Midway through the 2008 NFL Season, several teams have unexpectedly sprinted to the forefront, while preseason favorites have been atrocious. For starters, the New Orleans Saints were a dark-horse pick for the Super-Bowl this season, and a sexy choice to capture the NFC South Crown.
But predictably the Saints defense has been inadequate, making it impossible for New Orleans to compete week-to-week with the league’s best. The one bright spot for the Saints is once again Pro-Bowl Quarterback Drew Brees, who has led the Saints to a 4-4 record, despite the dreadful defensive output. Being .500 won’t be good enough this year in a highly competitive NFC South Division, a division where the Saints currently sit in last place.
Another team struggling is the preseason AFC favorite the San Diego Chargers, who like the Saints have struggled mightily on defense, and have been unable to defeat top-level teams. The Chargers are currently sitting pretty at 3-5. They are sitting pretty because they play in the NFL’s worst division, featuring such cupcakes as the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. They were in this position last season, and ended up in the conference title game so considering their talent on offense, the Chargers are down, but not out.
Finally, the Dallas Cowboys, “America’s Team,” featuring a multitude of pro-bowlers is 5-3. Not bad, but not what owner Jerry Jones, Cowboy fans, or the entire national media expected. Prior to the first game, the Cowboys were hearing from every national sports media member that they were the best thing since sliced bread and were going to breeze through the NFC to play in Tampa in late January.
Unfortunately, the NFC East is loaded with playoff-caliber teams, and apparently the Cowboys have forgotten they haven’t won a playoff game since 1995. Head Coach Wade Phillips will have to keep his guys focused, despite the circus going on around them, thanks to Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones designating several troubled, underachieving clowns to his roster. Here are my predictions for Division Champs, and Playoff Teams.
NFC South (T.B.) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers will both finish 11-5, but the Bucs will beat the Panthers again in Carolina, claiming the NFC title, while Carolina will settle for a wild-card berth.
NFC East (N.Y.) – The New York Giants will claim the division crown with a stellar 12-4 mark, while the Washington Redskins will eek in with a 10-6 record, leaving the 9-7 Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys out to dry.
NFC North (CHI.) – The Chicago Bears will win their 2nd North Title in 3 years, finishing with a 9-7 season, due to a weak division, a nasty defense, and solid quarterback play.
NFC West (ARZ.) – The play is starting to catch up with the hype and talent for the Arizona Cardinals and old school quarterback Kurt Warner, with the support of the league’s best wide-outs, will finish 10-6, and continue play into January.
AFC North (PIT.) – The Steelers will win the North, ending the season 12-4, earning themselves home-field throughout the playoffs.
AFC East (N.E.) – Even without Tom Brady, Bill Bellichick and the New England Patriots will win the east behind a 11-5 campaign, with Brett Favre and the New York Jets earning a wildcard with a 9-7 record.
AFC West (S.D.) – The San Diego Chargers will wake up and bounce the Broncos from the division title, finishing 9-7. Denver will earn a wildcard spot with the same record.
AFC South (TEN.) – The Tennessee Titans will stuggle down the stretch, but hold on to a 11-5 record, while the Jacksonville Jaguars will get healthy and earn a wild card berth with a 9-7 mark.
