Gridiron Experts NFL 2008 Win Totals (Part 1: NFC East & West)

There’s no offseason in the NFL for Coaches, and especially General Managers. Every GM/Coach takes a hard look at each game from the previous year, and cuts up plays to examine what worked and what needs improvement. While fans want to see those big name players change jersey colors, the smartest moves are sometimes for the players that don’t get all the press. The following is Gridiron Experts quick fix for each team in the NFL. We also included the lines from Las Vegas’ future 2008 regular season wins (which are bets you can place on each team on whether a team will win more or less than the projected win total).

 

NFC EAST 

Vegas Line: Giants projected to win 9 games (+100 Over/ -120 Under)

Last year: 10-6

07 Problems: Well, they won the Super Bowl, so it’s hard to find problems with that. The offseason had them picked at by other teams; some solid players were stolen through free agency. LB K. Mitchell & G. Wilson will be missed, but can be somewhat replaced. TE J. Shockey was another big loss, but it could be a blessing in disguise.

Offseason Acquisitions: SS K. Phillips (draft), WR M. Manningham (draft)

Forecast:  The NYG are in the toughest division in the NFC, and arguably the league. Winning the Division is the key to any kind of Super Bowl repeat. Look for Defensive Coordinator S. Spagnuolo to continue his aggressive attack at opponents, while E. Manning can finally do his thing with the media off his back (at least for a while). The line is 9 games, which is disrespectful for a team that ran the table in the playoffs last year. I think the Over at +100 is a great bet.

Big wins in 07: Super Bowl win 17-14!

Prediction: 10 wins

 

Vegas Line: Cowboys projected to win 10.5 games (-115 Over/ -105 Under)

Last year: 13-3

07 Problems: Statistically, the Cowboys were tops in most categories. The only stat that was somewhat average was running yards per game (ranked 17th overall with 101). Despite being the team that most people love to hate, you have to admire what owner Jerry Jones has built. He replaced Julius Jones with Felix Jones, which now lets M. Barber have full control.  The defense has always been stong, and with Pacman they could be even better. The only real problem I see with the Cowboys is that they come across as very cocky, which always seems to bite them in the ass in the playoffs. If DAL could take a page out of the Patriots playbook, this team could be our next dynasty in the making. There is always the chance that T.O, Pacman-(don’t call me that), Roy Williams or any of these “Big Stars” could flip out and cause a media distraction. Dallas did more than most expected in 07, but I think the Cowboys are a high risk team.

Key Losses: LB A. Ayodele, CB J. Reeves, RB J. Jones

Offseason Acquisitions: RB F. Jones (draft), CB A. Jones (trade)

Forecast: J. Jones didn’t get a lot of credit in Dallas, with M. Barber getting most of the goal line carries and sometimes stealing the spotlight. Now Barber will have his work cut out for him in a starting role. The NFC East is tough, but I think Dallas can repeat another strong season if the team can stay healthy and focused. 10.5 wins at -115 is a bargain.

Big wins in 07: Beating NYG twice (45-35 & 31-20), also GB 37-27

Prediction: 12 wins

Vegas Line: Eagles projected to win 8.5 games (-170 Over/ +150 Under)

Last year: 8-8

07 Problems:  Special Teams and scoring in the Red Zone were the big ugly in Philadelphia, along with their painfully slow start to the season. Of course, McNabb limping through half the season didn’t help either. A. Reid is a smart coach, but he should have started A.J. Feely weeks 1 & 2. However, this would have led to media hell. McNabb saved his job with an impressive 3 game win streak to end the year, but asked for more weapons this coming year. He got a special teams return man and a hand full of goal line package players.  

Key Losses: none

Offseason Acquisitions: CB A. Samuel (FA), WR D. Jackson(draft), RB L. Booker (trade)

Forecast: The big names (Dawkins, W. Thomas, J. Runyan and McNabb) all need to stay healthy in order for this team to go anywhere. The Eagles always draft for the future, and already have a new breed of youth waiting and watching. With 3 great corners and a wildcard in rookie D. Jackson, this team should be playing deep into January. As for this Vegas line of -170, it’s not a good bet; shop it around and I’d put money on them at -130.

Big wins in 07: 10-6 over Dallas

Prediction: 11 wins

 

Vegas Line: Redskins projected to win 7.5 games (-110 Over/ -110 Under)

Last year: 9-7

07 Problems:  After SS S. Taylor died, this team had a new reason to play; the Skins rallied in December, going 4-1 to take them to the playoffs. However, it wasn’t enough, as they were torched in SEA 35-14. Gibbs is out and Zorn is in, along with the West Coast offense and Washington’s momentum from their late season.

Key Loss: SS S. Taylor

Offseason Acquisitions: DE J. Taylor (trade), WR’s D. Thomas & M. Kelly (draft)

Forecast: Washington will sputter with J. Campbell at the helm in Zorn’s new system. While the mourning of Sean Taylor could be seen this year in the secondary, the new faces from the draft will ride the bench, while fans wonder why the O-line holes were not addressed. This team is in a rebuilding mode despite what some may think.

Big wins in 07: 32-21 over MIN

Prediction: 7 wins

 

 NFC WEST

Vegas Line: Cardinals projected to win 8 games (+110 Over/ -130 Under)

Last year: 8-8

07 Problems: Running game (ranked 29th in yards per game), Passing Defense (ranked 28th in passing yards allowed per game), -7 in turnover ratio

Offseason Acquisitions: CB D-Rod-Cromartie (draft), LB/DE T. LaBoy (FA)

Key Losses: DE Calvin Pace, SS T. Holt, WR B. Johnson

Forecast:  The injuries continue into training camp with some of their big names being banged up. Ken Whisenhunt is a great coach, but I don’t think the Cards made enough moves in the offseason to improve on an 8 win season. If you can’t stop the run, you’re not going to handle the NFC and AFC East opponents well, which is who the Cards have in store for them. WR A. Boldin is unhappy, and is seeking money or a trade. If ARZ is smart, they will send this WR to a team they won’t see this year, and try to acquire help for the defense.  

Big wins in 07: 21-14 over PIT

Prediction: 6-7 wins

 

Vegas Line: Rams projected to win 6.5 games (-120 Over/ +100 Under)

Last year: 3-13

07 Problems: Injuries! The injury list was huge for the Rams in 07. In fact, there were only 6 players that started all 16 games. With that many injuries, it’s hard to find stats that really apply. Although if I had to pick one, it would be -10 in turnover ratio.

Offseason Acquisitions: DE C. Long (draft), Kicker J. Brown (FA)

Key Loss: WR I. Bruce

Forecast: I don’t think the Rams are as bad as people are making them out to be. It’s hard to win games when half the team is hurt. I think Scott Linehan has to get his players in the weight room and make conditioning a major training camp goal. The NFC West is wide open, and I could see this team making a full recovery. Although their schedule is one of the hardest to start the season, I do think the Rams could have a strong finish.

Big wins in 07: none

Prediction: 7 wins (with 5 of them in Nov-Dec)

Vegas Line: Seahawks projected to win 8.5 games (-165 Over/ +145 Under)

Last year: 10-6

07 Problems: The Seahawks were ranked 20th in the NFL in rushing yards per game, which isn’t bad but explains the J. Jones FA signing.

Offseason Acquisitions: RB J. Jones, DT L. Tripplet

Key Loss: Kicker J. Brown

Forecast:  This team got 5 of their wins from division opponents, and a free playoff ticket basically due to the fact that there wasn’t any other competition in the NFC West. With only 3 road wins last year, and D. Branch out until mid November, I don’t think this team will be putting up 10 wins again. I think Josh Brown will affect them more than the Hawks want to admit. Sportsbooks have this one locked up in my opinion. Although the under at +145 is enticing with the Hawks having such a poor receiving core, I wouldn’t take this bet as it’s too close to call.

Big wins in 07: wk1 20-6 over TB

Prediction: 9 wins

Vegas Line: 49ER’s projected to win 6.5 games (+110 Over/ -130 Under)

Last year: 5-11

07 Problems: Not only was SF ranked last in average passing yards per game, they were also near the bottom in rushing yards per game and had a -12 turnover ratio. To make things worse, the big money defense this team paid for in FA also ranked near the bottom of most categories.

Offseason Acquisitions: RB D. Foster, WR I. Bruce, WR, B. Johnson, DE J. Smith (all through FA)

Key Loss: Kicker: DE B. Young

Forecast: Again the 49er’s opened their wallets in the free agency period and roped in a few veterans to help this young offense. M. Martz has the reputation to either win big or get booed out of town (just ask Detroit fans). Martz will team up with I. Bruce and hopefully save QB A. Smith’s career. The 49er’s have so many new players that it will most likely take them another year to gel, but you never know in the NFC west. With an improved passing attack, F. Gore should have some breathing room and could be in for a big season. The NFC West as a whole has a tough schedule, having to face both the NFC East and the AFC East, but I think SF has a chance to be a .500 club this year.

Big wins in 07: 21-19 over TB

Prediction: 7-8 wins