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More than a few sports teams flopped this year, to the surprise of the commentators. Only a couple of them will be able to bounce back, pushing aside 2007 as a fluke and not as a destiny. For your pleasure (and for any upcoming trips to Vegas), I'll highlight two teams from each of America's two most-watched sports leagues that will come back from pitiful 2007 seasons and make a run for the 2008 championship.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

National Football Conference
Philadelphia Eagles - A quarterback is what makes a football team, and unfortunately for the Eagles, their franchise quarterback, Donovan McNabb, spent the majority of the year struggling to overcome a 2006 season-ending knee injury. Now that his health is back to one hundred percent and Brian Westbrook has emerged as one of the best running backs in the league, the Eagles have the ingredients to be a Super Bowl caliber team. Adding a play-making wide receiver and strengthening their defensive backs either through the draft or free agency will ensure playoff berth for the Eagles, even in a very competitive NFC East.

American Football Conference
Cincinnati Bengals - Many people believed this team had a shot at going far into the playoffs this season. Instead, they ended the year at 7-9 and amongst much controversy surrounding their star receiver, Chad Johnson. The Bengals need to upgrade their defense. This problem, while noticeable last year, is now glaring. Should the Bengals put Chad Johnson on the market to free up salary space for their defense? Absolutely. Johnson, while a play-maker, is not the only receiver on the Bengals capable of catching the ball. T.J. Houshmandzadeh scored four more touchdowns than Johnson this year and caught nineteen more passes (12 TDs, 112 receptions). The offense averaged almost twenty-four points per game but still finished with a losing record. Meaning it's time to upgrade the defense, and if that means cutting ties with a quality receiver, then so be it. If the Bengals bait Chad Johnson to lure in some quality defensive players, their 2008 season will be extended into 2009.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL:

National League
Pittsburgh Pirates - They're in the process of inking their sluggers. They strengthened their coaching staff. They haven't overspent in free agency on a mediocre free agency class, at best. They're building on what they have and improving, admittedly slowly. But this year is their year. Jason Bay is coming off a poor season, struggling through knee injuries. He's ready to play at his star-caliber ability again. Zach Duke and Paul Maholm reported to training camp in the better shape than last year. They've suffered through fifteen losing seasons in a row. 2008 will change all this. They will have their first winning season in sixteen years and possibly make a play for the post-season.

American League
Chicago White Sox - Their off-season hasn't been a stagnant one. The White Sox have aggressively been upgrading their team, with the acquisitions of Orlando Cabrera, Carlos Quentin and Nick Swisher. They're actively shopping Joe Crede and likely will also trade Juan Uribe. The White Sox's bullpen needs an upgrade for them to become a playoff team, but with Crede and Uribe as trade bait, they might succeed in getting the bullpen a facelift. If so, the Tigers and Indians will have to continue checking over their shoulders because the Sox could make a bid for the AL Central title.

Mark my word - these four teams will surprise the critics and emerge as powerhouses in their respective leagues. They will be the comeback kids of 2008.

Learn more about this author, Jen B..
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