AFC

AFC East
1. 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 North
1. 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 South
1. 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 West
1. 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 Playoffs
Kansas City defeats Oakland
New York defeats Cincinnati

Divisional Playoffs
New England defeats New York
Indianapolis defeats Oakland

Conferance Championship
Indianapolis defeats New England

NFC

NFC East
1. 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 North
1. 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 South
1. 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 West
1. 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 Playoffs
Atlanta defeats Philadelphia
Green Bay defeats Minnesota

Divisional Playoffs
Carolina defeats Atlanta
St. Louis defeats Green Bay

Conferance Championship
Carolina defeats St. Louis

Super Bowl 40
Indianapolis defeats Carolina

Regular Season Predictions
Most 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