NFL Preview 2008

    September is almost here, and coming with it is another season of NFL football. Can the Giants make another miracle run? Will the Jets become a contender with Brett Favre at the helm? Your questions are answered here.

CONFERENCE BREAKDOWNS

AFC EAST

Projected finish
New England
New York
Buffalo
Miami

Team to beat: New England is once again the class of the AFC East by a long shot. The Patriots undoubtedly have a sour taste in their mouths after having their hopes for an undefeated season shattered by Eli Manning and the Giants in the Super Bowl. The defending AFC champions didn’t lose much in the off-season and return the key components to last year’s squad.

Players to watch: Randy Moss more than likely won’t put up the same numbers as last year, but look for the veteran to continue to dominate. Brett Favre will have an immediate impact in New York, but the big question is whether it will be enough to make a playoff push. In Buffalo, Marshawn Lynch is always dangerous, and Chad Pennington will give Miami something it hasn’t had since Jay Fiedler—consistency at quarterback.

Fantasy tip: Favre will have a serious impact on the New York Jets offense. Receivers Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery are more than capable targets who will get more looks with a better passer at the helm. The upgraded passing attack should make way for Thomas Jones to have a great year as well.

AFC NORTH

Projected finish
Pittsburgh
Cleveland
Cincinnati
Baltimore

Team to beat: Pittsburgh is still the team to beat in the division thanks to the arm of Ben Roethlisberger, the legs of Willie Parker and a solid defense. Cleveland and Cincinnati both proved they could play offense but need to step up the defense to compete, while Baltimore still needs to find a quarterback.

Players to watch: Derek Anderson proved he could be a franchise quarterback last season, but will he be able to repeat? With Brady Quinn and his monster contract sitting behind him, how much would it take for a quarterback switch to be made? Chad Johnson has been a distraction this year already, but he will be relied upon heavily with the uncertainty in the Bengals backfield.

Fantasy tip: Stay away from Baltimore quarterbacks and wide receivers. It’s a toss up on who will be the starter under center for the Ravens, making it difficult to rely on wide receivers. Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes will put up big numbers for Cleveland and Pittsburgh, respectively.

AFC SOUTH

Projected finish
Indianapolis
Jacksonville
Tennessee
Houston

Team to beat: Not much has changed from last season. Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai and Reggie Wayne still make up an explosive offense that is assisted by an improving defense. Jacksonville isn’t that far behind, though, and could shock the Colts if the running game remains consistent.

Players to watch: You already know about everyone from the Colts; it’s Jacksonville’s turn. David Garrard continues to become a consistent threat at quarterback while the one-two combo of Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor should once again be potent—barring injury. Is this Vince Young’s break-out year in Tennessee?

Fantasy tip: It’s safe to own both Jones-Drew and Taylor, but know that Taylor always has had injury problems. No matter how bad the Texans are, Andre Johnson always puts up numbers at receiver. In case of injury, look down Houston’s depth chart at receiver.

AFC WEST

Projected finish
San Diego
Denver
Kansas City
Oakland

Team to beat: San Diego won’t be a disappointment like it was last season and, once again, has all the tools to be a great team. LaDainian Tomlinson will put up big numbers as always. A good year from the combination of Jay Cutler and Selvin Young could bring the Broncos into contention as well.

Players to watch: Cutler has the opportunity to really break out for the Broncos, but Denver’s chances could rest on the legs of Young. In Oakland, don’t buy the hype on Darren McFadden quite yet—Justin Fargas is a more-than-capable back.

Fantasy tip: For right now, stay clear of Oakland receivers until JaMarcus Russell can prove himself. In the meantime, it’s safe to own McFadden and Fargas, but don’t start either immediately. While McFadden gets the hype, Fargas is no slouch either. Wait for the race for the starting position to pan out before starting either one.

NFC EAST

Projected finish
Dallas
Washington
New York
Philadelphia

Team to beat: Dallas did nothing but improve in the offseason. The additions of “Tank” Johnson and Adam (formerly “Pacman”) Jones won’t be a distraction, because the Cowboys are used to dealing with bad boys (see Terrell Owens and Michael Irvin). Don’t sleep on Washington, who could be set for a breakout year under Jason Campbell.

Players to watch: A healthy Clinton Portis is always dangerous. If he gets any support from Campbell, he’ll be outstanding. Don’t look for Eli Manning to repeat last year’s Super Bowl performance, but he’ll be much improved. Two words for Philadelphia—Brian Westbrook.

Fantasy tip: Philadelphia’s offense begins and ends with Westbrook in terms of running and receiving. Brandon Jacobs can do it all for the Giants in the backfie
ld, but look for his backups to push him for playing time.

NFC NORTH

Projected finish
Minnesota
Green Bay
Chicago
Detroit

Team to beat: Minnesota almost wins this by default. Green Bay is breaking in a new quarterback, Chicago will be relying on Kyle Orton and a rookie running back, and Detroit is, well, Detroit. With Adrian Peterson in the backfield, Tarvaris Jackson only needs to be an average quarterback to get the Vikings wins.

Players to watch: Ryan Grant is now the man in Green Bay. While Aaron Rodgers gets used to starting, he should be relied upon heavily. Matt Forte could be a surprise running the ball in Chicago, but then again, almost anything would be better than the production of Cedric Benson.

Fantasy tip: Grant is a safe pickup, but if Rodgers doesn’t produce, teams will be able to stack the box. Jon Kitna will always put up numbers with Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson catching the ball—it’s the defense that’s the problem.

NFC SOUTH

Projected finish
Tampa Bay
New Orleans
Carolina
Atlanta

Team to beat: The NFC South could be the most competitive division in the league this year with Tampa Bay leading the way. The Bucs have solid experience on both sides of the ball and can get the job done. New Orleans isn’t so much in second as it is option 1B, led by quarterback Drew Brees.

Players to watch: Earnest Graham is getting a chance to lock down the starting running-back spot in Tampa Bay with “Cadillac” Williams on the shelf with injuries. Can Reggie Bush consistently contribute in the backfield and as a receiver?

Fantasy tip: Looking for running backs? Carolina and Atlanta are good places to look. Rookie Jonathan Stewart will receive plenty of touches for the Panthers while Atlanta has a new look with Michael “The Burner” Turner. While Atlanta sorts out its quarterback issues, Turner will receive a lot of looks.

NFC WEST

Projected finish
Seattle
Arizona
St. Louis
San Francisco

Team to beat: Seattle will be without Shaun Alexander but should continue to rule a very mediocre division. The biggest questions are whether Arizona can finally break out and if St. Louis can recover from last season’s disaster.

Players to watch: With San Francisco’s quarterback situation clearly in turmoil, Frank Gore will get touches—a lot of touches. The Kurt Warner vs. Matt Leinart battle continues.

Fantasy tip: Gore will receive his touches, but Steven Jackson is the running back to watch out for in the West. Watch Seattle’s depth chart closely. With Maurice Morris, Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett all on the roster, who’s going to get the majority of carries?

Editor’s Super Bowl pick
The Dallas Cowboys topple another high-powered offense—the Indianapolis Colts, 24-21.