2008 NFL Season Begins !

It's TIIIIIIIIME !!!! Thank goodness !

The NFL season kicks off tonight and not a moment too soon. I swear if I had to look at one more freakin' broadcast of poker or drag racing on television, I was gonna just flip out. I mean, once or twice a year for a change of pace, I can see tossing in a non-sport on a sports channel. But freakin poker ? Bowling? Badminton as an Olympic sport? Get the &$%# outta here.

So tonight it all begins. Washington and the Giants in New York, home of the defending Super Bowl champions. Can they repeat? I highly doubt it. Will the Redskins challenge for a title? Unlikely. But the division of NFC East is one of the better in the NFL and should provide some great games throughout the season.

So I have two items to present to football fans on this kickoff evening. One is the current power rankings of all 32 teams as I, your humble blogging nobody, see them at present. I will come back each Monday and present the newest version as the season goes along. Yes, I can understand how excited that makes each of you!

Second, I'd like to officially make my predictions on weekly games, division winners, playoffs and ultimately, the Super Bowl outcome. And we all know I will be so far off on most of the picks that I will look exactly like the well-paid, over-indulgent "professional pundits" who are on TV & radio, or in print ,blabbering on like they have an idea what will happen a few months from now.

So here goes.


Prediction on 2008 Division Winners:


NFC EAST
Dallas

NFC WEST
Arizona

NFC SOUTH
New Orleans

NFC NORTH
Minnesota


AFC EAST
New England

AFC WEST
San Diego

AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis

AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh


NFC Playoff Teams:
Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans, Carolina, Philadelphia & Arizona

AFC Playoff Teams:
Indianapolis, New England, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville & Buffalo


NFC Championship
New Orleans beats Dallas


AFC Championship
Indianapolis beats San Diego


SUPER BOWL
Indianapolis over New Orleans


And on kickoff night, here are my thoughts on the Power Rankings for all 32 NFL teams. I think I will call it: Mac's Weekly NFL Power Rankings..........I know........sooooooo clever ! Following the Power Rankings, I'll pick the winners for the opening weekend of NFL play.


1. San Diego - This team is ready to make their move, but the injury to Merriman (and his subsequent decision to go ahead and play) could prove costly. Shame on the GM and coach for not putting a stop to it. The Chargers are a deep team, but any lingering effects from injuries to LT and Rivers from last season will now come under greater scrutiny. But this team is primed. Only further serious injuries or a complete meltdown will keep this team from the AFC Championship.

2. New England - So long as the offense can score at will, their defense is not a concern. If the offense gets stopped it could be trouble. For the first time in years, they have a bit more competition within their own division.

3. Indianapolis - With veteran center Jeff Saturday out and rookies making up 2/5ths of the offensive line, the Colts will have to hope they play above expectations. Indy needs to run the ball more and control the clock in order to keep the defense off the field to stay healthy & fresh. This is a very young ballclub with the exception of Manning, Harrison and Saturday.

4. Dallas - It's put up or shut up time for the Cowboys. Anything less than a trip to the Super Bowl is a failure. They are what the Colts were pre-2006.

5. Jacksonville - Following the assault on Collier, the Jags hope to shake off the depression of knowing one of their own is hurting. Not the way you would hope to start a season, but if they persevere now and Collier gets better, it could provide the spark for a stellar season.

6. Pittsburgh - Could be one of the more explosive offensive teams they've had in years.

7. Minnesota - Getting the ball to Berrian or Rice while keeping the opponent guessing about Adrian Peterson. The Vikes will need a majority of their games to be error-free at QB and the passing game to be clicking. Their defense should provide the rest.

8. New Orleans - Some key losses to injury on defense causes concern, but this offense is potentially more potent than SD, New England or Indy. Wouldn't a Saints-Colts or Saints-Chargers Super Bowl be wild ?

9. Seattle - A fairly weak division gets a little tougher this go round for Seattle. Arizona is improved and the 49ers are dangerous, though probably inconsistent. Some injuries have caused some offensive hiccups heading into the season as Engram is out, Deion Branch is questionable and tackle Sean Locklear hasn't practiced. On defense Lofa Tatupu is a tossup for action vs Buffalo.

10. Carolina - This team is ready to make a run at the division title right now. The offense is the key in '08, with DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart & Jake Delhomme needing solid years. TE Rosario and WR Dwayne Jarrett are two big youngsters that could help take some defensive double-team pressure off Steve Smith. And the defense is solid.

11. Tennessee - Good, nasty, physical defense . If Vince Young and the offense can click, it could be a magical year for the Titans.

12. Cleveland - The question is "Can they do it again?" Or was it a one-year wonder, like New Orleans in 2006. The potential is there.

13. Green Bay - Many say the Favre-less Pack will be neck-in-neck with Minnesota for the division crown. I don't see it with Rodgers really in his "first" year as an NFL quarterback.

14. NY Giants - With Osi out for the year and Strahan retired, the dominant pass-rush attack might be non-existant. If so, that makes the ability of the offense to score - and score often - a prime concern. Five former starters now gone completely from last year's Super Bowl team. Out of respect for their championship defense, I start them out ahead of their division rivals.

15. Philadelphia - With a defense that looks more formidable than last year, it will all be up to the offense. The NFC East will be a slugfest.

16. Buffalo - Fans in Buffalo are stoked about the chance to battle for a wildcard playoff spot. Edwards needs to show he can lead them there.

17. Washington - Watch out for this ballclub, especially if Jim Zorn gets Campbell to catch fire. Dangerous corps of receivers and a running game. Playing in the tough NFC East is rough.

18. Tampa Bay - While the Bucs missed out on Favre, I've always thought Garcia was pretty good and underrated. But they still don't have that elite WR speedster.

19. Houston - This team was oh-so-close to their first above-500 season last year. If they can get out of the gate quickly, they might be a sleeper playoff team. No, really !

20. Arizona - Same for the Cardinals. The D in the desert is potentially deadly. Rattlesnake deadly. Now they need their offense to re-boot and Kurt Warner is hungry. Is anyone else?

21. Denver - Not quite ready to make a run at the Chargers this year, though they could sneak into the playoffs if the Browns,Titans and Texans stumble because they should whip Oakland and KC at home and on the road. If they don't, so long playoff chances.

22. NY Jets - If Favre gets the Jets to the playoffs, he may be voted into the Hall at the end of this season. And if he does, he should. But it's more likely the Jets would get there behind a super offensive line and a power running game. Not enough playoff spots to go 'round in the rugged AFC.

23. Cincinnati - Potential for an exciting season on offense, while the defense still remains in rebuilding mode. The Johnson trade was bizarre, and I don't think Perry is the answer. Even though Henry is an off-field problem, he is the main reason T.J. and Ocho Cinco are so deadly on the field. With the three of them, you can't concentrate on just one.

24. Baltimore - The Ravens were set with Troy Smith at QB before he became ill. Now that Flacco is leading the offense, one can only guess at how he may struggle. I had the Ravens higher with Troy Smith, but it's anyones guess now. Another key will be if the defense play healthy for 16 weeks.

25. San Francisco - Last year was supposed to be their breakout year, but injuries took their toll. If healthy, the 49ers could make it interesting. Well, it's already interesting since Smith is out and O'Sullivan is in at QB.

26. Chicago - This team has surprise written all over it IF the defense comes back strong and the O-line gives the QB time in the pocket. The backfield of Forte and Jones is potentially explosive, especially when Jones gets back to full-tilt! Their only problem is lack of a prolific wideout and a suspect offensive line.

27. Detroit - We've been expecting a playoff run for years out of this team. Kinda like expecting the Lion GM to be fired for years. Not sure if we'll see it this year. Either one.

28. Oakland - The Raiders will definitely get someones attention a time or two this year. Still need improvement along the offensive line and Russell will not be a QB to be worried about for another year or more.

29. Miami - This is not the almost completely winless team of a season ago. They're not a playoff team either. But the product on the field will most assuredly be better and create some excitement for Dolphin fans this season.

30. St. Louis - This team could be the team selecting #1 come next April. Should Stephen Jackson have a great year and Bulger remain healthy and productive, it could at least make for an even more competitive division. If not, I kinda feel bad for Howie's son.

31. Atlanta - Matt Ryan has been pretty solid in pre-season. With some good fortune, the Falcons may create some noise this season, though the playoffs are still a ways down the road.

32. Kansas City - Just too many gaping holes to fill for this team to deal with this year. Still in rebuilding mode, but Croyle better improve or he's gone. Speaking of gone, I figure this will be Herm's last one in KC.


NY over Washington
Atlanta stuns Detroit
Baltimore stops the Bengals
Philly too much for the Rams
Buffalo smacks Seattle
Tennesse slips by the Jags
Pittsburgh over Houston
New Orleans drops Tampa Bay
New England crushes KC
Miami upsets the Jets
Cleveland (Dawg)Pounds Dallas
SD clubs Carolina
'Zona rolls by SF
Indy edges the Bears
Minnesota packs Green Bay
The Broncos buck Oakland