An otherwise solid team anchored by its defense that doesn’t possess enough offensive weapons to compete with the Saints. They won the division last year in part because they exceeded expectations, and in part because the Saints started 0-4.
If the Saints play the way they are capable of, the Buccaneers will not be able to become the first team to repeat as NFC South Champions.
16. Jets
The Jets loaded their team with a considerable number of high-priced free agents this offseason, most notably QB Brett Favre and G Alan Faneca. Their schedule is favorable for improvement over last year’s dismal 4-12 record.
If Favre, the line, and the receivers can get on the same page early in the season, this team should compete for the wild-card spot.
17. Cardinals
In spite of futility, or the longevity of it, Arizona seems to have everything in place to take the next step in turning the corner toward respectability this season. They are buying into the new coaching regime’s attention to details and playing hard on defense.
Their offensive line, a plague in the past, is increasingly becoming the staple of the team. Warner has been tabbed the starter. If he can stay healthy, the passing game is still their forte, but the drafting of Tim Hightower will see a change of the guard in an oft-ill running game.
Counting on a relatively easy schedule, and on a Seattle team that seemingly gets depleted by the day, this could be the year for the Cardinals.
18. Redskins
The addition of Jason Taylor at DE will help their defense tremendously, but the receiving portion of their offense need to better their awful performance of 2007, when they didn’t score a TD until Week 10.
New coach Jim Zorn will be implementing the West Coast offense in the Capitol, and its success will depend on how fast third-year QB Jason Campbell will assimilate its intricacies.
Washington’s embarrassing 47-3 loss to Carolina was not a good dress rehearsal for the regular season. Washington is a solid team stuck in a brutal NFC East.
19. Texans
A team in a similar dilemma to Washington. Playoff capable team stuck in a brutal division. The Texans are a progressing team that could start the season in a gigantic hole thanks to an early brutal schedule that has them facing Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, and Tennessee away from home, followed by a Week Five matchup against the Colts.
Their young defense is starting to scare some teams, but their often injured offensive skill players need to stay healthy to have a legitimate chance to compete in 2008.
20. Broncos
Receiver Brandon Marshall’s two to three-game suspension will hurt Jay Cutler and the Broncos’ production as a whole in the early stages of the season. However, the team seems to be going into the right direction with their youth movement.
Selvin Young, who replaces an often-troubled Travis Henry at RB, should enjoy the benefits of having a relatively easy schedule against weak run-stoppers to begin the 2008 campaign.
This is a big year for Mike Shanahan. His team needs to play better than last year or rumors of his job security will continue to surface.
21. Panthers
Jake Delhomme’s good news of a nice recovery was ruined by the two-game suspension to his best receiving target, Steve Smith. That alone could put them in an insurmountable hole.
Gone is the experience of DeShaun Foster and welcomed are the fresh legs of rookie Jonathan Stewart, who will complement up-and-coming runner DeAngelo Williams in Carolina's backfield.
They don’t play in the most brutal of divisions. If Julius Peppers can bounce back from a 2.5-sack season, and Delhomme can stay healthy, this team could compete for a playoff spot.
22. Bills
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