// BEGIN editorial data
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spt_NFL_darkhorses.sPubDate = "7/21/2008 6:51:51 PM GMT";
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spt_NFL_darkhorses.appHeader = "Curran's 2008 NFL darkhorses";
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spt_NFL_darkhorses[i++] = new Array("","","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%20Black%20horses/080718_Cover.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Chris Mcgrath", "Getty Images", "273", "406", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i-1].body = "Oh, we love to lampoon predictions, don’t we? We beg a man to crawl out on a limb then chop down the tree when he gets it wrong.
Take Sports Illustrated’s venerable Dr. Z (Paul Zimmerman) as an example. He’s the magazine’s NFL canary in the coalmine. Every year, he flies boldly into the dark with his preseason predictions. He forecasts the record of each of the league’s 32 teams, the playoff qualifiers, the whole magilla. Invariably, he runs out of breathable air around the time he makes his Super Bowl picks.
Here’s what the Doc’s had in the final game stretching back to 2000:
2007: Saints over Chargers
2006: Panthers over Dolphins
2005: Carolina over Colts
2004: Patriots over Seahawks
2003: Bucs over Chiefs
2002: Rams over Steelers
2001: Rams over Titans
2000: Bucs over Titans
In 16 opportunities, he’s only gotten two participants right (2001 Rams, 2004 Patriots. And he's correctly picked one champ (the '04 Pats). The Doc takes a fair amount of flak for this (and he deserved it for his selection of Nick Saban’s 2006 Dolphins) but it's not to be taken too seriously. At this time of year you want some conversation kindling, a little something to get the gums flappin'. Anyone can pick the AFC and NFC champs to repeat. But what fun is there in that? Last year, vogue picks like the Niners, Cardinals, Lions and Rams (my Super Bowl rep for the NFC) didn't even make the playoffs. Who looks sexy in July this year? Let's have a look.
";
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i++] = new Array("","Vikings ","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%20Black%20horses/080718_Vikings.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Doug Pensinger", "Getty Images", "358", "236", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i-1].body = "
Why they'll shock the world
One of the NFL’s best defenses against the run got better against the pass by trading for Kansas City’s pressure maker Jared Allen and adding Cincy safety Madieu Williams and Texans safety Michael Boulware. On offense, they added WR Bernard Berrian and the heir apparent to LT, Adrian Peterson, is back for his second season.
Why the world remains unshocked
Despite teammate Darren Sharper’s assurances that he’s playing at an All Pro level in camps, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is a major question mark for the Vikes. He’s going to go from 58.2 completion percentage with 9 TDs and 12 picks to the Super Bowl? And that secondary needs more than a couple free agent signings to get it up to adequate. ";
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i++] = new Array("","Browns","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%20Black%20horses/080718_Browns.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Jim Mcisaac", "Getty Images", "358", "226", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i-1].body = "
Why they'll shock the world
They showed promise last season, lighting it up offensively with Derek Anderson at the controls throwing to Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr. Now they’ve added former Pats receiver Donte Stallworth to the receiving mix and turned their defense around with the additions of two DTs Corey Williams (Green Bay) and Shaun Rogers (Lions).
Why the world remains unshocked
Jamal Lewis had a respectable 2007 but how many miles does the semi-plodding feature back have left in him? As for the team in general, they’ll find it’s hard to go from an easily dismissed crew to a preseason darling. ";
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i++] = new Array("","Panthers ","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%20Black%20horses/080718_Panthers.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Doug Benc", "Getty Images", "358", "255", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i-1].body = "
Why they'll shock the world
They play in a weak division. Julius Peppers is in a contract year. John Fox is backed into a corner (and everyone knows how dangerous a cornered Fox is). Jake Delhomme is way overdue to stay healthy and play at a level approaching the one he was at in 2003 (five seasons ago already?!). The Jonathan Stewart-Deangelo Williams backfield tandem should be nasty.
Why the world remains unshocked
Delhomme always gets hurt. Fox is a lame duck coach. ";
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i++] = new Array("","Packers ","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%20Black%20horses/080718_Packers.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Joe Murphy", "Getty Images", "358", "246", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i-1].body = "
Why they'll shock the world
Ever hear of “The Ewing Theory” espoused by ESPN’s Bill Simmons? It states the loss of a franchise centerpiece often leads to better play from the scrubs left behind. The Packers are poised to become an all-time example of this. Also, Ted Thompson’s constructed a pretty good team up there with excellent offensive weapons that were bolstered by the addition of rookie wideout Jordy Nelson from K-State.
Why the world remains unshocked
The massive focus on the player who isn’t there will sabotage their season. ";
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i++] = new Array("","Jaguars ","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%20Black%20horses/080718_Jags-gerrad.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Jim Mcisaac", "Getty Images", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i-1].body = "
Why they'll shock the world
Two imported wide receivers with something to prove – Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson – help the always unsteady Jags wideout situation to find its niche and David Garrard comes back with another Pro Bowl season. The shakeup on the defensive line and the addition of Drayton Florence helps an already good defense get even better.
Why the world remains unshocked
Two imported wide receivers with spotty track records – Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson – are not enough to make the Jags passing attack any better than average. The Colts get their mojo back and the improved Texans along with the always irritating Titans make the AFC South too hard for Jacksonville to get over the top. ";
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i++] = new Array("","Bills ","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%20Black%20horses/080718_Bills-edwards.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Rick Stewart", "Getty Images", "358", "234", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i-1].body = "
Why they'll shock the world
Trent Edwards takes the next step at quarterback for the Bills and makes the Buffalo defense – which added Marcus Stroud at DT and Kawika Mitchell at LB –the centerpiece of a team that nobody wants to play.
Why the world remains unshocked
The Bills ground game stagnates as the contract squabble of OT Jason Peters drags out. The questionable Bills secondary doesn’t rise to the occasion and Buffalo – though well-coached – remains locked in around .500";
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i++] = new Array("","Redskins ","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%20Black%20horses/080718_Redskins.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Jed Jacobsohn", "Getty Images", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i-1].body = "
Why they'll shock the world
Under the tutelage of new head coach Jim Zorn, the performance of quarterback Jason Campbell takes off. A healthy Clinton Portis helps the ground game which aids the development of rookie wideouts Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas
Why the world remains unshocked
Campbell, working under yet another offensive system, doesn’t warm to the approach of Zorn. Zorn, a surprise hire at head coach, struggles in his first year in charge of the franchise and fails to reach the veterans. ";
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i++] = new Array("","Cardinals ","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%20Black%20horses/080718_Cardinals.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Jonathan Ferrey", "Getty Images", "358", "258", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFL_darkhorses[i-1].body = "
Why they'll shock the world
The offseason work of Matt Leinart pays dividends and the Arizona offense hits high gear. The Cards defense, buoyed by the work of its young defensive line with Gabe Watson and Alan Branch making huge strides, turns into a real pain for every offense it faces.
Why the world remains unshocked
Edgerrin James’ tank hits “E”. Anquan Boldin, still bummed that he’s getting paid far less than fellow wideout Larry Fitzgerald, has a difficult time playing while feeling taken advantage of. The uneven performance of Leinart leads to more rotating quarterback situations with Warner and the Cards fail to hit their stride despite all the talent they’ve amassed. ";
// END editorial data