Will the Packers repeat? Will the Saints' offseason workouts really payoff? Are the Lions for real? And how much has the free agency changed the landscape of the season?
AFC EAST:1. New England Patriots
They are the Patriots. They acquired two of the most scrutinized players in the league in Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth but they know what they're doing and I don't doubt they will be great.
2. New York Jets
They have been the AFC Championship game the last two years in a row and have failed to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. They remind me a lot of those Eagles teams a few years back in Donovan McNabb's glory days.
3. Miami Dolphins
They have a big question mark at quarterback, but the defense looks pretty good and I think Reggie Bush is out to prove that he can still be a playmaker.
4. Buffalo Bills
Is this team playing all their home games in Toronto yet? Just a matter of time.
AFC North:
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Yeah James Harrison ran his mouth this offseason and Hines Ward got a DUI but I think this lockeroom is solid. They survived Roethlisburger's rape charges and a four game suspension that gave the reins to Charlie Batch. They won the AFC Championship last year and they will be in contention again.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Defense is getting old but they are still good. Keep an eye out for those Ravens vs. Steelers games this year, they are sure to be some hard fought games.
3. Cleveland Browns
The Browns weren't great last year but they had some big upsets that caught teams attention. They also have Madden 12 Cover Man Peyton Hillis.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
They have imploded in front of us and really have nothing going for them.
AFC West:
1. San Diego Chargers
This conference is pretty weak and the Chargers wont come out of the gates stumbling this season. Plus they will have Vincent Jackson for the entire season not just the last part.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
They made the playoffs last season, but there is not enough there to take on the Chargers.
3. Denver Broncos
I'm looking for Moreno and Tebow to have breakout seasons. I think Orton will eventually be dealt to the Dolphins were he will prove that he is overrated.
4. Oakland Raiders
They were alright last season and were in the hunt for a playoff spot, but they really haven't done much this offseason except losing their best player.
AFC South:
1. Houston Texans
Matt Schaub is good and has Andre Johnson who might be the best receiver in the league. Arian Foster is becoming a star after his breakout season. The offense is good the defense needed to be helped this offseason and they did just that.
2.Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning has a bum neck but I think he will be fine. But it seemed like they started to slow down last season and I think it will catch them this year. They are still good though and I think they will make the wildcard.
3. Tennessee Titans
Adding Matt Hasselbeck was huge the Titans he will be great for Jake Locker and be like a Favre-Rodgers thing. Chris Johnson will eventually be back they would be dumb not give him what he wants. They're defense is down though after losing Stephen Tulloch to the Lions.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
David Garrad isn't getting better and Maurice Jones-Drew will want out after this season. They too lost their best defensive player in Justin Durant to the Lions.
NFC East:
1. Philadelphia Eagles
They are going to be really good this year, expect to see them vying for the Packers spot in the Super Bowl.
2. Dallas Cowboys
So much hype last year and only to flame out. Tony Romo is back though and this team will be in the hunt for a wildcard spot.
3. New York Giants
They had everything go wrong at the end of last season and it'll carry into this season. They'll be a .500 team this season.
4. Washington Redskins
Rex Grossman is the starter right now. Enough said.
NFC North:
1. Green Bay Packers
They are the defending Super Bowl champs and all of the injuries they last season are healed now. They haven't done anything this free agency but getting Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant back is kind of like getting a free agent.
2. Detroit Lions
They Lions are going to be good. Fantastic defensive line and a good linebacker crew not to mention Calvin Johnson is still catching passes and Matt Stafford could be really good if he stays healthy.
3. Chicago Bears
I don't expect them to get back to the NFC championship game. The defense is getting old and one injury will blow them up. Jay Cutler is good but not good enough to save that offense. They got Roy Williams and Marion Barber but there is a reason why the Cowboys cut them the first chance they had.
4. Minnesota Vikings
McNabb isn't going to save this team. Adrian Peterson will be good but I don't think McNabb is going to have a '09 Favre season.
NFC West:
1. Arizona Cardinals
Kevin Kolb will have a breakout season and love throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Braylon Edward when he signs with the Cardinals. Quarterback was their issue last season and they solved the problem. They could run away with this division.
2. St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford got some help at receiver with Mike Sims-Walker and Steven Jackson is still going to tear up the field.
3. San Francisco 49ers
Alex Smith is new coach Jim Harbaugh's guy. Frank Gore is still in the backfield but that isn't enough to take over the Rams and Cardinals
4. Seattle Seahawks
Tavaris Jackson isn't good enough to help out the Seahawks get back on top of the NFC West. They also got rid of Lofa Tatupu who was the core part of their linebackers.
NFC South:
1. New Orleans Saints
I think they will take back their rightful spot atop the NFC South from the Falcons. Not because of the player workouts but because they have a chip on their shoulder after being embarrassed by the Seahawks.
2. Atlanta Falcons
Despite picking the Saints to win the division I think the Falcons got better. They have another receiver to go along side Roddy White with first round draft pick Julio Jones. I don't their record will reflect that they got better though.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They were a nice surprise last year but it is up in the air how Talib will come off his rocky offseason if he is even available. Josh Freeman is good young quarterback and this team will contend this year. Their biggest game might come week one against the Lions it could be the tiebreaker for a wildcard spot.
4. Carolina Panthers
They are a lot better then last season but not sure how Cam Newton will fair. Newton will start over Clausen but it never seems to work out when rookie quarterbacks start right away.
Playoffs:
AFC: 1. Patriots 2. Steelers 3.Chargers 4. Texans 5. Jets 6. Colts
-The Colts go into San Diego and takes out the Chargers.
-The Jets dominate the Texans and sets up an AFC Championship rematch with the Steelers for a shot to get back.
-Patriots get it done against the Colts...again.
-Jets get pass the Steelers this time and face sets up a rivalry game in the championship.
-Jets finally get over the hump and make it to the Super Bowl.
NFC: 1. Eagles 2. Packers 3. Saints 4. Cardinals 5. Falcons 6. Lions
-Saints are upset yet again in the wildcard game by the Lions after Suh and the Lions put a ton of pressure on Brees.
-Falcons takes down the Cardinals and the go for payback against the Packers who destroyed them last in the divisional game last year.
-Eagles put the Lions in their place.
-Packers go back to the title game doing the same thing to the Falcons that they did last year.
-It is tough to repeat and I think it will get to the Packers as the Eagles go to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl:
-Eagles finally get it done and they beat the Jets.
MVP: Aaron Rodgers
Defensive MVP: Ndamakung Suh
Coach of the Year: Jim Swartz
Rookie of the Year: Mark Ingram
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