The 2007-2008 NFL season kick-off is still quite a few months away (will happen on Sept. 6th 2007, in a meeting between the Saints and the reigning Superbowl champs, the Indianapolis Colts) but it’s never too early for a diligent handicapper and sports bettor to start putting some pieces of the puzzle together.
If we are to believe the experts, the New England Patriots should rule the regular season (ending on December the 30th) with an iron fist. With a projected 11 wins, they shouldn’t have a problem doing just that, however, only time will tell if they are indeed capable of that.
The Oakland Raiders are predicted to be the perpetual underdog next season (watch out for their games though, as they my well provide you with some unexpected hidden value) with a modest 5 wins.
Which of the NFL teams will make it to Glendale AZ, for the Superbowl is something that only the end of the regular season will make more or less clear, but certainly, the Pats, the Colts and even the Chargers will have a good shot at it.
Until then though, let’s see how some of the other teams are predicted to fare:
The San Diego Chargers are thought capable of achieving no less than 14 victories next season. As such, they’ll be the division leaders, and making it to the playoff shouldn’t be a problem for these guys.
Even though they’ll have to do without three key members of their coaching staff (Cam Cameron, Wade Phillips and HC Marty Scottenheimer) and the offensive contribution of Keenan McCardell, the Chargers are still going to wield the league’s most potent offense, with LaDanian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Phillip Rivers and Craig Davis from LSU. The defensive end of the game was where the Chargers were most vulnerable last season, and frankly, with the loss of Donnie Edwards and Steve Foley, it is hard to believe that will improve a lot next season. Out of the two losses the Charges will tally, one is expected to come from New England. While some experts think San Diego will get away with two losses, others are adamant that they will only tally 10 ˝ wins during the regular season, together with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Chicago Bears will supposedly be hot on the heels of these two teams, with 10 wins, followed by the Denver Broncos with 9 ˝ . Getting rid of QB Jake Plummer might just turn out to be the best move the Broncos have made in a while. The offensive push will hopefully be delivered by Jay Cutler and Travis Henry, while the defense will mostly rest on the shoulders of Dre’ Bly, John Lynch and Champ Bailey. The defense is obviously where the Broncos are the strongest, and the league’s best secondary will make sure it stays that way for next season. The Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles are all thought capable of 9 wins, together with Pittsburg and Seattle. The Giants, Chiefs and Jets are hanging in there with 8, right behind the Cougars (8 ˝ ) while the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers are only quoted for 7.
Bringing up the rear, ahead of the Oakland Raiders, are the Detroit Lions with 6 and the Cleveland Browns with 5 ˝. Just about the only light at the end of the tunnel for the strugging Raiders is QB JaMarcus Russell. A lot depends on how coach Lane Kiffin can include the rookie into the rotation.
