Season predictions: Tom's still terrific, but Bolts are better
By Clark Judge | CBSSports.com Senior Writer Follow ClarkPrisco: It'll end with Peyton vs. Payton in Tampa
It's time to open the envelope on the 2008 NFL season predictions:
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Super Bowl XLIII
over 
MVP
Tom Brady, New England: Hey, why not? The Pats play a cake schedule, which means he gets to put up big numbers again. So he doesn't throw 50 TD passes. He throws 35. This club is nowhere without him, and isn't that the definition of MVP?
Coach of the Year
Norv Turner, San Diego: This is not a misprint. For years Turner was dogged by critics who said he was in over his head as a head coach, and he was booed a year ago when his Chargers limped to a 1-3 start. Then he went to the AFC Championship Game, and, suddenly, he knows how to coach? C'mon. He has players -- and that's the only difference. The Chargers are guaranteed a fast start before meeting their nemesis, New England, on Oct. 12. That will be in San Diego, and, yes, I see them winning. Which means I see them challenging for home-field advantage. That will get Turner votes -- lots of them.
Offensive Player of the Year
Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia: There is nothing this guy cannot do, and it's about time someone woke up and noticed. So he made the Pro Bowl last season. Big deal. He was the most complete back in the game. He can run. He can catch. He can block. And he can return punts. In fact, he nearly beat Seattle a year ago after the Seahawks made the mistake of kicking to him. Donovan McNabb is not The Man in Philadelphia; Westbrook is. Maybe people will wake up, too.
Defensive Player of the Year
Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota: He led the league last year with 15.5 sacks ... and that was after missing two games. Now he lines up next to Kevin and Pat Williams, and you tell me which of that trio you double.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina: I know he splits time with DeAngelo Williams, but the Panthers must win and win now ... and they win by running the ball. They invested in Stewart for a reason: They thought he was the best running back in the draft. Now he can prove it.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Kenny Phillips, S, New York Giants: Every time I looked up at training camp he was making a play. Soon he will make a play for the starting lineup, and you won't forget him. He's always around the ball.
Comeback Player of the Year
Paul Posluszny, LB, Buffalo: I touted him a year ago, and I'll tout him again now that he is recovered from an arm injury that ended his rookie season. If he stays healthy, he leads the Bills in tackles and makes them a playoff possibility. Of course, it would be nice to have tackle Jason Peters around, but Posluszny's reappearance is nothing but good news for the Bills.
Stepback player
Brett Favre, QB, N.Y. Jets: Look, I love watching him as much as you, and I like talking to him even more. But I just don't see how this marriage works. Different receivers. Different system. Different terminology. "It's like trying to go from English to French in one month," one GM told me. Good luck, mon ami.
Team on the rise
New Orleans: The last time a storm ripped through New Orleans, the Saints followed by going to the top of the division. OK, so it was a year later. I love this club because of how it plugged its holes in the offseason, particularly on defense. Plus, there are few teams that can keep up with the Saints offense. Anyway, it's time for a reawakening, and that time is now.
Best free-agent pickup
Mike Wahle, G, Seattle: He didn't break the bank, and he fills a need for a team that absolutely, positively must run the football. The Seahawks haven't had a decent left guard since Steve Hutchinson. They do now. I like Wahle reuniting with Mike Holmgren, his former coach in Green Bay, but I like him working with underrated assistant Mike Solari, the Seahawks' offensive line coach, more.
Worst free-agent pickup
Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco: He played in a 4-3 for Cincinnati and had two sacks; now he plays in a 3-4 and is supposed to be worth $45 million -- including $20 million in guarantees? Puh-leeze. San Francisco wants to improve a pass rush that produced 31 sacks a year ago, and swell -- Smith had two sacks. The 49ers also have plans for moving Smith from linebacker to defensive end and back, depending on the defense, and maybe it works. I say it doesn't, with the 49ers spending a ton of money for someone who doesn't fit.
