2008-2009 NFL Playoff Predictions

See Article Here: 2008-2009 NFL Predictions by Michael Luchies

The 2008 NFL season is here. There is no better time to start predicting the future then before we know how the teams will perform! Here is how the season will go down and who makes the playoffs.

NFC Playoff Teams:

Arizona Cardinals- Expect a much overdue playoff appearance for the Arizona Cardinals in 2008. With maturing QB Matt Leinart behind center and a deadly receiving duo in Anquan Boldin, and Larry Fitzgerald the Cardinals continue to improve. Don’t expect an epic run due to the run still lacking. The Cards were 29th in rushing last year averaging just 90 rushing yards per game. Arizona was fifth in receiving and ninth in rushing defense that led the team to a .500 season at 8-8. This team is coming together and improving on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals will go 10-6 and somehow beat out the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West.

Green Bay Packers- Forget about all the sportscasters who have the Jets finishing the season with a better record than the Green Bay Packers. Yes the Jets have an easier schedule but the Packers have a much stronger team. The Packers almost beat the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants even with an average at best performance from Favre. Rodgers will be the surprise of the year and will lead the Packers to the playoffs and a divisional championship over the Vikings. Rodgers has Jennings, Donald Lee, and Donald Driver to throw to. He also has a great pocket presence and can make the throws he needs to. Packers win the NFC North in 2008.

Dallas Cowboys- The Dallas Cowboys will have an interesting year. The NFC East is the hardest division in all of football. The Redskins, Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys are all playoff quality teams. The Cowboys are building a star studded cast on both sides of the ball. They lost Julius Jones, but two Jones (Adam Jones, Felix Jones) are better than one. Tony Romo will continue to light up scoreboards with T.O., Jason Whitten, and Patrick Crayton. This team is destined to compete in the postseason.

Seattle Seahawks- The Seattle Seahawks will be an average team in 2008. Luckily for them the NFC is a great place for average teams to flourish. The loss of Shaun Alexander and D.J. Hackett will cripple the offense even with the addition of Julius Jones. Their defense will be the key to another playoff berth.

New Orleans Saints- The Saints boast one of the most exciting offenses in the league and one of the worst defenses. If the defense can play even halfway decent then the Saints will coast to a 10-6 season. The acquiring of Jeremy Shockey changes the whole complexion of the team. Reggie Bush will have a breakout year and Drew Brees should be among the top eight passers in the league.

New York Giants- Defending Super Bowl champions will sneak into the postseason as they did in 2007. Don’t expect a repeat or anything close to it in 2008. The team did not improve in the offseason, it got worse with the loss of Michael Strahan. Expect a lot of close games and the determination of Eli Manning to decide the outcome of the season.

NFC Disappointments: Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins

AFC Playoff Teams:

Cleveland Browns- The Cleveland Browns were robbed last year after a fantastic and unexpected 10-6 season. With a now improved defensive line and a more experienced offense look for the Browns to repeat a 10-6 season, but this time they will make the playoffs. Braylon Edwards will have another incredible season and will easily make the Pro Bowl. Big question marks still surround running back Jamal Lewis’ ability to stay healthy. With a healthy Lewis this could be a 11-5 team and overtake the Steelers in the AFC North.

Indianapolis Colts- The Colts are still stacked on offense and they have players that step up in needed situations. Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne, Joseph Addai, Peyton Manning, and Marvin Harrison are among the best at their respective positions. The Colts were 2nd in defending the pass and 3rd in overall defense last year. If Bob Sanders and Peyton Manning can stay healthy, the Colts will be in the AFC Championship game if not the Super Bowl as well.

Jacksonville Jaguars- Still one of the best running games in the league and the rest of the team is still developing. Maurice Jones-Drew should have a much bigger year than last and help lead the young offense. Hopefully a couple of the freak athletes at wide receiver actually become decent wide receivers this year. Troy Williamson, Matt Jones, and Reggie Williams all need to produce for the Jags to be successful with Garrard behind center. The jags may struggle down the stretch but will have what it takes when it comes to games that decide their fate on to the playoffs.

New England Patriots- One of the greatest teams in the history of sports. The Patriots will win 14 games in ‘08. The Pats will have to develop more of a rushing game to keep defenses guessing. Even with passing every play they cannot be stopped, but coordinators around the NFL will start to get more creative and desperate, and someone will figure out a way to stop them.

Pittsburgh Steelers- Face it, Charlie Batch could take the Steelers to the playoffs. Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall are icing on the cake for Steel town. Hines Ward is suddenly underrated and considered an old man. Although Santonio Holmes is looking to become the next breakout superstar receiver in the NFL, Ward will surpass him in yards receiving and touchdowns in 2008. The Steelers defense is solid and should be able to shut teams down in the 4th quarter. The Steelers will go 11-5 at worse, and easily make the playoffs.

San Diego Chargers- You would think a berth in the AFC Championship would satisfy the Chargers organization but it doesn’t seem that way. This is not a Super Bowl quality football team. The San Diego wide receivers remind me of the Detroit Lions, they look good for a few plays but are destined to fall apart and not get the job done. Luckily for San Diego they have LT and Antonio Gates (who is battling injuries) who make up a teams worth of talent. San Diego should be happy with a playoff berth this year, they need to make a more significant upgrade at wideout to contend for a title.

AFC Disappointments: Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens

Super Bowl Matchup: Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots

Super Bowl Winner: Dallas Cowboys- That’s right, the Cowboys “America’s Team” take home the hardware this year. They have been able to assemble the most fierce bar fighting, drunk driving, strip (is it script or strip?) club attending, Jessica Simpson dating, camera hogging (T.O.), team in NFL history and it will pay off. This team is destined to fall apart in future years (too many ego’s on one team), but for now the Cowboys are the best team in football (yes I know the Patriots are still in the league, they just won’t get it done this year.)

Super Bowl MVP: Tony Romo

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