Every year in the National Football League, teams get extremely hyped up, and then have a terrible season. Others putter along unnoticed, and then have a breakout year, (like we saw withe the Browns in 2007). I’ll give you a low ranked team who’ll exceedexpectations, and a popular, successful team that will not get it together in 2008 (think Detroit Tigers) for each Division. Let’s start with the AFC, loaded with offensive weaponry (I’ll get to the NFC later).
AFC North
Surprise Winner: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens will put it together after last year’s disappointing season. Joe Flacco and Troy Smith will power the offense while veteran Ray Lewis will anchor the defence. Willis McGahee will have the last great year of his career, and the O-Line will make up for the loss of Pro Bowler Ogden.
Surprise Loser: Cincinnati Bengals
Not that they had a great season last year at 7-9, but this year, they’ll be even worse. they don’t have a consistent running back, and The Chad Johnson Disease will spread quickly around the locker room. Carson Palmer will have a decent performance, but without players around him, and 2/3rds of the defence behind bars, it’ll be 5 wins or less for the Cats.
AFC South
Surprise Winner: Tennessee Titans
Vince Young wants a ring bad. The choice to draft a home run hitter was a good idea, and another 10 win (or more!) season is in their sights. Chris Johnson will explode in 2008, behind only Adrian Peterson and LT on the leaderboard, and be a Rookie of the Year candidate. Also, The D-Line will be in the Top 3 is sacks.
Surprise Loser: Indianapolis Colts
“Not the Colts!” you say, but let’s think about it. a poor performance in the playoffs to the Titans, (that playoff loss means a lot now) an aging squad, and not a lot of draft activity. they haven’t made any spectacular draft picks, because they haven’t had a major weak posistion in the last few years. Peyton Manning will still be a Future Hall of Famer, but he’s got his ring, as does most of the team, and they haven’t had to really try since they beat the Bears on that rainy night in Miami.
AFC East
Surprise Winner: Buffalo Bills
The Bills have done virtually nothing since the devastating 4 Super Bowl losses. but this is the year. McKelvin will be second in the NFL in interceptions (behind only Cromartie) and Lynch will be great, another chapter in the history of great Buffalo halfbacks (Thurman Thomas, O. J. Simpson,). Their quarterback, whose name escapes me, will be this years Derek Anderson.
Surprise Loser: New York Jets
I really wanted to type Patriots, but i just can’t see that happening. The Jets made attempts at improving their team during the off-season but not a lot went down. Vernon Gholston is overrated and only went that high because he played for the contending Ohio State. They have a blurry picture at quarterback. Mangini’s job will be demanded by the obsessive Jets fans, and all hell will break loose in New York. Again.
AFC West
Surprise Winner: Oakland Raiders
As a Chiefs fan, this is a hard paragraph to write. The young coach, the rocket-armed QB, and the record breaking halfback come together for a great year and a Wild Card trip to the playoffs. what was a weak division last year will strenghthen. The Raiders will finish in second place next season just behind the Chargers.
Surprise Loser: San Diego Chargers
This team is LOADED with All-Stars. LT, spectacular D, Cromartie, Sproles.. I could go on and on. BUT. The one thing that SD doesen’t have locked down in consistency, is QB. Dr. Phil Rivers’ performance is just- normal. it would be satisfactory for 29 NFL. But not the Chargers. (or Colts or Patriots, for that matter.) Look out for the ‘Bolts to startmaking some trades with high draft pick teams near the middle of the season.
So that’s my opinion on the AFC. Stay tuned for the NFC!
Spoots
