AFC
AFC East1. New England Patriots - 1
2. New York Jets - 5
3. Buffalo Bills
4. Miami Dolphins
Analysis: It's the same finish as last year, but this will be a division where three good teams may beat each other up. The Bills and Jets will be fighting for a wildcard spot until the final weeks of the season, while the Patriots will win another division title. The Dolphins still need more work.
AFC North1. Cincinnati Bengals - 4
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Cleveland Browns
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Analysis: This is in no way a personal dig at the Steelers, although this is the biggest "risk" prediction I am making. When I look at Pittsburgh offense right now, it just does not impress me in the least besides Hines Ward. Kyle Boller will prevent the Ravens from taking the division, while Carson Palmer will have good offensive numbers. The Browns still need a little bit of time to get things together.
AFC South1. Indianapolis Colts - 2
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Tennessee Titans
4. Houston Texans
Analysis: Another down season for the Texans, who can't seem to contend on a consistent basis. The Titans will enjoy McNair back, but are still missing some pieces. The Jaguars will have more offensive explosion, trying to challenge the Colts. No need to explain why the Colts are on top.
AFC West1. Kansas City Chiefs - 3
2. Oakland Raiders - 6
3. San Diego Chargers
4. Denver Broncos
Analysis: This could be the best offensive division in the NFL. The Chiefs' offense will not know what to think when their defense stops people now. The Raiders will have the offensive explosion to shootout teams, making up for their lack of defense at times. San Diego will lose a lot of close games. Denver will be a victim of a tough division.
Wildcard PlayoffsKansas City defeats Oakland
New York defeats Cincinnati
Divisional PlayoffsNew England defeats New York
Indianapolis defeats Oakland
Conferance ChampionshipIndianapolis defeats New England
NFC
NFC East1. Philadelphia Eagles - 3
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. New York Giants
4. Washington Redskins
Analysis: The Eagles are lucky to be playing in a division where the other teams are full of question marks still. The Cowboys made some nice offseason moves to push back into contention. Eli Manning needs more experience in New York, and the Redskins still have offensive concerns.
NFC North1. Green Bay Packers - 4
2. Minnesota Vikings - 5
3. Detroit Lions
4. Chicago Bears
Analysis: Why are the Packers above Minnesota? For the simple reason that the Vikings still need to perform that they can take the division. The Vikings have a lot of defensive help, but they need to get the wins. The Lions need a new quarterback before they can contend, and the Bears still seem like the same team as usual.
NFC South1. Carolina Panthers - 1
2. Atlanta Falcons - 6
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Analysis: The Panthers are healthy and ready to dominate the league again. The Falcons will be about the same team as last year, but just get beat out by the Panthers. The Saints have almost no chance of making the playoffs with 16 road games, and the Buccaneers didn't make enough offseason moves to contend again.
NFC West1. St. Louis Rams - 2
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. San Francisco 49ers
Analysis: The Rams offense will finally get it together, allowing them to be more dominating than the past few years even. The Seahawks receivers will stop dropping passes, allowing them to contend still. The Cardinals will be in the thick of the race, but are missing a proven running back. The 49ers will be lucky to win a game.
Wildcard PlayoffsAtlanta defeats Philadelphia
Green Bay defeats Minnesota
Divisional PlayoffsCarolina defeats Atlanta
St. Louis defeats Green Bay
Conferance ChampionshipCarolina defeats St. Louis
Super Bowl 40Indianapolis defeats Carolina
Regular Season PredictionsMost Valuable Player: Peyton Manning
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Braylon Edwards
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Demarcus Ware
Comeback Player of the Year: Steve Smith
Disappointing Player of the Year: Joey Harrington
That's it for this years predictions. Hopefully they pan out to my advantage.
-Chris Pokorny