Chris' picks

OK, here goes.

AFC EAST

1. MIAMI DOLPHINS
2. BUFFALO BILLS
3. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
4. NEW YORK JETS

Yeah, come on...the reason why New England never got any "respect" last year was because, truly, they weren't that great a team and they played just well enough over the other team's expectations to win. They remind me of the '98-'99 Falcons, who were yes, good, but were overlooked most of the time (and the next year's Falcons went 4-12 I believe). I see Buffalo being the sleeper here, with Miami flashing that 1st half brilliance that they always ride to the playoffs with. The Jets are too old to compete in this division.

AFC NORTH

1. CLEVELAND BROWNS
2. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
3. CINCINNATI BENGALS
4. BALTIMORE RAVENS

Yeah, look at me picking the Browns in this division. A good defense will make all the difference in this conference, and the Browns have one, plus a decent offense. The Steelers (who have the same ingredients), I was never that impressed with them last year and they will be riding lots of expectations into this season--not good for the city of Pittsburgh and their sports for the past 15 years. The Ravens have lost everybody that made them any good except for Ray Lewis. The Bengals will be improved and will actually not finish last.

AFC SOUTH

1. TENNESSEE TITANS
2. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
3. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
4. HOUSTON TEXANS

Yeah, this is probably the vogue set of picks, with 1-2 being inverted on occasion. This is the division that will display the highest scoring between rivals--does anyone truly have a good defense here? I pick the Titans because they are likely to control the ball more than any of the other 3 Southern brethren, with healthy Eddie George and a more confident McNair pass attack. I like the Colts 2nd basically by default. The Jags and Texans will battle for last.

AFC WEST

1. DENVER BRONCOS
2. OAKLAND RAIDERS
3. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
4. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Raiders are aging...but in this division who cares? One of the many teams whining about how they should have won the Super Bowl last year, along with the Rams and Steelers, they'll be able to ride that into a nifty 10-6 record likely, and a bow out early in the playoffs. The Broncos are healthier, and now they've got Sharpe back, and Ed McCaffrey, to complement Rod Smith so they should at least make a run. If the Chargers and Chiefs did anything that would make me believe in them, someone needs to show me something.

NFC EAST

1. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
2. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
3. DALLAS COWBOYS
4. NY GIANTS

The Eagles may be one of the best-run teams in the NFL, with their management of the cap they have been able to get good guys in free agency. Here, Blaine Bishop and Dorsey Levens, two vets, should be able to push the Eagles a little further this year, and they went to the NFC Championship last year. I really like the Eagles. I think the Redskins actually might make a run this year, not because Spurrier is there, but because it doesn't seem anyone is getting their hopes up about Spurrier like many of the college-cum-pro coaches (Pitino, et al) have been saddled with. The Cowboys are improved but not a playoff team, and the Giants, I believe, will just plain suck.

NFC NORTH

1. GREEN BAY PACKERS
2. CHICAGO BEARS
3. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
4. DETROIT LIONS

Favre has a new weapon in Terry Glenn, who should be fine this year "proving everyone wrong." I like the Pack, and then I don't really like anyone else in this division. The Bears had 2 miracle wins last year and struggled down the stretch, the Vikes are still reeling, and the Lions--what did they ever do for anybody?

NFC SOUTH

1. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
2. ATLANTA FALCONS
3. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
4. CAROLINA PANTHERS

Bar none the worst division in football. The Bucs win by default, since they still have a defense, and just enough offense to survive. The Falcons improved, and should be good enough to challenge. The Saints...what did they do that's going to make a difference? And the Panthers are like the Lions again.

NFC WEST

1. ST. LOUIS RAMS
2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
3. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
4. ARIZONA CARDINALS

Rams, what do I need to say? 49ers are better than the Seahawks and Cards, so why pick anyone else? Seahawks and Cards, pummeled by other two teams, seek solace.

I'm not going through all the playoff scenarios, but I will pick my Super Bowl:

PHILADELPHIA 24 CLEVELAND 20

So there. See if anyone else has that pick and I'll buy dinner.

CHRIS
-Go get her, Ray!