Adding rookie receiver James Hardy will provide some protection for Lee Evans. Their defense is getting healthier. Unfortunately, they play in the Patriots’ division, where the Jets have also mightily improved. How Edwards progresses in year two will go a long way to determine their fate.
23. Lions
Mike Martz and his pass-heavy offensive schemes have migrated to San Francisco, and that could be a blessing in disguise. Detroit is depositing the running game’s trust in rookie Kevin Smith.
The Lions have looked very good in preseason, and Kitna is probably the best quarterback in the division. It could be another long season if they aren’t able to consistently run the ball and play better defense.
24. Bengals
The Bengals didn’t do much during the offseason to upgrade their defense while maintaining their powerful offense intact. Cincinnati, unable to cut ties with the past, even reacquired troubled WR Chris Henry (already suspended four games by the league) to cope with minor injuries to wideouts Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmanzadeh.
If there was a statistic for heart, the Bengals would rank 32nd in the NFL. They will need to score points in bunches to compete with a brutal schedule.
25. Bears
If the Bears and Bengals could merge rosters, that would be quite a team. Switching starting QBs could be a salutary public relations’ move, but in honesty, Kyle Orton doesn’t seem to be the adequate answer for their offensive woes.
Devin Hester will once-again be in the spotlight due to his incredible returning skills. Rookie Matt Forte, who has demonstrated his ability to be effective in preseason games, should make fans forget about his predecessor’s (Cedric Benson) unpleasant tenure with the team.
Watch out for Kevin Jones. If he can stay healthy (he has looked good in preseason), he could bring some production to an offense in dire need of some.
26. Ravens
Even their stout defense will be tested in 2008, with games against some of the best scoring defenses like Indianapolis, Pittsburgh (twice), Titans, Eagles, Giants, and Jaguars.
Trying to replace QB Steve McNair won’t prove to be an easy task with the likes of promising but unproven Troy Smith and rookie Joe Flacco, whom the franchise regards as their building block for the future.
RB Willis McGahee and kicker Matt Stover along with their tenacious defense will provide most of the scoring once again.
27. Rams
The Rams have incredible talent at the skill positions, with Jackson, Bulger, and Holt. The problem is that their offensive line was injured last season, and their defense was among the worst in the NFL.
The Rams gave up 40.7 points per game in their last three games of the 2007 season, which propelled them to the 31st-ranked scoring defense in the NFL.
Chris Long will help this defense improve, but it is still going to be a long year for the Rams.
28. Raiders
Rebuilding year No. 2 saw Oakland draft promising rookie RB Darren McFadden, pairing him with another first rounder from a year ago, QB JaMarcus Russell. These two untested, but skilled, players are asked to be the face of this storied franchise for years to come.
Their return to glory may not be tasted this year, but they certainly are on the right path. Their defense and running game will allow them to remain in games. Their incapacity to come from behind due to the lack of proven receivers should be as worrisome as it was in 2007.
29. 49ers
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