The NFL kicks off its season tonight with the debut of Randy Moss in a Raider uniform and a Crennel/Weiss-less Patriot's sideline. With that in mind, a look at how the league will stack up this season.
AFC East, Pick: Patriots
It's tough to pick against a team that has won three of the past four Super Bowls but this could be a tougher challenge than many anticipate. The Jets will contend behind the revamped combination of Pennington to Coles. And JP Losman and Willis McGahee are primed to continue the Bills success from a year ago. But Belichick the mastermind is too much to contend with though and the Pats will once again call Foxboro home in January.
AFC North, Pick: Steelers
Although Big Ben has struggled in the preseason the Steelers return most of a lineup that went 15-1 last year and is poised to strike again. Carson Palmer and Trent Dilfer lead lackluster Bengals and Browns squads, and an aging Ravens defense will count them out in what could be football's weakest division.
AFC South, Pick: Jaguars
Byron Leftwich led the cardiac-Jags to a 9-7 record in 2004 and with Fred Taylor and Jimmy Smith in tow this could be a very good team. The Colts will struggle with a Swiss-cheese defense while a lack of a reliable quarterback will sink Houston and Tennessee.
AFC West, Pick: Raiders
While this pick makes me a little sick to my stomach it seems to be the most logical choice. One must not forget that Kerry Collins did lead the Giants to the Super Bowl in 2000 and with Randy Moss and Jerry Porter to throw to this team will be the true Bay Area attraction. San Diego, which came out of nowhere to succeed last year, will recede like the 2003 Chicago Bears following a 13-3 season. Kansas City will once again be dismantled by a poor defense while Denver will look to cope without an offensive line.
NFC East, Pick: Cowboys
This pick should go to the Eagles but with T.O. and Donovan not talking it's tough to see how they can succeed. The Cowboys are loaded with talent and Peerless Price could prove that this is the year he lives up to his name. Parcells will dominate a division that should show little competition from the Giants and Redskins.
NFC North, Pick: Vikings
In what will probably be Brett Favre's final season it's unfortunate that his team doesn't have the talent to take him to the promise land again. Free of Moss-worry the Vikings should dominate, although the Lions could prove to be silent assassins. The Bears woes continue as they plan to start rookie Kyle Orton who was benched during his senior season at Purdue for poor performance in 2004.
NFC South, Pick: Panthers
Jake Delhomme leads a Panther squad that fell short of expectations last year after a series of early devastating injuries. The Falcons will see their downfall in the lack of a receiver and the Bucs in the lack of a quarterback. Much of the focus of the NFL this year could be on the Saints but as for their performance it isn't there.
NFC West, Pick: Seahawks
In what was football's worst division a year ago remains much of the same. The 49ers spent millions on a rookie who they won't play and St. Louis only continues to grow older. The Cardinals could surprise people with a bevy of talent on offense but with Kurt Warner or Josh McCown behind center it's just not going to happen. Shaun Alexander will finally win his rushing title and Matt Hasselback to Koren Robinson will be a common phrase.
So there you have it. Of course, I could always be completely wrong but that's why they play the games.
