AFC EAST
1. N.Y. Jets (12-4) - most talent in the division, LT seems re-energized, defence and run games top-notch.
2. Miami (11-5) - Brandon Marshall gives them an added dimension, Henne takes a step up, run game very good.
3. New England (8-8) - Too one dimensional on offence, and their D is below average. That won't cut it in this division.
4. Buffalo (2-14) - Jake Locker, here we come!
AFC NORTH
1. Baltimore (13-3) - Best in the division on both sides of the ball.
2. Cincinnati (10-6) - Owens will make a difference, because defences won't know who to double cover.
3. Pittsburgh (9-7) - Should start Dennis Dixon while Roethlisberger is out, but somehow I get the feeling they won't. Roethlisberger likely back in week 5, instead of 7.
4. Cleveland (3-13) - Jake Delhomme. Enough said.
AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis (13-3) - Still the king until proven otherwise.
2. Houston (11-5) - Arian Foster a big factor. If he plays like he has in the pre-season, this team will be a force.
3. Tennessee (9-7) - Will miss Kyle Vanden Bosch, and that's two very key D-linemen lost in two years. Not sold on Vince Young.
4. Jacksonville (6-10) - Poor Maurice Drew-Jones.
AFC WEST
1. Oakland (11-5) - Yeah, I said it. Oakland is going to overtake the Chargers this year.
2. San Diego (10-6) - Those holdouts, especially Marcus McNeill, will hurt this team more than they think. Guys don't like seeing owners being cheap.
3. Denver (8-8) - Desperately need one of their RBs to stay healthy, and will miss Brandon Marshall.
4. Kansas City (5-11) - Two years in a row they've busted on top 5 d-linemen in the draft, and spent $60 million on a system quarterback.
NFC EAST
1. Dallas (13-3) - Player for player, the most talented team in the division. Will be hard to stop.
2. N.Y. Giants (11-5) - Expect a rebound, but they're not in Dallas' class.
3. Philadelphia (8-8) - New quarterback, absolutely brutal schedule and a head coach that thinks a 95/5 pass-run offence will win a Super Bowl.
4. Washington (5-11) - Obviously upgraded at QB and coach, but they're in the wrong division.
NFC NORTH
1. Green Bay (14-2) - Aaron Rodgers a pick by many to be the league's MVP. Only question mark, IMO, is the age of their corners. I think their run game keeps them from the Super Bowl.
2. Minnesota (11-5) - No chance in hell Favre repeats what he did in 2009, but this is still a very formidable team.
3. Chicago (7-9) - Overpaid Julius Peppers and are simply too old, period. Wide receivers are all #3-4 types, not a good thing.
4. Detroit (6-10) - Maybe next year, kid ... but wouldn't be a total shock if they overtook Chicago. They're building the right way now.
NFC SOUTH
1. Atlanta (12-4) - Matt Ryan will step up in year three and Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White give this team nice weapons. Need John Abraham to rebound.
2. New Orleans (11-5) - Still a very good team, but that D might get exposed a bit more this year.
3. Carolina (8-8) - Great run duo, Steve Smith and a decent D. It's all on Matt Moore's shoulders now.
4. Tampa Bay (3-13) - Honestly, I can't think of one area where this team stands out.
NFC WEST
1. San Francisco (11-5) - I believe in Alex Smith. I think he has the tools to be a solid NFL QB. Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis give this guy a lot of weapons. If Brian Westbrook stays healthy, it's an added dimension. Patrick Willis a beast.
2. Seattle (10-6) - I buy this team overtaking Arizona for second. Matt Hasselbeck will rebound and their talent level is good enough for nine wins or so.
3. Arizona (7-9) - This team simply isn't buying what Matt Leinart is selling. And Derek Anderson isn't the answer either.
4. St. Louis (4-12) - Sam Bradford will start all 16 games and this team will show progress, but that's it.
AFC PLAYOFFS
#6 Miami over #4 Oakland
#3 N.Y. Jets over #5 Houston
#1 Baltimore over #6 Miami
#3 N.Y. Jets over #2 Indy
#1 Baltimore over #3 N.Y. Jets
NFC PLAYOFFS
#6 New Orleans over #4 San Francisco
#3 Atlanta over #5 N.Y. Giants
#1 Green Bay over #6 New Orleans
#2 Dallas over #3 Atlanta
#2 Dallas over #1 Green Bay
(I'm taking Dallas here because of their run game. The run game is always a factor in cold weather)
SUPER BOWL
Dallas 27 Baltimore 17
