vlaze.com

New England is coming off a 16-0 regular season and fell 1 game short of a perfect 19-0 losing to the NY Giants in the Super Bowl. Oddsmakers have set the New England Patriots projected win total for the 2008 season at 12 wins.

Schedule:

Playing in the AFC East New England has 2 games each with Buffalo, NY Jets and Miami. The AFC East plays the NFC West and AFC West this season. The toughest games against those two divisions are road games at San Diego and at Seattle. As a first place team from the AFC they must face the two other AFC first place teams from last season hosting Pittsburgh and traveling to Indy.

Offense:

Brady is coming off an NFL record 50 TD passes and 4806 yards passing last season. Brady’s targets are Randy Moss, Wesley Walker, Jabar Gaffney who all remain in New England after Donte Stallworth was lost to free agency. 2006 second round draft pick wide out Chad Jackson is finally healthy and set for his breakout year. On the ground Laurence Maroney is back and averages 4.5 per rushing attempt. Kevin Faulk will continue to be the Patriots third down back.

Defense:

The defensive line for the Patriots is outstanding with Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymour up front. Linebacker Jerod Mayo was drafted in the first round and figures to start immediately and linebacker Shawn Crable in the third to give the Patriots youth and more depth at the position. The team has to replace Assante Samuel in the secondary. Rodney Harrison is back at strong safety for another year.

And now to my Selection:

The offense will continue to roll for New England as Brady has most of his weapons back. The defense got younger through the draft at the linebacker position and the team still has an outstanding defensive line. The schedule is very easy first and New England should have no problem starting the season 4-0 with games against KC, the NY Jets, Miami and San Francisco. New England goes 13-3 at worst. Play New England over 12 wins for the 2008 regular season.

Play New England OVER 12 wins for the 2008 season.


Selection: Play New England Over 12 wins in 2008 Regular Season.