1. Dick Jauron will be the AFC Coach of the Year.
2. Believe it: the Bills are a playoff team.
3. And their defense will lead them.
Click here for Bills schedule.
Click here for Bills roster.
Click here for more Bills coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Baltimore Ravens","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Ray Rice rushes for more yards than Willis McGahee.
2. Signs of significant slippage appear all over the Ravens once-proud defense.
3. They'll finish 5-11 and miss the playoffs again.
Click here for Ravens schedule.
Click here for Ravens roster.
Click here for more Ravens coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Houston Texans","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Despite all their young defensive weapons, the singular talents of Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye and DeMeco Ryans aren’t enough to offset their average players elsewhere.
2. A very bleak start to the season awaits the Texans. At Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Jacksonville in three of the first four weeks. What are they, the homecoming opponent?
3. Another division in another year, maybe the Texans could get eight to 10 wins. Not in the AFC South. 7-9.
Click here for Texans schedule.
Click here for texans roster.
Click here for more Texans coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Denver Broncos","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. A very bleak offensive year awaits. They just haven’t done enough to improve offensively. Keary Colbert and Brandon Marshall at wideout. A rookie, Ryan Clady, at left tackle? The still-raw Selvin Young at running back. All those 1,000 yard rushers in the past came because of the downfield threats posed by guys like Rod Smith or Shannon Sharpe. Those days are gone.
2. Adding Dewayne Robertson at tackle and Niko Koutouvides at middle linebacker won't improve a defense that was already horrid against the run. And that's a problem for a team that was 30th in the league in stopping opposing rushing attacks last year.
3. By the end of the season, Mike Shanahan is hearing the calls for a new regime change<.b>.
Click here for Broncos schedule.
Click here for Broncos roster.
Click here for more Broncos coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Miami Dolphins","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. By the end of the season, Chad Pennington will have the Dolphins playing more competently than the Jets will be playing with that guy that replaced him.
2. Ted Ginn Jr.? Still not going to work out as a receiver.
3. Ricky Williams will be in the Comeback Player of the Year conversation along with Pennington.
Click here for Dolphins schedule.
Click here for Dolphins roster.
Click here for more Dolphins coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Cincinnati Bengals","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. A chaotic offseason leads to a chaotic regular season.
2. The Bengals begin the season 1-8. An ailing Chad Johnson doesn't help the cause.
3. Marvin Lewis coaches his last season in Cincy.
Click here for Bengals schedule.
Click here for Bengals roster.
Click here for more Bengals coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Indianapolis Colts","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. On December 1, the Colts won’t be in first in the South — not after playing at Tennessee, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Cleveland while hosting the Patriots between October 27 and November 30.
2. Peyton Manning will be just fine. Marvin Harrison? If there were no Anthony Gonzalez and Reggie Wayne around, it’d be time to sweat.
3. For the first time in a long time, the Colts finish the season looking up at a first place team. But they'll still make the playoffs.
Click here for Colts schedule.
Click here for Colts roster.
Click here for more Colts coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Kansas City Chiefs"," ","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. With the sand running out of Larry Johnson’s hourglass, he's running behind an offensive line ill-equipped to make him anything like the back he used to be.
2. Herman Edwards is eyeing a rebuilding in Kansas City. He won't be around past this season to see it through.
3. Glenn Dorsey does what he's supposed to and is an impact rookie from the get-go. By season's end, he's the Chiefs' best defender.
Click here for Chiefs schedule.
Click here for Chiefs roster.
Click here for more Chiefs coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","New England Patriots","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. They’ll really, really, really miss departed corner Asante Samuel and receiver Donte Stallworth.
2. The Patriots won’t be setting any offensive records this year. They begin the season with a sketchy offensive line, no Stallworth, and – for a spell – no Wes Welker.
3. They’ll start 4-0, extending their regular-season winning streak to 21 games, before falling to the Chargers in San Diego. That will be a preview of the AFC Championship game.
Click here for Patriots schedule.
Click here for Patriots roster.
Click here for more Patriots coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Cleveland Browns","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Between adding Donte Stallworth on offense and Shaun Rogers to the defense, Phil Savage gets support for Executive of the Year.
2. Brady Quinn gets more time under center than anyone intended, as Derek Anderson’s preseason injuries carry over into the regular season.
3. Despite winning the division, the Browns find themselves with a full-fledged QB controversy as Quinn’s performances make him a reasonable option.
Click here for Browns schedule.
Click here for Browns roster.
Click here for more Browns coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Jacksonville Jaguars","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. This is the season the Colts lose their grip on the top of the AFC South. And the Jags break it.
2. With most of their toughest non-divisional games at home (Steelers, Browns, Bills, Vikings), the Jags catch a significant break that propels them to 12-4.
3. Second-year safety Reggie Nelson leads the AFC in interceptions.
Click here for Jaguars schedule.
Click here for Jaguars roster.
Click here for more Jaguars coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Oakland Raiders","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. JaMarcus Russell has a tough row to hoe in his first full NFL season, especially with two of the Raiders' first three games on the road. The other two are at home with the Broncos and Chargers, but Russell will blossom in the second half of the season.
2. Tight end Zach Miller is the next big thing, developing a dangerous chemistry with Russell.
3. The Raiders might not make the playoffs. But they won’t be last in the West, either.
Click here for Raiders schedule.
Click here for Raiders roster.
Click here for more Raiders coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","New York Jets"," ","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Brett Favre will make the Pro Bowl thanks to a flashy start to the season.
2. Favre will backslide radically in the second half of the season once teams adjust to what the Jets have him doing.
3. Free agent acquisition Kris Jenkins will be a sizable disappointment in the middle of their defensive line.
Click here for Jets schedule.
Click here for Jets roster.
Click here for more Jets coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Pittsburgh Steelers","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. If it weren’t for the pitiful Ravens and Bengals, the Steelers would've made an even louder thud in the AFC North.
2. Ben Roethlisberger has a Pro Bowl season and puts up gaudy numbers but the sudden ineptitude of the Pittsburgh defense makes that a necessity.
3. It becomes clear that Willie Parker’s 75-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XL was the height of his career, not a sign of things to come.
Click here for Steelers schedule.
Click here for Steelers roster.
Click here for more Steelers coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Tennessee Titans","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. They still won’t be much fun for anybody to play -- but the lack of offensive weaponry on the perimeter and a spry young tight end to throw to makes another “eh” year for Vince Young.
2. Rookie running back Chris Johnson becomes a new sensation, and provides the Titans with a nice 1-2 punch along with LenDale White.
3. Albert Haynesworth makes another strong case for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. And wins it this time.
Click here for Titans schedule.
Click here for Titans roster.
Click here for more Titans coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","San Diego Chargers","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Another AFC West title for the Chargers. And they are the lone playoff rep from the West.
2. Having shown the football-watching nation his mettle during last year’s playoffs, Phillip Rivers continues to climb toward the league’s quarterbacking elite.
3. Shawne Merriman’s knee – against the odds – makes it through the season and into the Super Bowl.
Click here for Chargers schedule.
Click here for Chargers roster.
Click here for more Chargers coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","NFC East","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","NFC North","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","NFC South","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","NFC West","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Dallas Cowboys","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Another playoff appearance. Another one and done.
2. Dallas' playoff fortunes will improve next year when Jason Garrett’s the head coach.
3. Adam Jones won’t make it through the season without a 'Pacman' incident.
Click here for Cowboys schedule.
Click here for Cowboys roster.
Click here for more Cowboys coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Chicago Bears","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. The Bears are putting too much on the plate of electrifying Devin Hester in expecting the 5-11, 190-pounder to give them 50-plus plays a game on offense and be the same brilliant guy on special teams. They’re going to blow him out.
2. Defensively, the Bears will be better than they were in 2007, but offensively they’ll be even worse.
3. They open at Indy and Carolina then host the Bucs and Eagles. That’s an 0-4 start.
Click here for Bears schedule.
Click here for Bears roster.
Click here for more Bears coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Atlanta Falcons","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. One word for Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to remember in 2008. Duck!
2. As good as new head coach Mike Smith might be down the line, he just doesn’t have the defensive weapons to make these Falcons look anything like his stingy Jacksonville defenses. With too many players who are either too young or too old, they remain one of the NFL’s worst units.
3. On the bright side, Jason Elam has a Pro Bowl year kicking in the Georgia Dome.
Click here for Falcons schedule.
Click here for Falcons roster.
Click here for more Falcosn coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Arizona Cardinals","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. I smell a playoff appearance!
2. It’s a shootout every week for the Cardinals as their still-sketchy defense makes it imperative that quarterback Kurt Warner and the offense puts up points.
3. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s decision to put the offense in the gloved hands of Warner pays dividends as the Cards roll early then survive a nasty December against the Vikings, Patriots and Seahawks to close it out.
Click here for Cardinals schedule.
Click here for Cardinals roster.
Click here for more Cardinals coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","N.Y. Giants","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. There’s a lot of character on this team, but defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has his work cut out for him trying to approximate the same kind of pressure the 2007 edition generated and — because of that — they get in more shootouts than they want to.
2. Steve Smith emerges as one of the NFC’s best young wide receivers.
3. By a whisker, the Giants miss the playoffs as the December stretch against the Eagles, Cowboys, Panthers and Vikings does them in.
Click here for Giants schedule.
Click here for Giants roster.
Click here for more Giants coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Detroit Lions","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. It’s wonderful that the Lions have those terrific “new breed” wide receivers like Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson. Too bad Detroit's offensive line is so bad that Johnson and Williams won’t finish their routes before quarterback Jon Kitna’s staring at the roof wondering which guy missed his block.
2. The Lions reloaded their secondary with corners Brian Kelly and Leigh Bodden. But after allowing 258.5 yards passing per game last season, they won’t be much better until they get a better rush — and trading defensive tackle Shaun Rogers didn't help.
3. Rod Marinelli is a terrific guy and, in a different situation, might have been a very good head coach. But it isn’t going to work out in Detroit.
Click here for Lions schedule.
Click here for Lions roster.
Click here for more Lions coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Carolina Panthers","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Julius Peppers and Jake Delhomme roll back the clock a little bit and spark a minor revival for the Panthers.
2. Even with one of the NFL’s easiest schedules (a mere five games against 2007 playoff teams) the Panthers endure an uneven season and the heat gets turned up to boil on head coach John Fox.
3. Steve Smith returns with a vengeance (which is pretty much how he always is) and makes the Pro Bowl even after serving a two-game suspension at the start of the season.
Click here for Panthers schedule.
Click here for Panthers roster.
Click here for more Panthers coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","St. Louis Rams","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Injuries doomed this team in 2007. In 2008, they rebound on both sides of the ball and become a surprisingly tough out.
2. Rookie defensive end Chris Long and defensive tackle Adam Carriker get it done on one side of the line; Leonard Little and La’Roi Glover wreak havoc on the other to make the Rams front four a little more fearsome.
3. Torry Holt has another standout season in what’s quietly looking like a Hall of Fame career.
Click here for Rams schedule.
Click here for Rams roster.
Click here for more Rams coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Philadelphia Eagles","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson turns linebacker Chris Gocong loose and he becomes one of the NFC's best defensive playmakers, a Tedy Bruschi type.
2. Even without Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown at wideout, a steadier Donovan McNabb puts up eye-popping numbers and carries the Eagles' offense on his back.
3. Free agent acquisition Asante Samuel winds up being even better for the Eagles than they hoped, and he rides again into the Super Bowl with his new team.
Click here for Eagles schedule.
Click here for Eagles roster.
Click here for more Eagles coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Green Bay Packers","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Aaron Rodgers isn’t going to make anyone forget whatshisname but he’s going to have an efficient 2008 with more touchdowns than interceptions, a completion percentage over 60 and 3,200-plus passing yards.
2. Wide receiver Greg Jennings makes the Pro Bowl.
3. The Packers make the playoffs.
Click here for Packers schedule.
Click here for Packers roster.
Click here for more Packers coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","New Orleans Saints"," ","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. The Saints recapture some of their ‘06 magic and regain the NFC South's top spot.
2. This year, it’s the defense that leads them as rookie Sedrick Ellis and newly acquired linebacker Jonathan Vilma put a charge into their unit and keep the heat off a shaky secondary by being nasty up front.
3. Quietly, Reggie Bush comes into his own in 2008 and puts together the first impressive season of his NFL career.
Click here for Saints schedule.
Click here for Saints roster.
Click here for more Saints coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","San Francisco 49ers","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Mike Nolan? Fired during the bye week in early November.
2. They’ll be striding proudly toward the No. 1 overall pick by Thanksgiving.
3. But Patrick Willis will be a Pro Bowl linebacker.
Click here for 49ers schedule.
Click here for 49ers roster.
Click here for more 49ers coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Washington Redskins","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Head coach Jim Zorn gets himself in trouble with impolitic commentary on a weekly basis.
2. The hoped-for wide receiver bounce they Redskins were counting on when they drafted Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly doesn’t come. Both have been hurt in the preseason and once the bus gets moving in the regular season, it’s too hard to teach.
3. Playing in the ultra-tough NFC East, Zorn and the Redskins take tremendous lumps in 2008 and miss the playoffs. By a lot.
Click here for Redskins schedule.
Click here for Redskins roster.
Click here for more Redskins coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Minnesota Vikings","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Brad Childress = NFC Coach of the Year.
2. Adrian Peterson = NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
3. Vikings = Loser in the NFC Championship.
Click here for Vikings schedule.
Click here for Vikings roster.
Click here for more Vikings coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Tampa Bay Bucs"," ","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. Jeff Garcia lugged this team into the playoffs last season. With an improved Saints team, he’s not going to be able to do it again, because the South isn't good enough to have a wild-card team.
2. As an aging offense sputters, the heat gets turned up on the Bucs defense to respond week after week. For a while, they do. Then the age of two of their key guys — cornerback Ronde Barber and linebacker Derrick Brooks — starts to show.
3. It comes down to the final two weeks of the season for the Bucs — home games against West Coast opponents San Diego and Oakland. Battling with the Vikings, Eagles, Giants, Cardinals and Panthers for a final spot, they spit the bit.
Click here for Bucs schedule.
Click here for Bucs roster.
Click here for more Bucs coverage.";
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i++] = new Array("","Seattle Seahawks","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_nfl_bold_predix_2008[i-1].body = "
1. With their fires stoked by wanting to send Mike Holmgren out on a high — and by having his successor Jim Mora on the staff — the Seahawks have motivation to have a big 2008 but injuries all over the offense suffered in preseason and before doom them to mediocrity in a slightly improved NFC West.
2. On the plus side, Julius Jones and Maurice Morris fill the bill very nicely at running back.
3. Lack of outside weapons causes a backslide for normally very good quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
Click here for Seahawks schedule.
Click here for Seahawks roster.
Click here for more Seahawks coverage.";
// END editorial data