Jeff Risdon - Football Analysis

As much as the Redskins fans want to ignore it, this team was real lucky to be 5-7 before they went on their memorable run behind their backup QB after losing their most talented player. Read more »

The Cardinals are one of those teams like the Lions and Bengals: show me, don?t tell me. We saw a lot of things to like in 2007, particularly on defense. But we also saw a lot of work still to be done, and this offseason did little to immediately improve the team. Read more »

The QB situation in the 49ers locker room, Shawne Merriman's shameless attention grab, why the Panthers could runaway with the NFC South and BCS predictions. Read more »

Jacksonville is a trendy pick as a rising playoff power that could challenge the Patriots, Colts, and Chargers for AFC supremacy, but there are a lot more questions on this team now than one year ago, and that was even when they cut their long-time starting QB. Read more »

This team has the best chance of any Lions team this century to break through and win more than 8 games and secure a playoff berth. Of course, these are the Lions and this long-time Lions fan (my #20 Lions jersey says ?Sims? and it isn?t a throwback) knows better. Read more »

There is so much talent all over the roster that the Chargers can absorb a slow start by some of the walking wounded and still get a first round playoff bye. Read more »

The Jets will certainly be better, but much of what they did is lipstick on the pig, not growing a prized playoff hog. If Brett Favre still has the magic and all the pricey imports earn their keep, the Jets have a good chance to notch 9-10 wins and earn a Wild Card spot. Read more »

Because the team has publicly committed to rebuilding and has undergone a massive youth movement, the goals and signs of success are much different than for other teams. Read more »

It?s all a question of when--when does Jay Cutler make the next step, when does the young defensive core emerge into a force, when will guys like Eddie Royal and Ryan Clady become above-average starters, when will the special teams get better? Read more »

The impact of Gene Upshaw?s untimely and unfortunate passing could very well change the way the NFL does business. Read more »

It?s always hard to tell how a team handles unexpected success, but just as Tom Coughlin was the right fit to lead the Giants to the Super Bowel, he is probably a great fit to give them their best chance to repeat. Read more »

Still the best team in the NFL by a wider margin than most people give them credit, the Patriots will have no problem racking up at least 11 wins and another AFC East title. Read more »

Much like their recent Chicago hoops brethren, a lot of individual talent doesn?t form a great or often even a competitive team. Read more »

It is difficult to trust the fortunes of any QB on this roster to lead the Bucs back to the playoffs, certainly not with this cast of wideouts. Expect another strong season from the defense, and if they can force enough turnovers and dominate field position there is hope for another NFC South title. Read more »

Last season represented a perfect storm of negativity and organizational chaos, perhaps more challenging than any team has ever faced. The worst is over and greener pastures lie in the distance, but the road from this manure-filled pasture to that one isn?t short and isn?t often going to be pretty. Read more »

Once again, this is the best team in the NFC on paper, but once again the games aren?t decided on paper. The injury bug, soap opera drama, difficult schedule, and negative karma for adding Pacman Jones all conspire to derail the assumption of greatness. Read more »

What does the trade to the Jets (for a conditional 4th rounder) mean for the involved parties? Read more »

These Ravens won?t be an easy team to beat or a fun team to play, but they?ll be real hard-pressed to win more than they lose. A 7-9 finish will mark what might be the end of the Ray Lewis era in Baltimore. Read more »

This might be the best overall Colts' team of the Dungy era, but that doesn?t necessarily translate into the best record of that era. Read more »

If the Bengals can rally around itself and put all the years of negativity and character issues behind them, they could be the surprise team of 2008 and taste .500. But barring a major cultural seismic event, a 4-12 record and strong contention for the top draft pick in 2009 is more likely. Read more »