"Horrible"..."Abysmal"..."Barely an NFL team". Those were just a few of the terms that were used to describe the 2006 New Orleans Saints before the start of last season. One season later, Sports Illustrated is picking Sean Payton's team to win the Superbowl.

It happens seemingly every season. A team that no one expects to even be competitive, ends up either making the playoffs or just barely missing a berth into the post-season. Last season, many of the prognosticators picked the New York Jets to finish last in the AFC East. All they did was come within 2 games of winning their division, and earn a wild card spot. And the aforementioned Saints (who were 2-14 in 2005) were one win away from going to the Superbowl. And, of course, there were surprise teams that just missed the post-season. Teams like the Titans and the Packers.

So who will be this season's New York Jets or New Orleans Saints? If I knew that, I'd be at a sportsbook in Vegas emptying my pockets right now. No one knows for sure (that's what makes it a surprise), but I can give you a general idea of who that team will be this season.

They have a Hall of Fame head coach, a great offensive coordinator, and one of the NFL's best running backs. That's right, i'm talking about the Washington Redskins.

Before you pick up your computer and throw it against the wall, allow me to tell you why the Redskins will likely be this season's New Orleans Saints.

This will not only be Jason Campbell's first year as the full time starter, but it is also the teams second season in Al Saunders' offense. The same offense that made the Kansas City Chiefs one of the leagues best offenses, and made Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson into superstars.

Even with the abundance of injuries that Clinton Portis has endured the last few seasons (and still continues to endure), Ladell Betts has proven that he can be an effective back in this league. The late addition of Pete Kendall makes what was already a solid offensive line even better. Santana Moss' numbers dropped off significantly from his 2005 output and I doubt that he will have another year like he did in 2006.

The defense ranked second to last in 2006. Teams absolutely picked the Skins apart when they went to 3 and 4 receiver sets. Kenny Wright was used and abused on a weekly basis. Although he was a bit of a disappointment in Minnesota, Fred Smoot was brought back to help an ailing Washington secondary. And the addition of hard hitting rookie safety Laron Landry to go along with Sean Taylor, gives the Skins a physical and intimidating presence in the defensive backfield (similar to what the Cowboys had with Darren Woodson and Roy Williams).

I know some of you will say, "Well how can the Redskins be the surprise team? They're clearly behind the Eagles and Cowboys in the NFC East." Okay. Weren't we saying last season that the Jets were "clearly" behind the Patriots and Dolphins? Or that the Jaguars were "completely" better than the Titans? Or that the Panthers and the Falcons were all "on a different planet" than the Saints?

The Eagles won 8 straight games on their way to the post-season without their best player, and the Cowboys were one of the NFC's best teams despite many of the players not being utilized correctly by the coaching staff. So what would make me think that either of those teams could take a step backwards and allow the Redskins to jump them? Because I see it happen every single season, and I believe that the Redskins are better than a 5-11 team.

When the Redskins are walking down that tunnel in January, getting ready to host that playoff game, just remember the one who told you it would come to pass.