensive line, but the younger crew isn't expected to make much of a difference this season. Regardless, the Chiefs offense will be a work in progress with QB Brodie Croyle taking charge.
Recap: The Raiders have taken steps to improve their team, and so the Chiefs could be heading for sole position of the AFC West basement this year.
AFC North
Division Snapshot: Any of these teams could win this division. Certainly the Bengals have the offense. And the Steelers have Big Ben. But Cleveland is where the buzz is-- Derek Anderson has turned things around quicker than fans could have hoped. Playoffs for Cleveland? (flashback see 2007 predictions 2007 AFC).
1. Cleveland Browns Romeo Crennel (2005)
2008 projected wins: 9
Record (2007): 10-6
Record (2006): 4-12
Record (2005): 6-10
Record (2004): 4-12
Keep in mind: Vetern WR Donte Stallworth arrives to bolster last season's most surprising offensive machine. QB Derek Anderson will be out to prove that last season's 10 W's was just the beginning.
Recap: The Browns defense was not good last year. However, it was much improved in the last 6 weeks of last season; though it was against weaker opponents, such as the Week 15 shutout of Buffalo. To boost the defense, the Browns added DE Corey Williams from Green Bay. On balance, the Browns seem to have the best offense/defense combination in the AFC North and they are heading for the playoffs for just the 2nd time since the original Browns moved to Baltimore after the '95 season.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Tomlin (2007)
2008 projected wins: 8
Record (2007): 10-6, lost to Jacksonville (31-29) in wild card
Record (2006): 8-8
Record (2005): 11-5, won the Super Bowl (21-10) ws Seattle
Record (2004): 15-1, lost to New England (41-27) in AFC Championship
Keep in mind: The Steelers lost 3 of their last 3 games at the end of last season, largely because the defense fell apart. Not sure if this is a sign of any growing problem..
Recap: There doesn't seem to be much to gain by betting against Big Ben. He seems to do what it takes to get the job done. However, it is a tough division with even tougher rivalries and we're not sure if Pittsburgh has what it takes for a 10-win season. The running game is expected to be better this year but has the loss of OG Alan Faneca been fully factored in?
3. Cincinnati Bengals Marvin Lewis (2003)
2008 projected wins: 8
Record (2007): 7-9
Record (2006): 8-8
Record (2005): 11-5, lost to Pittsburgh (31-17) in wild card
Record (2004): 8-8
Keep in mind: On paper, the Bengals have a deep, high-powered offense, with all the pieces coming back this season, like WR Chad Johnson. There really are no excuses heading into this season for why the Bengals would not be able to return toward the results of their 11-win 2005 season.
Recap: Now, the defense does need a bit of work, but with the options they have on offense (including RB's Kenny Watson and Rudi Johnson) the Bengals should be able to make this work. It's a big year for head coach Marvin Lewis, that's all that can be said.
4. Baltimore Ravens John Harbaugh (2008)
2008 projected wins: 6
Record (2007): 5-11
Record (2006): 13-3, lost to Indianapolis (15-6) in divisional playoff
Record (2005): 6-10
Record (2004): 9-7
Keep in mind: Steve McNair is officially out of the QB picture now, leaving a battle between rookie Joe Flacco and long-time Raven Kyle Boller. And this points to 2008 as a transition year for Baltimore.
Recap: It was just 2 seasons ago (2006) when the Ravens won 13 games. Are there any hints of that team left? Or was it an anamoly season? The issue is that the offense worked that season as McNair had a big season. But the traditional offensive problems the Ravens have had for about 5 years are now front and center again. Making matters worse, the defense (a traditional powerhouse) is now showing signs of trouble, including the age of star LB Ray Lewis.
AFC South
Division Snapshot: The AFC South is the best division in the AFC, if not the NFL. The Colts will need to be ready to play most weekends on their schedule, and even though they should win the division they may need a W in the final game of the year (vs Tennessee) to get there. (flashback see 2007 predictions 2007 AFC).
1. Indianapolis Colts Tony Dungy (2002)
2008 projected wins: 12
Record (2007): 13-3, lost to San Diego (28-24) in divisional playoff
Record (2006): 12-4, won Super Bowl XLI (29-17) over Chicago
Record (2005): 14-2, lost to Pittsburgh (21-18) in divisional playoff
Record (2004): 12-4, lost to New England (20-3) in divisional playoff
Keep in mind: The Colts remain the team to be beat in the AFC South until proven otherwise.
Recap: Yet, unlike previous seasons, it's not crazy talk to suspect the Colts might not win the division. It should definitely be a close battle this season, but Marvin Harrison is expected to be healthy; Addai is a year older; and Dominic Rhodes is back; so the Colts offense is just too good to bet against.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars Jack Del Rio (2003)
2008 projected wins: 10
Record (2007): 11-5, lost to New England (31-20) in divisional playoff
Record (2006): 8-8
Record (2005): 12-4, lost to New England (28-3) in wild card
Record (2004): 9-7
Keep in mind: Jack Del Rio just might be the best coach in the NFL; or at least the best that isn't illegally filming other teams. Last year he made the right call placing QB David Garrard in charge of the offense.
Recap: Garrard's favorite WR target is Reggie Williams. And while the Jags lost WR Ernest Wilford, they have added Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson giving Jacksonville a very deep offense. No one expects this offense to be the talk of the town. However, any serious NFL'er knows the Jags will be moving the chains and scoring TD's with a degree of consistency. The defense won't have to be spectacular. So long as new coordinator Gregg Williams can keep the D steady, the Jags will be in the playoffs.
3. Tennessee Titans Jeff Fisher (1994)
2008 projected wins: 10
Record (2007): 10-6, lost to San Diego (17-6) in wild card
Record (2006): 8-8
Record (2005): 4-12
Record (2004): 5-11
Keep in mind: The success of the Titans will appear as if it hinges on 4th quarter plays from Vince Young and steady forward running by LenDale White.
Recap: However, the real factor will be how the defense performs. No matter what the highlights say, if the Titans manage 10 wins (which we think they can) it will be because the defense stepped up. That is what will make or break this team; because Young is the type of QB that grinds out W's and he needs a defense to go along.
4. Houston Texans Gary Kubiak (2006)
2008 projected wins: 8
Record (2007): 8-8
Record (2006): 6-10
Record (2005): 2-14
Record (2004): 7-9
Keep in mind: Stick the Texans in the AFC West and they might be a 10 win team.
Recap: Everyone laughed when the Texans passed on Reggie Bush. However, Mario Williams was tied for 3rd in the NFL for sacks last year. The defense is solid. And QB Matt Schaub should be able to steer the team to another .500 season. Consider it a step in the right direction-- even if they do finish last in this tough division.
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