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What To Watch For As 2008 NFL Season Begins

From Favre To QB Injuries, Stories To Follow

POSTED: Saturday, August 30, 2008
UPDATED: 5:28 am CDT September 4, 2008

After the 2007 NFL season endured a near-perfect year by the New England Patriots -- even amid their Spygate scandal -- a Super Bowl comeback by the New York Giants, and the retirement and unretirement of Brett Favre, a new season is set to kick off.

Take a look at the top questions facing the league as the 2008 season begins.

How Will Favre's Move Effect Jets, Packers?

After an emotional retirement announcement in March, Brett Favre embarked on a soap opera of a summer. The former Green Bay Packers quarterback decided to come back to the league, a decision that was not celebrated by the Packers, who had already named Aaron Rodgers the team's new starting quarterback. Favre followed through with his comeback anyways, and was traded by Green Bay to the New York Jets. Favre, who's entering his 18th NFL season, played in two preseason games with the Jets. He completed 5 of 6 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Washington Redskins, and was 9 of 12 passing for 96 yards against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Rodgers, who's entering his fourth NFL season, has taken over the reins in Green Bay. The new starter was 9 for 16 passing for 58 yards against San Francisco, 18 of 22 for 192 yards and a touchdown against Denver, and was 1 for 1 for 68 yards and score against Tennessee in the team's final preseason outing.

Will Injured QBs Be Ready?

The 2008 preseason was played without two of the league's biggest stars -- quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

Manning didn't play in any of the Colts' preseason games, but he was activated by the team last week and participated in workouts. The quarterback, who underwent surgery in July to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee, says he expects to play in Week 1.

Brady, who has been recovering from a right foot injury, says he will also be ready to play for the Patriots in opening weekend.

Can New England Put Together Another Historic Season?

The New England Patriots went undefeated throughout the 2007 regular season, and almost finished their campaign with a perfect record before falling to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl to finish the year 18-1. So can the 2008 Patriots go a flawless 19-0? The team is off to a rough start after the preseason, where it finished 0-4 while playing without starting quarterback Brady.

Can The New York Giants Defend Their Super Bowl Title?

After upsetting the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, the New York Giants enter the 2008 season as the reigning league champions. But to defend their title the Giants -- who went 2-2 in preseason action -- will have to overcome significant off-season losses. The team's emotional leader, Michael Strahan, announced his retirement, Jeremy Shockey was traded to New Orleans, and Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora underwent season-ending knee surgery.

Which Rookie Will Stand Out?

Oakland's first-round pick Darren McFadden enters the 2008 campaign with Rookie of the Year expectations. The first-year running back recorded 4,590 rushing yards through three seasons Arkansas. Pittsburgh's Rashard Mendenhall could also have a standout season while running behind an experienced line.
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