NFC West / NFC North / NFC South / NFC East

AFC West

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
The Steelers are still the most balanced team in the NFL. They have a supreme blend of offense and defense, power and precision, pride and poise. That said, they are by no means invincible. Look for a deep playoff run again from the black and gold.

Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
While a few of the main veins and arteries of the Ravens defense have been transplanted up north, the heart still remains. Ray Lewis will propel the remaining Ravens to another good defensive year, and Joe Cool should continue to develop.

Cleveland Browns (7-9)
Eric Mangini and three other Jets castoffs that came in the Mark Sanchez trade hope to do what another Bill Belichick disciple (Romeo Crennel) couldn’t. Perhaps Judas will succeed where Peter didn’t, but we don’t see it happening this year.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-11)
The Bengals lost their best player to free agency this off-season, as TJH bolted for his old stomping grounds in the Pacific Northwest. As long as Marvin Lewis is still in charge, the Bengals will not excel.

 Like What You Read? – Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!

NFC West / NFC North / NFC South / NFC East

San Diego Chargers (9-7)
This division is just awful, and might be as bad as the NFC West. We have the perennially underachieving (in the regular season anyway) Chargers winning by default really. If Merriman is back at 100%, that might make this team a championship contender again.

Oakland Raiders (7-9)
Color us more stupid than normal, but the Raiders seem to be turning things around somewhat. They have a tough schedule, but we see them pushing the Chargers in December this year.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)
Matt Cassel should provide a boost to Todd Haley’s team, but it will take a while for the 3-4 defense to round into shape in KC. Look for a 10-6 team in 2010.

Denver Broncos (5-11)
As much as I loved Josh McDaniels during his tenure with the Patriots, he (along with the Broncos Front Office) has really bollixed up a semi-good thing in Denver. Their offense is now in shambles and their defense still sucks. Not a good situation to be in.

 Like What You Read? – Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!

Check out the NFC North, NFC South, and NFC West predictions!

New York Giants (11-5)
I loathe to say it, but the G-Men improved again this off-season, adding DE Chris Canty among others. Plaxico Burress and his ego will not be missed.

Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
The Eagles are sensing that Donovan McNabb’s window is closing and have assembled a championship level team around him. The receivers are there, the defensive backs are there, but the prospects for this team lie surely on the injury status of one Brian Westbrook. When healthy, the Villanova Grad is the best in the game.

Washington Redskins (8-8)
The Redskins just can’t get over the hump it would seem. They play in arguably the toughest division in the NFL, they constantly have their owner mortgaging their future for yesterday’s players, and they haven’t had a true franchise QB since, Mark Rypien!?

Dallas Cowboys (6-10)
Everyone can see that the ‘Boys will miss Eldorado on the field, but most people will neglect to mention Greg Ellis, Chris Canty, and Zach Thomas. There will be a large leadership void now on defense, as well as the complete lack of it on offense as well. “America’s Team” looks like a train-wreck waiting to happen.

 Like What You Read? – Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!

Check out the NFC North and NFC West predictions as well!

Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, and Roddy White are the new triplets of the south. The Falcons improving defense will be the key to see how far they can go in the playoffs.

New Orleans Saints (9-7)
The one thing lacking on this team is some hard-nosed leadership. Put Ray Lewis, Rodney Harrison, or James Harrison on this team, and that would give this soft team another win or two overnight.

Carolina Panthers (8-8)
Perennial under-achievement is the hallmark of a John Fox Panthers team. This year shouldn’t be any different. Their rushing game will keep them in it on most Sundays, but Jake Delhomme and the declining defense will be too much to overcome

Tampa Bay Bucs (6-10)
Six wins might be generous, as a new Head Coach and an unproven rookie QB are never a good start for a team. Either the Bucs are going to have find a rushing game or the second coming of Derrick Brooks if they plan on competing this year.

 Like What You Read? – Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!

Check out the NFC West Predictions as well!

Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
Whether Mr. Wrangler Jeans comes back or not, the Vikings have the offensive and defensive lines to compete very well. If their receivers can develop as well as their defensive backfield, 10-6 might be selling them short.

Chicago Bears (10-6)
Jay Cutler said that he doesn’t need Brandon Marshall. He should have asked Kyle Orton about that first… Matt Forte and the hard-nosed defense will be the real leaders on this team.

Green Bay Packers (9-7)
The Packers played much worse than they really were in 2008. This year should see them return to form and compete for a playoff spot, although we see them coming up just short.

Detroit Lions (2-14)
Technically, two wins would make the Lions infinitely better than last year. We’ll just let that simmer for a while.

 Like What You Read? – Subscribe to NE Patriots Draft!