3 NFL Teams to Watch in '08

by: Trev Rogers

Team #1: Green Bay Packers.  First of all, with the harder AFC opponents, the Pack would have been hard pressed to go 11-5.  Then you have the whole Favre mess that wasn't handled well by anyone, you give away your HOF QB for a back up who has had a season ending injury as Favre's back up three straight years and trade away your best DT.

Some harsh truths: Green Bay's defense is overrated.  Without Williams, that DL will not get a major pass rush and will be weak against the run up the middle.  A.J. Hawk hasn't looked much better than average, and by the end of last season Al Harris did not look good at all.  They still don't have solid defensive backs for the nickel and dime defense. 

Second, if you've watched QB Aaron Rodgers without being biased you see a quarterback who can not sense a pass rush at all, will get sacked 4-6 times a game, and can't throw more than thirty yards.  The offensive line wasn't that good, but Favre's quick release made them look a lot better, and the first two pre season games should be throwing red flags, especially considering the dropped pick and several throws against Cincy that should have been.

Look for 8-8 to be the ceiling, and it could be a lot worse.  I could see this team being as low as 4-12 if Aaron Rodgers is injured (Brohm isn't ready), and even 5-11 if he's healthy.  This team will fall faster than any other in the NFL.

Team #2: Oakland Raiders.  It's a circus, but Lane Kiffin has the respect of his players and there is just enough talent here to make a run to .500.  RB Darren McFadden will be special off the bat and WR Javon Walker improves the receiving corps.  CB DeAngelo Williams adds to an already talented defense, and there is just enough talent here for Lane Kiffin to steady the ship to 8-8, at which point Al Davis will get out of the padded room and mess things up again, but going 4 wins to 8 is a great one season improvement, and Coach Kiffin is the man to do it.

Team #3: New York Jets.  This isn't just "Favre mania."  The Jets have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL, facing a lot of dreg teams.  They also brought in NT Kris Jenkins, OG Alan Faneca, OLB Calvin Pace, FB Tony Richardson, OL Damien Woody, RB Jesse Chatman, and TE Bubba Franks.  That's a lot of work to get better, not to mention a solid draft this year, and a lot of great draft picks from last year who will be even better in their second year of play.

Also consider reports from Jets camp: receivers being surprised they caught a 30 yard pass because passes that deep were always just decoys with Chad Pennington.  Favre opens this offense up, and the Jets want power running and defense, and the pieces are in play to the point where a 10-6 or 11-5 season with that easy schedule are not out of the question.  Barring massive injuries, Jets make the playoffs, Packers don't.

Trev Rogers Past Articles

3 NFL Teams to Watch in '08
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