The Picks Are In!! (NFC South)

NFC South:

1. New Orleans Saints

The Saints had one of the best offseasons in the league this time around. They landed one of most valuable guys on the market in DT Aubrayo Franklin, formerly of the 49ers. Franklin clogs holes and makes it easier for quick linebackers to make plays, as Patrick Willis so often did and Jonathan Vilma and company will have a chance to do this season. The Saints also got a bargain with running back Darren Sproles, paying less than Reggie Bush for a rich man’s Reggie Bush (only in professional sports does stuff like this happen). Add rookie Mark Ingram into the mix, and the Saints have a ton of depth and talent on the offense, including receivers Marques Colston and Robert Meachem (an underrated but excellent touchdown threat), and Brees is going to go to sleep easy every night even if the team suffers an injury here or there. The Saints seem like they are in contention for another Super Bowl run. (And don’t forget about coach Sean Payton, possibly the second best coach in the league after the Hoodie. You can never count a dominant coach out.)

2. Atlanta Falcons (wild card)

I feel like Julio Jones is a deciding factor for where the Falcons end up. The offense is already very good, but Julio Jones being as breath-taking as Tony Gonzalez is leading us to believe than this offense could be unstoppable. Obviously the defense is a concern, leaning on the age of DE John Abraham and no other dominant starter (Ray Edwards is a good pickup but a product of the system in Minnesota, Brent Grimes is a good ballhawk but not very physical), but if the Falcons score as much as they have the potential to, the play of the defense will matter less. We’ll see if the conservative head coach Mike Smith allows Matt Ryan to let the ball fly more this season.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (wild card)

My man Josh Freeman looks to put up another impressive season in his second year as the unquestioned started and leader of this team. It is difficult to point to one specific player on this team as a dominant guy, they just play well as a team and the players on the field complement each other very smoothly. LaGarrette Blount was a phenomenal downhill runner in college, so I wasn’t surprised to see him post big numbers in his rookie season after being undrafted. I was surprised to see the number of teams that passed on him or didn’t keep him around. If Aqib Talib can get his act together off the field, he can get back to giving the opposing quarterbacks fits. Raheem Morris keeps this group focused and motivated.

4. Carolina Panthers

The bad news is they will likely finish last in their division for the second straight season. The good news is they will likely finish better than 2-14! The record is not the important thing for this franchise going forward. Obviously it is the development of rookie quarterback Cam Newton. I don’t really understand why the Panthers shelled out so much guaranteed money to the oft-injured DeAngelo Williams or the unproven Charles Johnson, players who were part of that 2-14 season, but I still have high hopes that the season won’t be as disastrous as last year. Lock them up for 4-12.

The Picks Are In!! (NFC North)

NFC North:

1. Green Bay Packers

I can't leave the defending champs out of a division title this year. They return every major player in that super bowl run besides Cullen Jenkins; they even brought James Jones back. Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley are back from their season-ending injuries last year. Aaron Rodgers is the future of the NFL at this position. He just flat out puts the ball in the right spots, but it doesn't hurt to have Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson. Even James Jones and his slick gloves are back. Rodgers is also the best quarterback at extending a play after Vick and Roethlisberger. Clay Matthews just bull-rushes the opposing tackles and punishes the quarterback. Tramon Williams was a breakout star last year at corner and is also a speedy return-man. Nick Collins, Sam Shields and Charles Woodson round out a solid secondary. The biggest worry for this team is the age of players such as Driver and Woodson (especially with Woodson’s injury-ridden past), but we've seen Ted Thompson’s knack for drafting guys to fill those positions.

2. Detroit Lions

This team is most analysts' darling and playoff sleeper this year. I'm not ready to give them a playoff spot, but this is for sure an up and coming team with loads of talent. The season really depends on Matthew Stafford's health. But if he does keep it going, he's got Calvin Johnson and Jahvid Best, two electrifying players that make big plays and keep defenses on their toes. People are really talking about their defense, however. Nick Fairley joins a defensive line that includes breakout star Ndamakong Suh and veteran workhorse Kyle Vanden-Bosch. This could, if not the best, one of the better D-lines in the league and put less pressure on defensive-minded coach Jim Schwartz to send extra guys at the quarterback. It already looks like when its all said and done, Suh could be one of the best to ever play his position.

3. Minnesota Vikings

It was hard for me to decide whether the Vikings would fall at the bottom at the North this year. But there are still some bright spots to this team. Donovan McNabb has a huge step up from Washington in terms of running back, clearly, in Adrian Peterson, who still has at least two or three years in him as the best back in the league. The defense still has some of the pieces that made it such a terrifying unit two years ago: the bullish defensive end Jared Allen, the always-underrated and never under-performing cornerback Antoine Winfield, and the brick wall linebacker Chad Greenway. I’m obviously not saying this is a playoff team, but I would not be surprised to see 8-8 or 9-7 for a team led by a smart guy in coach Leslie Frasier and a once-elite and now with something to prove quarterback in McNabb.

4. Chicago Bears

The defense is getting older and the offense didn't get any better, unless you put a lot of stock in the additions of Roy Williams and Marion Barber. I don't even know if I can get deeper than that. I just don't like the feel of this team. But here’s the list of issues: Cutler has his leadership problems (maybe it’s because he’s always on his back), Mike Martz’s honeymoons with teams as offensive coordinator never seem to last long, the middle of the offensive line is hurt with the departure of Olin Kreutz (from an already sack-friendly O-line), the team doesn’t have an elite threat at wide receiver (Johnny Knox and Devin Hester are just deep threats, not every down guys, although Earl Bennett is improving as a position receiver), and Matt Forte is unhappy with his salary, which more often than not can hurt a season (see Jackson, Vincent).

The Picks Are In!! (NFC East)

NFC EAST:

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are poised to win their division again with new pieces that should fit in well. They landed the biggest free agent and the only true guaranteed difference maker on the market in Nnamdi Asomugha. Nnamdi's stats may not wow you given his lack of interceptions, but they are not high because quarterbacks don't throw the ball is way. In the NFL Revis and Asomugha are in a class by themselves in shutting down receivers and forcing the QB to look elsewhere on the field, as well as increasing the effectiveness of the pass rush. Also, they potentially traded a clipboard (Kevin Kolb) for an electric, ball-hawking cornerback in Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick. Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie's styles on the field complement each other perfectly. Michael Vick, should he stay healthy (REVERSE JINX!), will likely once again be an MVP candidate. He's got all his weapons from last year back (DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy Brent Celek) and the Eagles brought in Ronnie Brown on a one-year deal, who, like McCoy, is incredible catching passes out of the backfield. I hate this team, but there might not be a better team on paper this year.

2. Dallas Cowboys

Romo should be healthy this season. Dez Bryant is one of the NFL stars of tomorrow and with Miles Austin and Jason Witten will give Romo plenty of options. I don't love Felix Jones but he should have a decent season. But on to the defense. This unit has immeasurable talent that was not on display last season mainly due to bad coaching and bad field position. But Rob Ryan is here. Ryan improved a Cleveland unit last year that pounded New England to become one of only two teams that defeated the Patriots this past season. DeMarcus Ware has the best pass rushing moves in the league, and many tackles are too slow to keep him out of the backfield. Dallas has some young talent in the defense backfield that at times got torched last season but should improve. I don't think Dallas will dominate this season, but they have a good chance to get back to 10 wins and not a laughingstock of the league.

3. New York Giants

I know there were some good reasons for letting Shaun O'Hara and Rich Seubert go, but I hated that for the team. For the past 5 years the offensive line of the Giants was the most consistent thing going for them. I hated almost everything about the Giants offseason. I understand retaining Ahmad Bradshaw what somewhat of a necessity, but they overpaid for someone with a serious problem holding onto the ball and injury concerns. Steve Smith, should he resign, has a serious injury that may be career threatening. Nicks and Manningham are both big play threats, but losing Kevin Boss to Oakland creates a big hole in the middle of the field. On the other side of the ball there are a lot of concerns. I still don't trust a single linebacker and I don't see how they haven't made serious attempts to improve this unit. Antrel Rolle is one of the most overrated players in the league and I'm confused as to how he made the Top 100 NFL Players list. He's simply a "right place at the right time" guy. Prince Amukamura was positioned to improve a weak defensive backfield, but a foot injury will keep him sidelined until at least October. I do, however, have a million good things to say about Justin Tuck. Tuck is the ultimate team player and will line up wherever he is told if it is for the better of the team. He is too strong and physical for most lineman and can dominate the run and pass game in a single game. Unfortunately, the guy lining up opposite him, Osi Umenyiora, is unhappy and will likely bring the energy and attitude of his teammates down with him. I think the Giants are going to disappoint this season.

4. Washington Redskins

Even better than the Chad Henne/Matt Moore show is the John Beck/Rex Grossman show! The difference is they don't even have someone nearly as talented as Brandon Marshall (Santana Moss is over the hill; his numbers are inflated because there is no one else) to sadly watch a ball sail over his head. Fortunately for the Redskins, they're the favorites for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes! There is something to look forward to during an otherwise bleak season. The offense, even beyond the quarterback, is punchless, from an oft-injured Clinton Portis to the 500 receivers they have over the age of 46. Ryan Torain is a nice running back though. The defense, which got absolutely torched last season, has a nice safety combination with Laron Landry and OJ Atogwe and a great blitzing linebacker in Brian Orakpo but plenty of holes in the defensive line. The defense will be able to make some stops but Beck/Grossman might not be able to cross the 50 even if they started at the 49.

The Picks Are In!! (AFC West)

AFC West:

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Maybe boring to have the same winner come out of this division as last year, but they did all of that with some players simply touching the surface of what they can do. Matt Cassel has another year leading the charge at quarterback under his belt. Fresh off a spectacular season, the speedy and elusive back Jamaal Charles has a chance to create more magic with likely more touches. Dwayne Bowe actually has some talent lining up for wideout, with the signing of Steve Breaston and the drafting of Jonathan Baldwin. Tamba Hali, probably the best standing DE after DeMarcus Ware and Clay Matthews, sheds blockers and speeds through to the quarterback better than most. Although Eric Berry struggled at the beginning of his rookie year, his play picked up, and he may start drawing comparisons to the top safeties in the league, especially alongside strong cover-corner Brandon Flowers. This Chiefs team certainly doesn’t blow you away. But I like them better than the other teams in the worst division in the AFC.

2. San Diego Chargers

It might be the end of the line for head coach Norv Turner if the Bolts don’t see the playoffs for the second season in a row. Philip Rivers is a top tier talent at quarterback, and his long ball connection to Vincent Jackson may be one of the most flawless plays in football. Antonio Gates remains the most athletically gifted tight end in the league. But Ryan Mathews may prove to be a disappointment at running back, struggling to find holes in his line, and Mike Tolbert can never be a number one option back because of his limitations in the open field at his size. Malcolm Floyd is fortunately back, but he’s not a top-notch threat. The defense is going to struggle stopping offenses, and they lack a marquee show-stopped on this side of the ball. Eric Weddle is a very good safety, but he’s not in the class of Polamalu, Reed, Berry, and Adrian Wilson. Could be another up-and-down season for the usual AFC West favorites.

3. Denver Broncos

I understand the quarterback situation is messy, but I think Orton will get the job and hold onto it this season. First of all, it’s obvious to the Broncos he’s a better quarterback than Tim Tebow. It’s also obvious to Kyle Orton, anyone who’s following football right now, Tim Tebow, and my grandmother. Kyle Orton gets the job done, and while he’s nowhere near the top tier of quarterbacks with Brady, Manning, Brees, Rivers, Vick and Big Ben, he’s certainly better than many others who have starting jobs in the league (I’m talking to you, Tarvaris Jackson). Add that to an improving Knowshon Moreno, the veteran Willis McGahee, and last year’s leading receiver Brandon Lloyd, they may not dominate, but they will compete. 2009 All-Pro standing DE Elvis Dumervil is back from his season-ending injury last season, and he’ll improve a defense that got absolutely torched last season. But let’s be honest, they have better prospects than this next team…

4. Oakland Raiders

They lost their best player and Jason Campbell is there quarterback. They lost their best player and Jason Campbell is there quarterback. They lost their best player and Jason Campbell is there quarterback. They lost their best player and Jason Campbell is there quarterback. They lost their best player and Jason Campbell is there quarterback. Need I say more?

AFC Playoffs:

Wild Card:

(3) Houston def. (6) NY Jets

(5) Pittsburgh def. (4) Kansas City

Divisional:

(1) New England def. (5) Pittsburgh

(3) Houston def. (2) Baltimore

AFC Championship:

(1) New England def. (3) Houston

The Picks Are In!! (AFC South)

AFC South:

1. Houston Texans

I know, they’ve become everyone’s sleeper playoff pick for the last few years and they’ve never come through. Personally, I have no idea how Gary Kubiak is still coach. But the team got better this offseason. To me, the best acquisition for them was actually Wade Philips. Wade Philips cannot control a team as head coach, but he’s had success as a defensive coordinator in the past, and at one point he made that Dallas team feared on defense and opened up packages to aid DeMarcus Ware in becoming the player he is now. The defense will play a lot better, with DeMeco Ryans back, Brian Cushing playing the entire season, and the additions of Jonathan Joseph and Danieal Manning to a historically bad defensive backfield from last season. I don’t love Mario Williams moving to a standing defensive end position, but I do trust Wade Philips’ judgment defensively. Also, Andre Johnson is the best receiver in the league, Arian Foster broke out last season as one of the best runningbacks, and Matt Schaub can deliver the ball where he wants to most of the time. I think this is the year this franchise makes it to the postseason for the first time, but they need to avoid getting down early in games.

2. Indianapolis Colts

Last year saw a lot of scares if you were a Colts fan. If not for Peyton Manning, they don’t make the playoffs. Not only that, Jacksonville, Houston, and Tennessee all played poorly in the second half of last season after good starts, handing the division to the Colts when they did not necessarily deserve it. Don’t get me wrong, I am not nervous about Peyton Manning missing time following the neck surgery. He won’t have his best year, but we’ll still see him out there on the field. I don’t get a great feeling about the rest of the players outside Reggie Wayne, especially health-wise. The other receivers always seem to miss time, Dallas Clark went down last season, and Robert Mathis seems to always be listed as Questionable or Doubtful on the pre-game injury report. Even Dwight Freeney battles injuries (although he usually plays through them). I also still don’t know what to make of Jim Caldwell as a coach. Manning seems to have bailed him out at many different times the past few seasons when Caldwell may have let the game get out of hand. Overall, I just feel that despite one of the best quarterbacks in the league’s history, the Texans talent top to bottom trumps that of the Colts handily.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Well they definitely aren’t the worst team in the division. But how far can David Garrard or an inexperienced (and unproven) Blaine Gabbert take you? My thought is not too far. Yeah, Garrard’s one very good (not great) year was cute, but he doesn’t make enough plays to contend with Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub in this division. And I hate to say this with the giant load that the minute Maurice Jones-Drew carries for this team. The 5-foot-7 back never stops pushing for this team, and he always gives them a chance. But this offense needs more spark than that to get past Houston and Indianapolis. I do like what they did in the offseason on defense, however, adding linebackers Paul Posluszny and Clint Session to nice players like Rashean Mathis and last year’s first round DL Tyson Alualu. So as I said, nice players, but nothing to transcend. Listen Jacksonville, fire Jack Del Rio and give the franchise a fresh start. It’s probably the best thing to do at this point.

4. Tennessee Titans

This hurts. But the division got better and the Titans seemed to run in place. Actually, Matt Hasselbeck is the only reason I’m not fearful of an 0-16 season from my squad in Nashville. Jake Locker trading snaps with Rusty Smith is a recurring nightmare I’ve had since Kerry Collins retired. But I do like the hiring of Mike Munchak, a guy who has the support and backing of his players. The Chris Johnson holdout situation is messy, but he deserves the money and I think the short-armed, deep-pocketed Bud Adams will shell out the money to the only reason Tennessee folks have gone to the stadium and tuned into the games. The worst part going into this season is the departure of defensive line coach Jim Washburn to the Eagles. It might sound surprising to hear one say a position coach is the worst loss for a team, but Washburn has brought the best out of Jevon Kearse, Albert Haynesworth, Kevin Carter, Tony Brown, Jason Babin, Dave Ball, Jason Jones and Jacob Ford. After Kearse, Haynesworth, and Carter departed their careers declined. Before Babin and Ball came to town they were castoffs from other teams. Tony Brown was released following Washburn’s departure. Babin and Ford have since been overpaid after playing under Washburn. It would have been great to see last year’s first round pick Derrick Morgan develop under the eye of Washburn. The Titans do have bright spots, however. With Michael Roos and David Stewart, the Titans are one of the strongest teams at the tackle positions in the league. Michael Griffin and Cortland Finnegan are tough defensive backs who have a tendency of frustrating their opponents., especially Finnegan, as displayed last year in his fight with Andre Johnson. Barrett Ruud is a great addition at linebacker and one of the best at his position in pass coverage and defending receiving tight ends. As a Titans fan I feel I have little reason for hope this season, but I will continue to find the positives, most specifically the development and learning for Jake Locker, watching Hasselbeck’s poise and leadership from the sidelines.

The Picks Are In!! (AFC North)

AFC North:

1. Baltimore Ravens

This is another hard division to pick, and it's not much of a difference going either way with the teams who have more or less dominated the division of late. So I'll pick the Ravens to get over the hump and take the AFC North crown from the Steelers. My biggest reason for doing so: I believe the Ravens have the best defensive player in the league. No I'm not talking about Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, or Terrell "Sack-Master" Suggs. I'm talking about Haloti Ngata. Ngata at times could single-handedly dismantle offensive lines last season, in the pass and the rush game, doing his best Albert Haynesworth pre-record-breaking salary impression. With all the pressure he creates, he allows Suggs to get to the quarterback faster, Lewis to the the holes harder, and Reed to pick the best spots to make a play on the ball. Offensively, while I'm not in love with Flacco's accuracy and failure to spread the ball around, the Ravens have enough weapons to get down the field and put enough points on the board to let their defense win the games.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (wild card)

Ben Roethlisberger has been to three Super Bowls and has two rings. But that was the single, womanizing Ben! Now he is happily married! While I'm kidding and don't actually think that will affect the results of the team, I just am wary to put the Steelers ahead of the Ravens this season. There are plenty of positives to start, however. Mike Wallace broke out last season as the best big play receiver not named DeSean Jackson or Calvin Johnson last year. Rashard Mendenhall dances around defenders and can break for big runs. And Ben can extend the play better than anyone, even speedy quarterbacks Michael Vick and Aaron Rodgers. His size and awareness help him keep the play going when most count the team out from the get-go. But James Harrison's no-show in the Super Bowl worries me (not his hatred of Roger Goodell, he can play through that). Troy Polamalu's health is a real concern, especially as he gets older and starts to slow down. Hines Ward is really getting up their in age and his play-making and run-blocking will begin to decline. Their offensive line is still shaky, even with the best center Maurkice Pouncey. But things in the NFL always change and fluctuate from year to year, so this year the AFC North, I believe, belongs to the Baltimore Ravens.

3. Cleveland Browns

They finish third ONLY because of the futility of the Cincinnati Bengals. I never though Eric Mangini was a great head coach, but really Mike Holmgren? You're gonna higher the offensive coordinator of a 7-9 team as your head coach? Pat Shurmur has his work cut out, but he does have a breakout, bull-dozing running back in Peyton Hillis, the best offensive tackle in the game in Joe Thomas, and a wealth of developing young talent. Colt McCoy is showing flashes of the leadership he exhibited at Texas en route to becoming the winningest quarterback in college football history, and while he may not be Pro Bowl material, he will lead a team to the playoffs in his career. Joe Haden showed flashes of his great potential in his rookie season, making six interceptions on the season. Mohamed Massaquoi is a good possession receiver and security blanket for McCoy. However I think the defense will take a step back with the departure of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to Dallas. This looks to be a team that doesn't make the playoffs, but they don't go out with a fight for the teams in their path.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

I don't really feel like doing this one. But I'll try to look hard and find the positives. Leon Hall is a great cornerback and held down the secondary with Jonathan Joseph last season, who fled for greener pastures in Houston. AJ Green is a great talent with potential to be one of the league's top wideouts, but it won't happen this year. Okay I'm done with the positives. Their defense has several holes, and opposing offenses are going to love when Cincy comes to town. At least they have Bruce Gradkowski under center. No I'm kidding. Carson Palmer, please come out of retirement and give some life to this team and be a red-headed influence to guide a promising young red-head like yourself, Andy Dalton. Love, the city of Cincinnati.

The Picks Are In!! (AFC East)

Football is back! It feels so good, especially since we're likely to see much or all of my beloved NBA lost in the upcoming season. So get your living room ready, start your fantasy drafts and prepare to disgust your wives and girlfriends by how little you do from ESPN's NFL Countdown all the way til the final play of Monday Night Football!

This summer saw quite possibly the craziest free agency period in NFL (and maybe even sports in general) history, and through a draft class on the weaker side (yeah I know Nnamdi was a big deal, but there are too many "If You Give That Guy Too Much Money and Too Many Years He's Probably Going to Underperform" guys that were signed), the landscape of the NFL has changed. Although it may not be a seismic change, it will still effect which teams we're going to bet on, root for, and berate in utter disgust in January. So without further ado, Steadward's NFL Division Standings for the 2011-2012 season! (You may not be as excited as I am, I have bad luck with these things.)

AFC East:

1. New England Patriots

I did this alphabetically, which stinks because this is one of the hardest divisions to guess which of the two powerhouses will end up with the division title. But I'm going with New England (I'm not happy about it either, Jets fans), and the first two reasons I decided this are the same two reasons many will pick New England to win this division: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Belichick was turning heads again this offseason. In the transition period seeing many players head to new cities, Belichick traded for WR Chad Ochocinco and DT Albert Haynesworth. This would usually make football fans shake their heads, if say, Dallas acquired these players, but when The Hoodie makes these moves, people just say "Oh man, Belichick's at it again!" Ochocinco, what some people may not understand (who obviously don't know much about about football), does not have a bad attitude, and his outlandishness, though it may not subside completely, will not come before this team and what its aims are for the season. Ochocinco has lost a step, of course, at 33 years old, but he may have the best hands in the league outside of Larry Fitzgerald and Braylon Edwards (just kidding about the second one). Haynesworth is playing for more. The Patriots can let him go whenever they want. Although he may not have completely let go of the Krispy Kreme diet, can you imagine how offenses feel when they look over and Haynesworth and Vince Wilfork are looking at you like your their dinner? I think both signings aid the Patriots in the regular season. Tom Brady is as competitive as quarterbacks get and will never let his team lose sight of their short term and long terms goals. The third reason relates very directly to the first two: Teams with continuity and strong veteran leadership fare better in seasons following a lockout. With teams missing workouts this summer due to work stoppage, teams with a strong nucleus such as the New England Patriots, guided by their scheming coach and fearless quarterback.

2. New York Jets (wild card)

Though we likely know what head coach Rex Ryan will guarantee this preaseason: a Super Bowl Championship in February. I feel the same way about the Jets as I did last year, so I feel they will once again finish behind Tom Brady and the Pats. They still have the leagues best cornerback, someone who, needless to say, can shut any receiver and make him a non-factor in the game, and someone who is also a weak pass rush's best friend, such as the Jets. With Darrelle Revis and Linebacker David Harris, Rex Ryan can fill in almost anyone outside of my tiny frame into his defensive schemes and produce results, shutting down opposing offenses. So they'll win a good amount of games only scoring points in single digits or slightly beyond. But I still don't trust Mark Sanchez and his issues with accuracy, and I think a newly signed Santonio Holmes (they had to spend the money, but it is still too much), Plaxico Burress (2 years removed from competitive football) and the addition of an aging Derrick Mason are a downgrade from Holmes playing with something to prove, Braylon Edwards (despite my jokes at his expense), and Jerricho Cotchery. LaDanian Tolmlinson was great as a backup last season, but we all know the self life of halfbacks. Shonn Greene will have a nice season, but they need more than just his downhill running. The Jets also will have to throw in younger players on the offensive line, although Nick Mangold may be the best center in the league outside of Maurkice Pouncey. Yes, this Jets team looks ready for another postseason berth, but I don't see anything I didn't see from last season that will suggest they pass the Patriots in the regular season. And I know its boring to start with two picks identical from last season, but I hope you're ready for a curveball...

3. Buffalo Bills

I know, third in a division doesn't guarantee immortality on NFL Films, but if you're a Bills fan try to tell me you would not be happy with a 3rd place finish with the top 2 spots so locked up. Ryan Fitzpatrick may not be the guy you want under center, but he is a gamer. The team fell in a lot of close games with Fitzpatrick leading the charges, tossing to one of the NFL's breakout stars of last season, Stevie Johnson. Maybe this season, Stevie won't have to publicly question his faith on Twitter and will make a few more big plays. I love Fred Jackson and I have a feeling CJ Spiller will bounce back from a dismal rookie season at running back. Still, I don't like the defense and their stuck with Chan Gailey as their head coach (if you recall, they really had no choice but to bring this ineffective coach in). With that said, I like their chances to finish third better than the next team.

4. Miami Dolphins

Welcome to the Chad Henne/Matt Moore show! Brandon Marshall, you thought you saw over/underthrown balls last season? Well don't worry, Miami brought in Matt Moore, who lost his starting job to Jimmy Clausen! It's hard for Miami fans to be excited when you have this circus at quarterback and Reggie Bush as the new feature back (That is, if there are real Miami fans. I think there are Dolphins fans. But Heat and Marlins games show a pretty seemingly indifferent group of people). Reggie is a great threat and asset to an offense, but he works better as a second or third option, not the focal point of a backfield. Daniel Thomas is a nice player, but he landed in a bad situation this year. Unfortunately for defensive stars Cameron Wake and Karlos Dansby, they could be headed for the bottom of the barrel of the AFC East.