West
San Diego Chargers
2007 record: 11-5, lost to New England in AFC championship game
To paraphrase Tom Cruise in “Jerry McGuire,” addition of WR Chris Chambers completed Chargers’ offense. C.C. has two seasons of 11 TD catches, giving Philip Rivers big-play receiver he was lacking. Not that all is well in Bolts’ world. Shawne Merriman, arguably the NFL’s top pass-rushing LB, could be endangering his career by playing the season with his injured left knee. About that 11-5 record . . . Bolts were 1-3 and struggling with new coaching staff, then won 10 of last 12. With a healthy Merriman, they’re a Super Bowl team. Without him? They’re still the class of the West.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 11-5
Denver Broncos
2007 record: 7-9
Broncos haven’t made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Mike Shanahan has never missed the postseason in three straight seasons. So what’s going to give? If Jay Cutler takes it to the level above the next level, they might have a chance. Other than that, forget it. Defense allowed ugly 409 points in 2007, paving way for Broncos’ third coordinator in span of three seasons. Stuff happens when you’re 30th in the league vs. the run.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 8-8
Oakland Raiders
2007 record: 4-12
They’ve lost 11-plus games for five straight years. And we’re supposed to think this is the year they turn it around? What part of virtual rookie quarterback don’t you get? Oh, and by the way, Al Davis picks free agents like Anne Hathaway picks boyfriends. On the plus side, Darren McFadden could be the offensive rookie of the year if he gets an occasional block.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 5-11
Kansas City Chiefs
2007 record: 4-12
Chiefs were 4-3 and talking the talk in 2007, then lost nine straight. Brodie Croyle’s next W as a starting QB will be his first. Larry Johnson says he’ll be NFL’s comeback player of the year, but we have to see it to believe it. His yards per carry have gone down each of past three seasons. At least Jared Allen will rack up the sacks. What’s that? Oh, yeah, he’s in Minnesota.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 3-13
East
New England Patriots
2007 record: 16-0, lost to New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII
Randy Moss, above, says he’s nervous about 2008 season. What does that make the rest of the division? Tom Brady threw 50 TD passes. Other three teams in the East combined for 39. For the record, Peyton Manning threw for 28 TDs the year after he broke NFL record with 49. Not that the Pats don’t have issues. Secondary will miss Asante Samuel.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 13-3
Buffalo Bills
2007 record: 7-9
America’s Team? Fans in Buffalo are wondering if this is going to be Toronto’s Team. Bills haven’t made the playoffs since 1999. Could this be the year? Yes, we’re drinking the Kool-Aid. If Marcus Stroud’s ankle holds up, defense could be something special. Rookie WR James Hardy brings big plays, big body. He’s 6-feet-6. Bills’ tallest 2007 wideout was 5-10.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 10-6
New York Jets
2007 record: 4-12
Brett Favre’s .665 completion percentage in 2007 was a career best. What’s that? You’re right. A lot of good it will do him this year. It’s a big story, Broadway Brett, but it’s hard to envision a happy ending. Prediction: Favre lasts one year in N.Y., then moves on to Minnesota. How else is he going to stick it to Packers GM Ted Thompson?
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 7-9
Miami Dolphins
2007 record: 1-15
No. 1 overall draft pick Jake Long got $30 million in guaranteed jack before playing a down. Question is, is there anyone back there worth protecting? Picking up Chad Pennington tells you everything you need to know about Dolphins’ confidence in their young QBs. Any defense that lost Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas in a matter of months can’t be improved.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 3-13
North
Cleveland Browns
2007 record: 10-6
So much for those “Romeo Must Go” T-shirts. Browns’ young players finally got healthy last season, and it showed in the standings. Can they take the next step? Hey, it’s not like they’re playing in the AFC South. If they can get a W for every tattoo Kellen Winslow Jr. has on his arms, they ought to win the Smokestack Division.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 10-6
Pittsburgh Steelers
2007 record: 10-6, lost to Jacksonville in playoffs
Have you checked out that schedule? Stillers will play 12 games vs. teams that were .500-plus last season, eight vs. playoff qualifiers. Troy Polamalu has been hurt during the preseason, and Alan Faneca took the money from the Jets. You have to wonder, don’t you? Oh, and did anyone notice that Willie Parker scored two rushing TDs last season? Front office did. Welcome to the ‘burgh, Rashard Mendenhall.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 9-7
Baltimore Ravens
2007 record: 5-11
It’s 11 o’clock in the preseason; do you know who your quarterback is? Rookie Joe Flacco figures to get the call to start the season. The same Joe Flacco who raised red flags among scouts when he wasn’t voted a team captain at Division I-AA Delaware. Can you say last hurrah, Ray Lewis? Not on this team. Ravens were minus-17 in turnovers last year, worst in the league.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 6-10
Cincinnati Bengals
2007 record: 7-9
Memo to those inclined to rank Carson Palmer, above, the league’s No. 3 QB behind Peyton Manning and Tom Brady: You sure? Take away his Week 2 six-TD flingfest vs. Browns and Palmer threw 20 TD passes in Bengals’ other 15 games. Add in a shaky defense and Ocho Cinco figures to be grumbling by October. This team is in decline.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 6-10
South
Indianapolis Colts
2007 record: 13-3, lost to San Diego in playoffs
OK, we admit it. We’re not totally convinced the Men of Manning are the same ol’ wrecking crew. But the numbers don’t lie. They were second in the league in takeaways (37) and first in points allowed (262). And you thought the Colts were all about offense. For the record, Manning, for all his Hall of Fame credentials, threw one or fewer TD passes in seven games in 2007.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 11-5
Houston Texans
2007 record: 8-8
Let’s get right to the point. The Texans make the playoffs. For that matter, they might have last year if not for injuries to WR Andre Johnson, above, TB Ahman Green and QB Matt Schaub. With the offense in disarray, the turnovers started mounting. By season’s end, the Texans were minus-13, behind, among others, Oakland, K.C. and Miami. And still, they finished .500. Do the math, bubba.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 10-6
Jacksonville Jaguars
2007 record: 11-5, lost to New England in playoffs
What’s this? The Jaguars behind Houston. Well, yeah, now that you mention it. They’ve got some issues. The D-line, for instance, where Marcus Stroud was traded to Buffalo and No. 1 draft choice Derrick Harvey missed all of training camp in a contract beef. Not that the Jags aren’t loaded. They were second in the league in rushing last year and have David Garrard, one of the game’s great leaders, under center.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 10-6
Tennessee Titans
2007 record: 10-6, lost to San Diego in playoffs
Tell-tale stat from Stats: Vince Young in Titans’ last 17 wins has averaged 151 passing yards per. That can’t continue, not in a league in which the rules are rigged to promote the passing game. Jeff Fisher will have the fellas ready to play, as he always does, but they’re in deep in the Not For Long’s best division.
Jim Armstrong’s prediction: 6-10
