NFL Preview Sound-Off: Your NFL Predictions

Strictly so that you all can laugh and mock me at the end of the season.  Or laugh and mock me now if you like.  Actually I'm sort of annoyed with myself for picking so many of last year's playoff teams to repeat, but I really see one more year of consistency before some of these top teams start to drop off.

So:

NFC West

1. Hawks - 4-2 in the division at worst (Knock on wood.  Knock on a lot of wood).
   
2. Arizona - improving, but still not a playoff team (no OL, uncertain QB situation).  Best hope is to claw their way to 9-7 and hope NFC East beats up on itself enough to give the Cards a shot at the Wild Card.  I think it's unlikely.
   
3. St. Louis - a mess, but still dangerous from time to time.
   
4. SF - a mess (may see some improved individual perfomances, though).

NFC North

1. Chicago - Great D (though it may regress to the mean) and passable offense in a weak division.
   
2. Minnesota - Like St. Louis - a mess, but capabable of winning some games.  No chance at playoffs, though.
   
3. Detroit - Only b/c GB sucks so much.
   
4. GB - Sucks so much.

NFC East

1. Dallas - Will start strong but fade with Bledsoe over the stretch.  Or crash with TO mid-season.  Unconvincing O- and D-lines.  May put up just enough cushion to hold on to the top spot, though.
   
2. Philly - Will make a strong challenge for the division title.  Strong wild card contender if they don't win the East.
   
3. Giants - Less likely to win the division but a solid wild card contender.  If Eli develops into an elite QB, they could have a great season.  I'm unconvinced.
   
4. Washington - Falling apart.  Will win some games but are the odd team out in a tough division.  Brunell can't get them to the playoffs and Campbell might be good for a rookie, but that's not enough.

NFC South

1. Carolina - Keyshawn Johnson is a good addition, but their running game still sucks unless DeAngelo Williams really steps up.  Also a little weaker on D, but still one of the best two teams in the NFC.
   
2. Tampa - Not great, but more solid all around than Atlanta.  Good D, Simms seems okay.  Best bet for an NFC wild card slot.
   
3. Atlanta - will compete for a wild card berth.  If Vick becomes a good passer, they'll get it.  If not, they won't.  I say not and won't.
   
4. Saints - Some good role players but nowhere near contention yet.

I think Seattle, Chicago, and Carolina are virtual locks for their division titles.  The East will be a fight to the end among Dallas, Philly, and the Giants.  The 2nd and 3rd place East teams will compete with the 2nd and 3rd place South teams for the wild cards.  Arizona has an outside chance at a wild card if they can bottle lightning once or twice.

1st-round bye: Seattle, Carolina.  Wild Cards: Philly, Tampa

AFC West

1. Denver - Not as good as they were in '05, but Plummer's really not bad and they have a solid offensive system.  Chargers will challenge them but Broncos likely to stay on top for one last year.
   
2. San Diego - Will press Denver for the division title but I just don't think you get it done with an inexperienced QB.  Good shot at the wild card, though.
   
3. Kansas City - My pick for AFC team most likely to crash this year.
   
4. Oakland - may beat KC for 3rd, may even pull off 8-8, but won't go further than that till Al Davis dies.

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh - Some drop-off from last year, especially in close situations, but more solid all around than any of their divisional opponents.
   
2. Cincinnati - Palmer and the Bengal offense may actually pick up right where they left off.  Unfortunately, so will Cincy's defense.
   
3. Baltimore - Decent schedule and good pre-season. Could beat out the Bengals with enough consistency. Wild card contender.
   
4. Cleveland - Not this year.

AFC East

1. Patriots - In a long but very slow decline.  Still the class of their division.
   
2. Miami - On the move.  Will contend for the division in a year or two if their defense holds up.  Meanwhile, they'll settle for a wild card.
   
3. Jets - Putting the right pieces in place.  For 2008.
   
4. Bills - Nostalgic for the days when they kept losing all those Super Bowls.

AFC South

1. Indianapolis - As good a chance this year as they've ever had to go all the way.
   
2. Jacksonville - Playoff-quality. Cursed to share a division with the Colts. Lucky to share one with TEN and HOU.
   
3. Tennessee - Just enough upside to keep ahead of the Texans.
   
4. Houston - May get to try again with that number one pick thing.

The only lock for a division championship is Indy. Most likely scenario, though, is a repeat of last year's division champs all around.  Meanwhile, the Bengals and Ravens, despite being just as good as any other wild card contenders, will risk missing the playoffs thanks to their tough division.  Jacksonville is good enough for a wild card - Cincy, San Diego and Miami will compete to be opportunistic enough to pick up the other.

1st-round bye: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh.  Wild Cards: Jacksonville, Miami.