Its that time of year again. The kids are going back to school and summer is at its end, but the beginning of football season makes everything better. A new season means new stories, new stars, and, of course, new surprises. What teams will surprise us this year? Which previous stars will dissapoint their fans with uncharacteristic performances? Can Peyton Manning lead his team to defend their title? While the only way to answer these questions is to watch the season fully unfold, read on for my season predictions.

AFC East

New England Patriots (12-4) - Head Coach Bill Belichick is a great leader and Tom Brady is one of the top two QBs in the entire league. This team is looking to add to their dynasty. The accusation of Randy Moss won't hurt.

New York Jets (9-7) - Since Curtis Martin's knee gave out in 2005, the Jets have been in need of a feature back. Trading for Thomas Jones was the best move they made over the offseason.

Miami Dolphins (6-10) - It will be interesting to see how Trent Green's return to the field turns out. I have many doubts the 37-year-old will remind us of the Kansas City Pro-Bowler he once was.

Buffalo Bills(5-11) - Third-year QB JP Losman finished strong last year, ending the season with a passer rating of 84.9, completing 62.5% of his passes. But the former first round pick has yet to prove he can play consistently through a whole season.


AFC North

Baltimore Ravens (11-5) - This Raven defense combined with Steve McNair behind center will likely equal another play-off berth.

Cleveland Browns (7-9) - QB Charlie Frye won the starting job over Derek Anderson, and Romeo Crennel will place a sit a lot of hope upon him as he enters his third year as head coach, 10-22.

Cincinnati Bengals (6-10) - Carson Palmer has gets better every year and Chad Johnson will be Chad Johnson, but the defense will have a rough time keeping up.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-11) - Head Coach Mike Tomlin is very confident, but Ben Roethlisberger has to rebound from last year after throwing 23 interceptions. Hopefully he can have more confidence in his offensive line, who allowed 46 sacks on Roethlisberger in 2006.


AFC South

Indianapolis Colts (13-3) - Peyton Manning is arguably the best quarterback today. There is no argument, however, that he has the most powerful tools to use around him. Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne are extremely valuable to him, and Joseph Addai's ability to run the ball only makes Manning better. With Bob Sanders back on defense, this team has everything they need to make a run for a repeat.

Tennessee Titans (9-7) - Vince Young is an exciting, explosive QB who will lead this Titans team to win more games than they have any business winning. This team isn't there yet, but once they give Young some tools on offense and an improved defense, they'll be play-off bound.

Houston Texans (8-8) - Signing RB Ahman Green and obtaining QB Matt Schaub from the Falcons were huge offensive additions to accompany Andre Johnson. Hopefully for them, the O-line has learned to protect the quarterback a little better.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) - QB David Garrard has been named their starter, and Byron Leftwich has been released. Its a move that will either leave head coach Jack Del Rio basking in praise, or out the door. After four years of limited playing time, its now up to Garrard to step up and prove his believer right.


AFC West

San Diego Chargers (13-3) - LaDainian Tomlinson is the best running back in the NFL, period. If Philip Rivers can repeat last season's performance, or at least close to that, this team will dominate the division. Rivers, who had 3388 passing yards in his first full season in 2006, has the people around him to make it happen.

Kansas City Chiefs (9-7) - QB Damon Huard stepped up last season in place of Trent Green and was very succesful; leading his team to the play-offs. But he will still be a question this year, as will be this team's lack of veterans.

Denver Broncos (8-8) - This defense was great last season, and QB Jay Cutler showed some promise in the 5 games he played in. But I doubt that this year that they can reach 9 wins.

Oakland Raiders (3-13) - This team was absolutley terrible last season and has done nothing to improve. Daunte Culpepper was the only positive thing did this offseason. IF JaMarcus Russel ever plays for them, he will not do anything helpful, at least not this year. Also, their schedule is impossible! It starts out okay; but from their bye week on, its unforgiving.


NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (12-4) - As long as Donovan McNabb is truly healthy, this club will be the team to beat in the NFC East; and the NFC Conference all together.

New York Giants (12-4) - They may have lost their franchise running back; and QB Eli Manning hasn't really wowed us yet. But I think the comments Tiki Barber made on Eli and Coach Tom Coughlin did nothing but good for the team. Eli is fired up more than ever, and his team has come together behind him. Brandon Jacobs will be a fine replacement.

Washington Redskins (8-8) - The Redskins are set in the backfield with a healthy Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts. At quarterback they have a young QB in Jason Campbell ready to prove himself, and a veteran Mark Brunell to help him out. This team still needs some work, though, if they want to think about play-offs.

Dallas Cowboys (7-9) - Most people would laugh at me for listing this team last in the AFC East, but I don't see them repeating last season's success. Bill Parcells is gone, and I don't think QB Tony Romo can live up to the higher expectations this year. It also looks like WR Terry Glenn's season will be delayed due to injuries.


NFC North

Chicago Bears (10-6) - This defense is one of the best there could be in the league; and their special teams were amazing last year. In a weak NFC, they'll likely go to the play-offs again. However, with an incompetent Rex Grossman matched with the departure of Thomas Jones, they will not be dominant enough for a Super Bowl run.

Green Bay Packers (9-7) - Being a cheesehead, I would love to see the Pack dominate the league and give Brett Favre one more Super Bowl ring before he heads out. Realistically, and unfortunately, Favre is going on 38, and has nobody behind him to run the ball. The loss of Ahman Green has left them with a very young and untested backfield. However, their young defense should be improved.

Minnesota Vikings (6-10) - Second year QB Tarvaris Jackson is loaded with confidence, but I don't think he's ready to successfully lead this team.

Detroit Lions (3-13) - Hopefully in Oakland this weekend, Lions QB Jon Kitna gets hit hard enough to be brought back down to earth. Kitna had gone onto a radio show and predicted they would win 10 games. Perhaps he hasn't seen his schedule. Detroit, who had the second-worst record in the league last year, has possibly the toughest schedule this year. I favor them over the Raiders this weekend, but after that, it will become a very long season.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints (12-4) - With all of the weapons they have offensively, the Saints could be a dominating team in the NFC for a long time.

Carolina Panthers (10-6) - The Panthers averaged only 16.8 points per game in 2006; but new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson has an entirely different gameplan, hoping to be more efficient in using their offensive tools.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) - Head Coach Jon Gruden is desperate for a play-off berth this year as this may very well be his last chance. Jeff Garcia is a very talented quarterback and a good choice to start, but their play-off run will fall short.

Atlanta Falcons (4-12) - What a situation Head Coach Bobby Petrino is in. His most deadly offensive weapon, Michael Vick, has been ripped from his hands - leaving him in a win-win situation. If his Falcons,(now led by Joey Harrington), are terrible, who will blame him? With the sudden loss of Vick due to his legal problems, who will criticize Petrino for Atlanta's failure. On the other hand, if this team performs well or even okay, Petrino will be praised as a great coach.


NFC West

Arizona Cardinals (11-5) - I believe the Cardinals will surprise us all. If coached right, this offense has what it takes to dominate NFL defenses. And their own defense has much improved, despite their 0-4 pre-season.

Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - This division is becoming a very tough one. I believe Matt Hasselbeck and the Seahawks already had their chance and blew it.

San Francisco 49ers (9-7) - The Niners have greatly upgraded their defense, and RB Frank Gore is coming off of a franchise record year. But in this division, I'll give Alex Smith another year before I'll say they're ready for the play-offs.

St. Louis Rams (6-10) - QB Marc Bulger comes out and plays well every year, and Steven Jackson has proven he can play in this league. But this defense needs some work in order to compete in the NFC West.


My Super Bowl Prediction: Peyton Manning is going to have another Peyton Manning season, but fall short to the New England in the AFC Championship game. The Saints will again reach the NFC Championship game, and again lose it; this time to the Eagles. Tom Brady and the Patriots will add to their dynasty, topping the Eagles in the Super Bowl.