Ten NFL Predictions You Can Take to the Bank

Counting down the 10 predictions you need to know heading into the 2008 NFL Season.    

10. The Green Bay Packers will win the NFC North with a 10-6 record,

Sure, their Hall of Fame quarterback is gone and the Packers have zero NFL starts combined between their three quarterbacks.  But don’t forget that Green Bay has one of the youngest and best defenses in the league along with young studs at the skill positions (Ryan Grant at RB and Greg Jennings at WR). 

With five games against the Lions, Bears, and Falcons, the Packers will be halfway to a 10-win season and division title before you know it.

9.  The New York Giants will finish last in the NFC East.

Every team in the NFC East got better except the defending Super Bowl Champs.  Don’t harp too long on their late season run from last year, as thrilling as it was.  The only threat on offense is Plaxico Burress. 

Besides, the recent trend has seen teams struggle the following year after winning the NFC (Bears, Seahawks, Eagles, Panthers).  The Giants won’t be any different. 

8. The New Orleans Saints will have the most prolific offense in the NFL while finishing 12-4, tops in the NFC.

Adding Jeremy Shockey will prove to be more valuable to the Saints offense than drafting Reggie Bush.  Giving Brees another target, similar to Antonio Gates, will make the Saints offense difficult to stop. 

Brees had a rating of 100 or better in seven of the last 12 games last season.  Expect that trend to continue. 

7. Braylon Edwards will lead the NFL in touchdowns, not Randy Moss or LT.

Because of the surreal performance put on by Randy Moss last season (23 touchdowns), people forget that Edwards put on a show of his own with 16 touchdown grabs. 

Only LaDainian Tomlinson (18) stood between Edwards and Moss.  Expect Edwards to get close to 20 again this year, as he has quickly become the best young receiver in the NFL.

6. The Minnesota Vikings will not make the playoffs.

You read correctly.  The most important position in the game is quarterback.  I understand that they have Adrian Peterson and a nasty defense.  I understand that they have a beastly offensive line.  And yes, I know that Trent Dilfer led a similar team to a Super Bowl with the Ravens. 

But here’s a news flash.  Tarvaris Jackson isn’t even in the same league as Dilfer.  Nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions in a season aren’t going to get it done.  Sorry. 

5. The Cowboys will have a better team but finish with a worse record than last season.

Dallas will have a better running game, a better defense, and a better special teams unit.  But don’t expect 13 or 14 wins.  They play in the brutal NFC East and have to play at Green Bay, at Cleveland, and at Pittsburgh. 

That’s a tough schedule for anyone.  Expect 11 or 12 wins.  However, they will end the playoff-winless streak this season and at the end of the day, that’s more important.

4. Larry Johnson will have another terrible year.

The Chiefs’ quarterbacks don’t scare anybody.  Herm Edwards likes to run his running backs into the ground.  The Chief’s offensive line is among the worst in the league.  Larry Johnson had a significant foot injury last year.  If all that is not a recipe for a bad season, I don’t know what is. 

3. Drew Brees will be the league’s MVP.

He will throw for 26-28 touchdowns, seven-10 interceptions, complete over 65 percent of his passes, amass about 4,000 yards, and have a rating above 100 by the end of the season en route to winning the MVP award.  He's had similar numbers before.

2. The Dallas Cowboys will not represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.  New Orleans will.

If predictions No. 8 and No. 3 on this list are not enough, here is one more for you.  New Orleans will have the advantage of playing at home in the Superdome come playoff time.  Why?  Because they'll have the best record in the NFC. 

The Cowboys were ranked 14th on a list of strength of schedules while the Saints were ranked 28th.  Remember how loud it got there when the Saints played their first game back after Katrina?  Expect something similar if Dallas comes to town for the NFC Championship game. 

1. The New England Patriots will not represent the AFC in the Super Bowl; San Diego will.

Two simple reasons: the Pats didn’t get better in the offseason.  And, the Chargers are a better team when healthy.  You’ll see.

Bonus:  The Madden Curse will strike again, as Brett Favre will not throw more than 20 touchdowns and will miss the playoffs, and then retire...temporarily.