NFC NORTH
Minnesota Vikings
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 8-8 / 10-6
HOT OR HOT MESS? The plan is to stick by third-year pro QB Tarvaris Jackson and hope he’s ready to be the guy.
BUZZWORTHY? They splurged on free agent Bernard Berrian in hopes of giving Jackson a big-play receiver.
Green Bay
Packers
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 13-3 / 8-8
HOT OR HOT MESS? Aaron Rodgers got the starting QB job of the ’07 NFC runners-up when Brett Favre moved to the Jets.
BUZZWORTHY? Favre is gone and a new era begins in Green Bay. What that means is anyone’s guess.
Detroit Lions
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 7-9 / 7-9
HOT OR HOT MESS? They can win with fiery QB Jon Kitna and an offense that could lean on rookie RB Kevin Smith.
BUZZWORTHY? Second-year pro Calvin Johnson looms as a holy terror for defensive coordinators in the years to come.
Chicago Bears
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 7-9 / 7-9
HOT OR HOT MESS? The Bears opted to keep their QB situation status quo, with Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton.
BUZZWORTHY? Matt Forte faces as much pressure to produce (as Cedric Benson’s possible replacement) as anyone in his rookie class.
– – –
NFC south
New Orleans Saints
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 7-9 / 11-5
HOT OR HOT MESS? After Deuce McAllister went down with an injury, Reggie Bush averaged less than 4 yards per rush.
BUZZWORTHY? The Saints easily have the talent to return to prominence in the NFC South and added TE Jeremy Shockey.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 9-7 / 10-6
HOT OR HOT MESS? Coach Jon Gruden’s units struggle passing. Last year, the team threw 18 touchdown passes.
BUZZWORTHY? Injuries allowed Earnest Graham to rise from preseason scrub/special teamer to a featured back who scored 10 touchdowns.
Carolina Panthers
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 7-9 / 8-8
HOT OR HOT MESS? DE Julius Peppers had just 2 1/2 sacks last year as the Carolina defensive line was a big disappointment.
BUZZWORTHY? The Panthers have a pair of rookies who should burst onto the scene in RB Jonathan Stewart and OT Jeff Otah.
Atlanta Falcons
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 4-12 / 2-14
HOT OR HOT MESS? QB Matt Ryan got a $72 million contract. Good for him, but bad for expectations. He can’t meet them.
BUZZWORTHY? RB Michael Turner was a stellar backup to LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego, but he’ll be practically solo in Atlanta.
– – –
NFC east
Dallas Cowboys
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 13-3 / 12-4
HOT OR HOT MESS? Regular-season TDs are nice, but it’s time for Tony Romo to make his $69 million in the playoffs.
BUZZWORTHY? Two first-round picks (RB Felix Jones and CB Michael Jenkins) should make instant impact.
New York Giants
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 10-6 / 9-7
HOT OR HOT MESS? Which Eli Manning will show in ’08? “Peyton’s Little Brother” or the Super Bowl MVP?
BUZZWORTHY? It’ll be interesting to see how the Super Bowl champs fare as the prime targets in 2008.
Philadelphia Eagles
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 8-8 / 8-8
HOT OR HOT MESS? Star cornerback Asante Samuel got a $47.2 million deal to jump from New England.
BUZZWORTHY? While QB Donovan McNabb is the face of the franchise, they’d be nowhere without RB Brian Westbook (league-high 2,104 all-purpose yards).
Washington Redskins
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 9-7 / 6-10
HOT OR HOT MESS? Washington has the players to hit the playoffs, but do they have the coach — or QB — to get there?
BUZZWORTHY? All eyes will be on QB Jason Campbell, the former No. 1 pick.
– – –
NFC west
Seattle Seahawks
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 10-6 / 11-5
HOT OR HOT MESS? The loss of RB Shaun Alexander spurred the Seahawks to go get Julius Jones from Dallas.
BUZZWORTHY? The Seahawks are the clear favorites to repeat in a soft division.
Arizona Cardinals
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 8-8 / 10-6
HOT OR HOT MESS? RB Edgerrin James rushed for 1,222 yards last year, but those were behind the team’s poor offensive line.
BUZZWORTHY? Arizona posted its best record since 1998. Any improvement should keep the Cards in the hunt in the weak NFC West.
St. Louis Rams
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 3-13 / 6-10
HOT OR HOT MESS? Only Detroit allowed more points than the 438 (or 27.4 per game) surrendered by the Rams.
BUZZWORTHY? RB Steven Jackson has recovered from the back and groin injuries that kept him out of 11 games of last year’s 3-13 season.
San Francisco 49ers
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 5-11 / 3-13
HOT OR HOT MESS? LB Patrick Willis was spectacular on his way to NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
BUZZWORTHY? Remember when the Niners were the class of the NFL? Now they’re one of the clowns.
– – –
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 10-6 / 10-6
HOT OR HOT MESS? The Steelers won the AFC North and got back to the playoffs, but they faded down the stretch.
BUZZWORTHY? They’re division favorites, thanks to QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Willie Parker and WR Limas Sweed.
Cleveland Browns
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 10-6 / 9-7
HOT OR HOT MESS? Romeo Crennel replaced defensive coordinator Todd Grantham with Mel Tucker. We’ll see.
BUZZWORTHY? TE Kellen Winslow Jr. fought off injuries and made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2007.
Cincinnati Bengals
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 7-9 / 7-9
HOT OR HOT MESS? The Bengals didn’t address their lackluster running game or their defensive front.
BUZZWORTHY? Free agent TE Ben Utecht from Indianapolis could prove an invaluable weapon.
Baltimore Ravens
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 5-11 / 5-11
HOT OR HOT MESS? This is John Harbaugh’s first year as a head coach, and he’s bringing a no-huddle offense.
BUZZWORTHY? No stud quarterback and an offensive line that isn’t ready for prime time. Not a good combination.
– – –
AFC SOUTH
Jacksonville Jaguars
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 11-5 / 10-6
HOT OR HOT MESS? QB David Garrard has the AFC’s top ground game but still needs a consistent deep threat.
BUZZWORTHY? WR Matt Jones, a former first-round pick, may soon be shipped out of the River City.
Indianapolis Colts
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 13-3 / 10-6
HOT OR HOT MESS? Hard to imagine the Colts wouldn’t miss Edgerrin James, but RB Joseph Addai has a chance to be big.
BUZZWORTHY? Is QB Peyton Manning hitting the wall? After years of being healthy, Manning’s knee is giving him trouble.
Tennessee Titans
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 10-6 / 9-7
HOT OR HOT MESS? QB Vince Young threw 17 interceptions last season and nine TD passes. He gives defenses fits.
BUZZWORTHY? The Titans want to win games with defense and by letting RBs Chris Henry and LenDale White bang away.
Houston Texans
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 8-8 / 8-8
HOT OR HOT MESS? QB Matt Schaub will be the starter even though Sage Rosenfels outplayed him in 2007.
BUZZWORTHY? It’s not likely the Texas can supplant both Indy and Jacksonville.
– – –
AFC East
New England Patriots
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 16-0 /11-5
HOT OR HOT MESS? WR Wes Welker is overshadowed by WR Randy Moss, but Welker is central to a short passing game.
BUZZWORTHY? The Pats lost Pro Bowl CB Asante Samuel and need to develop more depth in the secondary.
Buffalo Bills
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 7-9 / 9-7
HOT OR HOT MESS? This is the best of the teams Dick Jauron has had in Buffalo, and the Bills are close to playoff form.
BUZZWORTHY? The Bills expect second-year RB Marshawn Lynch to make another big step after 1,115 yards in ’07.
New York Jets
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 4-12 / 8-8
HOT OR HOT MESS? WR Laveranues Coles isn’t quite the contributor he once was, though he has some big plays left.
BUZZWORTHY? With Brett Favre under contract, the Jets’ offense became instantly dynamic.
Miami Dolphins
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 1-15 / 4-12
HOT OR HOT MESS? LB Zach Thomas and DE Jason Taylor are gone, but oft-troubled RB Ricky Williams is back.
BUZZWORTHY? QB Chad Pennington should liven things up on offense.
– – –
AFC west
San Diego Chargers
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 11-5 / 12-4
HOT OR HOT MESS? This team is loaded with talent, which means DE Luis Castillo needs to step up.
BUZZWORTHY? RB LaDainian Tomlinson might still be the best runner in the game, and QB Philip Rivers is a gamer.
Denver Broncos
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 7-9 / 7-9
HOT OR HOT MESS? QB Jay Cutler is confident and has receivers, but his line is not yet up to snuff, nor is the defense.
BUZZWORTHY? WR Brandon Marshall was one of the AFC’s breakout stories in 2007.
Oakland Raiders
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 4-12 / 5-11
HOT OR HOT MESS? There are questions about the readiness of last year’s top pick in the draft, QB JaMarcus Russell.
BUZZWORTHY? Free agent pickup WR Javon Walker pouted in Denver when Brandon Marshall shone. He’s a talent and a head case.
Kansas City Chiefs
2007 RECORD / 2008 PREDICTION: 4-12 / 4-12
HOT OR HOT MESS? Coach Herman Edwards is an optimist, but it’s tough to imagine the Chiefs in the playoffs.
BUZZWORTHY? The Chiefs were considered to have one of the NFL’s top drafts and one of the deepest.
