I hope someone will explain to me how KC is a better team now than they were last season. Yeah, they got Patrick Surtain, but their D-line blows, their LBs are pretty sad, and their safeties suck. Their O-line is a year older, they still don't have any wideouts, and their QB has no moxie. Can Priest hold it together for 16-plus games? He hasn't been able to the last two seasons--let the re-building in KC, MO, commence!
NFC
East: Philadelphia Eagles - They're just the class of the division and the Conference. Could go 12-4 or better very easily.
North: Minnesota Vikings - Yes, they're worse offensively without Randy Moss, but they're the best defensive team in their division, and when you're playing against offensive "powerhouses" like Detroit and Chicago, that's going to mean a lot. The Vikes could easily have a Top 5 defense this season.
South: Atlanta Falcons - Have the most electric player in the game in Michael Vick and their defense just got better. They have one of the best running games in the league and their passing offense will continue to improve. Those who are talking about Carolina winning this division apparently forget that Mike Vick O-W-N-S the Carolina Panthers (something like 5-0 as a starter). This may be the year that Vick beats the Bucs, as well.
West: St. Louis Rams - They have just enough juice left to get one more divisional crown before the team totally self-destructs. They'll limp to the finish line, and get washed out in the second round (The Rams don't lose games in St. Louis), but Jackson/Faulk combined with Bulger/Bruce/Holt will keep this team competitive through 2005.
WC1: New Orleans Saints - Jim Haslett saves his job for another year by getting a playoff appearance for his squad. The defensive line makes up for the problems with the LB corps, and a healthy year for Duce McAllister puts him in the upper echelon of running backs.
WC2: Dallas Cowboys - Parcells puts the 3-4 defense in place, and Drew Bledsoe is just competent enough to keep the offense on the rails and not lose games. Julius Jones keeps the momentum of his last 8 games of last season and rushes for over 1200 yards.
Also rans: Arizona Cardinals (8-8 ), Carolina Panthers (8-8 ), Detroit Lions (7-9)
AFC
East: New England Patriots - They finish 10-6 and the story will be "What happened to the New England Patriots?!" but they'll still win the division as they adjust to life without Crennel and Weis.
North: Baltimore Ravens - With the defense that they have (best secondary in the NFL, bar none), the Ravens and Steelers are going to be in a dog fight all season long, but I like the running game of Jamal Lewis and the new WR corps of the Ravens to boost Kyle Boller to a level of competency that will be just what Billick wants.
South: Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis will finally get over on the New England Patriots on Monday, November 7, but it's not going to mean anything when they meet again in January.
West: San Diego Chargers - KC didn't get better, Denver didn't get better, Oakland didn't get better enough. San Deigo is a team that's quietly built itself to last. The WR corps will contribute more this season with the return of Reche Caldwell, and that will be the difference for this team.
WC1: Denver Broncos - After the Broncos lose to Indy for the third time in three years for a first-round exit, Shanahan will officially be on the hot seat; but he'll be around long enough to exercise his two first-round picks in the 2006 draft.
WC2: Pittsburgh Steelers - Somehow, the team is relieved not to be hosting playoff games this year.
Also rans: Buffalo Bills (9-7), Houston Texans (9-7), Cinncinnati Bengals (9-7)
