2008 NFL Preview - AFC

much improved, although their defense may be as good as any in the AFC. I’m still not convinced about Garrard or any of Jacksonville’s wide receivers. Del Rio usually does a nice job with the Jaguar squad, but this team who struggles in the passing game may have trouble putting points on the board. However, the Jaguars may prove me wrong and win double digit games once again.

Tennessee Titans (7-9) - Miraculously, the Titans have made the playoffs the past two years with Vince Young at the helm on a team with no recognizable faces. The Titans, in my estimation, are a wide receiver or two away from being a major player in the AFC South. They won ten games in 2007, some of which they had no business winning, getting by when their shaky offense repeatedly failed them. Don’t look for the Titans to put together another playoff campaign in 2008.

Houston Texans (5-11) - Still devoid of an identity, the Texans come into 2008 off of an 8-8 season where they exceeded expectations. Progress will continue to be slow if they can’t discover a consistent running game or offensive line. The Texans’ schedule doesn’t look promising, leading to this young team struggling on both sides of the ball. Gary Kubiak is trying to steer Houston in the right direction, but it doesn’t look like this is the year.

AFC West (predicted order of finish and records)

San Diego Chargers (13-3) - They finished strong with an improbable playoff run despite injuries to Rivers, Tomlinson, and Gates during the playoffs. Tomlinson is still the best back in the game when healthy, and even if Rivers struggles, their running game and aggressive defense led by Merriman will lead the Chargers back to the postseason. This team definitely has a chance to go deep into the playoffs once again and possibly reach the Super Bowl if injuries aren’t a problem.

Denver Broncos (7-9) - A team clearly on the downside, the Broncos only will finish second in the West due to the lack of depth in this division. Their defense is a mess, and their running game is rather uncertain. Jay Cutler hasn’t progressed as much as they would have expected, and even though Mike Shanahan has worked some magic in past years, the Broncos are far short of contending with the AFC’s elite, for it looks to be a long winter in the Mile High City.

Kansas City Chiefs (5-11) - The ambitious rebuilding project the Chiefs have assumed precludes them from a playoff. Too many things on both sides of the ball need to fall into place too quickly. The offense is full of question with uncertainty under center, despite the return of a healthy Larry Johnson. Herm Edwards and his staff can’t have much in the way of expectations this year, as the Chiefs come into 2008 with an extremely bleak outlook.

Oakland Raiders (4-12) - The Raiders aren’t looking at a very tough schedule this season, but that becomes a dead issue, seeing as how the Silver and Black will suffer more tough times. The offense is being built around young stars Russell and McFadden, but it just seems as if the Raiders are in a constant rebuilding process. Look for no more than four or five Raider wins in 2008; anything more would be a positive progression for the Raiders.

NFC’s Top 10 Offensive Players

1) LaDainian Tomlinson, RB - San Diego
2) Tom Brady, QB - New England
3) Peyton Manning, QB - Indianapolis
4) Randy Moss, WR - New England
5) Ben Roethlisberger, QB - Pittsburgh
6) Braylon Edwards, WR - Cleveland
7) Antonio Gates, TE - San Diego
8) Willie Parker, RB - Pittsburgh
9) Brett Favre, QB - New York
10) Kellen Winslow, TE - Cleveland

AFC’s Top 10 Defensive Players

1) Shawne Merriman, LB - San Diego
2) Bob Sanders, SS - Indianapolis
3) Ray Lewis, LB - Baltimore
4) Champ Bailey, CB - Denver
5) Ed Reed, FS - Baltimore
6) Troy Polamalu, SS - Pittsburgh
7) Dwight Freeney, DE - Indianapolis
8) Jamal Williams, DT - San Diego
9) Antonio Cromartie, CB - San Diego
10) Albert Haynesworth, DT - Tennessee

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