2007 Record: 4-12
Key Losses: Josh McCown (QB), Jerry Porter (WR), Barry Sims (OT), Warren Sapp (OT), Stuart Schweigert (SS)
Key Additions: John Wade (C), DeAngelo Hall (CB), Gibril Wilson (FS)

This is a very young team but probably still at least a year away from making a big move.  They should be able to run the ball just enough to keep some pressure of their very young and unpolished QB Russell.  If you take the Raiders lightly they can beat you but I just don’t see significant improvement coming for Oakland.

Easy to pick against the Raiders as they’ve won just 19 games in 5 years!  But they are improving and with enough value the Raiders can be a solid home dog play a few times this year.

2008-09 Predicted Record: 6-10

2007 Record: 4-12
Key Losses: Justin McCareins (WR), Adrien Clarke (LG), Anthony Clement (RT), Dewayne Robertson (NT), Jonathan Vilma (LB), Victor Hobson (LB)
Key Additions:Brett Favre (QB), Alan Faneca (OG), Damien Woody (OG), Kris Jenkins (DT), Calvin Pace (LB)

Plenty of new names and faces for New York this season including the much talked about addition of Brett Favre.  Where the Jets only Favre away from a Super Bowl? Probably not but they did get much better.  Still they play in a tough division and a questionable draft.  The schedule from an opponent stand point isn’t exceptionally tough but an early bye week and 4 west coast trips add challenge.

The Jets with Favre may be over valued early in the season and that will make them tough to pick.  Everybody in the division is chasing the Patriots and nobody is close but the Jets do have a chance to be in the wildcard hunt as Favre gets more comfortable with his new team and new offense as the season rolls on.

2008-09 Predicted Record: 10-6
in the wild card hunt.

2007 Record: 10-6
Key Losses: Kawika Mitchell (LB), Gibril Wilson (FS)
Key Additions:Danny Clark (LB), Sammy Knight (FS)

As it has been said, probably too many times, if you’re not getting better you’re getting worse.  That could be the case with the Giants.  And with Osi Umenyiora out for the season the Giants D, which led them to their title last season, takes a huge hit.  Eli and the offense played over their heads last season and a repeat of this performace seems unlikely to me.  And with the defense taking a big hit, even if Strahan comes back the Giants are not likely to return the Super Bowl.

The Super Bowl hangover theory may influence some early pointspreads involving the Giants so I’ll be seeking value in playing against the football Giants as I just don’t believe they are a great team.  Only a good team.

2008-09 Predicted Record:10-6
NFC Wild Card Team

2007 Record: 7-9
Key Losses: Jeff Faine (C), Olindo Mare (K)
Key Additions: Bobby McCray (DE), Jonathan Vilma (LB)

Tough start to the schedule for the Saints but the potential for this team to be an NFC contender is absolutely there.  If they can stay healthy on offense they are a very potent scoring team.  If they can improve on defense they will be a tough team to beat this season.

Picking on the Saints could provide some value early in the season and another disappointing campaign last year may lead to some short lines with the Saints – I’ll be watching closely.

2008-09 Predicted Record:10-6
In the hunt for the division title and wild card race.

2007 Record: 16-0
Key Losses: Donte Stallworth (WR), Kyle Brady (TE), Rosevelt Colvin (LB), Asante Samuel (CB)
Key Additions: Marcus Pollard (TE), Victor Hobson (LB), Fernando Bryant (CB)

At first glance at losses to this team might have cause for concern.  Some solid players gone from this team.  But a look at the additions and you’ll quickly see they upgraded many of these losses.  The Super Bowl loss has this team with motivation to again be awesome.  16-0 seems highly unlikely – of course, that’s no great statement – but this is still the elite team in the AFC.

Picking on New England got real dicey last season in the later part of the year as early season blowout after  blowout drove the pointspread too high as the cold weather and long season set in.  We expect this team to again face some lofty pointspreads to cover but will always be the better team on paper.  That being said, expect me to pick the Pats to destroy KC in week 1.

2008-09 Predicted Record: 13-3
Win the AFC East, Super Bowl Champs