You gotta love preseason predictions. I mean they’re all in fun and everyone has their own say even if it crazy or not. Two years ago I told my friends that the 2006 Detroit Tigers were a legitimate team and that they had one of the deepest rotations in baseball. While everyone else was riding the high of the Chicago White Sox who got hot and lucky at just the right time, I told everyone who would listen that the Tigers would make the playoffs. Now little did I know that I would watch them devastate my New York Yankees en route to a trip to the World Series, but everyone called me crazy back in the spring of 2006, the same way that many people were probably called crazy before the start of this football season.
But this list wasn’t compiled for the things that people thought “might” happen in the 2008 NFL season. This list is the Top 10 items that people said “were going” to happen, no matter what, and no ifs, ands, or buts about it. But the same way that I watched Jon Heyman of SI sit with Mike Francesa on WFAN and tell everyone that it would be the Angels and Cubs in the World Series (both teams were eliminated in the divisional series), I am here to bring you the things that the media plugged all spring and summer long and their so-called guarantees, that have yet to happen, and most likely won’t.
10. Green Bay is Fine
What a way to kick off this list. No better topic than the one that filled the headlines for weeks before the season. Green Bay will be fine with Aaron Rodgers. In fact, they might be better off with him and with Hall-of-Famer Brett Favre. Where did they go wrong? The Packers are about as fine without Brett Favre as The O.C. was without Mischa Barton. Two things can happen to the Packers in the next couple of weeks. They can prove that they are a good football team against top notch opponents. Or they can easily drop a few games in a row and think about 2009. The Packers lucky in the sense that the NFC North is wide open and even the Vikings, yes those Vikings, have a chance to win the division. But the Packers are not lucky in terms of their schedule. Their next three games are against Seattle, Indianapolis, and Tennessee. The Seawhawks are coming off a blowout and will be looking to redeem themselves and the Colts are still the Colts and the Titans are 5-0. Green Bay could rack up the losses before November 1st and their season could be over by Thanksgiving.
9. Jacksonville is the Real Deal
Nope, they’re not. Not even close. Not even in a million years. Not with a 2-3 record to their name. The Jaguars aren’t the best team in their own division and in fact they aren’t even the second best team. And had the Houston Texans not been giving away every game, they might be the worst team in the AFC South. But the Jaguars were Super Bowl bound just like so many others. They still might be, though there is a slim chance. But after five weeks of football, they look more like mathematically eliminated bound in December than playoff bound.
8. Brady-less Pats Will Fail
No one could have guess Tom Brady would be lost for the year in the first game of the season. But then many said the Patriots would flounder without him. Listen, they are still going to flounder, I believe it, But they haven’t yet, so I guess these critics are wrong for now. Then again they are 3-1, but they got embarrassed at home by Miami and have beaten the Chiefs, the Jets, and the 49ers. The Patriots might have dodged some early bullets here, but it is going to catch up with them. Just look at their schedule. And their quarterback.
7. Washington is Toast
Playing in the NFC East with a new coach and a young quarterback is asking for a four win season at most. But the Redskins already have four wins and their one loss is to the Giants who haven’t lost. The Redskins are the real deal and look ready to get over that hump that has plagued them the past few seasons. This is definitely a playoff team and they have already made that clear and it is only Week 6. Washington Redskins football is back on the map. I didn’t get them credit either, but I’m glad they are better than the Cowboys.
6. Brett Favre’s The Savior
Did anyone think Brett Favre could really make the big of a difference for Gang Green? I mean come on. They are still the Jets. They are still coming off a four win season. They are still lacking on both offense and defense. And they still play in the AFC East. What’s kind of puzzling is how the Jets beat the Dolphins, but got beat by the Patriots and smoked by the Chargers. Then again they played the Dolphins in Week 1 and since the Dolphins are 2-1. So, I am going to go out on a limb and say that the Dolphins will beat the Jets the next time out. Which brings up my next point. What will Brett Favre then think as he tarnished his legacy in Green Bay only to go to the Jets and finish in last place behind the Miami Dolphins? I bet that $20 million buyout from the Packers is looking pretty good now.
5. The Eagles are Back
The last time the Eagles had a legitimate shot at winning the Super Bowl was when they were in it in 2004. But for some reason this team could cut its whole roster and fill it in with replacement players or high school players for that matter and they would still be given the same praise as every other Eagles team. This team has never proven itself. Never wins the big game and never really puts itself in position to get into a big game. But they have a real shot to win the NFC East right? Well that is what everyone said. But a 2-3 record and an 0-2 divisional record should change some minds.
4. Cleveland is at the Top of the Class
Give a team four nationally televised games and they will give you a 1-3 record. The Cleveland Browns have already had a Sunday Night Football game this year on NBC and have three Monday Night Football games this year on ESPN. So far they are 0-1 on the big stage and they will try their luck again this Monday against the Giants. Luck, that is what they will need. Derek Anderson was suppose to be turning into a stud not a dud and the Browns were suppose to be a true contender. Lots of “suppose to’s” there. Here’s my question: When will Brady Quinn get his shot to lose games for Cleveland the same way Anderson has? He can’t do any worse.
3. 2008 is the Chargers Year
Remember the one about the boy who cried wolf? How about the one about the major media outlet who cried San Diego Chargers. In 2006 they lost in the AFC Divisional Game and in 2007 they lost in the AFC Championship Game. So, judging by this pattern the 2008 Chargers should lose in the Super Bowl right? Well last time I check you have to make the playoffs to make it to the Super Bowl and they don’t let teams with .400 winning percentages into the playoffs. All those play makers on one “team.” And I say “team” lightly because if the Chargers played in the NFC, they would be known as the Dallas Cowboys.
2. Big Blue is Screwed
After an improbable Super Bowl victory the world thought it would come back to reality, the clock would strike midnight, and the magic that was the 2007 New York Giants would turn into a pumpkin again. They lost Michael Strahan to retirement and Osi Umenyiora to a knee injury. The Giants return to the middle of the pack and have a chance at a wild card berth. I guess you can say the media was a little off. The Giants are undefeated, leading the toughest division in football, and are blowing out teams that people think shouldn’t be getting blown out. Maybe a Cleveland massacre on national TV will change some minds?
1. Ryan Grant is a Future Superstar
If only my keyboard could type a buzzer noise. And not the kind of buzzer you ring in Jeopardy. I mean the kind that ends a period in a hockey rink. Because this one was just WRONG. Such promise the running back showed last year as he danced his way through the defenses of the NFC as the Packers made a trip to the NFC Championship. But here’s the funny thing. Last season Grant had five 100 yard rushing games in the regular season. Those games were against Denver, Minnesota, Detroit, Oakland, and Chicago. Then in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game he had 201 yards against the Seahawks. Some pretty incredible numbers. But then he played the Giants. 13 carries for 29 yards. That’s right, 29 yards. The Giants stopped the man they once cut and pretty much put the hammer down on his blossoming career. Because since that game when his former employer shut him completely down, Grant has zero 100 yard rushing games this season, zero TDs, and two fumbles. I think some analysts out there owe some fantasy players their league entrance fee back.