The new NFL season: Who wins, who loses

With the start of the NFL season only two days away, the preseason predictions are in. With not many changes in teams, there will not be not many changes in the standings. The only difference between this year and years past: the New England Patriots will not win the Super Bowl.

Starting in the AFC East, not much will change. The Patriots will win by a longshot and get a bye-week in the playoffs. The Jets will get close, but will be one game short. The Buffalo Bills will groom J.P Losman, but will fall short. As for the Miami Dolphins, Gus Frerotte is not the answer.

In the Central division the Baltimore Ravens, led by their defense, will rule. Pittsburgh will get a wild card berth thanks to big Ben Rothlisberger. The Cincinnati Bengals will improve, but not enough. The Browns will have to wait until next season to have a run at this division.

In the South will lay the team to beat, the Indianapolis Colts. The Jacksonville Jaguars will steal the last wild-card spot thanks to a much-improved defense. The Houston Texans will finally get a winning record, but it won’t be enough. Tennessee needs to rebuild drastically next for next season. - NFL Football -

Finally, the West will become the Wild, Wild West. With stellar offenses all throughout the division, the team with the best defense will prevail. That will be the Denver Broncos, followed by the Chargers, then the Chiefs. In last place, the Oakland Raiders have one of the best offenses but a sub-par defense.

In the NFC East, the Eagles are the team to beat. Dallas will attain their best record in years, but Parcells will just miss the playoffs. Washington will again not play to their potential. The Giants still need to address their defense. - NFL Football -

The NFC Central will be the toughest division in the league. The Packers will come out on top one more time for Favre. The Lions are the sleeper that will grab the last wild-card spot. The Vikings’ offense will shine, but they have no defense. Chicago will let their season falter with Kyle Orton behind center.

The South will be won, barely, by the Carolina Panthers, as long as they stay healthy. The Falcons will be led back to the playoffs solely by Michael Vick. Tampa Bay will falter behind a weak offensive line. New Orleans will have the tragedy to deal with much more than football this year. - NFL Football -

The West will again be won by the Rams, who no longer have the greatest show on turf. Another sleeper team will emerge in Arizona. Seattle cannot keep up the speed now in the division. San Francisco’s positive for this year will be that they will get the number one draft pick again next year.

In the playoffs is where changes will happen. The NFC will see the Eagles and Rams in the championship game, played in Philadelphia, won by Philadelphia. In the AFC, a new champion will emerge thanks to home-field advantage. The Colts will beat New England in the championship game. The Super Bowl will be between the Indianapolis Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles, with the Colts coming out victorious on the arm of Peyton Manning, 27-17.

Look for the NFL to start Thursday night as the Patriots take on the Raiders, and let’s get ready for some football. - NFL Football -

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