What To Watch For in 2008

1. Rookie Running Backs: Expect production from the rookie backs this year, especially Jonathan Stewart and Rashard Mendenhall. Rookie backs that make a huge contribution are always good short-yardage backs (this means TDs fantasy fans), and can make plays in the passing game. Running backs can adapt quickly to the pro game when they have been involved in a pro-style offense during their collegiate career. Plus, backs have a short career in the NFL, so it makes no sense to save them.

2. Red Zone Defense Successful stops in the red zone are what make a good defense. Limiting yards is good, but what really separates the good teams from the great ones is their performance in the red zone. Football today is still a game about the offense scoring and the defense limiting the opponent from scoring. All games boil down to the red zone and if your team is good inside the 20, they are a good football team. A team like Tampa Bay and New England might allow some ball movement, but once you get across mid-field, it becomes much harder to make first downs and even more difficult to produce touchdowns.

3. AFC South: The AFC South had three teams make the playoffs last year. I doubt that can happen again. There are four quality teams in the AFC South and those will be twelve big-time games that will take their toll on each team. The winner there will be the real survivor.

4. Tom Brady: Brady may be poised for an even better season than a year ago, if that is even possible. Brady and the Pats have developed a unique offense and are very hard to defend whether they run or throw. The more comfortable he feels, the better he plays. I expect another big year.

5. The Dolphins: Miami will be a much better team this year. They are drilled and schooled on fundamentals and by the middle of October they will be very hard to play. Miami will get better and better each week and they will win more games than most expect.

6. Pass-Happy Offenses: I love “throw-first teams” like Seattle, Green Bay, New England, New Orleans, Dallas, and Philadelphia. They know that the key to scoring is to throw early and often and I expect more of this trend in the NFL this year.

7. Comeback Teams: Teams I think will be very good this year are the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. I expect a playoff run from both teams. The Bills are a year older and more experienced and should start to come together as a team in 2008. In Philadelphia, Donovan McNabb showed good mobility down the stretch last season and the addition of DeSean Jackson adds another weapon to the Eagles’ arsenal. The Eagles have a good look to their team this year, with or without Shawn Andrews.

8. YAC: Wide receivers who can gain yards after the catch (YAC) are what highlight an offense, making it more effective. Last year Green Bay had the best YAC stat in football. Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and James Jones could catch a five-yard pass and turn it into a thirty-yard gain. The key to a short passing game is the ability of the wide outs to break tackles. Brandon Marshall is the best of them all. And with all the poor tackling that is going on in the NFL, I expect more big plays off of missed tackles.

9. Playoff Trends: The trend is always six playoff teams from a year ago don’t make an appearance in the next postseason. Who are the six in 2008? One of them WON’T be the Patriots and another one won’t be the Chargers. Who is going to be crossed off the list? Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Washington?

10. Schedules: Schedules in the NFL are the most critical aspect of who will win games and how the match-ups will be handled. How teams match-up with each other is the key component of the league. I feel like Philadelphia has an easier schedule which will be a huge help in securing them a playoff spot.