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NFL Roundup
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Cheerleader Survivor
This year along with our other fun news and information we are going
to start a new contest. Cheerleader survivor. Throughout the NFL
Season you will pick your favorite cheerleader from each squad and
in the playoffs we will crown our NFL Cheerleader of the year...more
2008 Preseason Power Rankings
Our computerized power ranking system is compiled using our own experts
analysis along with the grades from over 50 NFL sites and experts, as
well as over 20 other criteria to give the best overall consensus power
rankings on the web...more
Miami Signs Williams Through 2009 Season
Washington Post
Ricky Williams is signed up for two more
seasons in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins are hoping he plays out his
contract this time. ...
NFL fans left high and dry by league's ruling
class
Pro Football Weekly
The middle letter in NFL obviously does not
stand for fans. Both the league itself and individual teams go out
of their way to insult or ... |
The Season Begins, Reports for all 32
teams and optimism and pessimism abound throughout the league.
The season opens this week and along with that a ton of new features on
SportzNutz.com. We have reports on all 32 teams, division by division reports,
and lots more this week to cover.
Once the season kicks off on Thursday, September 4th, numerous questions
about a number of storylines will be asked and answered:
Can the New York Giants recapture the spirit from their miracle season
and join the New England Patriots as the second team to repeat as Super Bowl
champs this decade?
Will the New England Patriots make another run at an undefeated season?
Can the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning bounce back and win the
AFC?
Will Tony Romo mature into the next great NFL quarterback and take the
Dallas Cowboys back to the glory days of the 1990s?
Can Brett Favre rejuvenate the once proud New York Jets franchise?
Many games are already set up this year to give us some answers as the
schedule makers seemed to know what fans wanted to see.
Here are some of the marquee matchups:
New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins, September 7th: Brett Favre's Jets
debut. Favre will be pumped up to prove to the Green Bay Packers that he still
has an MVP year left in him.
Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs, September 14th: Neither team is
expected to challenge the Chargers in the AFC West as both are rebuilding, but
when these two bitter rivals play each other, records are tossed aside.
New England Patriots vs. San Diego Chargers, October 12th: This battle
features two NFL powerhouses that could be a preview of January's AFC
championship game. Tom Brady and Randy Moss versus LaDainian Tomlinson.
San Diego Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints, October 26th: The NFL goes to
Wembley Stadium in London, where the United Kingdom will get a first-hand look
at emerging star, Reggie Bush.
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants, November 2nd: The 2008 Super Bowl
winner takes on one of the leading contenders for the 2009 title in an NFC East
battle.
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, December 28th: This Week 17 game
could decide the AFC North and have major playoff implications.
There are plenty of other games on the schedule that are going to be a lot of
fun to watch, and as we move forward in the season, more games will carry more
importance. All we know for sure is it looks like a great season before it ever
starts.
Our NFL Preview may surprise some people as we don't necessarily agree with
the rest ofthe pundits on all of the divisions or teams. You might be surprised
at some of our picks in our annual
2008 NFL Preview.
NFL Team and Division
Previews
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AFC North Preview |
AFC South Preview |
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 1.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Preview
The Steelers are essentially the same defense that ranked No. 1 last
year, plus they have several promising new weapons on offense. The
biggest question they are going to have is whether
Chris Kemoeatu can replace Alan
Faneca as the starting guard...more
 2.
Cleveland Browns Preview
There is plenty of firepower on offense and a division title is within reach
as long as Derrick Anderson was not a fluke. Braylon Edwards and Donte
Stallworth at receiver, Kellen Winslow at tight end, and Jamal Lewis at running
back give the Browns their very own pro bowl offense...more
 3.
Cincinnati Bengals Preview
There’s enough talent for a playoff run, but that doesn't really ever matter
in Cincy. The draft was very good for the Bengals as they got the defensive help
they so badly needed, but it is going to take some time for that defense to gel...more
 4.
Baltimore Ravens Preview
There is just too much transition taking place for a team with this kind of quarterback
situation. We all await the arrival of the next savior in Joe Flacco. In the
meantime new head coach John Harbaugh has his work cut out for him in changing
the culture in Baltimore. This is a transition year so he will get a chance to
put things in place...more |
 1.
Jacksonville Jaguars Preview
We are going to go ahead and say it. This is the
year that the Jaguars equal the Colts. It's probably going to come down to a
tiebreaker. The Jaguars are one tough team. They went into Pittsburgh and
defeated the Steelers in the playoffs. It doesn't get any tougher than that, and
they just continue to get tougher...more
 2.
Indianapolis Colts Preview
The Colts will get another monster year from
Peyton Manning as he tries to make a star out of second year wideout Tony
Gonzalez. Dwight Freeney should return to all pro form and the Colts will be
even harder to score on...more
 3.
Tennessee Titans Preview
The Titans are going to need to get production
from Vince Young, how they expect to get it with that crop of receivers we are
just not sure. The Titans defense will continue to do its job, but you can't win
in the NFL if you can't throw the ball...more
 4.
Houston Texans Preview
The Texans did a good job last year, but its tough
to improve much from that record in this division. They are going to have to
carve out some kind of running game and with a three headed monster of Chris
Brown, Ahman Green, and rookie Steve Slaton should allow them to do well if the
offensive line can carve out some holes...more |
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AFC West Preview |
AFC East Preview |
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 1.
San Diego Chargers Preview
The Chargers are by far the most complete and balanced team in the
AFC West. That doesn't mean there aren't many questions, health
being the chief concern...more
 2.
Denver Broncos Preview
The Broncos have a bunch of holes and failed to address many of them in the
off-season. The defense cant deal with rushing attacks...more
 3.
Kansas City Chiefs Preview
The Chiefs spent almost a decade as a team to fear every year. That era is
officially over following last years 9 straight losses to end the season. This
team is now in the midst of a major rebuilding project...more
 4.
Oakland Raiders Preview
The Raiders have some things to be excited about. With JaMarcus
Russell at quarterback from day one and Darren McFadden who many
thought should have been the number one pick...more |
 1.
New England Patriots Preview
This is one pissed off team, lets hope they show at
least a little mercy on the pitiful Chiefs on opening day. The Patriots should
dominate the division again as long as Tom Brady remains healthy...more
 2.
New York Jets Preview
Favre’s arrival drastically changes the Jets 2008 preview but it does not change
the prediction: New York is still second best in the AFC East. They’re
apparently bent on winning now though...more
 3.
Miami Dolphins Preview
The biggest surprise for us is how well they are playing together all of a
sudden and how much a change at the top has meant to this organization. Still,
the Dolphins have issues...more
 4.
Buffalo Bills Preview
The Bills keep getting stronger as they got the running back (Marshawn Lynch)
and the quarterback (Trent Edwards) last year, and this year they add the wide
receiver threat in James Hardy...more
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NFC North Preview |
NFC South Preview |
 1.
Minnesota Vikings Preview
The league’s best rushing attack and run defense. The
only question remains Tarvaris Jackson. With Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor
the Vikings have the best running back tandem in the league by far. The passing
game however is quite another thing as Tarvaris Jackson continues to hold back
the offense...more
 2.
Green Bay Packers Preview
Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback of the now in Green Bay. He is good enough to
displace Brett Favre. Then can anyone tell us what the Packers are doing adding
Brian Brohm in the second round and Matt Flynn in the seventh round? Is Jon
Gruden suddenly the GM of the Packers?...more
 3.
Chicago Bears Preview
The Bears have two major problems. The first is that the offense scores
something like 4 points a game with roughly the same amount of points scored as
turnovers. This creates the second problem. A pissed off defense and a divided
locker room...more
 4.
Detroit Lions Preview
The Lions decided that they really didn't like scoring so many points, so they
got rid of Mike Martz and drafted Kevin Smith to challenge Tatum Bell. Don't
worry Lions fans, Jon Kitna will still be around to make all the mistakes you
love so much. The biggest news of the off-season in Detroit was that the Lions
actually waited until the 5th round to take a wide receiver. Amazing...more
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 1.
New Orleans Saints Preview
The most explosive team in the division, but without a
more trustworthy rushing attack, the Saints will have trouble dictating the flow
of games. Last year showed the Saints one thing. Reggie Bush is NOT an every
down back. The Saints need Deuce McAllister to be the every down back...more
 2.
Carolina Panthers Preview
The power offense and good defense makes for a very good team, not an elite
one. It's just a little bit scary to see a team with division title aspirations
have this much roster turnover...more
 3.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview
Solid offense, excellent defense, but Chuckie never puts together back-to-back
seasons. The Bucs won the division last year without Cadillac Williams, and this
year they bring back Warrick Dunn to blast some holes. Jeff Garcia does ok in
the Bucs dink and dunk offense, but that offense is not what any of us would
call explosive...more
 4.
Atlanta Falcons Preview
The good news is they are ahead of the Chiefs in the rebuilding process, the
bad news is they are behind everyone else. There is a new coach, a new
quarterback, and a new running back as the Falcons start from scratch. Michael
Turner can be a workhorse at running back, and Mike Smith will have to break in
Matt Ryan at some point, but this is going to be another very bad year...more
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NFC West Preview |
NFC East Preview |
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 1.
Arizona Cardinals Preview
The Cardinals made strides in 2007 and
probably should have made a stronger run at the playoffs. Now they must
take another step forward with a much more difficult schedule featuring
five trips to the Eastern time zone...more
 2.
Seattle Seahawks Preview
The Seahawks are the owners of the division’s best combination of talent and
experience. The age thing will keep them back as much as it helps, and with Mike
Holmgrem walking at the end of the year they will be trying to send him out on
top...more
 3.
St. Louis Rams
Preview
The Rams can make some noise on offense if they can protect Bulger, Isaac
Bruce is off to San Fran, but Torry Hold is still around and if you can get him
you had best make him your number one fantasy receiver. The defense will need
Chris Long to step right in and play at a high level...more
 4.
San Francisco 49ers
Preview
Head coach Mike Nolan finds himself on the hot seat heading into the
2008 season, and rightfully so after posting a very modest 16-32
record over three seasons. Without a marked improvement this year,
he’ll probably be seeking employment during the next offseason. And
there’s not much room to go anywhere but up after ranking...more |
 1.
Dallas
Cowboys Preview
The Cowboys are odds on favorites in the NFC, they
could even win the Super Bowl. First they have to win their first playoff game
which they have not done since 1996. Tony Romo will probably have another big
year and T.O. can always find the end zone...more
 2.
New York Giants Preview
They almost didn't make the playoffs last year, and won the whole thing. The
Giants bring back plenty of talent although Michael Strahan has retired and
Jeremy Shockey is off to New Orleans. Eli Manning is a different quarterback,
confident and solidly the offensive leader...more
 3.
Philadelphia Eagles Preview
The Eagles will look for Donovan
McNabb to stay healthy and to
find a way to get some other
playmakers involved besides just
Brian Westbrook. The defense
will look for Asante Samuel to
have a real impact as well...more
 4.
Washington Redskins Preview
Jim Zorn takes over and there is also a new west
coast offense for QB Jason Campbell to learn. The good news is that he appears
to have picked it up instantly and is very comfortable in it. There is an
excellent running game as long as Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts are healthy.
Then there is the defense which was very good last year and now adds Jason
Taylor to the mix....more
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NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft Team Grades and Recaps
Complete recaps and grades by team for the 2008 NFL Draft.
Information provided in NFL Roundup has been gathered from A.P.
reports, ESPN.com, Sportsline.com, NFL.com and numerous other e-sources.
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