2008 NFL Sleeper Teams
Written August 22, 2008 by Jason Lowry
The great thing about a new season, is everyone starts out the same, and everyone has the same chances of winning it all. While some teams definitely have more talent than others, there are always teams that come out of no where to surprise everyone. With the start of a new NFL season just a couple weeks away, professional handicapper Jason Lowry is going to bring you his 2008 NFL Sleeper teams. Last year who would of thought that the Giants would end up the eventual Super Bowl Champions, or the Cleveland Browns coming out of no where to go 10-6 and miss the playoffs by a tiebreaker. With that said here are the 3 teams worth keeping an eye on, as the new season gets underway.
1. St Louis Rams
The Rams are coming off a very sad and disappointing season going just 3-13, good enough for the second worst record in the NFL. There is no way this team plays that bad in 2008, and we think this team is going to have the biggest turnaround of any team. The key to the season is the offensive line, if they stay healthy quarterback Marc Bulger returns to one of the better passers in the league, and Steven Jackson should return to his form of 2006, where he netted a league best 2,334 yards from scrimmage. We wouldn’t be surprised to see this team win 9 to 10 games this year, and possibly give the Seahawks a run for their money in the NFC West.
Rams +6000 odds to win Super Bowl at Sportsbook.com
2. Washington Redskins
Its not going to be easy for the Redskins playing in what is arguably the best division in football, but this team is quietly getting better, and all the attention remains on the Cowboys and Giants. The offense added some great weapons in the draft in Devin Thomas and Malcom Kelly, but we feel running back Clinton Portis is primed for a big season this year. The defense got better as well adding Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor from the Dolphins. While we don’t think the Redskins will be able to take down the Cowboys for the No. 1 spot in the NFC East, we do feel they are good enough to finish the season at 10-6 and finish 2nd in the division.
Redskins + 3500 odds to win Super Bowl at Sportsbook.com
3. Buffalo Bills
Things didn’t get much easier for the Bills with Brett Favre joining the Jets, but this team has some great young talent, and could be ready for a breakout season in 2008. The Bills were 7-6 before losing their final 3 games, and they have plenty of room for improvement on both sides of the ball. Playing in the same league as the Patriots its going to be a tough to get by them, but a playoff birth is not out of the question. Both quarterback Trent Edwards and running back Marshawn Lynch should be much better in their 2nd year in the league, plus the addition of wide receiver James Hardy could really allow the passing game to open up, and star Lee Evans to have a big season. The defense remains solid, and the addition of DT Marcus Stroud and linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Paul Posluszny (missed most of rookie season with injury) could make this an elite unit.
Bills +5000 odds to win Super Bowl at Sportsbook.com
If you are looking for a great place for all your NFL betting, be sure to check out Sportsbook.com today. Also if you want to see what others are saying check out these great NFL Sleeper Predictions.