AFC East Champ: New England Patriots
AFC North Champ: Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South Champ: Jacksonville Jaguars
AFC West Champ: San Diego Chargers
AFC Wildcard: Indianapolis Colts
AFC Wildcard: Denver Broncos

NFC East Champ: Dallas Cowboys
NFC North Champ: Minnesota Vikings
NFC South Champ: New Orleans Saints
NFC West Champ: Seattle Seahawks
NFC Wildcard: Philadelphia Eagles
NFC: Wildcard: Green Bay Packers

AFC Conference Title Game: Patriots over Jaguars

NFC Conference Title Game: Cowboys over Eagles

Super Bowl: New England Patriots over Dallas Cowboys

Solid draft but the positives may end there for the Redskins.  They have a new system which is complicated, a new coach a young QB and age on both lines.  Could be a long season for the Redskins.

I’ll take a look at picking against the Redskins often this season.

2008-09 Predicted Record: 6-10

The common theory is that NFL QBs blossom in their 3rd year so if you’re a Titans fan you subscribe to that theory.  Vince young is a dangerous player as a play maker from the QB spot.  The problem here is that he still can’t pass at an NFL level.  If he can this season the Titans can be tough with some young defensive ends and Chris Johnson making plenty of noise at RB to compliment LenDale White.  This team goes as far as Vince Young takes them by feet or by arm.

The Titans played a lot of close games last year, making the dog a good pick in Titans game often.

2008-09 Predicted Record: 9-7

Jeff Garcia played over his head often last year and perhaps allowed this team to over achieve.  Still, plenty of talent there to win some games and always tough at home.  Very difficult to ignore one very key stat.  In ’06 TB was -11 in turnovers (4-12).  Last year they were +15 as the record improved (9-7).  So success here could very much depend on where that stats falls this season.  This is a very tough division and I just don’t see TB having enough to improve on last seasons record.

2008-09 Predicted Record: 8-8

Can the Seahawks continue to win the NFC West by default.  It seems so actually.  Many are excited about the Cardinals but that’s nothing new and they continually dissapoint.  This team is getting older and although Alexander is gone, Julius Jones not exactly a youngster and back problems for Hassleback are very scary.  Still, they reamin the best in the division and the schedule starts pretty winnable.

Seattle has had a history of playing closer than they should against bad teams, I always look at picking the underdog when the line gets large vs Seattle.

2008-09 Predicted Record: 10-6
NFC West Champs – early playoff exit again.

The 49ers continue to struggle as they can’t find a QB to compliment a solid running back with Gore.  Alex Smith again has failed to step up and the Niners will start the season with JT O’ Sullivan as their starting QB running a new offense.  There’s not much to say beyond the reality that it’s going to be a long year in San Francisco.  Again.

Niners likely a dog in most games this season, eventually I may see a line big enough to play on them.

2008-09 Predicted Record: 4-12

San Diego got off to a rough start last season but were very solid down the stretch.  They’ve got some injury concerns with very key players but pre-season shows us that perhaps they are looking good for the regular season to get started.  The talent is there to again be a top AFC team before realizing they don’t match up to the elite teams in the league.  If they have gotten healthy and stay healthy there is certainly nobody in this division ready to contend.

The Chargers with the injury concerns may come out a bit slow again this season so I’ll be considering playing against the Chargers with my picks early on.

2008-09 Predicted Record: 11-5
AFC West Champs

The Rams will be better in 2008-09.  Of course with only 3 wins last year that’s not necessarily saying much.  They have one of the premier RBs in the game with Jackson who is perhaps healthy now and although I’m not a huge Bulger fan he is productive when healthy.  BIG key here is simple, the offensive line.  If they are better and they very well could be the Rams can move the football on the ground, open up play action and with some longer drives can keep their defense from getting too over worked allowing them to be better.

The Rams schedule starts out very tough but is much softer in the 2nd half of the season.  Could be some very good value in picking St Louis early in the season as they have some good points on their side.  Then as they continue to lose games (but perhaps cover) the lines may be again solid values as the schedule softens.  Rams could be a go to team against the spread for this handicapper.

2008-09 Predicted Record: 9-7
With a late charge could possibly challenge Seattle for the division.

The Steelers couldn’t protect Big Ben consistently last season, when they did he was again very again.  This team has the talent at many spots to be an AFC elite team.  The problem however is that their weaknesses are in very key spots – both lines.  I’m not entirely convinced they’ve done enough to improve here.  If I’m wrong, this will be a very tough team and they’ll need to be because they have a very tough schedule.

The Steelers are tough at home and with a strong running game should be able to be in nearly all games this season but at the same time may not extend margins when the pointspread gets bigger.

2008-09 Predicted Record:10-6
AFC North Champs

I believe McNabb could have a big season.  Don’t underestimate the power of the final year of his contract and talk of him no longer being wanted in Philly.  IF and that’s a huge IF he can stay healthy and the team around him can stay healthy and they are all overdue to do so the Eagles can challenge the Cowboys in the division and are one of the top teams in the NFC.

After disappointing seasons the Eagles could provide some value when evaluating our picks, they have a lot of talent behind Westbrook and a healthy McNabb.  However, WR health issues already a concern but we may find they have some quality depth available.

2008-09 Predicted Record: 11-5
Drop the tie-breaker with Dallas for division title, NFC Wild card, possible trip to NFC Title Game….I’ll have my complete post season picks just before the season kicks off!