WINNER: Cleveland Browns-With such a tough schedule for the Steelers, I like the Browns. Derek Anderson is now a proven starter coming off of an excellent 07’ campaign, while Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr. are just getting started in their careers. I also really like the off-season acquisition of Shaun Rogers.

SURPRISE: Baltimore Ravens-Now with a fresh start at head coach (John Harbaugh) and Offensive Coordinator (Cam Cameron), don’t be surprised if the Ravens shock everyone like in 2006. I see Willis McGahee having a career year. And while the defense is starting to fade, the Ravens still have their main guys on D.

DIVISION MVP: Derek Anderson-I seriously thought about Willis McGahee, but not being the division winners makes him a runner-up. Don’t think about 2007 numbers again from Anderson, but look for around 3,000-3,500 yards and about 20 TD’S. Also, expect around 1,400 yards from McGahee.

WILD CARD: Pittsburgh Steelers (miss playoffs)

AFC SOUTH

WINNER: Indianapolis Colts-Even though the Jaguars are closing in, the AFC South is still owned by the Colts. Indy won’t turn their play a notch down until Peyton turns his play down a notch, which won’t be for quite a while.

SURPRISE: Houston Texans-Being in such a tough division, the Texans first franchise playoff berth might not be for a few more years. Still, they have the talent on both sides. With Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson on offense, and Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, and the improving Dunta Robinson on D, don’t count these guys out.

DIVISION MVP: Peyton Manning-Surprised, well, you shouldn’t be. This division isn’t a division dominated by the Colts, it’s a division dominated by Manning.

WILD CARD: Jaguars (#5 seed), Texans (#6 seed)

AFC EAST

WINNER: New England Patriots-Almost a no-brainer. Even though they won’t have another undefeated regular season for a while, they will without a doubt win the AFC East again.

SURPRISE: Buffalo Bills-The Bills were ready to improve on their 7-9 2006 season, but they finished 2007 at 7-9 yet again. However, with a solid (but young) QB (Trent Edwards) RB (Marshawn ####), WR (Lee Evans), and an improving D, the Bills are most certainly playoff contenders.

DIVISION MVP: Tom Brady-This season, without Donte Stallworth, expect Randy Moss and Wes Welker to get most of the passes. Brady won’t have another record season, but be sure to look for around 3,500-4,000 yards and 30-35 TD’S.

WILD CARD: Buffalo Bills (miss playoffs)

AFC WEST

WINNER: San Diego Chargers-Maybe Norv Turner has finally found his home. Phillip Rivers should put up a solid season while LT will again be LT. Expect around 10 wins for the Chargers.

SURPRISE: Oakland Raiders-The Raiders have just been plain old disappointing the last couple of seasons; it’s time for them to burst out. I believe JaMarcus Russell is a good QB, not a bust, and Darren McFadden will really boost the offense. No playoffs, but not another “eyes fall out” season for Black & Silver fans.

DIVISION MVP: LaDainian Tomlinson-LT truly is brilliant having rushed for at least 1,000 yards every season in his career. That streak shall continue, as you should look for at least 1,500 yards and at least 15 TD’S.

WILD CARD: None

NFC NORTH

WINNER: Minnesota Vikings-With the heart of the Packers gone (Brett Favre), it’s time for the Purple People Eaters to come back out, spearheaded by new defensive end Jared Allen. Their offseason acquisition of Allen just pushed the team well over Green Bay. Despite questions marks at QB, they have a monster at runningback.

SURPRISE: Green Bay Packers-Actually, most of the team is still there, except for Brett. And

that’s the problem. Just one guy doesn’t seem like a big difference, but for the Packers in this case, it is, on & off the field. I expect his absence to really hurt the team and I just don’t see the Packers clicking this season.

DIVISION MVP: Jared Allen-Even though most would look towards Adrian Peterson; I’m looking at around 1,300 yards, which wouldn’t mean a division MVP title. Allen on the other hand will generate over 10 sacks this season as the Vikes biggest catch of the offseason. Oh yeah, and a word to the wise, many of Peterson rushing yards came in clunks last year and he has a history of injuries in college.

WILD CARD: None

NFC SOUTH

WINNER: New Orleans Saints-It was either the Saints or the Bucs, but I take the Saints. Why, they’re just straight-out more talented. I was surprised to see them flop last year, but I expect them to roll out with around 9 or 10 wins again this season.

SURPRISE: Atlanta Falcons-Michael Vick led the Falcons to the NFC Title game several years back, but Vick’s gone for a while, and probably won’t be back. Now, with Matt Ryan the new face of the team, and Michael Turner the team’s new feature back, if their wideouts click, don’t be surprised if they’re in the thick of the playoff race.

DIVISION MVP: Deuce McAllister-I’m not saying McAllister will be NFC South MVP not because he will rush for 1,500 yards (he will rush for around 1,200 however), but rather he is the face of the Saints team. It’s not Drew Brees. It’s not Reggie Bush. Even though I see Reggie Bush breaking out, without McAllister last season, the Saints played poorly.

WILD CARD: None

NFC EAST

WINNER: Dallas Cowboys-Pretty tough call, I don’t have the Cowboys having an excellent year actually. The loss of Julius Jones is offset by the drafting of Felix Jones, but the aging starters at wideout (T.O. & Terry Glenn) is just to huge to not exploit on defense. In fact, another inconsistent campaign like 2006 is possible.

SURPRISE: New York Giants-I was shocked to see the Giants win the Super Bowl last year; they really weren’t a great team. Now, they have got some of the apples (players) plucked off their tree (team), and are even worse. I also still don’t think Eli Manning is now a Pro Bowl QB. Lastly, I believe the Eagles will have a nice rebound year.

DIVISION MVP: Tony Romo-With Marion Barber pairing up with Felix Jones, those two could be Co-MVP’s instead, but I still really like the combo of Romo and Terrell Owens (still).

WILD CARD: Philadelphia (#5 seed), N.Y. Giants (miss playoffs)

NFC WEST

WINNER: Seattle Seahawks-The Seahawks had a very interesting (not good, but interesting) draft day. They have made a number of good additions, but have suffered huge losses in Josh Brown (to division rival Rams) & D.J. Hackett (to Panthers). Still, I don’t see anyone else in the NFC West near the Hawks talent.

SURPRISE: St. Louis Rams-I’m tempted to say Cards, but they didn’t have that bad of a 2007 season. The Rams on the other hand, finished last in the NFC West. I think Marc Bulger & Steven Jackson will have strong rebound years, and last year’s acquisition of Drew Bennett (from the Titans) is ready to take over opposite Torry Holt, replacing the aging veteran in Issac Bruce (now with the 49ers).

DIVISION MVP: Lofa Tatupu-Surprising with a linebacker as MVP huh? Well, Tatupu has made the Pro Bowl in all 3 seasons of his career, and won’t be slowing down anytime soon. The Hawks don’t have one guy that just jumps out at you big time on offense, but on defense, the guy is evident, not Patrick Kerney, but rather Tatupu.

WILD CARD: Arizona (#6 seed), St. Louis (miss playoffs)

PLAYOFFS
WILD CARD ROUND: AFC-#5 Jaguars def. #4 Browns, #3 Chargers def. #6 Texans NFC-#5 Eagles def. #4 Saints, #3 Vikings def. #6 Cardinals

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS: AFC-#3 Chargers def. #2 Patriots, #1 Colts def. #5 Jaguars NFC-#2 Seahawks def. #3 Vikings, #1 Cowboys def. #5 Eagles CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: AFC-#1 Colts def. #3 Chargers NFC-#2 Seahawks def. #1 Cowboys

SUPER BOWL XLIII

Colts def. Seahawks